Thematic Unit Cover Page Merged4

Winter 2010
Winter Thematic Unit

Created and Compiled By:
Ashley Matthias
Thematic Units
Thematic instruction is the organi-
Ashley Sincox zation of a curriculum around
macro “themes.” Thematic instruc-
tion integrates basic disciplines like
Rebecca Sprinkle reading, math, and science with the
exploration of a broad subject, such
as communities, rain forests, river
Stacy Vanderah basins, the use of energy, and so on.

This thematic unit focuses on the
season of “winter.” Students will
discover what kinds of animals can
be found during the winter moths,
what activities are completed during
the winter months, what clothing is
appropriate for the winter months,
what areas of the United States have
winters that are similar to ours and
areas that have winters that are dif-
ferent from ours, what holidays
occur in the winter months and
much, much more! This unit in-
cludes ideas, worksheets and in-
structions for teaching Reading,
Writing/Language Arts, Mathemat-
ics, Science, Social Studies. In addi-
tion to these core subjects, it also
includes several songs, art activities,
dramatic play ideas and snack ideas
Art Project—The Mitten
Winter Thematic Unit - Focus Statement
Winter Thematic Unit Focus:
Students will read about, discuss, investigate, inquire, add, subtract, measure, graph, count, write
about, observe, describe, create art, enjoy snacks, sing songs and move according to activities they
would complete during the winter season. At the conclusion of the unit students should be well able
to easily identify and discuss several winter attributes.
Winter Thematic Unit Objectives:
• Students will be able to make predictions to, cooperatively listen to, answer appropriate questions
to and ask appropriate questions to various thematic books.
• Students will be able to count, make simple graphs, measure, and complete simple addition and
subtraction problems.
• Students will be able to make scientific predictions, analyze experiments and make simple conclu-
sions.
• Students will be able to identify several winter holidays and read a simple map using coordinal di-
rections.
• Students will be able to echo back various song lyrics.
• Students will be able to complete several art projects, following specific directions.
A Few Suggested Questions:

1. What animals hibernate?
2. Can you find two snowflakes that are alike?
3. Where do penguins live?
4. Does Wisconsin experience snow during the winter
months?
5. Are there places that don’t have snow?
6. What activities can you do during winter?
7. What is your favorite part of winter? Why? Art Project—Sock Snowmen
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Winter Thematic Unit - Daily Breakdown
In addition to the overall ‘winter’ theme, each day has an individual mini theme.
See the below chart for a quick outlook of what lessons are planned for each day and the daily mini theme.
Reading/ Social Dramatic Music/

Math Science Art Snack
Writing Studies Play Songs
Read The Practicing Design Your

Monday Mitten by
Graphing Blubber Winter
Appropriate
“The Mitten
Own
Mitten
(Mittens) Mittens Mittens Holidays in the Snow” Muffins
Jan Brett Winter Dress Mittens
Read Two
United
Tuesday Snowflakes Measuring Viewing
States and
Investigating
“Snowflakes”
Q-Tip Snowflake
(Snowflakes) by Jennifer Snow Snowflakes Snowflakes Snowflakes Cookies
Winter
Miller
Read Snow- “A Chubby
Wednesday balls by Lois
Counting Watching Paper Doll Building
Little Snow-
Sock Marshmallow
Snowmen Snow Melt Snowmen Snowmen Snowmen Snowmen
(Snowmen) Elhert man”
Listen to
Fun with
Thursday Penguins by Color by Investigating Penguin
Winter
“Penguin Tissue Paper Oreo
(Penguins) Kathleen Numbers Penguins Map Shuffle” Penguin Penguin
Animals
Weidner-
Read The
Winter Winter
Friday Snowy Day
Activities
Freezing
Activities
Winter
“Winter”
Popsicle Hot
(Winter Activities) by Ezra Jack Bubbles Activities Sled Cocoa
Mini Book Discussion
Keats
Extension Lessons/Ideas
Don’t forget to check out the additional
ideas and resources listed at the end of the
unit. These extra lessons can be used in ad-
dition to, or in place of, any of the above
listed lessons. It also provides an extensive
book list to supplement student learning.
Art Lesson—Paper Tissue Penguin
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Winter Thematic Unit - Index
Use this quick and easy reference to find exactly what you are looking for!
Reading and Writing Activities Index ................................. 5
Math Activities Index ........................................................... 14
Science Activities Index ........................................................ 24
Social Studies Activities Index .............................................. 26
Dramatic Play Index ............................................................. 32
Music/Song Activities Index ................................................ 33
Art Activities Index .............................................................. 35
Snack Index ........................................................................... 44
Extensions Index................................................................... 46
Resources .............................................................................. 52
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Reading and Writing Activities Index
Day 1: The Mitten

