MORE WINTER AND SNOW ACTIVIES
JANUARY SONG
Tune: Alouette
January, first is January January, the first month of the year.
In this month is New Year's Day, Happy New Year! Hip Hooray! New Year's
Day! Hip Hooray, OH,etc.
FOOD FOR BIRDS
Submitted by Linda
You need tube biscuits, bird seed and yarn. I gave each child one biscuit. They took a straw and put a hole through the top of the biscuit(for the hanger). They took the bird seed and pushed it into the biscuit on each side. The cooks at our school baked them for us. They used the yarn to make a hanger by putting it through the hole. Each child then had something to take home and feed the birds. To make sure each child had their own I put the biscuits on aluminum foil and wrote their names on the foil with permanent marker.
5 LITTLE SNOWMEN
Five little snowmen on the hillside sat.
The first one said, "I've lost my hat!"
The second one said, "My scarf's gone too!"
The third one said, "Away they went!"
The fourth one said, "I'm cold as ice."
The fifth one said, "Inside is nice!"
They marched inside
and then all said, "We forgot.
Inside is much too hot!"
SNOW SCENES
MATERIALS
1 C. salt
1/2 C. flour
3/4 C. water
large bowl
mixing spoon
crayons
light-blue construction paper
paintbrushes
Make "snow" by mixing salt, flour, and water in a large bowl. Invite students to use crayons to draw a winter scene on light-blue construction paper. Have students paint "snow" over their pictures using long brush strokes. (Ask students to apply only a thin layer. The snow will not show up until the mixture has dried.)
ANOTHER SNOW SCENE IDEA
You can also use epsom salts mixed with water to paint over a crayon-colored snow scene! The crystals show up when the mixture has dried. It is also very pretty on dark blue construction paper.
WINTER POKEY
Submitted by Erica
The Winter Pokey
to the tune of "The Hokey-Pokey"
You put your right mitten in,
You take your right mitten out.
You put your right mitten in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the winter pokey, [shiver]
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!
You put your left mitten in....
You put your right boot....
You put your left boot....
You put your long scarf in....
You put your warm cap in....
You put your snowsuit in....
5 LITTLE SNOWMEN
tune - 5 little ducks
5 little snowmen made in a row (show 5 fingers)
5 little snowmen made of snow
Out came the sun and shone all day (Hands over head forming a sun)
1 little snowman melted away. (Show 1 finger and do a wiggle as you go down
towards the ground - not falling)
Continue from 4 - 2, last verse is slightly different.
1 little snowman all alone
1 little snowman made of snow
Out came the sun and shone all day
1 little snowman melted away.
Paint or design 5 snowmen and have children hold them and take them away to the verses of the song.
OLD FASHIONED CANDY MADE IN SNOW
We gather some clean snow in pans or tubs, pack it down, draw small paths in it with our fingers, then fill the paths with maple syrup. Let sit outside or in cool place for half an hour and you have old fashioned candy! They did this in the "Little House on the Prairie" Books!
SNOWMAN
One of my favorite things to do is to use three different size doilies. glue them together to form snowmen. then glue on pre-cut black hats, pre-cut
orange carrot noses, pre-cut red mouths, pre-cut eyes, glue on buttons, add scarves etc. they are so cute upon completion and look great hanging up in the room.
Another activity is to mix epsom salt with water and spread on blue paper. It is crystallize looking and then we add winter scenery to picture such as sleds, snowmen, etc.
SNOW
Paint "Honey Comb" Cereal white and sprinkle with glitter. Makes a good snow flake shape.
WINTER FUN
One thing we did last year that was a hit was putting shaved or crushed ice at the water table. The kids loved playing with it although we had to keep
the time at the center down because the little fingers got cold LOL
You could also have a "snowball fight" with tissue paper or tissues. I got a couple of boxes of cheap tissues from the dollar store and made it "snow"
the kids had a great time!
Also using paper plates for ice skates is fun. Just stand on the paper plates and skate around the "ice"
SNOW
Dehydrated mashed potato flakes work great in the sand table for snow. Add water and you can actually make snowballs. Safe to eat
too!
WINTER WONDERLAND
Submitted by Chandra
As part of my unit on winter, the children and I built a snowman out of boxes. I got three different size boxes and covered them with white paper. We stacked the boxes according to size with the little one being the head.
Eyes,a nose and month was put on the snowman's face. A hat was put on his head and buttons were put down the front of the boxes. A hat was put on his head and pipe cleaners were used for the arms. He was displayed in the hallway by our door. The caption read "Oh! What a Snowman.
A MAGICAL SNOWMAN
Submitted by Stephanie
Materials:
1 white candlestick
1 piece of watercolor white paper
watercolor paints
paint brushes
Begin by drawing a picture of a snowman using the bottom of the candlestick (not the top with the wick). The picture of the snowman will not be seen until you paint over it with the watercolor paints. Once the snowman is drawn, use a paint brush to spread the watercolor paint over the entire piece of paper. The watercolor paints will not adhere to the parts where the snowman was drawn using the candlestick. When the entire piece of paper is painted using the watercolor paints, the magical picture of the snowman will appear!
A Blanket Of Snow
Submitted by Julie
I am an international music teacher and this works wells for building language, listening skills, and patience.
There is a song I use from an Orff book, MUSIC IS FUN.
I teach them the song first:
The snow fell softly all the night,
It made a blanket soft and white,
It covered houses, flowers and ground,
But did not make a single sound.
I brought a big soft white/creme blanket from home, and made pictures of flowers and houses on the computer and had a brown piece of paper for the ground. The kids held the blanket like a parachute, and sang the song. Three kids at a time hold a picture each, and go under the blanket when they hear the word that their picture is. The other kids sing the last line of the song "but did not make a single sound" As they cover the kids who are the houses, flowers and ground.
They just love it, but set up some ground rules (only those with the pictures go under, and don't touch the bumps the kids make under the blanket).
Measuring Snow
Submitted by Kinsey
Have a ruler for everyone. Have them go outside and measure the snow. write it down. Keep doing this in 30 minute periods four times. after you are done they will make a chart A bar chart.have the chart look like this.
10 inches
9 inches
8 inches
7 inches
6inches
5inches and so on
The "snow" is going to be cotton balls with a little silver glitter on the top!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5 Snowman Fun
Submitted by Diane
I drew five snowman with a top hat and a red bow around
their necks and laminated them for safe keeping. I cut out a felt yellow
sun. Real easy.
Five little snowman standing in a row
Each with a hat and a big red bow
Out came the sun and it stayed all day
And one little snowman melted away,
Etc., etc. ,etc.
To play the game
We line up five chairs in a row
Each child has a black top hat (the inexpensive plastic ones)
and I made red paper bows for around their necks.
Another child is the sun and stands behind each child as we recite the poem.
Of course, the best part is falling off the chair as they are melting.
Let it Snow
Submitted by Sherri
Add a chill to the air when you create this winter wonderland. Sprinkle Styrofoam packing pieces on the floor to create snow. Make a basic snowman shape by stuffing one large and one small white, plastic trash bag with more Styrofoam pieces or with newspaper. To make the snowman, insert half of a dowel's length inside the large bag before typing it shut. Then invert the small trash bag of the remaining part of the dowel and tie that bag shut. Provide winter clothing and accessories for children to dress the snowman as well as themselves. Use white athletic socks rolled into ball for soft snowballs. Place arctic animal toys, such as penguins or polar bears around the area. Complete the scene with plastic mugs, a teapot, an empty can of hot cocoa, and some wintry picture books. What a cool center!
