Snow and Cold Weather Fun!

During the month of January we had many days off from school, but that didn't stop us from making the most of the time when we were together.  We did lots of learning about how snowflakes are formed and learned about states of matter while studying the life cycle of a snowman.  We also practiced looking for, identifying, and using non-fiction text features.  Action verbs and transition words were also incorporated into our writing.

After reading "Sneezy the Snowman" who is constantly trying to get warm, we described how we like to get warm during cold winter days and made some cute snowman faces to help display the writing.

Below are some great "action" pictures with descriptions:

As a follow-up to our study of how snowflakes are formed (see the previous blog), we dove into learning about "states of matter" and used science vocabulary to explain to a melting snowman why he/she shouldn't be sad.  We actually watched a "mini" snowman melt right in our classroom! Once it was in liquid form I heated it up and we watched the "snowman" turn into a gas and vaporize into the air of our classroom.  The boys and girls were amazed that they were breathing in their snowman!

Next, we completed a booklet to review the vocabulary.

 Here are some pictures of our melting snowman:

 Then, everyone completed the following "life cycle" activity:

Last month, some of our readers worked on writing about various processes they chose to read about.  They designed a "flow chart" to describe their topic, practiced what they were going to say to a peer, and then, presented their project to all of their classmates.

 

In math we have been learning a variety of addition strategies.  The boys and girls always enjoy practicing by playing math games with their friends!  Here some of the games:

Next, we will be learning about President Lincoln and President Washington, Washington, D.C., the White House, President and Mrs. Obama.  Of course, there will be a Valentine's Day party on Friday!  Until next time!!