Read the book The Mitten by Jan Brett to the children. Discuss the various animals that
come along throughout the story. Give each student the corresponding worksheets. Have
them color the animals and “sew” with yarn two mittens together. As you re-read the story
(or sing the song) have the students put the animals in the mitten. See attachment for
corresponding song to sing as another option of reviewing story. In addition, have students
complete the writing worksheet to identify sight words and the correct spellings.
*Mitten Song Attached
*Mitten Animals and Mitten Outline attached
Day 2: Two Snowflakes

Read the book Two Snowflakes by Jennifer Miller and talk about how everyone is different
and unique in their own ways. Have students identify rhyming words throughout the
story. Give each student the I am Unique worksheet. Have students complete the sentence
“I am unique because…” and draw a picture of something that makes them special and
unique.
*I am Unique Worksheet Attached
Day 3: Snowballs
Read the book Snowballs by Lois Elhert and/or The Snowman by
Raymond Briggs. Make these books available to the children
throughout the day so they can return to the books as a source for
winter/snowman information.
Discuss the stories and then talk about how to spell the word
“snowman”. Can the students sound it out? Add it to the word
wall if applicable. Have the students write a journal entry about a
snowperson they would like to make.
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Reading and Writing Activities Index
Day 4: Penguins
Students will listen to the book Penguins by Kathleen Weidner-Zoehfeld. Afterwards, the
students will write a fact about penguins and illustrate it on each page of the booklet. The
fact must be something they learned about penguins.
For every student you will need:

Cover and back page, lined pages for writing and space to draw, 1- 6” white circle, 2-
small white circles for eyes, 3- 2”x3” orange rectangles, black rectangles, scissors, glue
To make the penguin:

1. Glue the circle in the center of the cover.
2. Stick on two paper circles to resemble eyes.
3. Cut a beak from one orange rectangle and then glue in place.
4. Cut two feet from remaining orange rectangles and glue them to the back of the
booklet.
5. Trim the black rectangles and glue them to the back of the booklet.
Day 5: The Snowy Day

Read the book The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. Discuss the book and
what activities the main character does in the snow. When finished have
the children write a journal entry about their favorite activity to do in
the snow.
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The Mitten in the Snow Song
Tune: The Farmer in the Dell
This is the order of the animals in Jan Brett's version of the book:
A mole is the first to discover the mitten and crawls inside, followed by
a snowshoe rabbit, a hedgehog, an owl, a badger, a fox, a bear and, finally a mouse.
The mouse causes the bear to sneeze; the mitten and all its occupants go flying.
The mitten in the snow

The mitten in the snow
Help us please so we won't freeze!
The mitten in the snow.
A mole squeezes in
A mole squeezes in
A rabbit squeezes in
A rabbit squeezes in
A hedgehog squeezes in
A hedgehog squeezes in
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An owl squeezes in
An owl squeezes in
A badger squeezes in
A badger squeezes in
A fox squeezes in
A fox squeezes in
Help us please so w
we won't freeze!
A bear squeezes in
A bear squeezes in
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A mouse squeezes in
A mouse squeezes in
"A-choo"
The bear says, "A-choo!"
The bear says, "A-choo!"
All the animals fly out of
The mitten in the snow!
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10
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12
Name______________________________
I am unique!
I am unique because …
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Math Activities Index
Day 1: Graphing Mittens

Make several copies of the attached mitten template in various different colors. Give
each student a mitten (or let them choose a mitten), and as a class create a bar graph
sorting by mitten color. This activity can also be completed individually by making
smaller mittens and giving each child a simple bar graph worksheet.
*Mitten Template Attached
Day 2: Measuring Snow

If you live in an area where snow can be measured on a daily basis take the opportunity
to have the children measure show. Give each child a ruler and have them measure the
total accumulated snow amount. If you don’t live in an area with snow, identify an area
that does experience snow during the winter months and look up the daily weather to
see the snow accumulation. Have students use a ruler to see how much snow this
amounts to. Take this opportunity to discuss how to use a ruler and the difference
between inches and centimeters. This activity can be completed once, for a week or
even every day for a month to track progress and practice measuring.
Day 3: Counting Snowmen

Give each student the attached snowman worksheet. The worksheet
works on counting, color recognition skills, and coloring. This
worksheet can easily be modified with different/additional directions to
working on other skills.
*Snowman Worksheet Attached
Day 4: Penguin Color by Numbers

Give each student the attached penguin worksheet. Have them
complete both the addition skills and coloring. It may be a good
idea to check the addition prior to having students color.
*Penguin Worksheet Attached
Day 5: Winter Activities