Snowball Fight
Submitted by Elaina
Being an early childhood teacher in Texas produces many challenges when doing a unit on Winter and Snow. Since we only have a snow "storm" every few years, we have to improvise. Each class in our grade level has each individual student bring one bag of white cotton balls. I sprinkle all of the cotton balls on the floor and our class has a snowball fight. For added fun, we invite another class to join us. The students get the most fun from bombarding their teachers! It's a safe, fun project and the cotton balls can later be used to make snowmen art projects or for other projects during the remainder of the year (Ex: Weather- Clouds)
SAVE YOUR SNOWFLAKES
Now you can bring your snow inside, thanks to this clever little trick!
Materials Needed:
piece of glass
aerosol hair spray
Steps:
1. Freeze the piece of glass and the hair spray can overnight.
2. Spray your chilled glass with the chilled hair spray.
3. Go outside and let some snowflakes settle on the glass. When you have enough flakes bring the glass indoors and allow it to thaw at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
4. Now you have a permanent record of your snowflakes!
FREEZING AND EVAPORATION
First we took a cup of water and asked the children what they thought would happen if we put it outside on a very cold day overnight. We tried not to lead their answers, and put them on a chart. That day we froze the water, then the next class we showed them the frozen water and talked about what happened. We brought an electric frying pan and asked the children what they thought would happen if we put the ice in the hot pan. We melted the ice to see who was right, then we took almost all the water out to show them the water turning into steam and then disappearing. This was very dramatic- with only a spoonful of water it quickly bubbled and DISAPPEARED before their eyes!
Even if the youngest children didn't understand evaporation, they thought it was neat and wanted to do that part over and over!
SNOW ART SALT
Saturate hot water with salt. Let the water cool, and have the child use the salt water to paint on black paper. Then after it dries, have the child look at the crystals of salt on the paper.
PUT ON YOUR MITTENS
Submitted by Marilyn
Put on your Mittens,
It's cold I fear,
It's that winter time of year,
Play in your yard,
But when you're done,
Pull off your mittens,
ONE BY ONE!
I made a flannelboard out of this one:
Snowman
First the body (two white balls of felt to make the snowman's body)
then the head (add another ball to make his head)
A stove pipe hat (add a black tophat)
and a scarf of red (add the scarf)
Two buttons for his eyes (add eyes)
And a carrot for his nose, (add orange carrot)
then add some raisins,
standing in a row (add a mouth)
WARM UP
What warms me up on a cold, cold day?
Cocoa warms me up in a chocolaty way.
What warms me up on a cold, cold day?
A fire warms me up in a toasty way.
What warms me up on a cold, cold day?
A quilt warms me up in a snuggly way.
What warms me up on a cold, cold day?
A hug warms me up in a loving way!
FROSTY FRIENDS
Create this frosty friend according to these directions, and a snowstorm will appear right before your eyes. To begin, cut out and glue two or three white paper circles to a sheet of blue construction paper. Using permanent markers, transform the circles into a snowy friend by adding facial features and clothing. When the picture is done, brush over it with a heavily saturated mixture of salt and water. Set the picture aside to dry where you can watch the transformation. It's a snowstorm!
Put on Your Snow Clothes!
Outside there's snow! The cold winds blow!
Let's bundle up and go, go, go!
Put on socks and long johns too.
The cold out there won't bother you.
Put on pants and a nice warm shirt.
Now that icy wind won't hurt!
Put on mittens and a hat.
You'll be comfy dressed like that!
Put on your boots. Your gear's complete!
You'll be warm down to your feet!
Outside there's snow! The cold winds blow!
We're bundled up! Let's go, go, go!
WARM SNOWMAN ON COLD DAY SNACK
Put a twist on little ones' views of cold, wet snowmen with this delicious idea. Give each child three refrigerated biscuits and direct her to place them vertically on a piece of foil to resemble a snowman. Have her use pretzel sticks and raisins for the snowman's arms, eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons. Place the foil on a baking sheet and bake as directed. Serve with butter or honey. Enjoy these warm snowmen on a cold winter's day!
WINTER PUZZLE
These mittens will warm up a wide variety of your youngsters' skills. Photocopy a supply of mittens onto construction paper. Program the upper portion of each mitten with a skill such as a color word, a letter, or a numeral. Program the lower portion of each mitten with that skill's corresponding match such as a color, a picture, or set. Laminate the mittens and cut them out. Then make a puzzle-style cut between the upper and lower portions of each mitten. To do this activity, a child matches each skill on an upper mitten part to a skill on a lower mitten part. To check his work, he puts the pieces together.
SNOW PALS
Just can't wait for that first snowfall to build a snow pal? Let students pretend to build snow pals using their real pals! Group youngsters in pairs. Explain that one child should pretend to be a lump of snow while the other child molds his partner into a snow pal. The finished snow pal will need to hold her pose while the builder describes his creation. As the snow pals remain frozen, use the discussion time to help children label body parts and analyze the different poses. Then have the partners switch roles.
SNOWMEN CRAFT IDEA
Make snowmen out of white toilet paper tubes cut them into sections & then the children can glue 2 or 3 sections together to make a snowmen...add buttons for eyes or whaterever, yard for a scarf, etc...
Sock Snowman
1. Put a jar lid in the toe of a sock.
2. Crumple newspaper into three balls. Put the largest one in the sock on top of the lid. Tie string around the sock above the ball.
Add the other balls, tying string above each one.
3. Cut off the rest of the sock above the last piece of string.
4. To make a hat brim, trace around a water glass onto paper. Cut out the circle.
5. Set an empty film canister in the center of the circle and trace around it. Cut out the small circle to form a ring.
6. Slide the paper ring over the canister and tape it in place. Glue the hat over the cut end of the sock.
7. Glue on button eyes and buttons on the body.
8. For a scarf, tie a fabric strip around the neck. Place twig arms under it.
9. Glue on a sequin mouth. Glue on a button nose.
Melting Snowfolk
Finding ways to demonstrate snow melting can be a challenge if you live in a warm climate. Try using these snowfolk made from biodegradable packing peanuts. (Starch-based packing material dissolves quickly when placed in water.) To make snowfolk, give each child a packing piece and have her use markers to draw features on the piece so that it resembles a miniature snowperson. Ask the children to pretend that it is a warm, sunny day; then have them put the snowfolk in a tub of water. Watch as the snowmen melt away!
Surprising Snowman
Each of your youngsters can make a handsome snowman with--of all things--balloon imprints. To begin, inflate a balloon to about four inches in diameter, and knot the end. Partially fill a shallow pan with white tempera paint. Dip the balloon into the paint; then press it three times onto a sheet of construction paper, redipping between presses. For the large circle, press down on the balloon firmly. For the medium circle, press down less hard, and for the small circle, press down lightly. Use a Q-tip® or paintbrush and different colors of tempera paint to add facial features and twiglike arms. Glue on pieces of colorful cereal for the snowman's buttons. Top off this marvelous creation with a hat and a scarf cut from felt or gift
wrap.
Gelatin Ice
It looks like ice, but it feels like gelatin. Either way, this recipe provides a tactile experience your youngsters are sure to enjoy. Mix 32 envelopes of unflavored gelatin (four envelopes are in a box) with 22 cups of hot water. Stir until dissolved; then pour the mixture into small plastic containers and chill. Once the mixture has jelled, pop the gelatin forms out of the containers and give one to each child. Youngsters can use pipe cleaners, bowls, and spoons to freely explore. What fun!
Dance Like Snowflakes
(sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques")
Dance like snowflakes,
Dance like snowflakes,
In the air.
In the air.
Whirling, twirling snowflakes,
Whirling, twirling snowflakes,
Here and there.
Here and there.
