Build a Snow Structure
The Eskimos use the word igloo to mean any type
of house, but we usually think of igloos as fashioned from snow.
These are rarely build by the Eskimos these days, but references to them
still abound. Try your hand at constructing a shelter made from "bricks"
of packed snow. The Eskimos actually cut their blocks from solidly
packed snow...you can make your "bricks" using a mold such as a bread pan
or a heavy plastic container.
"Wet" snow works best, but "dry" snow can be moistened
with water to help bind it together. Make a sturdy structure by overlapping
the bricks and gradually doming the top, or simply build straight walls
and anchor a tarpaulin over the top as a roof.
Make Angels in the Snow
Besides making your own tracks in the snow...make
angels, trees and other shapes using your whole body! Dress warmly
(hmmm...and waterproof clothing!!) and then go for it!
Art Experiment - Frozen Paper
Facts: When watercolour paint comes in contact
with the frozen paper, it cools and nearly freezes too. This cooling
slows down the movement of the paint molecules and the paint begins to
freeze and begins to behave more like a solid. If the paper begins
to thaw or melt, the molecules of paint and water move faster and mix more
easily, much like the usual behaviour of paint and water. Now, enough
of Science 101....and on to the fun stuff!!!!
You will need: freezer (or freezing day outdoors)
heavy paper
water
shallow pan
cookie sheet
watercolor paints and brushes
Dip the paper in a shallow pan of water until it's
thoroughly wet. Place the wet paper on a cookie sheet. Place
the cookie sheet and paper in the freezer or outside to freeze. When
frozen, remove the paper from the freezer and paint on the paper before
it thaws.
Variations: Freeze a different variety of
papers for painting - paper towel, coffee filter, construction paper, typing
paper. Draw with chalk on frozen paper. Paint with tempura
paints on frozen paper.
Art Experiment - Frost Plate
Facts: Water is a unique substance because
it can be ice (a solid), water (a liquid), or water vapor (a gas), all
within a close range of temperatures. When the petroleum jelly is
placed in the freezer, water vapor in the freezer FREEZES and crystallizes
on the jelly where it is easily seen. The water vapor molecules
slow down when cooled to 32oF(0oC) or below and arrange themselves in a
regular pattern on the petroleum jelly as they form ice CRYSTALS.
Now for the fun......
You will need:
petroleum jelly
clear glass pie plate
freezer
Smear petroleum jelly on the glass pie plate.
Draw a design in the jelly on the plate with fingers. Clean hands.
Put the plate in the freezer for 2 hours. Remove the plate and look
at the frost designs.
Coconut Snowman
Draw outline of a snowman on black paper with
chalk. Spread paste over snowman. Sprinkle shredded coconut
over the paste. Use raisins for eyes, mouth, buttons!
Cotton Ball Snowman
By gluing cotton balls and scraps of yarn and
fabric on dark construction paper the children can create their own snowman.
Snowman Stick Puppets
Cut out snowman shapes out of white cardboard
paper. Children can decorate their snowman with cutout pieces of
felt, small buttons, sparkles, etc. Tape a popsicle stick to the
back of the snowman.
Songs, Finger Plays, Nursery Rhymes
Dance Like Snowflakes
(Sung to the tune of "Frere
Jacques")
Dance like snowflakes. Dance like snowflakes.
In the air. In the air.
Whirling, twirling, snowflakes.
Whirling, twirling, snowflakes.
Here and there. Here and there.
Recipes
Snow Cream
Who can resist eating some new fallen snow?
You can make a tasty treat from snow called Snow Cream! Two recipes
follow, the first using snow as the main ingredient, the second using snow
as the freezing agent!
Snow Cream #1:
Into a bowl of clean snow, sprinkle some granulated
sugar and vanilla extract; and a bit of milk or cream to make a slushy
treat. Eat it with a spoon or sip it through a straw as it melts!
Snow Cream #2:
Into an aluminum can or bowl, mix together 1/2
cup milk, 1 tblsp. sugar, and a tblsp. condensed milk. Flavor it
with a little vanilla extract or cocoa powder. Place the can inside
a larger container that has a layer of salt in it. Add snow (or crushed
ice), alternating with layers of more salt, until the inner can is completely
nestled in snow up its sides. With a wooden popsicle stick or spoon,
continually scrape the freezing snow cream away from the sides of the can,
allowing more of the mixture to freeze on contact with the cold metal.
In ten minutes or so, you should have a thick sluch. Enjoy!
Do you have a winter activity you would like to
share?
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