I apologize for being so behind on my posts! Truth be told, I have a load of pictures on my camera, a few pages of notebook paper covered with notes and outlines, and I’m almost constantly constructing posts in my head as I wash dishes or clean up spent projects. The only problem is, I’m having a terrible time sitting down to my computer and getting it all down! This is just a busy time of year, and this year seems a bit busier than years past! Well, I’m hoping to make it up to you, by posting a whole lot more very soon of course, and by having a bit of a give-away. It’s one of my favorite winter picture books, The Snowy Day by Jack Keats (in paperback). It’s a classic, and winner of the Caldecott medal way back in 1963. It was a groundbreaker as one of the very first picture books to feature a Black child as the hero. Though it was first published over 45 years ago, the timeless story is enjoyed as much today as ever. Its story and pictures are simple, and relatable, and a real treasure to share with youngsters ready to explore the snow!
So here’s the deal: Comment here with your favorite winter day activity to share with young children. It can be something formal, like a book activity, a tasty treat to share on a snowy day, or one of your favorite outdoor activities. Even memories of the winters from your own childhood would do! Share your ideas here through this week (hopefully there will also be many new posts during that time). I’ll select a winner at random from those comments posted here by Friday, December 18th at 9:00pm to receive a paperback version of Ezra Jack Keat’s The Snowy Day. The winner will be announced in Saturday’s post!
I love this book as well. When I am teaching, I always share this book with my preschoolers then afterwards, we go for a walk outside (I save the book for a snowy day) and play in the snow. I take some pictures of the children enjoying the snow.
Later, I print the pictures and have each child color and dictate to me what they love to do on a snowy day. We add the pictures to our pages and create a class book. The children love to read it over and over again.
What a fantastic idea! The children always love to read a book about themselves! I love the spontaneity involved as well. Great connections for language and literacy, and so child-centered! Thanks for sharing!
By the way – we title our class book, “Our Snowy Day”.
We live in TX where snow is uncommon so to help my students understand the concept of “snow” we make Insta Snow and put it in our sensory table after reading The Snowy Day. Because we don’t have it here our students are always fascinated by the mystery of snow. The students wear mittens when they play with the Insta Snow just like Peter in the story. You can usually find Insta Snow at teacher stores or order on-line from the Steve Spangler website.
Thanks Vanessa! I’ve often wondered what I would do if I taught in an area that didn’t exhibit the “typical” seasons. Great idea! You’re right, what the children may lack in familiarity is made up for with fascination! I have nieces and nephews living in Texas and Arizona, and it is so much fun to watch them up to their knees in snow when they come to visit for Christmas!
My favorite winter activity (with or without my kids) is drinking hot chocolate while reading a great book. And this is a great one…
Oh, Michelle,that sounds so nice right now!
one of my favorite winter activities is making snow ice cream! we did this after the first BIG snow every year when i was a kid – it had to be a BIG snow because you don’t want to get pieces of grass or leaves in your ice cream. ( :
SNOW ICE CREAM
*fresh WHITE snow (heehee)
*a bit of vanilla extract
*a gob of half & half (milk will do)
*a smidgen of granulated sugar
*sprinkles (optional)
instructions: mix the snow with the vanilla, half & half and sugar. put it in a bowl, top with colored sprinkles (it’s just so cute!) and eat it QUICK! ( :
p.s. i just love your website. i used to teach 4th/5th grade (before becoming a photographer) and still have many friends who teach. i’m constantly sending them links to your great ideas!!
Thanks so much, Amber! I’m going to have to try that one with my boys the next time we get pounded!
By the way, Amber, AMAZING photography!
oh, thank you!
Thank you for all the great play based activities!
My favorite winter activity with kids is filling up spray bottles with water and food coloring and then heading outside and spraying the snow for great winter snow paintings! I used to run an after school program and this kept them both busy and happy for long periods of time.