Snowballs to Keep
The disappointing thing about snowballs is that they never stay around very long. Give each student a large Styrofoam ball; white, light blue, and lavender one-inch tissue paper squares; thinned white glue; a large brush; and a clean Styrofoam egg carton. To make a snowball, first set a Styrofoam ball in the cupped half of the egg carton. This will keep the ball from rolling while you work. Then brush the upper half of your ball with glue, select and randomly place tissue paper squares on the glue to cover, and brush over the squares with more glue. Allow the glue to dry before repeating the process on the other side of the ball. Allow the second half to dry. If desired, coat the ball with spray adhesive and sparingly sprinkle on clear glitter. Fill a basket with your youngsters' snowballs. Place it in a center with large mitten cutouts labeled with numbers. To use the center, a student selects a mitten, reads the number, and counts snowballs equal to that number.
SNOWMAN SOUP
a.. Put some miniature marshmallows in plastic wrap and tie with curly ribbon.
b.. Make up a Ziploc packet of Snowman Soup (recipe here) or a buy a box of instant hot chocolate packets.
c.. Put the marshmallows, a hot chocolate packet, some Hershey kisses and a candy cane in a mug.
d.. Place the filled mug in center of cellophane and pull sides up over mug. Tie off at top with curly ribbon.
e.. Print Snowman Soup Poem here.
f.. If using Snowman Soup Recipe print Directions for Use here and attach.
g.. Tie on poem with ribbon and add a bow.
h.. Optional: If desired you can also include the printed Snowman Soup recipe from above.
Snowman Soup
© 2000 by shirleyt@craftsayings.com
When it's so cold that
you holler and whoop,
It's time to bring out
the Snowman Soup!
Pour the packet in a mug.
Add marshmallows too.
And throw in the kisses
that are special for you.
Now add some hot water
and use the cane to stir it.
Sip slowly and soon you'll
feel the warm winter spirit!
Snowman Soup Recipe
3 cups powdered sugar
1 cup nonfat dry milk
2 cups instant NesQuik
3/4 cup non dairy creamer
1 large (6 oz.) box instant chocolate pudding
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and store in air tight containers. To enjoy, add 3 T to a cup of boiling hot water. (Use more or less mix depending upon size of mug and your taste buds).
Note: The original recipe that I saw called for 16 oz. instant chocolate milk (such as NesQuik) and 6 oz. non dairy creamer. Those were probably the dry weights, but I tried the cup amounts first and we loved it so much I didn't add any more. My son called long distance to get the recipe so he could make more and says he drinks it each morning in place of coffee now. Hope you love it as much!!
SNOWFLAKE
On a piece of wax paper squeeze a dot of glue about the size of a quarter.
I give each child 8 or 9 Q-Tips, and they lay one end of the Q-tip into the glue.
Continue placing Q-Tips around the circle of glue. Completely dry (day or two) and peel off wax paper. (Some added glitter, crystal or silver, to the center. The older ones also placed a dot of glue on the end of the Q-Tip and sprinkled glitter at the ends.) Hang with fishing line.
INDOOR SNOWMAN
Submitted by Staci
Have the children fill three white trash bags with tissue paper or newspaper. Fill one small, medium, and large. Attach the three together to make a snowman using duct tape or staples. Add the appropriate features and whalah, you have a snowman that will never melt.
We used this snowman to measure(how many blocks tall is he, how makes links around is he, etc).
THREE WHITE SNOWFLAKES
Three white snowflakes,fancy-free,
Each as pretty as could be.
The first one said,“I ’m so small —
The smallest snowflake of us all.”
The second one said,with a twinkle in his eyes,
“I ’m bigger than you.I ’m medium size.”
The third one said,“Hey,this is fun!
Can you see I ’m the biggest one?”
Three white snowflakes in the sky,
Small,medium,and large all say,“Good-bye!”
Think Snow!
( sung to the tune of “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush ”)
What shall we do in wintertime,
In wintertime, in wintertime?
What shall we do in wintertime
On [Monday ] when it ’s snowing?
We ’ll build a snowman round and fat,
Round and fat, round and fat!
We ’ll build a snowman round and fat
On [Monday ] when it ’s snowing!
Sing the song again, using different days of the
week and activities such as the following:
Tuesday, take a sled ride down a hill
Wednesday, find some food to feed the birds
Thursday, skate around a frozen pond
Friday, pack some snowballs round and tight
Saturday, make some angels in the snow
Sunday, build a snow fort in the yard
MIGRATION
Time to Migrate
(sung to the tune of “London Bridge”)
Geese are honking, “Let’s fly south.
Let’s fly south. Honk, honk, honk.”
Geese are honking, “Let’s fly south.”
Time to migrate!
Ducks are quacking, “Let’s fly south.
Let’s fly south. Quack, quack, quack.”
Ducks are quacking, “Let’s fly south.”
Time to migrate!
Robins are chirping, “Let’s fly south.
Let’s fly south. Chirp, chirp, chirp.”
Robins are chirping, “Let’s fly south.”
Time to migrate!
First, divide the class into three groups. Tell students that they will pretend to be birds that need to migrate south for the winter. Then designate one group to be geese, one to be ducks, and one to be robins. Line up the groups at one end of an open area. In turn, prompt each bird group to move “south” across the space as you sing the applicable verse of the song “Time to Migrate.” Encourage each group to make appropriate bird sounds as they flap, flit, and wing their way south!
Do You Love the Snow?
(sung to the tune of “Do Your Ears Hang Low?”)
Do you love the snow?
Put both hands over heart.
You can play in it, you know!
Point to others.
You can make a big snowball
Use both hands to form big circle.
Or a snowman really tall!
Indicate “tall” with one hand.
You can travel on your skis,
Pretend to grip ski poles and move hips.
Make an angel if you please!
Wave both arms as if making snow angel.
Do you love the snow?
Put both hands over heart.
SNOWMAN SOUP & POEM
The Soup:
1 package hot chocolate mix
3 Hershey Kisses 15 (or so) mini marshmallows 1 candy cane
Put the above items in colored plastic wrap. Place them inside the coffee cup or mug. With a ribbon tie this poem to it and a cute gift.
The Poem:
Was told you've been real good this year
Always glad to hear it
With freezing weather drawing near
You'll need to warm the sprit
So here's a little Snowman Soup
Complete with stirring stick
Add hot water, sip it slow
It's sure to do the trick!
MITTENS
Submitted by Mary
Cut out a pair of mittens on the front of a file folder. Laminate for durability. Insert colored construction paper to correspond with the colors in the song. As each color is discovered in the song, pull out the previous color to reveal the correct color.
What color are my mittens? Red
What color are my mittens? Blue
This color rhymes with fellow? Yellow
What color are my mittens? Orange
What color are my mittens? Brown
This color rhymes with bean? Green
THE SNOWY DAY
Submitted by Staci
Today we read The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats and then the children got a chance to paint (onto black paper using white paint or white paper using black paint) using a stick to make a trail just like Peter did in the snow. We also finger painted and let them draw a trail in the snow using their fingers or the sticks.
SNOWFLAKES
Submitted by Renate
(tune of Twinkle, twinkle little star)
Snowflakes, snowflakes twirling round,
Snowflakes falling to the ground.
What a pretty sight to see,
Winter fun for you and me.
Snowflakes, snowflakes twirling round,
Snowflakes falling to the ground.
Snowflakes, snowflakes tickle my tongue.
Lets throw snowballs one by one.
Build a snowman, sled and skate.
Come outside, donut be late.
Snowflakes, snowflakes tickle my tongue.
Lets throw snowballs one by one.
SONGS AND FINGER PLAYS TO GO WITH THE MITTEN
THE MITTEN (tune: Farmer in the Dell)
The mitten on the ground.
The mitten on the ground.
Heigh-ho! It's cold outside.
The mitten on the ground.
The (mole) snuggles in.
