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Where Does the Snow Go?

Published February 22, 2015 | By Carol Malnor

Most of North America is experiencing dramatic weather—snow, rain, sleet, or drought. That makes this a perfect time to study the WATER CYCLE.

PITER_COVERLESSON PLAN: Pitter, Patter, and PLOP!

Pitter and Patter are two drops of rain that fall from a cloud and take different routes as they travel through the water cycle. In this activity, students listen to a read-aloud of the book Pitter and Patter, and then write their own creative story about one of Pitter and Patter’s friends, called PLOP—either a snowflake or another raindrop. Students’ stories should answer the question, “Where does the snow (or rain) go?”

It’s easy to expand your lesson using the additional information and activities from the back of the book about states of matter, watersheds, habitats, and human impacts.

Suggested Grade Level: K-3

Materials:

 Procedure:

  1. Read aloud the story about Pitter and Patter.
  2. Referring to the two pages in the book titled “Explore More—For Kids,” review Pitter and Patter’s journey through the water cycle beginning and ending with the gray cloud.
  3. Using the Pitter, Patter, and PLOP handout, instruct students to write a story about Pitter and Patter’s friend PLOP! The reverse side of the handout can be used for an illustration. Younger students can begin with the illustration and add a short narrative.
  4. Invite children to share their finished stories with the class or in small groups.

Common Core Standards (ELA K-3)

  • Reading: Informational Text: Key Ideas and Details (K.1, 1.1, 2.1, 3.1); Integration and Knowledge of Ideas (K.7, 1.7, 2.7, 3.7)
  • Writing: Text Types and Purposes (K.3, 1.3, 2.3, 3.3)

Next Generation Science Standards (DCI K-3)

  • PS1: Matter and Interactions—A: Structure and Properties of Matter; B: Chemical Reactions
  • ESS2: Earth’s Systems—C: The Roles of Water in the Earth’s Surface Processes
  • LS2: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics—A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

Pitter and Patter meet lots of fun critters during their water cycle journey…here are a couple of them:

PITERB3PITERB2PITERB1

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Posted in Nature Books Blog, Uncategorized
subscribe     Blog by Carol Malnor I love making connections: kids and nature, science and reading, fun and learning. I discovered the joy of connecting Dawn Publications' books with kids when I was a classroom teacher. Dawn's books were easy to incorporate into my lessons and the kids loved them. I used picture books with students of all ages, from primary school all the way up through 9th grade. Over the years, my relationship with Dawn changed and developed, and I authored Dawn’s Teacher’s Guides as well as writing books for children 4-14 years old. ARTICLE How to Use Creative Nonfiction Picture Books in Support of Common Core and Science ACTIVITIES Dawn Publications STANDARDS Common Core State Standards Next Generation Science Standards National Science Teachers Association Picture Perfect Science   OTHER FAVORITES Dawn Publications Children and Nature Network
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