Give each child the attached mini counting book. Color, cut and
complete the workbook. Children can either practice writing their
numbers or spelling the number words.
*Mini Counting Book Attached
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15
(Type Work Sheet Headline Here.)
Name: Date:
Directions: Color one snowman red. Color two snowmen blue. Color three snowmen purple. Color four snowmen
yellow.
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17
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20
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Science Activities Index
Day 1: Blubber Mitten

Students will see how mammals keep warm even in the cold winter!
*Instructions Attached
Day 2: Viewing Snowflakes

Students will look at snowflakes with a magnifying glass to discover the many different
shapes that snowflakes can take on. All students will be given a frozen black cloth so
that the snowflakes don’t melt. The class will go outside and catch snowflakes on their
cloth and look at them with a magnifying glass.
Day 3: Watching Snow Melt

Watching Snow Melt. Students will build small snowmen outside and we will bring them
in, in clear glasses and watch them melt and talk about how and why the snow melts.
Day 4: Penguins
Look at characteristics of penguins at http://library.thinkquest.org/J001423/. Discuss
facts about Penguins.
Day 5: Freeze a Bubble

If the weather outside is below 32 degrees, you can take your
class outside. Blow bubbles and have the students catch
them on wands. The bubbles will turn into crystal balls and
then shatter. Discuss what is happening with the children and
watch the bubbles break apart.
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Blubber Mittens
Time Required: 30 Minutes
Materials Needed:
Needed
- Groups of 4
- Crisco
- 2 zippable sandwich bags per group
- Bowl of ice water with ice cubes.
Procedure:
1. Fill one of the zipper bags about 1/3 full of shortening (Crisco) then turn the other
Ziploc bag inside out.
2. Place it carefully inside the bag with the shortening and zip the 2 bags together.
3. Put bare hands in the bowl of cold water just to feel how chilly it is.
4. Place the blubber mitten on hands and stick in the water.
5. Feel the difference!
6. Explain how animals like walrus’, whales, and seals have layers of blubber that help
them to keep warm.
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Social Studies Activities Index
Day 1: Discuss Various Winter Holidays

Use the attached information sheet to teach/discuss various winter holidays. After class
discussion have students complete attached holiday worksheet charting holiday
customs.
*Winter Holiday Worksheet Attached
Day 2: Discuss Winter Across the United States

Use the attached information sheet to teach/discuss the winter weather across the
United States and how it affects everyday life. Use a map to show the various regions if
available.
*Winter Across the United States Attached
Day 3: Paper Doll Snowmen

Give each child the attached paper with the paper doll cut outs. Discuss traditions and how
paper dolls have been an activity for children for hundreds of years.
*Paper Doll Worksheet Attached
Day 4: Penguin Map

Print a large map of the school district (and surrounding area). Have each
student color a small penguin and pin it on the map where they live when
they are finished. Help students with coordinal directions. For example,
“Sally lives north of Billy,” or “Billy lives south of Sally.”