The (mole) snuggles in.
Heigh-ho! It's cold outside.
The (mole) snuggles in.
(After the last animal, all pretend to sneeze and fall out of the mitten.)
Mitten Music
(Where has my little dog gone) by Jean Rogers
Oh where, oh where did my NEW mittens go?
Oh where, oh where can they be?
Oh, I have looked high and I have looked low.
Oh where, oh where can they be?
sing and replace "NEW" with old, soft, warm, red, blue, etc.
Mitten Finger play
by Lucia Kemp Henry
Here is a mitten, (hold up one hand)
A snug, fuzzy one- (rub palms together)
With a place for my fingers (wiggle 4 fingers)
And a place for my thumb (wiggle thumb)
Here are two mittens, (hold up two hands)
A colorful sight. (hands back and forth)
One for the left hand (hold up left hand)
One for the right. (hold up right hand)
Here are OUR mittens, (hold up two hands)
As soft as can be (stroke the back of one hand)
A warm pair for you (point to the neighbor)
And a warm pair for me (point to yourself)
Puttin' On Mittens
(Theme: The Farmer In the Dell)
The thumb in the thumb place,
Fingers all together!
This is the song we sing
When it is mitten weather
(Tune - "If You're Happy And You Know It")
Each mitten has a mate, has a mate.
Each mitten has a mate, has a mate.
Can (child's name) find the pair?
(He/She) is looking here and there.
Can (child's name) find the mate.
Find the mate?
BIRD FEEDERS
Submitted by Marilyn
Many of you may have done these before, but for those of you who may be newer to the early childhood classroom, I thought these might be something that the children will enjoy. I will be doing this with my 3's class next week, and it is something that I repeat each and every year.
After discussing the beginning of winter, the change in weather, and the lack of fruit trees, berries and nuts, we discuss how the animals find food. We talk about the birds and how they are able to survive over the winter. We then make bird feeders.
We take the large pine cones and spread peanut butter on them. then place the Unicode in an individual plastic bag with wild bird seed. and cheerios. Make sure the entire pinecone is covered with the mixture.. Attach a pipe cleaner on top for hanging. (If you cannot use peanut butter, then I make a paste of flour and water for the seeds to adhere).
Another way to make a birdfeeder is to use oranges. Cut the oranges in half and have the children use an old fashion orange squeezer (great for building fine motor) Have them twist and turn it until they get all the juice out and just pulp remains. then spread the inside pulp with peanut butter and sprinkle with birdseed. Attach a pipecleaner through the top.
Lastly, take small 1/2pint milk containers and cut out a large square from both sides. Have the children paint the outside of the container with a mixture of glue and paint. Then find a small branch or use a pencil and stick it through from one side to another. (this will make the perch) fill the container with birdseed.
NUMBER REINFORCEMENT
Submitted by Diane
During play time, I set one of tables up with 5 snowmen which I have laminated. Each has a black hat with a number (1-5) and the corresponding number of dots for buttons. I then put out a dish of buttons and they match up the number and place the buttons on the dots. I also put out a mitten matching game. I laminated 11x 14 pieces of paper on which I traced mittens and colored them in various colors. I made corresponding mittens and they match them. Great for number and color reinforcement. I also like to put out some "quiet" toys to keep our room "sane."
SNOWBALL COUNT
Submitted by Christa
Use large index cards to make a set of five counting cards. Draw one dot on the first card, two dots on the second card, and so on. Lay the cards on a table and set out 15 cotton ball "snowballs". Let your children count the snowballs as they place them on the dots on the cards.
SNOWBALL HUNT
Submitted by Christa
Hide cotton balls around the room. Give each of your children an empty egg carton with the cups labeled from 1 to 12. Let the children walk around the room looking for the hidden "snowballs". Encourage them to put their snowballs into the cups in numerical order. Once all the snowballs have
been found, count them together.
Snow Picture
Submitted by Christa
The children draw and color, with crayon, their own snow pictures (snowmen, whatever they want) onto a dark blue or black paper. Then, paint over the entire paper with a mixture of Epsom salt and water (just make a good consistency for painting..will be bumpy). When dries, this looks like there
is snow in the air..very pretty.
ICE SKATING
Submitted by Diane
Another easy, easy activity for fun is to give the kids paper plates (2) one for each foot and have them "ice skate" by sliding along the floor. We play music and do turns and skate backwards...it's fun and they laugh especially at the teachers!!!
WINTER SONG
Winter song (version of "way up high in the apple tree")
Way up high in the snowy tree
Lots of little snowflakes smiled at me.
I shook that tree as hard as I could.
Down came the snowflakes---
Were they cold!
SNOWFLAKES
Submitted by Jan
Props" Have snowflakes on sticks for each child.
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle
Snowflake, snowflake, fancy free.
Snowflake, snowflake, dance with me.
Touch my head, then my toes.
Land on my nose where the could wind blows.
Snowflake, snowflake, turn around.
Snowflake, snowflake, touch the ground.
Snowflake, snowflake, fancy free.
Snowflake, snowflake, dance with me.
Touch my elbow, then my shoulder.
Land on my chin where it's a little bit colder.
Snowflake, snowflake, turn around.
Snowflake, snowflake, touch the ground.
Snowflake, snowflake, fancy free.
Snowflake, snowflake, dance with me.
Touch my ear, then my knees.
Snowflake, I'm about to freeze!
Snowflake, snowflake, fancy free.
Snowflake, snowflake, dance with me.
PAPER CHAIN SMOWMAN
Submitted by Marge
Hi Everyone!
I teach Kindergarten, but I think this idea could work with a 4s class too.
The children really enjoy making paper chains! I cut up regular white paper and let them make them as they arrived for three days. They really enjoyed watching their chains grow each day.
Then we linked them all together on the third morning.
It was exciting to stretch the long, long chain down the entire hallway and thru a doorway into another hallway!
Well, when the children left for the day, I began coiling the chain-- taping and stapling the links to form three circles-- small, medium, and large. (I had to break the chain in appropriate places when each circle was the size I wanted.)
Then, I taped and stapled the three circles together to form a snow man. I cut out construction paper eyes, mouth, buttons, scarf and hat. Then I rolled up a piece of orange for a carrot nose to stick straight out. I did all this while it was flat on a long table.
I then measured out a piece of butcher paper as tall as the snowman and cut it.
I rolled it up and stapled and taped it to the back of the snowman to give it the support that it would require when it was lifted up.
I used a ceiling hanger to hang it against the wall in the hallway for everyone to see.
I just pierced the hanger thru the rolled up butcher paper and suspended it from the ceiling tiles.The children LOVED it! They are making sure that their parents come into school to see it. This is a great inexpensive group project
SNOWBALL (sort of) FIGHT
Submitted by Diane
Today we had a snowball fight in school. I made hundreds of snowballs with left over white tissue from Christmas. Brought in large shopping bag and dumped it in our room. We had a ball for at least a half hour and then some picking up all the snowballs. Kids had a great time and we made believe our hands were freezing and we put on mittens and gloves. We will do this everyday as I am sure they will beg us to play again. Easy and lots of fun
FOLLOW-UP TO SNOWBALL FIGHT
Submitted by Amy
What a great use for tissue paper! Thanks for sharing.An extension would be for the kids to make the snowballs themselves. We do something similar with hundreds of cotton balls for an indoor snowstorm. For cleanup, we use tweezers, clothespins or loops of masking tape to prolong interest and add some more fine motor exercise.
FIVE SNOWMAN FLANNEL BOARD & DRAMATIC PLAY
Submitted by Marilyn
Many of us are familiar with the flannel board poem - 5 little snowmen. After repeating it many times with finger puppets, stick puppets, and felt pieces, I have the children act it out.
