Winter weather offers a great opportunity to teach young scientists about the states of matter. This activity-based lesson includes a range of learning experiences, from experimenting with the rate at which ice melts to singing a song about the science of snow, which will have the whole class engaged in learning about the melting and freezing of water.

Concepts

winter, states of matter, solids, liquids, snow, melting points, freezing points

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Teach this science lesson at the beginning of winter as part of a series on weather
• If in a warmer region that doesn't receive snow, brainstorm with the class locations that are cold enough for snow to fall
• Near the beginning of the lesson offer an opportunity for children to share their own personal experiences with snow

Classroom Considerations

• A snow-themed children's book is required for one of the activities and can be found in your school or public library if you don't already have one

Pros

• A list of key vocabulary complete with definitions is provided with the lesson
• A series of colorful pictures of water, snow, and ice are included to supplement instruction
• Offers ideas for activities that extend learning about ice and the states of matter

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.K.1.a SL.K.2 SL.K.3 SL.1.1.a SL.1.2 SL.1.3 SL.2.1.a SL.2.2 SL.2.3 L.K.5.a L.K.5.c L.1.5.a L.1.5.c L.2.5.a