Submitted by: Jessica L. LaVallee
Endorsed by: Don Descy, Mankato State University

Grade Level(s): 1

Subject(s)

• Science/Meteorology

DESCRIPTION:
This activity is a great way for young students to begin to grasp the difference in weather and seasons. To help them better understand Winter, this lesson includes two great books for the first grade reading level.

GOAL:
Students will have a better understanding of what the weather is like during the Winter and they will be able to enjoy two books on the subject.

OBJECTIVES:
The student will be able to:

• Give many descriptive words for snow and Winter.
• Make his/her own paper mitten which will include their favorite winter and summer activities.
• Read along and enjoy two stories about Winter and snow.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
This activity can be used with students at lower levels. No background information is necessary for this exercise. The lesson teaches them to be descriptive about snow and Winter.

CONCEPTS:
Students will be able to:
1. Give a number of adjectives about Winter.
2. Draw their favorite Winter and Summer activity.
3. Enjoy the book The Mitten by Jan Brett and The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.

MATERIALS:
"The Mitten" by Jan Brett (book)
"The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats (book)
scissors
large paper mitten outline
crayons
snow in a bucket (if possible)

PROCEDURE:
1. Show pictures of Winter scenes and ask students to tell you some thing about them.
2. Let students feel, look, smell, and touch the snow and ask them what they observe.
3. Ask what the students do during the Winter? (skiing, ice skating, etc.) Share your favorite activities.
4. Explain that today you are going to read a book about Winter.
5. Read The Mitten. Afterwards talk about all of the animals that were in the book and if they do or do not live in your state.
6. Have students cut out the mitten and draw their favorite Winter activity on one side and their favorite Summer activity on the other.
6. Read The Snowy Day (if time allows). I suggest using the big book version and allowing students to take turns reading a page (this is a short book).

ASSESSMENT:
Go around and ask each student to share one thing that they drew on their mitten, or if it is a large group, hole punch the mittens and hang from the ceiling.