Discuss activities that can only be completed in the winter months or
in environments that stimulate the winter months. Create a
classroom list of activities that they enjoy doing during the winter.
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Winter Holidays Article
Do you and your family celebrate a special winter holiday? You may decorate a Christmas tree
and sing Christmas carols, or perhaps you light the candles on a menorah during Hanukkah, or
maybe you eat sweet tangerines and light the seven candles of a kinara for Kwanzaa.
Many people celebrate different winter holidays. Nevertheless, several of these holidays have a lot
in common: They are a time for friends and families to gather together; they are a time to make
special foods and desserts; and often gifts and cards are given as reminders of how much people
care about one another.
Some of the winter holidays celebrated each year are Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the
Winter Solstice. Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus, Hanukkah recalls the re-dedication
of the temple of Jerusalem after the victory of the Maccabees, Kwanzaa is a non-religious holiday
that honors African-American people and their heritage, and the Winter Solstice celebrates the
sun and the end of winter.
Most winter holidays revolve around an important object of light: the Christmas lights on a
Christmas tree, the nine candles on a Hanukkah menorah, the seven candles on a Kwanzaa kinara,
the sun during the Winter Solstice, and the four candles on a Christmas Advent wreath.
Have you noticed that during the winter months, there are colder temperatures and less sunlight?
Consequently, we turn on lights so that we may see and function indoors. We also make fires to
keep us warm and protected from the winter cold. Isn't it interesting how most winter holidays
also focus on light? Light certainly brings a cheerful and bright glow to the snow and darkness
outside on those cold winter nights.
There is much anticipation and preparation as the excitement for the winter holidays draws near.
Many families make special foods and drinks such as eggnog, potato latkes, Christmas cookies,
and hot apple cider. Often, friends and families will gather together for a feast and celebration of
their holiday. For Hanukkah, children may spin the dreidel and eat yummy potato pancakes
called latkes. For Christmas, children may hang stockings, decorate Christmas trees, and eat plum
pudding. For Kwanzaa, children may eat delicious fruit and make special bracelets and necklaces
for family and friends.
All of these holidays have traditions that have been passed down from one generation to
another. Hopefully, in the future, you will continue to pass down your family's customs to your
own children.
The winter holidays are a time to be creative, generous, and thankful. It is also a time to look
forward to good times ahead. What do you enjoy doing most during the winter holidays?
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Holidays Chart
Name:____________________________________________
Date:__________________________
All of these holidays have special traditions and historical significance that make them important
to the people that celebrate them. Put each holiday in the column where it belongs. Some
holidays may belong in more than one column.
KWANZAA CHRISTMAS ST. PATRICK'S DAY
PASSOVER VALENTINE'S DAY PRESIDENTS DAY
THANKSGIVING FOURTH OF JULY HALLOWEEN
CHINESE NEW YEAR CINCO DE MAYO WINTER SOLSTICE
EASTER HANUKKAH MEMORIAL DAY
On these holidays . . .
One
may One may One may have One may One may
One may One may
have a get dressed parades and sing give
make or hang light
large in a sometimes special someone a
decorations candles
feast or costume fireworks songs gift or card
meal
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Winter Weather Across America
From the Mid-
Mid-Atlantic Coast to New England
The classic storm in these states is called a Nor'easter. A low-
pressure area off the Carolina coast strengthens and moves
north. Wind-driven waves batter the coast from Virginia to
Maine, causing flooding and severe beach erosion. The storm
taps the Atlantic's moisture-supply and dumps heavy snow
over the region. The snow and wind may combine into
blizzard conditions and form deep drifts paralyzing some
areas. Ice storms are also a problem. Mountains, such as the
Appalachians, act as a barrier to cold air trapping it in the
valleys and nearby low elevations. Warm air and moisture
moves over the cold, trapped air. Rain falls from the warm
layer onto a cold surface below becoming ice.
Along the Gulf Coast and Southeast

This region is usually doesn't get much snow, ice or freezing
temperatures. Once in a while, though, cold air penetrates south across Texas and Florida,
into the Gulf of Mexico. Temperatures fall below freezing, killing tender vegetation, such as
flowering plants and the citrus fruit crop. Wet snow and ice accumulate on trees with leaves,
causing the branches to snap under the load. Motorists are unsure how to drive on slick roads
and there can be a lot of traffic accidents. Some buildings are poorly insulated or lack heat
altogether so it can be cold inside! Cities may not have snow removal equipment or
treatments, such as sand or salt, for icy roads.
In the Midwest and Plains

Storms tend to develop over southeast Colorado. These storms move east or northeast and
use both the southward plunge of cold air from Canada and the northward flow of moisture
from the Gulf of Mexico to produce heavy snow and sometimes blizzard conditions. Other
storms affecting the Midwest and Plains move southeast. Arctic air is drawn from the north
and moves south across the Plains and Great Lakes. Wind and cold sometimes combines to
cause wind chill temperatures as low as 70F below zero! The wind crosses the lakes, tapping its
moisture and forming snow squalls and narrow heavy snow bands. This is called "lake-effect
snow."
From the Rockies to the West Coast

Strong storms crossing the North Pacific sometimes slam into the coast from California to
Washington. The vast Pacific provides an unlimited source of moisture for the storm. If it's
cold enough, snow falls over Washington and Oregon and sometimes even in California. As
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the moisture rises into the mountains, heavy snow closes the mountain passes and can cause
avalanches. The cold air from the north has to filter through mountain canyons into the
basins and valleys to the south. If the cold air is deep enough, it can spill over the mountain
ridge. As the air funnels through canyons and over ridges, wind speeds can reach 100 mph,
damaging roofs and taking down power and telephone lines. Combining these winds with
snow results in a blizzard.
In Alaska
Wind-driven waves from intense storms crossing the Bering

Sea produce coastal flooding and can drive large chunks of sea ice inland, destroying buildings
near the shore. High winds, especially across Alaska's Arctic coast, can combine with loose
snow to produce a blinding blizzard and wind chill temperatures to 90F below zero! Extreme
cold (-40F to -60F) and ice fog may last for as long as a week at a time. Heavy snow can
impact the interior of the state, especially along the southern coast. The snow accumulates
through the winter months and in the mountains, it builds glaciers. The heavy snow
accumulations can cause avalanches or collapse roofs of buildings. A quick thaw means
certain flooding. Ice jams on rivers can also cause substantial flood
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Dramatic Play Index
Day 1: Practicing Appropriate Winter Dress

