What are we supposed to do when it is too cold to go out and play in the snow? We bring the snow inside, of course!!
Last week we began our inquiry on snow. We brought buckets of snow into our classroom and allowed the students to explore and wonder about the snow. So much excitement, curiosity and creativity came out of this fun activity.
Did someone say snowstorm??? What more could we ask for as we launch this inquiry? Tuesday morning we surprised the students with a walk around the school to explore the winter wonderland that now surrounded us! Wow, they were so excited to get out and see the snow! Some students chose to carry a clipboard to record some of what they saw, thought, and wondered. Others carried cameras or little frames that allowed to them to focus in on and analyze a specific area. We even went over to the pond to see what it looked like. Students were able to compare what the pond looked like in the fall to now. Once we were back in class students shared their questions and wonderings.
Here is some of what we heard the students observing, thinking and wondering:
"Only sticky snow can make stuff like igloos, snowmen, snowballs, snow forts and snow houses". I.Z.
"I am making an igloo with snow. Penguins live in an igloo". C.H.
How can people pick up snow with their hands? It is so cold". A.B.
"I wonder why the snow fell". A.D
"I see ice! I wonder if the ice will turn into an ice castle". B.D
"I wonder where all the snow mountains came from" D.P
(while observing the snow pushed aside by the snowploughs!)
"Where does snow come from?"
"I think all the animals are hibernating under the sea." I.Z.
"No, my mom told me that the animals flew away. They went somewhere hot, but they will come back after the snow". D.P
"I think the snow turns brown because it is old." P.R.
"Are there other places like Taiwan that are hot and do not get any snow?" C.H.
"Las Vegas is the desert, it doesn't get snow!" B.D.
"I know that it is hot in Israel, so they don't get snow!" O.C. and A.O
