Five Little Snowmen

Here’s a great fingerplay for a snowy day:

(Holding out five fingers.)

Five little snowmen standing in a row,

Standing straight and tall in the deep, cold snow.

Out came the sun, shining bright and hot all day,

And one little snowman melted away.

(Repeat with 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0.)

I like to precede this fingerplay by showing five pictures of snowmen.  I copy the outline so that they are the same, but then make two matching pairs and one single by coloring the scarves different colors, adding buttons or mittens, or giving one a broom to hold on to.  We first count out the snowmen, decide which ones are the same/different and why.  (This practices counting skills, as well as the concept of same/different and develops visual perception skills.)  Then I tell them that I have a fingerplay or finger story about five snowmen that they can help me with, but first they have to show me their five snowmen by putting up their fingers!

Fingerplays increase language skills and reading readiness.  This one in particular helps with counting, one to one ratio, and basic math skills.  The science vocabulary word “melt” and the concept of melting is also introduced.

For more activities for a “Winter” theme, click here!

Photo provided by tellgraf.