Winter

Books: Snow! by P.D. Eastman, Welcome Winter by Jill Ackerman
Song: Once There Was a Snowman
Craft: paper snowflakes, marshmallow snowmen
Outside: if it's winter, show things that are wintery.  If it's not, talk about what it would look/feel like
Food: winter foods--soup, cocoa, nuts, berries, cookies

Prepare in advance:

• paper snowflakes--paper, scissors, yarn, tape
• marshmallow snowmen--big marshmallows, toothpicks, straight pretzels, Kisses or mini PB cups
• bag full of winter clothes: long pants, coat, hat, gloves, scarf, boots, etc.
• picture of trees with no leaves, evergreen trees

Begin with song, then books.

Today we'll learn about WINTER (have them repeat).  

• What is the weather like in the winter?
• What clothes do we wear in the winter?  Have them pull items out of the bag and say why they would need that item in the winter.

What do trees do in the winter?

• leaves are all gone--just branches left, EXCEPT for fir trees (Christmas trees)
• sometimes branches break off from snow & ice

What do animals do in the winter?

• grow warm coats--put on warm coats/blankets (some change colors to match snow)
• hibernate (define, have them repeat)--pretend to hibernate in a 'cave' somewhere
• stay inside, eat food they've stored in the fall

What do people do in the winter?

• play! sledding, ice-skating, snowball fights, build snowman (act these out if you can)
• shovel snow (pretend to shovel snow)
• stay inside--keep warm, fires in fireplace
• Christmas--make cookies, give gifts

Craft time: marshmallow snowmen!

• stack marshmallows using toothpicks
• use pretzels for arms
• use PB cups or Kisses for hats

Additional craft: paper snowflakes

• help them fold, let them practice cutting

Outside: observe/discuss winter scenes (play in the snow if that's an option!)

Food--enjoy winter food together!