This document outlines a winter literature unit for elementary students. It includes a list of books about winter themes, an author study on Robert Munsch, and plans for language arts, math, science, social studies, music and PE activities related to winter. The unit incorporates reading, writing, listening, speaking and cross-curricular lessons and aims to develop students' understanding of winter through literature, hands-on projects and multimedia resources.

1. Winter Literature Focus Unit April Larson Fall 2007

2. Literature Selections Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner Snow Day by Moira Fain Stella Queen of the Snow by Marie-Louise Gay 50 Below Zero by Robert Munsch Thomas’ Snowsuit by Robert Munsch The Shortest Day-Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer When Winter Comes by Nancy Van Laan Weather Words by Gail Gibbons

3. Related Literature The Biggest Best, Snowman by Margery Cuyler The Lonely Snowman by Angela Holroyd The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel Elmer in the Snow by David McKee Sadie and the Snowman by Allen Morgan The Big Snow by Bertha and Elmer Hader Pink Snow and Other Weird Weather by Jennifer Dussling Rhinos Who Snowboard by Julie Mammano

4. Author Study Students will be doing an author study on Robert Munsch, who wrote Thomas’ Snowsuit and 50 Below Zero . Students will look at the other books Munsch has written about winter.

5. Unit Plan-Language Arts Web WINTER READING TALKING VISUALLY REPRESENTING VIEWING WRITING LISTENING Students will create a word wall with snow/winter terms. Students will make snowflakes out of white construction paper, decorate them with glitter and hang them from string across the ceiling of the classroom. Students will color a scene with crayons, press hard, paint with white paint, and sprinkle with clear glitter. Read Snowmen at Night and have students make predictions about what snowmen really do at night. Students will write a story about a blizzard. Students will write poems about winter, playing out in the snow, and their favorite thing to do in the snow. Students will be taught about limerick poems and write a limerick. Students will write an “If I Were a Snowflake” poem. Their snowflake poem will be hung with the snowflakes they made. Students listen as teacher discusses winter, snow, and how/why it happens. Students listen to The Missing Mitten on audio tape at the reading center. Teacher will introduce snow/winter theme, students will join in and have a grand conversation on what they like/dislike about winter, what their favorite part is about winter, etc. After reading the book Snow Day , students will be put into groups to discuss what they would do if they had a snow day and school was cancelled. Students will participate in readers theatre by doing “The Snowflake Dance.” Students will use the author’s chair and read their blizzard story or snow/winter poems. Students will read other various books about winter, snowmen, sledding, etc. They will be guided to read Robert Munsch’s books first. Students will be directed to websites about author Robert Munsch and read facts about him and his books. Students will find a book or poem relating to the theme of the unit, read it, and write a response. Students will watch the video “Rain and Snow” and discuss. Students go on a walk outside and take picture of the snow, pictures of them playing in the snow-making snow angels, etc. Students will view paintings by famous artists of winter scenes. Students will participate in peer conferencing workshops. Students will watch the video “Snow.” Read Snowflake Bentley aloud and then watch the movie of the book. Peer conferencing for poem and story. Peer conferencing for poem and story. Students will create a KWL chart they will add to and adjust for the length of the unit.

6. Unit Plan-Cross Curricular Ideas WINTER Math Students will take a survey on who likes/dislikes winter and graph the results. Science Students will insulate snowballs using cloth, packaging peanuts, and other materials to see which keeps the snowball the longest. . Students will take snowballs and do experiments to see which is the fastest way to get it to melt. Students will be visited by a local weatherman. Students will make maps of the U.S. and color the areas that have the highest amounts of snowfall. Social Studies Phy Ed. Students will play “Jack Frost” tag. Music Students will sing the song “Snowflakes Falling Down” (to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” Students will learn concept of estimation by estimating how many cotton balls it will take to make a snowman on the bulletin board. Students will listen to “Winter Wonderland” and choreograph movements. Students will play “Toss the Snowball”-tossing a white balloon around a circle, the goal being not to let the balloon touch the floor.

7. Language Arts Strategies Tapping Prior Knowledge: students think about what they already know about winter as they listen, read, view, or write. Predicting: students make predictions about what will happen as they read. Organizing Ideas: students organize ideas and sequence story events when they read, write, view, or listen to stories read aloud. Figuring Out Unknown Words: students figure out unknown words as they read, listen, and view. Visualizing: students draw pictures in their minds of what they are listening to, reading, or writing. Making Connections: students relate what they are listening to, reading, or viewing to their own lives and to books they have read. Revising Meaning: students continuously revise meaning as they proceed with a language arts activity. Monitoring: students ask themselves questions to monitor their understanding as they participate in language arts activities. Playing with Language: students notice figurative and novel uses of language as they listen, read, and view. Evaluating: students make judgments aloud, reflect on, and value the language arts activities in which they participate

