Despite our unusually warm Fall, the month of December brings with it hopes of a winter wonderland full of snowmen and snow angels! A winter wonderland is not complete without one key component-- SNOW! This month, our books of the month will focus on the science of snow-- more specifically, SNOWFLAKES! These microscopic, icy beauties also tie with our science standards such as changes of matter, the water cycle, and weather!
Please be sure to check out the supplemental resources on all things Snow and Snowflakes for teachers to use in conjunction with these texts. There are videos to serve as hooks/activators for the read aloud or to serve as background knowledge-building resources and/or inspiration for our Mableton Jaguar Scholars during their aligned STEAM Challenges. There are also additional fiction and informational texts listed you can check out as well as the emoji book reviews available for each grade level.
Please be sure to check out the supplemental resources on all things Snow and Snowflakes for teachers to use in conjunction with these texts. There are videos to serve as hooks/activators for the read aloud or to serve as background knowledge-building resources and/or inspiration for our Mableton Jaguar Scholars during their aligned STEAM Challenges. There are also additional fiction and informational texts listed you can check out as well as the emoji book reviews available for each grade level.
Primary Book: Snowflake Bentley by Jaqueline Briggs Martin
Synopsis:
From the time he was a small boy in Vermont, Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as small miracles. And he determined that one day his camera would capture for others the wonder of the tiny crystal. Bentley's enthusiasm for photographing snowflakes was often misunderstood in his time, but his patience and determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each one is startlingly beautiful. His story is gracefully told and brought to life in lovely woodcuts, giving children insight into a soul who had not only a scientist's vision and perseverance but a clear passion for the wonders of nature. (From amazon.com)
Synopsis:
From the time he was a small boy in Vermont, Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as small miracles. And he determined that one day his camera would capture for others the wonder of the tiny crystal. Bentley's enthusiasm for photographing snowflakes was often misunderstood in his time, but his patience and determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each one is startlingly beautiful. His story is gracefully told and brought to life in lovely woodcuts, giving children insight into a soul who had not only a scientist's vision and perseverance but a clear passion for the wonders of nature. (From amazon.com)
Intermediate Book: The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder by Mark Cassino with Jon Nelson, Ph.D
Synopsis:
How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered in this visually stunning exploration of the science of snow. Perfect for reading on winter days, the book features photos of real snow crystals in their beautiful diversity. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included. (from amazon.com)
Synopsis:
How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered in this visually stunning exploration of the science of snow. Perfect for reading on winter days, the book features photos of real snow crystals in their beautiful diversity. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included. (from amazon.com)
Additional Resources
Videos About Snow Additional Picture Books About Snow
| Fiction Books: "Katy and the Big Snow" by Virginia Lee Burton "Snow" by Cynthia Rylant "Zoo Flakes ABC" by Will C. Howell "Snow Sounds" by David A. Johnson Informational Books: "Snow Is Falling" by Franklyn M. Branley "Snowflakes in Photographs" by W.A. Bentley "Snowflakes: A Pop-Up Book" by Jennifer Preston Chushcoff |
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Highlight on "Snowflake" Bentley
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Websites for Additional Snowflake Fun
- Make-A-Flake has students virtually cut out their own snowflake! Click HERE to check it out!
- Look for Mrs. Feldman's snow flake on THIS awesome website by clicking the "Find-A-Flake" box and searching for Mrs. Feldman or Mableton Elementary! Then create your own class snowflake!
- Check out this local family outing at Stone Mountain Park for SNOW MOUNTAIN this winter!
STEAM and Writing Resources
Please check out the "December" Office 365 folder within the "Book of the Month" folder for this month's aligned STEAM challenges as well as the writing response resources.