Not every part of the country gets to celebrate snow with sledding, snowman building, and other outdoor activities, but everyone can catch the winter spirit with stories, lessons, and crafts. The possibilities are endless.
Here, if you will, is the tip of the, uh-hem, iceberg.
SNOW GLOBE CRAFT
You may not know just how affordable it is for your students to make a snow globe using very inexpensive materials and found objects. Each child can make his or her own snow globe using a simple winter or holiday theme. Placing a tiny plastic animal with an aspect or two of its winter environment is one way to make it a habitat snow (or rain) globe. (Use the Scientific Terminology worksheet to incorporate science and math terminology into the project.)
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO BEGIN:
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Teacher Supply List:
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Optional supplies:medium sand paper cut into small squares, clean medicine dropper, and wooden stir sticks |
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Student Supply List:
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Step 1: | Clean jars and objects. Arrange objects and then glue them to the inside of a lightly sanded lid. Take care that nothing extends beyond the lid’s perimeter. Some glues need to dry overnight before proceeding. (Dirty jars or objects will make the water look cloudy.) |
Step 2: | Fill the jar with distilled water and add a small amount of glycerin. (Allow space for the objects which will be displacing some of the water.) |
Step 3: | Add a small amount of glitter. (Screw the lid on to test that the glycerin to water ratio allows the snow to gently fall and that the amount of water is full without spilling over.) |
Step 4: | Run a strip of glue around the dry top ridge where the lid screws on to the jar; firmly twist the lid in place. (Work quickly if using a glue gun.) |
When dry, have each child turn over his or her globe over a plastic bucket or empty wastebasket. The bucket will not only catch water from any leaky globes, but it will reduce the likelihood of breakage if one should tumble from a child’s slippery fingers. |
WEBSITES WITH IDEAS AND ALTERNATIVE DIRECTIONS:
Martha Stewart: How to Make a Snow Globe
How to Make a Snow Globe with a Jar
Smart School House: Mason Jar Lid Snow Globe
Washington Post: Make Your Own Snow Globes at Home
SNOW GLOBE MODIFICATIONS:
Using modeling clay, kids can create a snowy bottom and their own objects, like a snowman!
Martha Stewart: DIY Mason Jar Snow Globes
Make a Lego figure or use a purchased Lego figurine.
Have students add a laminated picture of themselves if giving the globe as a gift.
Our Best Bites How To: Make a Homemade Snow Globe
Use this worksheet to introduce scientific and/or mathematical terminology related to the snow globe project. | Use this book list for several great winter/snow stories to share. | |
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Here are our sample snow globes. Not only are they a fun craft, but they make a great gift or keepsake.
Those are adorable!!
aprove