Have a designated area with pretend snow, winter clothing appropriate for winter dress,
paper mittens and animals to follow along with story (see reading activities for
worksheets).
Day 2: Investigating Snowflakes

Using packing peanuts allow children inspect them with magnifying glasses. Are each
one the same shape? How are them alike and different from snowflakes?
Day 3: Building Snowmen

In dramatic play area keep pretend snow and add large felt bean bags that can be
stacked to make a snowman. Have children brain storm and/or make items that can
be used for the arms, eyes, nose, scarves, hats, ect to accessorize the snowman.
Day 4: Fun with Winter Animals

If possible have stuffed animals from the stories that have been read
previously in the week. Have the animals available for the children to
play with and interact with. Include foods the animals may naturally
eat, places they may naturally sleep and if possible a large mitten to act
out the story of The Mitten.

Using packing peanuts allow children to shovel, blow and
complete various other winter activities.
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Song Activities Index
Day 1: The Mitten in the Snow

(Sung to “Farmer in the Dell”)
The mitten in the snow,
The mitten in the snow,
Help us please,
So we won’t freeze ,
A ____________ squeezes in,

A ____________ squeezes in,
Help us please,
So we won’t freeze,
Day 2: Snowflakes
(Sung to “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)
Snowflakes , snowflakes falling down,
On the trees and on the ground.
I will build a man of snow,
Tall black hat and eyes of coal,
If the sun comes out today,
I will melt away!
Day 3: A Chubby Little Snowman

(Sung to “Itsy Bitsy Spider”)
A chubby little snowman had a carrot nose.
Along came a rabbit and what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny looking for his lunch
ATE the snowman’s carrot nose..
Nibble, nibble, CRUNCH!
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Song Activities Index
Day 4: Penguin Shuffle

Penguins shuffle to the left, left, left
Penguins shuffle to the right, right, right.
Give a little wiggle, Give a little hop
Waddle around the iceberg,
Never want to stop!
Day 5: Winter
by Meish Goldis
(Sung to: Farmer in the Dell)
The winter days are here,
The snowflakes chill my ear,
I ride my sled, my nose turns red,
The winter days are here.
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Art Activities Index
Day 1: Design Your Own Mittens

Each student will receive a pair of mittens to design however they would like. The
students will cut out the mittens on their own and color them, use construction paper,
glitter, glue, markers, and/or crayons to design the mittens however they would like.
Time Required: 15 Minutes *Mitten Template Attached
Day 2: Q-
Q-Tip Snowflakes
Each student will make a Q-Tip snowflake. We will talk about how no two snowflakes
are the same and after we make the snowflakes we will hang them from the ceiling in
the room.
Time Required: 30 Minutes *Instructions Attached
Day 3: Sock Snowmen

Students will each make a sock snowman out of rice/beans, buttons, rubber bands,
ribbon, fleece pieces, and socks! The snowmen can be used for a winter decoration
around the house or even for a doorstopper.
Day 4: Tissue Paper Penguin

Students will make a penguin out of tissue paper and cotton balls
and give him some ear muffs to keep warm. Good for students
to work on fine motor skills with tearing and scrunching tissue
paper.
Day 5: Popsicle Stick Sled

Each student will make their own sled out of Popsicle sticks. They will
each turn their sled into an ornament to hang on their Christmas tree!
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Q-Tip Snowflakes
Time Required: 30 Minutes

