Let It Snow!
by Judie Haynes
Snow provides a real reason for beginning ESL students to use their English skills. Here is a sample lesson plan for grades K-3.
Lesson topic
Activities to enjoy in the snowProficiency/Grade level
Beginning ESL Grades K-2Goal and Standard
Goal 2, Standard 2: To use English to achieve academically in all content areasContent Concepts and Skills
Vocabulary: Snow, snowy, snowman, snowballs, sledding, snowball fight, skiing, ice skating, snowboarding, shovel, gloves, boots, scarf, hat, earmuffs, jacket, hood, sweater, mittens, vest, snowpants
Concepts: How snow affects us our lives; what we wear in the snow, activities we can enjoy in the snow.
Background Information
Real experience with snowMaterials or Resources
Large snowman patternProcedure
This lesson was designed to be covered during three days of instruction (30 minutes each day).
Ask students to relate what they do when it snows out. Make a list. If necessary, show pictures of the various activities listed: Sledding, ice skating, skiing, making snow angels, building a snow cave, having a snowball fight, throwing snowballs, snowboarding, shoveling snow, cleaning snow off the car.
For a real "hands-on" experience, take students outside in the snow to demonstrate some of the activities. The need for this may be dictated by your students' previous experience with snow.
Practice vocabulary with pictures or by using a concentration game.
Give each student the a copy of our downloadable Snowman Book 1, Snowman Book 2, and Snowman Book 3, to make a snowman-shaped book.
Brainstorm ideas for a title and have students write their choices on the first snowman which makes up the cover. A title can be provided and written for students who are unable to do this.
Have students brainstorm what they like to do best on a snowy day. Each child should write and illustrate their favorite activity on the second snowman. Use a frame for writing with beginning students. The frame is provided on the downloadable book. Advanced beginning students should write a response to the frame:
"I like to ____________in the snow."
On the last page of the book have students write something they do not like to do in the snow. Examples are: shovel snow, clean off the car, get hit by snow, wear heavy clothes, and wear earmuffs. Student can fill in a one-word answer or write their own reponse.
"I do not like to ____________in the snow."
Students cut out the three snowmen and put them together in a book.
Students practice reading their book to their classmates.
Descriptors and Progress Indicators
During this unit students worked on the following skills:- listening to, speaking, reading, and writing about subject matter information
- retelling information
- representing information visually and interpreting information presented visually
- selecting, connecting, and explaining information
- formulating and asking questions
Resources
There are some terrific sites about snow on the internet.- Snow Activities. This site has a wide range of activities for children of all ages. This includes snow literature, snow science and snow food. There is also a downloadable snow book.
- Dave's Snowflake Page Don’t miss Dave’s Snowflake Page with it’s snowflake patterns for kids. This is a wonderful winter activity and will give your students practice in following directions.
- GeoImages Terrific snow pictures from Berkeley.
Activity Downloads
Note: To view the classroom activities, you must have Acrobat Reader intalled. Acrobat is a free application available from Adobe Systems.
Make a winter puzzle (27k .PDF)
Snow puzzle (9k .PDF)
Snowman book pg. 1 (113k .PDF)
Snowman book pg2 (110k .PDF)
Snowman book pg3 (110k .PDF)
Words with snow (92k .PDF)
"Snowy" vocabulary (18k .PDF)
Resource Picks
Dave's Snowflake Page
Use this creative resource2 for winter activites with students of all ages. There is a special section just for kids with snowflake patterns and easy-to- follow directions.
Jan Brett's Homepage
Created by children's author Jan Brett, this website contains outstanding activities and materials to use with her books. The wonderful illustrations make it a very special place for teachers of students in grades K-2. I was so inspired by the materials, I created a new thematic unit to go with "The Mitten."
Life in the Polar Regions
Melvin Berger's Series on animal habitats for Newbridge Educational Publishing is an excellent resource2 for ELLs. Beautiful pictures with short text makes it a favorite.
© 1998-2004 Judie Haynes, www.everythingESL.net