Five little snowmen standing (sitting) in a row,
Each with a hat,
and a big red bow,
Out came the sun,
And it stayed all day,
and the First little snowman,
melted away! (repeat 1 - 5)
Well, I purchased cardboard tophats from my local party store. After the children are very familiar with this poem I then let them act it out. I set up 5 chairs in a row. Five children are the snowmen with tophats. Five children stand behind each chair and hold a sun. When we say the poem the first snowman stands up and the first sun stands up. Then the snowman falls down and "melts". We continue through the 5 snowmen. Then the children exchange places. The snowmen become the sun and the sun becomes a snowman. this is very, very cute and so easy. After we have done it quite a few times, I invite the moms into the room to see our little performance. They love it.
SNOW PAINT
Submitted by AJ
I tried this paint recipe with my kids and they loved it. I gave each child a bowl and they measured 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup plus 1 tbl water - they mixed them in their bowl and created a paint mixture. It should look like oatmeal if done correctly. They painted snow scenes with this paint and when they dried, they looked like snow (slightly yellow.)
SNOWMAN FLANNEL BOARD
Submitted by Marilyn
While stuck in the house during our recent NY snowstorm, I made this easy flannel board out of extra scraps of felt. We all know the story, Brown Bear - I just used a snowman figure instead and followed the same repetition. I cut out a large, white snowman(just the figure - three white balls in graduated sizes) Then I will say: Snowman, Snowman,What do you see? I see a __________ Right next to me.
I then cut out a black hat, 2 blue mittens, 2 green boots, 2 tree branches (arms), a carrot, two black stones, a broom, a cup of hot choco, a red scarf. The last thing is a big yellow sun. So as I repeat the poem, I will place one article next to the snowman, then add it to the snowman body to complete the snowman. At the end, I will add the sun and take all the pieces off the board and I made a large, white free-style shape to look like a puddle. (the snowman melted!)
KEEP IT SIMPLE SNOWMAN
Submitted by Linda
You will need:
Blue Construction paper as is.
Three white paper circles small, medium and large
Ten little(penny size)black circles
A cut out paper top hat any color
A cut out rectangle (scarf) any color
Glue
Offer paper scraps and scissors if you wish.
Voila the only guidance needed is the information that this will make a snowman. Everyone's comes out different. 4 yr olds and up may ask for scissors and paper to add their own ideas. What young threes do with it always makes parents smile.
COFFEE FILTER SNOWFLAKE
Submitted by Christa
Need: Coffee Filter, Scissors, Blue Tempera paint, water, and a paint brush.
Directions: Take some blue paint and water it down. Then paint a coffee filter with the paint. Once it dries fold it in half, then in half again, and then in half one more time. Cut it like you would a snowflake. When you open it will look like a blue tie dyed snowflake. Looks great in a window.
SNOWFLAKE PRINTS
Submitted by LeeAnn
Use "Wagon Wheel" pasta dipped in white paint to make great snowflake shapes on blue paper. A great book to go along with this art project is MILLIONS OF SNOWFLAKES by Mary McKenna.
GELETIN ICE
Gelatin Ice
It looks like ice, but it feels like gelatin. Either way, this recipe provides a tactile experience your youngsters are sure to enjoy. Mix 32 envelopes of unflavored gelatin (four envelopes are in a box) with 22 cups of hot water. Stir until dissolved; then pour the mixture into small plastic containers and chill. Once the mixture has jelled, pop the gelatin forms out of the containers and give one to each child. Youngsters can use pipe cleaners, bowls, and spoons to freely explore. What fun!
SURPRISING SNOWMEN
Each of your youngsters can make a handsome snowman with--of allthings--balloon imprints. To begin, inflate a balloon to about four inches in diameter, and knot the end. Partially fill a shallow pan with white tempera paint. Dip the balloon into the paint; then press it three times onto a sheet of construction paper, redipping between presses. For the large circle, press down on the balloon firmly. For the medium circle, press down less hard, and for the small circle, press down lightly. Use a Q-tip® or paintbrush and different colors of tempera paint to add facial features and twiglike arms. Glue on pieces of colorful cereal for the snowman's buttons. Top off this marvelous creation with a hat and a scarf cut from felt or gift
wrap.
Dance Like Snowflakes
(sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques")
Dance like snowflakes,
Dance like snowflakes,
In the air.
In the air.
Whirling, twirling snowflakes,
Whirling, twirling snowflakes,
Here and there.
Here and there.
SNOWMAN SONGS
Submittted byRenate
Five Little Snowmen Fat
Five little snowmen fat,
Each with a funny hat.
Out came the sun and melted one,
What do you think of that?
Down, down, down, down.
What do you think of that?
**Continue on with 4, 3, 2, 1. We like to really wear funny hats as we do this one. Also a sun hotglued to an empty paper towel tube is great when you sing "out came the sun...". The children love to "melt" down to the ground!
A Chubby Little Snowman
A chubby little snowman,
Had a carrot nose.
Along came a bunny,
And what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny,
Looking for his lunch.
Ate that snowman's carrot nose,
Nibble, nibble, crunch!!
Dance Around The Snowman
(Tune of: Mulberry Bush)
This is the way we dance around,
Dance around,
Dance around.
This is the way we dance around,
Our snowman in the morning.
*skip around
*twirl around
*crawl around
*hop around
*spin around
*gallop around
*sneak around
*tip toe around
WINTER CLOTHING
Submitted by Amy
Make flannelboard pieces to dress up flannelboard kids or teddy bears. Make several kids or bears, and jackets, boots, mittens, snowpants, and hats for them to wear. The kids love getting them dressed!(I used the bears and clothing flannelboard patterns-I can put them back in the Shared Files, if you need them)
Collect infant winter clothing(size 9-12 month works well)from yard sales and donations. Use them for the kids to dress up the teddy bears, or use smaller infant winter clothing for the baby dolls.
Make hat and mitten shapes out of paper. The kids can decorate, and cut out. You can laminate the shapes, use a hole puncher to punch holes in the perimeter, and make them into lacing cards.
Collect clip art of winter clothing, and make some lotto or bingo games. Make file folder games- matching colors, or size progression, (I made one where the kids select the right size felt mittens for several sizes of hands)...
Over the River and Through the Woods
Over the river and through the woods
To grandfather's house we go
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,
Through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river and through the wood,
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes,
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.
A Sledding We will Go
(A Hunting We Will Go)
A sledding we will go
A sledding we will go
We'll hold on tight and sit just right
And down the hill we'll go
Wheeeeeeee!
FOSTY THE SNOWMAN
Submitted by Sandi
Supplies:
cotton balls
glue
paper punched black circles
toilet paper roll
The children will spread glue all over the toilet paper roll with a paint brush. Next they will cover the entire roll with cottonballs.They will then add black eyes nose and a mouth.Cut a desired shape hat in any color.
WINTER BB
Submitted by Tara
Our theme this month is "Winter Wonderland," so for our bulletin board we made snowflakes by ainting our handprints in a circle with white paint on blue paper and then sprinkling diamond gltter on the wet paint. The next day we made skiing penguins to finish the bulletin board.
RECYCLED CHRISTMAS TREES
Submitted by Carol
Tommorw, with the 4's, we are doing one of my favorite activities, recycling our Christmas tree. We sent a note home requesting stringable and edible items for the birds and squirrels in our ard. The children will be stringing these items using plastice needles. We usually get cheerios, old bread, rolls, bird seed, cranberries, grapes, old apples, oranges, etc. We have soft margerine and peanut butter available so that the children can butter the bread and press it into the bird seed. We hang all of the strings on our undecorated tree and place it in our yard for our feathered and furry friends to enjoy.