Materials Needed:
Needed
- Bottle of glue for each student
- Q-Tips (30-60 for each student)
- Snowflake Patterns
- Waxed paper (One 10 in sheet per snowflake)
- Glitter/Glitter Glue/sequins
Procedure:
Each student will receive a piece of wax paper and Q-Tips. Students will then choose a
snowflake pattern and put it underneath of their wax paper. Students can cut, bend, or use
full Q-tips in order to make their snowflake by gluing the Q-Tips together to fit the pattern.
After the snowflake is glued together the student can design it by putting glitter or sequence
on it.
*It is a good idea that students make the snowflake design and then put a lot of glue over top
of each point that the Q-Tips come together. The snowflakes will take a couple of hours to
dry but after they do the teacher will hang them up in the classroom!
Patterns:
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Sock Snowmen
Time Required: 25 minutes
Materials Needed:
- Men’s long white socks (1 sock per student)
- Colored sock or fleece (for hats)
- Rice or beans (for filling)
- Rubber bands
- Buttons
- Cotton craft balls
- Ribbons
- Sequins
Procedure:
1. Each student will fill their sock ½ full with rice or beans and shake it to make sure the
rice and beans are settled.
2. Tie a rubber band around where the filling stops and wrap it as many times as possible
3. Fill the sock with more rice or beans to make a head (smaller than the body).
4. Tie the sock with another rubber band
5. Tie a ribbon of choice around the snowman’s neck and cut a colored sock and fold it
over to make a hat.
6. Assesorize the snowman with buttons, pins, sequins, etc.
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Tissue Paper Penguins
Materials:
- White construction paper with penguin pattern.
- Black and yellow/orange tissue paper.
- Cotton Balls
- 2 Medium sized pom-poms for each student
- Pipe cleaner for each student (cut in half)
- Plastic eyes
- Tacky Glue
- Paper Plate
- Scissors
- Newspaper
Procedure:
1. Students cut out the Penguin Pattern.
2. Place the pattern on Newspaper and squeeze glue onto paper plate.
3. Dip cotton balls into glue and place in the middle section of the pattern
4. Tear yellow tissue paper and fill the beak and feet with yellow tissue paper.
5. Fill the rest of the penguin with black tissue paper
6. Glue pom-poms to each end of the pipe cleaner for ear muffs and glue onto the
penguin.
7. Next glue on Plastic eyes and wait for penguin to dry!
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Popsicle Stick Sled Ornaments
Materials:
- 8 Popsicle Sticks (per student)
- White Craft Glue
- Yarn
- Markers
- Toothpicks
- Glitter, sequins, buttons, ribbon
Procedure:
1. Place three craft sticks down on your surface (for the sled "panels"). Stagger the outer
two sticks about 1/4" (or length of your choice) down from the middle stick as
shown. Whatever stagger length you choose at this point will be repeated for the rest
of the sticks on the sled.
2. Glue each of the outer sticks to the middle stick by applying a thin bead of glue to the
each side of the middle stick and pushing the outer sticks into it. Hold firm for about
15 seconds.
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3. Next, assemble and glue two more craft sticks (the sled "runners") to the outside
panel sticks. The runners should be placed on their sides and glued flush with the
panels.
4. Assemble end panels.

5. Assemble and glue the last two panels as shown. Allow the partial sled assembly to dry
before moving onto step 4.
You will be working from the top view

of the sled for step 4.
6. Turn over and assemble top cross beam.
7. After the sled is dry from step 3, turn it over and glue the "cross beam" craft stick
onto the top of the sled as shown.
8. Allow it to dry before moving onto step 9.
9. Decorate the sled.
10. When the glue on the sled is completely dry, you can decorate it as you wish. For this
project, I painted my sleds with green and red acrylic paint. After the paint dried, I tied
a piece of curling ribbon onto the cross beam for the sled "handle" and hanger.
11. You can be more creative with your sled decorating if you wish. Embellish it with
found objects, glitter, polymer clay figurines, or anything else that sticks to it.
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Corresponding Snack Index
Day 1: Mitten Muffin

You will need: English muffins, mitten shaped cookie cutter, white frosting, food
coloring, raisins, Mini M&M’s, pull n peel licorice, dixie cups, plastic knifes and napkins
Students will each get an English muffin to press the cookie cutter into. Have a station for
spreading the frosting on the mitten. Use a Dixie cup to mix colors such as red, blue,
green, pink, and red. Then have a station set up so students can decorate their mitten
with raisins, M&M’s, and licorice. Have students wait until everyone has decorated to
enjoy their snack together.
Day 2: Snowflake Cookie

You will need: sugar cookie dough, snowflake cookie cutter, white frosting, colored sugar
and baking sheet
Use premade cookie dough sheets and have each student press the cookie cutter into the
dough. Bake the cookies and once they have cooled, set up a station so students can spread
frosting and sprinkle colored sugar on their cookie.
Day 3: Marshmallow Snowman

You will need: 3 large marshmallows per child, tube of white icing, 3 Mini
M&M’s per child, red skinny licorice, 1 toothpick per child, 1 pretzel stick
per child and 1 Hershey’s kiss per child
Students will put icing on both ends of a marshmallow and use

the toothpick to hold all three marshmallows together. Each
child will need 3 mini M&M’s and will put 3 dots of icing on
the marshmallow man to make his buttons. Break the pretzel
stick in half for the arms and stick into marshmallow man.
The kiss will be placed on the top as a hat with icing. Wrap the
licorice around the head as a scarf for the snowman.
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Corresponding Snack Index
Day 4: Oreo Penguin
You will need:
need 1 Oreo per child, 1 Hershey Kiss per child, 2 pieces of candy corn per child, 2
Mini M&M’s per child, white frosting
Twist the Oreo apart. Cut in half the part without icing. Unwrap the kiss and push the
flat part into the frosting of the Oreo. You may need to add more frosting to help it
stick. Take the two halves of the other piece and place on frosting with curved sides
facing the center. You may need to add more frosting. Put the candy corn towards the
bottom to make feet. Eyes can be added with Mini M&M’s and frosting.
Day 5: Hot Cocoa

