Crafty Chic Mommy: SNOWMEN- TIPS FOR TOTS TUESDAY JAN 12th

At preschool in January I would base our themes around winter. We would cover snowmen, snowflakes, penguins and polar bears. If we were lucky we would get some snow in which we could bring in and put into the water table with snow animal figurines. The next three weeks I will cover the topics above. Today we will start with SNOWMEN

CIRCLE ACTIVITIES- SONGS, POEMS and FELT STORIES

FIVE LITTLE SNOWMEN (to the tune of five little monkeys)

Five little snowmen sledding on a sled, one fell off and bumped his head.

Mama called Frosty and Frosty said, "no more snowmen sledding on the sled."

(continue until you get down to one snowman, then sing...)

One little snowman sledding on the sled, he fell off and bumped his head.

Mama called Frosty and Frosty said, "Put some helmets on their heads."

I AM A LITTLE SNOWMAN

I am a little snowman
I am so fat and round
I started from a snowflake that fell upon the ground

I have two buttons for my eyes
a great big scarf of red
I have a carrot for my nose
a hat upon my head

Watch me as I m e l t to the ground
I don't even make a sound

I'M A LITTLE SNOWMAN (to the tune of I'm a little Teapot)

I'm a little snowman short and fat

Here are my buttons (point to chest) and here is my hat (touch top of head)

When the beaming sun come out (hold hands over head to make a sun)

I can't stay (shake head no)

I just s l o w l y melt away (melt down to the ground)

SNOWFLAKES (to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)

Snowflakes, snowflakes falling down.
On to the trees and on the ground.
I will build a man of snow,
Tall black hat, and eyes of coal.
If the sun comes out today,
I will watch you melt away

SNOWMAN POEM

I made myself a snowman

Just as perfect as can be

I thought I'd keep it as a pet

And let it sleep with me

I gave it some pajamas

And a pillow for its head

Then last night it ran away

But first it wet the bed

SNOWMAN COUNTDOWN

5 Little Snowmen standing in a row

All dressed up and made of snow

Out came the sun and it shone all day

Then one little snowman melted away....

(continue until there are no more snowmen)

Here are the felt snowmen I use for my countdown

PUT TOGETHER A SNOWMAN AT CIRCLE

Use these felt pieces to put together a snowman. During circle if I have a small group I ask each child to come up individually and look for the piece I need (the black hat) or ask them what comes first and what is next. I then put the pieces out during free play at a small side table so the children can build the snowman on their own.

ART

Snowman sequencing printout

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/RC-2.pdf

Paper Plate Snowman

http://crafts.kaboose.com/paper-plate-snowman.html

Paper Bag Snowman

http://www.pacon.com/projects/PartyBags1.htm

Terra Cotta Snowman

http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/winter/clay-pot-snowman.asp

Cotton Ball Snowman

http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/winter/cotton-ball-snowman.asp

SCIENCE

* Take a large rubbermaid container and make a small snowman to put inside. Now bring it inside the house or classroom and let the children discover what happens when snow meets warmth.

* Head outside with a black piece of construction paper, hold it flat and catch snowflakes to look at. The snowflakes show up so well on the black paper.

* Try googling SNOWFLAKES on your computer. Some beautiful pictures show up. I printed some off for my class one year and then gave them magnifying glasses to take a closer look at what a real snowflake looks like.

* Put out toothpicks and different shaped styrofoam balls so the children can make their own 3d snowflakes

* Freeze a block of ice with knick knacks in the middle and children can chip away with spoons and shovels at the ice to discover the hidden items.

SNOWMAN BOOKS I LOVE
(photos coutesy of Amazon.com)

There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow - Lucille Colandro