WARMING UP
Submitted by Kim
What warms me up on a cold, cold day?
Cocoa warms me up in a choclaty way.
What warms me up on a cold, cold day?
A fire warms me up in a toasty way.
What warms me up on a cold, cold day?
A quilt warms me up in a snugly way.
What warms me up on a cold, cold day?
A hug warms me up in a loving way!
ICE PICTURES
Submitted by Carol
We always encourage the children to help our feathered friends through the winter.
Use old pie pans and have the children fill them with water and sprinkle bird seed into them. Then have the children place a long piece of strong string in the pan and hanging out. Place these in the freezer and when frozen place them outside for the birds to enjoy the seeds as they drop when the ice slowly melts.
SNOW SONGS
Submitted by Jan
Disappearing Snowman Cookies
Five cookie snowmen sitting on a tray.
Five cookie snowman smiling all day.
Along came a little child, rubbing his tummy.
One cookie disappeared,
Yum, Yum, Yummy!!
Repeat to all the cookies are gone.
Five Little Snowflakes
Five little snowflakes
Dancing here and there.
Then one little snowflake blew away in the air!
Four little snowflakes
Dancing here and there.
Then one little snowflake blew away in the air!
Continue to zero.
Zero little snowflakes
Not one to be found.
Cause five little snowflakes have fallen to the ground!
Snowflakes, One By One
One little snowflake with nothing to do.
Along came another and
Then there were two.
Two little snowflakes playing in a tree.
Along came another, and
Then there were three.
Three little snowflakes looking for some more.
Along came another, and
Then there were four.
Four little snowflakes that finally did arrive.
Along came another, and
Then there were five.
Five little snowflakes having so much fun.
Out came the sun, and
Then there were none!
Snowflake, Snowflake
Tune: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Snowflake, snowflake, fancy free.
Snowflake, snowflake, dance with me.
Touch my head, then my toes.
Land on my nose where the cold wind blows.
Snowflake, snowflake, turn around.
Snowflake, snowflake, touch the ground.
Snowflake, snowflake, fancy free.
Snowflake, snowflake, dance with me.
Touch my elbow, then my shoulder,
Land on my chin where it’s a little bit colder.
Snowflake, snowflake, turn around.
Snowflake, snowflake, touch the ground.
Snowflake, snowflake, fancy free.
Snowflake, snowflake, dance with me.
Touch my ear, then my knees.
Snowflake, I’m about to freeze!
Snowflake, snowflake, fancy free.
Snowflake, snowflake, dance with me.
SNOWMAN
Submitted by Sigrid
Five little snowmen
On a winter's day--
The first one said
Wake up so we can play
The second one said
Let's stomp on the ground
The third one said
Let's roll all around
The fourth one said
Let's run and run and run
The fifth one said
I'm afraid I feel the sun
Oh Dear, cried the snowmen
As they looked toward the sky
And the five melting snowmen
Waved a fond good-bye.
WINTER
Submitted by Kim of the LOS Loop
What warms me up on a cold, cold day?
Cocoa warms me up in a choclaty way.
What warms me up on a cold, cold day?
A fire warms me up in a toasty way.
What warms me up on a cold, cold day?
A quilt warms me up in a snugly way.
What warms me up on a cold, cold day?
A hug warms me up in a loving way!
FROSTY
Submitted by Jan
Dear Old Frosty-
Need:Frosty-just a snowman,Magic Hat, Coal Eyes, Carrot Nose, Broom, Scarf, Mittens, Big Boots
Put Frosty on the board and as you sing dress him. Children can also dress him.
Dear Old Frosty:
( Tune:Mary Had A Little Lamb)
Guess who wears a magic hat,
Magic hat, magic hat.
Guess who wears a magic hat,
Dear Old Frosty
Guess who has two eyes of coal..(touch eyes)
Guess who has a carrot nose...(touch nose)
Guess who carries a big yellow broom...(sweep)
Guess who wears a big red scarf... (tie scarf)
Guess who wears big green mittens....(hold up hands)
Guess who wears big black boots.....(march feet)
SNOWFLAKES
Submitted by Marilyn
Take strawberry baskets (the containers that hold your strawberries) and dip them into white paint that has glue added. Have the children print with the dipped baskets onto dark or light colored blue paper. Have them sprinkle silver glitter onto the print and then shake it off into a tray. It makes very interesting designs that look like snowflakes.
SNOWPEOPLE
Submitted by Joy
On the flannel board I put 3 snow people wearing matching scarves and hats. I gave each child a flannel circle with their name on it, I was amazed how many could recognize their name. They brought up their circles one by one and put it under the color they would like to wear to school
Our art project was a cut-out of a snowperson they could decorate with lots of odds and ends and glue. They were adorable, I put out lots of lace, ribbon, popcorn kernals, cotton, googly eyes, yellow pom poms, whatever I could find in the cabinet.
Our afternoon group did a science project with Borax to make snowcrystals, was awesome, I had never done it before, but will make several more to hang in the windows.
BIRD FEEDERS
Submitted by Diane
Usually I use pine cones or toilet paper rolls rolled in peanut butter. This time I went to our local bagel shop and asked for stale bagels, sliced them in half, had the children spread them in peanut butter and dip in seeds. Tied a piece of yarn and voila. A lot easier for small hands to manipulate and the parents loved them
SNOWMAN
Submitted by Janis
This is an original that I had published in Creative Crafts For Year-Round Fun published by The Education Center in Greensboro, NC.
Materials: empty 2-liter bottle, white toilet tissue, glue, construction paper hat & buttons & facial features crepe paper for scarf
Procedure:
Tear the toilet tissue into squares. Cover the bottle with toilet tissue by folding each square one at a time over the end of a pencil. Dab each piece lighlty in glue and attach it to the bottle. When the bottle is completely covered, allow the glue to dry.
Make the hat, facial features, and buttons from construction paper and glue these pieces in place on the snowman.
Gently tie a length of crepe paper streamer around the snowman for a scarf. Snip the ends of the streamer with scissors to make fring
SNOWSCENE DIORAMA
Submitted by Janis
Subject: Winter/Snowmen Arts&Crafts / Language Experience
Materials: Cotton balls, construction paper scraps, small plastic bowls
Procedure:
Cut a paper circle to fit the bottom of the bowl in dark blue.
Make a snowman from 3 cotton balls and glue to inside of bowl as if the bowl were standing on the edge like a picture. Attach facial features,hat, tree,etc. to inside of the bowl to make the winter scene.
Use white holes from hole puncher to make snow in background. Let the children use their imagination.
Language: Have children dictate answers to If I were a snowman I....
Bowls can be hung from the ceiling on yarn with sentences attached.
WINTER MATH MANIPULATIVES
Submitted by Teri
She took several different colors of felt and sewed them together. The first rectangle is small and then each subsequent piece is a little larger. Then she gave the children different sizes of white pom poms to sort. The smaller pom poms on the small felt rectangle all the way to the biggest.The kids played with this a long time
MITTENS
Submitted by Diane
"The Mystery of the Missing Red Mitten" by Steven Kellogg. This is the story of a little girl who loses her mitten while playing and can't find it. After searching with her little dog, she finally finds inside a melting snowman's chest where it looks like his heart. A very cute story and we then make a snowman with a mitten heart to take home. I also usually poll my class as to who likes gloves and who likes mittens and then chart it cutting their hands out in the color of their choice in either a mitten or glove shape. We hang it for the month of January.
Mittens:
Submitted by Carol
We start by discussing same, different and matching
Materials: scissors, white paper, paint - we used magenta, turquoise, yellow, purple, eye droppers .