Bring in hot cocoa mix for students to try. Make sure to not make it too hot. Students
will get a Dixie cup to try the hot cocoa in. You may bring in marshmallows for students to
put in their hot cocoa.
45
Extensions Index
Math Extensions
1. Mitten measurement is a math extension. It's a fun activity for students to see how
long their mitten is with different things used to measure such as pennies, cotton balls,
and a ruler.
*Find worksheets at http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/the_mitten.html
2. Practice estimating using marshmallows.
3. Complete a yes/no graph to "Have you ever thrown a snowball?" or any other questions
that relates to the winter theme.
4. Discuss symmetry and create symmetrical designs on a pair of paper mittens. They place
the mittens side by side (left mitten on the left, right mitten on the right). Whatever
design they place on the left mitten, they must reproduce on the right.
Movement Extension
A movement extension would be a class sledding party. Find a hill nearby and have
students bring sleds and saucers.
Center Ideas
Fine-
Fine-motor center: perforate a snowflake, trace snowman, scribble art
snowflake, scribble art snowman
Art: paper snowman, puffy snow painting, cookie cutter, printmaking
Construction/Blocks
onstruction/Blocks Center:
Center: build structures using toothpicks
and marshmallows (or packing peanuts or styrofoam balls, etc.)
Journal Starters
*In the winter, I can see....
*In the winter, I wear…
*Winter is…
*Draw a snowman
46
Extensions Index
Journal Starters Continued
*Draw icicles.
*What do you like to do in the winter?
*What do you like to eat in the winter?
*Draw an animal hibernating in the winter.
*Draw geese migrating for the winter.
*Draw Jack Frost creating a wintery scene
Additional Books
Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
*Kids LOVE Froggy books and this is a great one to act out. After reading the story, students work in
committees to make the winter clothes for a "life-sized" Froggy. Then they label each article of clothing using
transitional/conventional spelling and meet together in the circle. Discuss/read each label (adding correct
spelling below if necessary). Then reread the story allowing students to dress Froggy as the story goes. All
these props can then be placed in the Storytelling Center.
White Snow, Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt
Is That You,
You, Winter? by Stephen Gammell
*Students create their own winter scene. First they use crayons to draw the picture. Then they use a
toothbrush and white paint to spatter "snow" all over it, creating an illustration similar to those in the
book. Students write captions for their winter scenes.
Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming*

Fleming*
Sleepy Bear by Lydia Dadcovich*

Dadcovich*
Wake Me in Spring by James Preller*

Preller*
Good Night, Bear! Joanne Mattern*

Mattern*
The Happy Day by Ruth Krauss*

Krauss*
Animals In Winter Henrietta Bancroft & Richard G. VanGelder**

VanGelder**
Honk! Honk! by Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom**

Granstrom**
47
Extensions Index
Goodbye Geese by Nancy White Carlstrom**
Carlstrom**
Amy Loves the Snow by Julia Hoban
My Favorite Time of Year by Susan Pearson
Emily and the Snowflake by Jan Wahl

Students create paper snowflakes by folding paper circles in half, then in thirds, and then snipping shapes
and wavy lines out of them. This reinforces the "uniqueness" of each snowflake!
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
*This book has such wonderful descriptive phrases! If you can get the tape or video, show it! The
narration is spell-binding (on par with The Polar Express!). It's always fun to ask the class whether they
think the main character is a boy or a girl, since the book gives no clues.
Here Comes the Snow by Angela Shelf Medearis

*Do "magic snow pictures" after reading books about snow. Each student gets a piece of paper (any
kind will do- manila, copy paper, computer paper, etc. ) and folds it in half vertically (like a book).
Then he/she "colors" half of the sheet with white chalk. (When folded the chalk-side should be on the
inside.) Next he will tuck a half-sheet of blue construction paper in the folded chalk paper... and use a
pencil to draw a winter scene on the outside paper. When it's opened the chalk has transferred the
design to the blue page! (It works like NCR paper or carbon paper and the kids will want to do it again
and again!)
Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
Snow on Snow on Snow by Cheryl Chapman
Geraldine's Big Snow by Holly Keller
Snow by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
Snow Day by Barbara M. Joosse

*Use all the paper in our recycling can to make "snowballs". Then, if possible, take
chairs and our snowballs to the gym. We line them up in two "forts" facing each
other and start lobbing snowballs at the other side! “Reload" at least 10 times
before cleaning up and heading back to the room to write about the experience!
Snow Child by Freya Littledale

