When Winter Comes

LESSON 2

Children begin to explore how animals and people stay warm in winter, then go on a nature walk to collect materials, and create a hedgehog's nest.

  • Basket for collecting.

  • Materials for crafting a little nest/burrow.

Materials

  • Gather materials

  • Plan a nature walk in the local area.

Preparations

  • Create a comfortable reading environment to share the story "When Winter Comes," encouraging active participation and discussion.

  • Guide children through the question-and-answer format, pausing before answers to prompt independent thinking and responses.

  • Facilitate a nature walk, providing opportunities for hands-on learning by collecting materials for the hedgehog's nest and encouraging observation of the natural world.

  • Assist children in crafting a nest or burrow, promoting creativity and fine motor skill development through hands-on activities.

Objectives for Teachers

  • Children participate in the question-and-answer format of "When Winter Comes," developing critical thinking skills.

  • Children practice language by expressing thoughts and ideas during the story discussion.

  • Children explore the outdoors on a nature walk to collect materials for a hedgehog's nest, connecting the story to real-world experiences and fostering an appreciation for nature.

  • Children utilize gathered materials to craft a cozy nest or burrow for a pretend hedgehog, promoting creativity and fine motor skills.

Objectives for Children

Collect and Connect

  • Practice saying the poem together with the actions you came up with.

Winter Animals

Winter is cold,

There is snow in the sky.

The squirrels gather nuts,

And the wild geese fly.

The fluffy red fox,

Has his fur to keep warm.

The bear’s in her cave,

Sleeping all through the storm.

Activity Flow

  1. Start by selecting a cozy spot to enjoy the story, "When Winter Comes" by Nancy Van Laan. Share with your child that this story is interactive, as it follows a question-and-answer format. The curious child on the cover constantly asks questions, and the parents provide answers, making it an engaging way to learn. Explain to your child that you'll make the reading experience even more enjoyable by pausing before each answer, giving them the chance to think about and respond to the questions with their own ideas. Read the story together and see what interesting things you can learn when winter comes.

  2. After the story, engage in a discussion about what you learned. Here are some questions you might follow up with:

  • How does the family dress for cold weather?

  • How did Lisa dress for the cold weather in the book, “The Snowy Nap,” we read last time.

  • Why is it important to dress warmly if the weather is cold?

  • Reflect on the story in the previous lesson, and ask where oh where do the hedgehogs go when winter comes and the cold winds blow?

  • How do hedgehogs stay warm in the winter?

  • Can you remember other ways animals in the story stayed warm?

  • How does the family get warm at the end of the story?

3. Today's activity involves an exploration inspired by the story. Venture outdoors for a nature walk, gathering materials that a hedgehog might use to construct a snug nest or burrow for the chilly winter months of hibernation. Consider bringing your salt dough hedgehog along for the walk, and while you're out, collect items such as acorns, seeds, or berries to add to your hedgehog's nest.

4. After returning home, craft a cozy nest or burrow for your hedgehog. Engage in a conversation about the various ways animals stay warm during winter and connect it to how humans stay warm when it is cold.