Submited by Joy
I'll start the year with Button, Snap and Zip. I want our threes to get some practice at dressing themselves for outside. I'll read Froggy Get's Dressed, and Thomas' Snowsuit by Munsch. I'll give the kids zippers and we'll have a zipper band, we'll have a button hunt, and I'll fill the dress up corner with zipper, button and snap clothing. I'll set up a manipulative table with zippers, buttons and snaps, take out the snap blocks.
Snow project
Submitted by Kim
My dd brought home a neat gift from Kindergarten today. The kids wrote their names at a top of construction paper (lengthwise) and then laid their hands on the bottom half with the fingers spread. Then the teacher took the canned spray snow stuff and sprayed around their hands...not a whole lot, just enough to leave the image of their hands in the snow when they took their hands off. It looks really cute! And my dd thought it was sooo cool!
January Poem
Submittted by Kathy
January's a very cold month,
Shiver, shiver, shiver (Hug yourself and pretend to shiver)
Button up and cover up your ears,
(Pretend to button coat;cover eawith your hands)
Or quiver, quiver, quiver (shake all over)
MORE WINTER AND SNOW ACTIVITIES: WINTER ARCHIVES
PENQUINS
10 PENGUINS
Submitted by Alisa
(You may let the students be the penguins or you may make 10 flannel board penguins and use with your flannel board.)
Ten little penguins dressed in black and white,
Playing in the Artic snow so bright.
It snowed and snowed and snowed all day,
And one little penguin waddled away.
Nine little penguins dressed in black and white,
Playing in the Artic snow so bright.
It snowed and snowed and snowed all day,
And one little penguin waddled away.
LITTLE PENGUIN
Submitted by Tania
Tune of "I'm a little teapot"
I'm A little penguin look at me,
I can waddle just look and see,
Waddle, Waddle, Waddle, Waddle,Waddle,
Waddle,Waddle,Waddle,Waddle, Waddle,Waddle,
Waddle,Waddle,Waddle.
I got the kids to waddle like a penguin while we sang the song. They enjoyed it!!
I'm a Little Penguin
(sung to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")
I'm a little penguin on the ice.
I think cold is very nice
I can hop around first once, then twice.
I think ice is very nice.
PENGUIN ACTIVITIES
Following cross-curricular ideas submitted by Janis
Literature
Marcus Pfister has some cute books about penguins. His name is Penguin Pete. The books are Penguin Pete, Penguin Pete's New Friends, Penguin
Pete And Pat, Penguin Pete, Ahoy, and Penguin Pete And Little Tim.
Penguin Cookies from Kids in the Kitchen, Mailbox magazine
Ingredients:
1 chocolate sandwich cookie per child
1 chocolate kiss per child
Utensils and Supplies:
napkins
Directions:
Have students wash their hands. Give each child a napkin, cookie, and chocolate kiss. They twist the top off of their cookie and carefully break it in half. They place the two pieces on top of the bottom half with the icing side up and spread a little out for wings. Then they place the chocolate kiss at the top for the penguins head.
ART - Paper bag and film container puppets
For the paper bag puppets you simply use a penguin pattern.
For the film container puppet you need:
1 film container per child: black with a black lid white felt circle cut to size for the film container wiggle eyes
orange craft foam ( cut out feet and beak )
Directions:
I made these myself with the hot glue gun. First, cut the lid in half. Cut a circle or oval shape out of white felt to fit the front of the film container and hot glue it in place. The wiggle eyes are glued on the top (the hole of the container is down so the child place it on their fingers.) The beak(orange foam triangle) is glued under the eyes, and the feet on the bottom. The lid halves are glued on each side of the container to stick out slightly.
MUSIC
Song: (I'm a Little Teapot)
I'm a little penguin black and white
Short and wobbly, an adorable sight.
I can't fly at all but I love to swim
So I waddle to the water and dive right in.
EMPEROR PENGUINS Story / Discussion Questions. Read the story below to your
class and ask the discussion questions that follow.
At the southern end of the earth is a place called Antarctica. The land is covered with ice and snow all year long. In Antarctica, the weather is so cold that only a few kinds of animals can live there. Antarctica is home for the emperor penguin. It is called emperor because it is the largest of the penguins, growing to be about four feet tall. Emperor penguins are birds with very short legs and webbed feet. They cannot fly. Instead, they use their flipper-like wings as paddles in the water. These birds are excellent swimmers and spend about half their lives in the chilly ocean water, where they catch fish to eat.
Emperor penguins are prepared for the icy waters and frozen temperatures of Antarctica. They have layers of fat that act like layers of sweaters, but they keep the emperor penguins much warmer than sweaters keep people. Short, thick feathers cover the penguins' bodies, except for their feet and bills.y have white feathers on their stomachs and black feathers on their backs. These feathers make waterproof coats when the penguins go swimming.
Emperor penguins live together in large groups. The father penguin is a very caring parent. After the mother lays a single egg, the father takes care of it. He holds the egg on his feet. To keep it warm, the father covers the egg with rolls of fat at the lower part of his belly.
The mother leaves the father with the egg for two months while she goes hunting for fish. During this time the father does not eat, but faithfully keeps the egg warm. All the fathers in the group huddle close together to stay warm while they care for the eggs.
At about the time the egg hatches, the mother penguin comes back with fish to feed the baby. When they are six months old, the young emperor penguins learn to catch their own food and to take care of themselves.
Discussion Questions:
1. Where does the emperor penguin live?
2. What is the weather like in Antarctica?
3. What kind of animal is the emperor penguin? Can it fly? Can it swim?
4. What does the emperor penguin look like? What does it eat?
5. How many eggs does the mother penguin lay?
6. Who takes care of the egg?
7. What does the father eat while he watches the egg?
8. What does the mother do while the father watches the egg?
Songs & Poems
The Penguin
I am a bird you know quite well,
All dressed in black and white.
And even though I do have wings
They're not designed for flight
I waddle, waddle, waddle
On my funny little feet.
Across the icy snow I go
To find a fishy treat!
Roxanne Williams
Penguin Parade
Waddle, waddle waddle
From side to side
Penguins go a-walking
Slip, slip slide, slide.
With a funny jump
The penguins dash
Down to the water
Splash! Splash! Splash! Splash!
Waddle from the water
With a rock n' roll
Penguins go parading
On a wintry stroll.
I'm a little penguin
Ten Little Penguins
Tune: Ten Little Indians
One little, two little, three little penguins,
Four little, five little, six little penguins,
Seven little, eight little, nine little penguins,
Ten little penguin chicks.
The Penguin that Couldn't Fly
I saw a penguin.
He walked right by.
He had a tear in his eye.
I heard him cry and softly sigh,
Oh I wish I could fly.
Author unknown
Perky
Exciting
Nodding
Growing
Unbelievable
Interesting
Nest-building
Swimmers
Parading penguins
Each one soon
Nesting on the cold
Ground with stones
Underneath an
In between for a
Nest. It is Spring in Antarctica.
Percy Penguin
Percy Penguin looks so proper,
In his long black tails,
Stiff white shirt, and neatly groomed,
Correct in all details.
He's so important, chest way out,
As he pitters patters by,
But here is something very funny--
He forgot his TIE!
Catherine Y. Hongey
A Penguin
(Children are standing)
A penguin when he goes somewhere,
(waddle from side to side)
Will walk or swim; here's why:
(waddle first, then "swim")
Although he has two bird-like wings,
(hold up two fingers)
He simply cannot fly! (tuck hands into armpits and "flap" wings)
I Met a Penguin
I met a penguin yesterday
So jolly, fat and fine.
I pinned a red heart on his chest,
And named him "Valentine".
Penguin
I know a bird
That cannot fly:
Penguin is its name.
It cannot fly,
But it can swim
With speed that wins it fame!
I know a bird
That lives on ice
And waddles by the sea.
t looks so cute
In its black and white suit,
As handsome as can be!