*When you’re done reading as a class list things in the book which seemed like a
story pattern (similar to other stories) and things which puzzled the class. This is
great for developing better comprehension as well as critical thinking skills.
48
Extensions Index
The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel
*This is a great rebus story! The kids will want to read it again and again. As a response to this story, students are
given a paper divided into 8 boxes. These incomplete words are in the boxes: _ittens, _ong _ohns, _acket, _carf,
_oots, _weater, _loves, _ants. Students will complete the initial letter and illustrate in each box.
Snow by Uri Shulevitz
The First Snowfall by Anne and Harlow Rockwell
Winter Rabbit by Patrick Yee
Little Penguin's Tale by Audrey Wood
Antarctica by Helen Cowcher
Let's Go Home Little Bear by Martin Waddell
Do Like Kyla by Angela Johnson
Skating on Thin Ice by Louise Everett

*Give each student 2 wax paper "skates," turn on "The Skater's Waltz," and have a blast twirling and skating
around the rooms.
Mrs. Toggle's Zipper by Robin Pulver
*After reading one, some, or all of these discuss the concept of

hibernation. Most children are surprised that lots of other animals
(besides bears!) hibernate during the winter. To depict how long
these animals really hibernate. Build a "cave," and students'
stuffed bears go in until spring!
**These books are about migration, of course. Try acting this out
on the playground, honking and flapping in "V" formation. Just
like geese, take turns leading the flock from one side of the
playground to the other. You can also have students "honk"
encouragement to the leader. It creates a very memorable
experience!
49
Extensions Index
Art Extensions
1. Following Directions (Building a Snowman). Students will listen to follow directions
they will be given the handout with 3 blank snowmen on it. The teacher will give
directions such as “Draw a hat on the snowman on the right”, and so on.
*Building a Snowman Worksheet Attached
2. Animal Prints. The teacher will fill a plastic container with snow and draw animal
prints in the snow. The teacher will have pictures of each animal that he/she drew
prints for and the students will try to guess which animal made which prints.
50
Following Directions with Snowmen
51
Resources
• http://familyfun.go.com/
• http://familyfun.go.com/
• http://library.thinkquest.org/J001423/
• http://twosnowflakes.net/
• http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/the_mitten.html
• http://www.enchantedlearning.com/books/holiday/winter/mitten/
• http://www.thekcrew.net/winter.html
• http://www.kinderplans.com/content.cfm?pageid=177
• http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/Winter/
52

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Winter 2010

Winter Thematic Unit

Stacy Vanderah basins, the use of energy, and so on.

Winter Thematic Unit

Winter Thematic Unit Objectives:

• Students will be able to echo back various song lyrics.

A Few Suggested Questions:

Reading/ Social Dramatic Music/

Read The Practicing Design Your

Art Lesson—Paper Tissue Penguin

Reading and Writing Activities Index ................................. 5

Math Activities Index ........................................................... 14

Science Activities Index ........................................................ 24

Social Studies Activities Index .............................................. 26

Dramatic Play Index ............................................................. 32

Music/Song Activities Index ................................................ 33

Art Activities Index .............................................................. 35

Snack Index ........................................................................... 44

Day 1: The Mitten

Day 2: Two Snowflakes

For every student you will need:

To make the penguin:

Day 5: The Snowy Day

The mitten in the snow

Day 1: Graphing Mittens

Day 2: Measuring Snow

Day 3: Counting Snowmen

Day 4: Penguin Color by Numbers

Day 5: Winter Activities

Day 1: Blubber Mitten

Day 2: Viewing Snowflakes

Day 3: Watching Snow Melt

Day 5: Freeze a Bubble

Day 1: Discuss Various Winter Holidays

Day 2: Discuss Winter Across the United States

Day 3: Paper Doll Snowmen

Day 4: Penguin Map

Day 5: Winter Activities

KWANZAA CHRISTMAS ST. PATRICK'S DAY

PASSOVER VALENTINE'S DAY PRESIDENTS DAY

THANKSGIVING FOURTH OF JULY HALLOWEEN

CHINESE NEW YEAR CINCO DE MAYO WINTER SOLSTICE

EASTER HANUKKAH MEMORIAL DAY

Along the Gulf Coast and Southeast

In the Midwest and Plains

From the Rockies to the West Coast

Wind-driven waves from intense storms crossing the Bering

Day 1: Practicing Appropriate Winter Dress

Day 2: Investigating Snowflakes

Day 3: Building Snowmen

Day 4: Fun with Winter Animals

Day 5: Winter Activities

Day 1: The Mitten in the Snow

A ____________ squeezes in,

Day 3: A Chubby Little Snowman

Day 4: Penguin Shuffle

Day 1: Design Your Own Mittens

Day 3: Sock Snowmen

Day 4: Tissue Paper Penguin

Day 5: Popsicle Stick Sled

Time Required: 30 Minutes

4. Assemble end panels.

You will be working from the top view