8. Language Arts Skills Print Sound out words using phonics Use classroom resources Consult a dictionary or glossary Apply spelling rules Capitalize proper nouns and adjectives Comprehension Categorize Classify Note details Compare and contrast Use context clues Notice organizational patterns of poetry, plays, and stories Recognize literary genres Language Notice compound words Use contractions Use possessives Appreciate rhyme and other poetic devices Use punctuation marks Use simple, compound, and complex sentences Combine sentences Reference Use a glossary or dictionary Read and make graphs, tables, and diagrams Study Follow directions

9. Technology Video Primary Science Series “Snow” Weather Fundamentals “Rain and Snow” Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin Audiotapes The Missing Mitten by Steven Kellogg Tackylocks and the Three Bears by Helen Lester Three Cheers for Tackylocks by Helen Lester Winter Fun by Rita Schlacher Internet The Winter Solstice Trivia- http://fun.familyeducation.com/holidays-and-celebrations/childrens-science-activities/32939.html All About Snow- http://www.surfnetkids.com/snow.htm The Official Robert Munsch Website- http://robertmunsch.com/ “ Snowflake Dance”- http://www.ipgbook.com/books/WIIS.HTM -Snow Songs and Poems- http://www.theteachersroom.com/snowmen.htm Cameras Digital camera for taking the walk outside and also can be used to document activities throughout the week

10. Grouping Patterns Whole Group Discussion of winter Read aloud of Snowmen at Night Readers theatre of “The Snowflake Dance” Grand conversation about people who like winter and people who don’t Word wall Walk outside and snow pictures Viewing paintings Watching videos Jack Frost Tag Singing the “Snowflakes Falling Down” song Survey-who likes/dislikes winter Estimation activity Weatherman visit Author’s chair “ Winter Wonderland” choreography “ Toss the Snowball” Small Group Snowball melting Snowball insulating Peer writing workshops Snow Day activity Independent Audiotape Snowflake making Mapmaking Poem writing Story writing Reading other related literature Robert Munsch author study Website findings Writing a response to poem or story Painting a winter scene

11. Schedule MONDAY L.A. -Introduction of unit. Discussion of snow/winter why it happens. L.A.- Grand conversation about winter/snow. Students will brainstorm ideas as a class for their stories about a blizzard and begin writing. L.A. -Students will create a KWL chart which will continue throughout the unit at the beginning of each day. MATH -Students will do a survey of who likes/dislikes winter and graph the results. TUESDAY S.S. -Students will be visited by a local weatherman. S.S.- Students will make maps of the U.S. and color the areas that have the highest amounts of snowfall. MATH -Students will learn concept of estimation by estimating how many cotton balls it will take to make snowman. WEDNESDAY L.A. -Students will find a book or poem relating to snow/winter and write a response. L.A. -Students will participate in peer-conferencing workshops. L.A. -Students will watch the video “Rain and Snow” and discuss. THURSDAY L.A.- Students will participate in “The Snowflake Dance.” L.A .-Read the book Snow Day and students will go into groups to discuss. L.A.- Students will be directed to websites about Robert Munsch. FRIDAY MUSIC -Students will sing the song “Snowflakes Falling Down.” L.A. -Students will listen to The Missing Mitten on audio tape at the reading center. L.A.- Students will read out various books about snow, winter, snowmen, sledding, etc. L.A.- Students will watch the video “Snow.” L.A.- Students will create a word-wall. L.A.- Students will make snowflakes to decorate the classroom. MUSIC -Students will listen to “Winter Wonderland” and choreograph movements. L.A .-Read Snowmen at Night . L.A.- Limerick poems will be introduced and students will begin rough drafts. L.A .-“If I Were a Snowflake” poem will also be introduced and students will begin rough draft. L.A. -Students will go on the walk outside, take pictures, etc. P.E.- Students will play “Jack Frost Tag.” SCIENCE -Students will insulate snowballs and see which materials keeps the snowball the longest. L.A.- Students will view paintings of famous artists of winter scenes. L.A.- Students will create their own winter scene. L.A.- Students will listen to Snowflake Bentley and then watch the video. SCIENCE -Students will take snowballs and do experiments to see which is the fastest way to get it to melt. L.A.- Students will use the author’s chair and share their blizzard story or their poetry. P.E.- Students will play “Toss the Snowball” A.M. P.M.

12. Assessment Spelling test with word wall words 6+1 Writing Traits (Rubric for stories and poems) Observation of interaction with small groups Report of elements of winter (Rubric) Portfolios of artifacts from the unit (Checklist) Science experiments (Observation of participation) Social Studies maps (Quiz on states’ locations) Math graphs (Worksheets on graphing) Discussion and questions in a large group following videos on snow/winter Check for understanding by prompting questions to the class as a large group