Meish Goldish
In Praise of Penguins
These funny birds in fancy clothes
may waddle in the snow,
but when they reach the icy sea
Just watch how fast they go!
Their song sounds like a donkey's bray,
they cannot soar or fly,
yet penguins manage very well,
and let me tell you why...
Their feathers keep out water,
their blubber keeps out cold,
their wings make perfect paddles
because they do not fold!
Their tales are good for steering,
they brake with both their feet-
So tell me now, from all you've heard...
Aren't penguins NEAT?
Robin Bernard
Penguins
The penguins' habitat
is freezing-
You'll like it there
If you don't mind sneezing.
(I, myself, don't find it pleasing.)
Helen H. Moore
Have You Ever Seen a Penguin
Tune: Have you Ever Seen a Lassie
Have you ever seen a penguin? a penguin? a penguin?
Have you ever seen a penguin swim this way and that?
Swim this way and that way and this way and that way?
Have you ever seen a penguin swim this way and that?
(make swimming motions with arms)
Repeat, substitute "swim" with "slide" (make sliding motions with arms),
"waddle" (take tiny steps, swinging body from side to side)and
"dress" (boys bow and girls curtsy)
PENGUIN SHUFFLE RACES - With penguins, it is the dad's job to keep the unhatched egg from rolling off the rocky cliffs where the birds nest. For weeks, he carries the egg on top of his feet. Here's an amusing indoor race that challenges kids to test their balancing skills, penguin style. Each child needs a beanbag or Hacky Sack-style foot bag to serve as an egg.
Contestants stand side by side with their "eggs" on top of their feet. When the race begins, players try to shuffle across the room without dropping their eggs. The first one to succeed wins.
PENGUIN WADDLE RELAY - Divide the group into two teams. Place half of each team behind lines 6 or 7 meters apart. Place a rubber ball( 15-20 cm) between the knees of the first two people in line and have them waddle like
penguins to give the ball to their teammates behind the opposite line. The teammates then carry the balls back to the starting line and waddling continues until everyone has had a turn. If the ball is dropped, the penguin must go back to his/her starting point and begin again. The winning penguins are the ones that can waddle the fastest without losing the ball.
PARENTING - Help students understand the responsibility of parenting by giving each an egg to care for. Set aside a whole day for the project, presenting each student with a hard- boiled egg with his or her name on it, as soon as the school day begins. Explain to the class that each student's job on this day is to be a responsible parent. Remind them that they must remain in contact with their charges at all times; let them devise their own creative means for maintaining that contact. At the end of the day, check for cracks. Anyone whose egg is completely intact may not be ready to head for Antarctica, but he or she certainly passed this parenting test. This is an activity that will rightfully generate a few snickers, but be sure that students recognize the serious side of the experiment. Discuss what sacrifices students were forced to make to take care of their eggs. Were there times when the job seemed boring or unrewarding?
The Arctic and The Tundra
Submitted by Sigrid
PAINT - Mix some salt with white tempera paint, when it dries it looks like
snow crystals.
WOLFE PAPER BAG MASK - Color, cut out and glue onto the bag.
SALT IGLOO - On a sheet of light blue construction paper, draw an igloo shape. Brush on glue to fill igloo shape. Let dry. Use a toothpick to scrape out brick lines. Use crayons to add details to picture, clouds, birds and etc.
.ESKIMO SUNGLASSES - Cut thin slits in cardboard and tie on yarn to hold it onto child's head. Discuss how this helps protect their eyes against the glare of the sun on snow. (take a bright flashlight and shine it on a white piece of paper and then on a black piece of paper to show how bright the sun in on snow.)
PAPER PLATE PENGUIN - Materials needed for each penguin: 6" paper plate, 9" paper plate, black and orange construction paper, black crayon. Color the small paper plate black. Glue the two paper plates together to form the head and body. Cut and glue two orange circles for the eyes and three orange triangles for the feet and beak. Cut and glue two black ovals for the wings.
ICE BLOCKS - Save white milk or water jugs to stack up as ice blocks.
COOPERATIVE IGLOO - Save the kids' milk cartons from lunch, fill with water and freeze. Remove for the containers and have children stack the blocks to make an igloo. Pour salt on the igloo pieces to make them stick together. Then if desired, using tempera paint watered down, or food coloring, and brushes, let the children paint their igloo.
Science
MAKING DRINKING WATER - Fill a small bowl with water, add salt. Taste it. Freeze and partially thaw it several times. The last time run your finger across the top. Is it salty. Rinse this off and melt the rest of the water. Does it taste salty? If this still taste salty boil it drink the run off from the lid.
SEED GATHERING - Freeze some birdseed in a shallow pan of mud and let kids try to get it out with tweezers. Talk about it is just as hard for the animals who live their to get their food.
BLUBBER GLOVES - Blubber keeps
animals warm. you will need: Crisco (or other fat), 2 zip lock sandwich bags, a bowl of ice water with ice cubes. Fill one bag about 1/3 full of shortening, then turn the other bag inside out. Place it carefully inside the bag with the shortening so that you are able to zip the one bag to the other. Have the child put their uncovered hand in bowl of cold water? Ask the child the difference. Explain that this acts like blubber which keeps arctic animals warm even in those frosty conditions.
ARCTIC ICE PLAY - Freeze some water in different size containers and let the kids play with the ice in a sink full of water. Can they sink the ice.
ICE CUBE LASSO - Can you pick up an ice cube without touching it? Set out some ice cubes. Make a loop in the middle of a piece of string. Lay the loop flat onto an ice cube. Sprinkle some salt onto the loop and ice. Count to ten slowly and pick up the ice cube with your string. Why does this happen? Salt lowers the melting point of ice. The ice melts around the salt. Then because of the coldness it refreezes. Freezing the loop of string with it.
ICE CUBE ESTIMATION - Have several clear container. Let each child guess how many ice cubes it would take to fill the container. Then have each child guess how high the water will be when the ice cubes melt. Mark the guesses with tape.
Artic Games and songs
Submitted by Sigrid
BLIZZARD - One child is lost in the blizzard, he is "snow blind". The othe children can see and guide him/her home by calling out directions. Variation - children can do this in pairs, in going through an obstacle course to safety. One in the pair is "snow blind" and the other can see. When they make it through "home", then they can switch places.
ICE CUBE RACE - Race some ice cubes down a piece of wood prop up. Dye the water different colors before freezing it.
GO ICE FISHING - Fill a small tub with water. Freeze it just until the top has a layer of ice on it. Put in the Styrofoam fish you made earlier in the year and go fishing.
WHO HAS THE ICE CUBE? - Make a circle. Put ice cube in a small plastic bag. Choose child to be it. Put in center. Play music. When music stops. It tries to guess who has the ice cube.
POLAR BEAR, POLAR BEAR, PENGUIN! - Play Polar Bear, Polar Bear, Penguin using the format of Duck, Duck, Goose. When the last person is tapped with the word penguin, the 2 involved students must waddle around the circle like
a penguin as fast as they can, and try to reach the empty spot first.
POLAR BEARS & PENGUINS: I divide the class into two teams . One team is the polar bears, the other is the penguins. This is actually a game very similar to Wheel of Fortune. I think of a word that has to do with the polar theme. I put dashes on the marker board to show how many letters are there on the board. For instance, if the word is Arctic, I put 6 dashes on the board. The kids take turn guessing letters. The first team to guess the word correctly gets a point.
CROSSING THE ICE RELAY - Each team has two pieces of paper slightly larger that a player's foot. The papers represent ice floes. Using only their feet, players must push the papers forward to the goal. If a player steps onto the
floor instead of the paper, he has fallen into the water and must start again.
|
