105 Ways to Give a Book

Science & Stories Program: Snow

There’s a new meme in town. STEM Friday focuses on books that promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. The round-up this week is hosted at Capstone Connect.

Over the year I’ll be sharing the preschool program I created for the library and that I’m presenting once a month. The concept behind the program is to introduce science topics by combining fiction and nonfiction, songs and mini-experiments, action rhymes and hands-on times. The target age for the program is three to six years old, so the information and experiments are basic, and intended to encourage a questioning, observational approach to scientific topics.


Snow


Book: Snow is My Favorite And My Best, by Lauren Child

Song: "Snowflakes"
(to "Mary Had a Little Lamb")
Snowflakes whirling all around,
All around, all around.
Snowflakes whirling all around,
Until they cover all the ground.

(stand up, hands are snowflakes, bend down to put them on "the ground." Do twice)

Book: Snow is Falling, by Franklyn Branley

Experiment: "Salt and Ice"
Put the same number of ice cubes in two bowls. Stir some salt in one. Wait 15 minutes, stirring often. Which melted more? Why?

Book: The Snow Show, by Carolyn Fisher

Experiment: "Making Frost"
Fill a metal can – like a soup can – 2/3 full of crushed ice. Place on paper towel. Pour 1 tablespoon of water on paper towel around can. Fill rest of can with salt and stir. Watch frost form on the outside of the metal can.

Book: Stella: Queen of the Snow, by Marie Louise Gay

Experiment: "Snowflakes"
Make six sided snowflakes by cutting folded paper. Fold paper in half, then in thirds, cutting off the “extra.” Cut out shapes and show-off snowflakes.



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16 comments:

Even in Australia said...

We've been reading tons of snow books and yet I don't know any of these - except Stella, because you recommended it previously! I'll have to check them out. I wish it would snow here (NYC)...

Unknown said...

What great suggestions. STEM for preschool - love it.

Anonymous said...

What a great way for children to possibly love Science, technology, engineering and math, by making it FUN! I wish you success with your once a month presentations. I'm curious...is this just for one library or is it a traveling presentation?

Madigan Mirza said...

Thanks for posting some storytime suggestions -- just the thing when some of us have the winter storytellig doldrums.

Amy said...

I love the idea of incorporating science activities! I have a pretty small storytime crowd right now, and have been looking for some more activities we can do, beyond a craft.

Brimful Curiosities said...

I don't think I've been to a library program where the librarian incorporated science experiments into the storytime. Neat idea.
My daughter is trying to decide what she wants to do for the upcoming school science fair. Maybe we should ask our library if they want to exhibit some of the fair displays after the fair.

Amy L V said...

STEM Friday! Thank you! I'm grateful, too, for your sharing of these cool (heh heh) science books and experiences. I'm forwarding it to my sister who brings her young son to library programs. Thanks, too, for helping us all get commenting again. It's an important reminder to speak in the community. a.

MotherReader said...

Thanks for all your positive thoughts on the Science & Stories program. It's one I'm kinda proud of.

Carol, I always did it only at the branch I worked at and now only at the one branch where I volunteer.

Also, to anyone who was looking for more snow books I also had as possibilities "Waiting for Winter" and the new book "Over and Under the Snow."

Helena Juhasz said...

Love these ideas! I'm totally going to use your first suggestion on my young toddler. Thanks for sharing and checking out my blog too :)

Ms. O said...

Love it. Two of my new favorite snow related books are The Red Sled and No Two Alike. I've been seeing around the blogs an experiment where you fill a bigger Ziploc with Crisco and then sort of hollow it out and put a smaller one inside that. Kiddos put their hands inside the smaller one and then you put both bags into a container of ice water. Shows them how blubber can keep animals warm in cold climates. Other people explain it a lot better. ;]

Marcie Colleen said...

Great ideas! Building a sense of curiosity about something we dont' give much thought to...like frost. Now we need snow! I miss NYC in the snow. :(

Sally said...

Just found your blog. Love it!

Joy Weese Moll said...

What a lovely program. I think I would enjoy it and I'm way out of the age range!

Mary Lee said...

Brilliant. And although your activities are pre-school sized, the books are a good addition to the span of books needed in a fourth grade classroom! THANKS!

Perogyo said...

We don't get snow here very often, just every couple of years, so it's important to me to read books about it to my kids. It would be better if they could experience shoveling for themselves! We have other Stella books, I will add this to the list.

sudssc500 said...

A song and some experiments you have made it interesting.The story time suggestions are helpful.You might like this book "At Grandpa Orlando's Happy Farm" by Christy.S.Suds