The Snow Thief

Age Range: 3 to 6

Activity Focus: Understanding Snow

Objective: To explore how weather changes, specifically focusing on winter, snow, and ice. The children will learn how snow forms and observe how it covers and then melts to reveal what’s beneath.

Materials:

• • The Snow Thief by Alice Hemming
  • Small pieces of cotton or tissue for “snow”
  • A shallow tray, sand, small figurines (for creating scenes under “snow”)
  • Ice cubes, a magnifying glass, and a small heater or bowl of warm water to demonstrate melting

Other Recommended Books:

• • Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
  • Snow by Uri Shulevitz
  • The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
  • First Snow by Bomi Park
  • Winter Dance by Marion Dane Bauer

Question Before Reading:

• • “What do you think the ground looks like when it snows?”
  • “Have you ever seen snow or something like it?”
  • “Why do you think snow might cover everything?”

Explain that the story explores Squirrel’s discovery of snow, how it changes the world, and how it doesn’t last forever.

Read Aloud:

During the read-aloud, ask these guided questions to engage children:

• • Page 1: “Why do you think Squirrel is so surprised to see all the grass covered?”
  • Snowflakes Scene: “Bird says snowflakes are all different. Have you ever seen something small and different, like leaves or raindrops?”
  • Mouth ‘Smoke’ Scene: “Squirrel thinks there’s smoke coming from his mouth. Why do you think he sees that in the cold?”

Discussion:

After the read-aloud, discuss the following:

• • “What does Squirrel think happened to the grass? Was he right?”
  • “How did Squirrel feel about the snow at first? Did he change his mind?”
  • “What did you learn about snow? What does it do when it gets warmer?”

Activity:

Snow Scene Exploration

1. 1. Use a shallow tray with a layer of sand and place small figurines or tiny “hazelnuts” under it, explaining that this is like the ground Squirrel sees.
   2. Cover the scene with pieces of cotton or tissue to simulate snowfall.
   3. Allow children to gently remove the “snow” and discover what’s hidden beneath. Discuss how snow covers the ground and can hide objects.
   4. Using ice cubes and a small heater or warm bowl, show the ice melting to demonstrate snow turning into water.

Extension: 

Snowflake Art

• • • Using paper and markers, have the children create unique “snowflakes.” Emphasize that each snowflake can be different, just like Bird explained.
    • Hang these snowflakes around the classroom to create a winter scene!

Tags:

• • Age Range: 3-6
  • Competencies: Curiosity, Critical Thinking, Creativity and Innovation, Communication
  • Type of Activity: Hands-On Maker Activity, Science Exploration, STEM
  • Content Areas: Science, ELA
  • Calendar: Winter, Seasonal