Snowball Fun in First Grade

Posted Date: 01/15/2020

Snow, snow, snow!  Snow is like magic to a classroom full of first graders!  Is there any better way to introduce a snowy writing assignment and a science lesson on temperature and the states of matter than with real snowballs?  First grade teacher, Elesha Shaw, knew how engaged and excited her students would be about their writing assignment and science lessons with real snow, so she brought real Bahama Buck’s snowballs to school.  “I knew it would be challenging to keep the snow from melting, especially with this spring like weather we are having, but it was important for the students to get this experience with real snow,” Shaw said.  In preparation for this big event, Mrs. Shaw read the book, Sadie and the Snowman, by Allen Morgan.  In this classic winter tale, Sadie realizes that the warmer temperatures will soon melt her snowman, so she finds a way to make him last until next winter.  After several discussions, the class knew they had to work fast to build their mini snowmen. 

Each student received three snowballs and warm gloves to wear while building the snowman.  At each table, Mrs. Shaw placed a tray full of odd and end items such as buttons, beans, carrots and pieces of cloth.  The students quickly built and decorated their snowmen.  One student at each table recorded the steps on “how-to” make a snowman.  Later, all the students would write about their wintery fun, how to make a snowman, and how temperatures can quickly melt ice and snow into water.