Exploring the Languages of Snow and Ice

Presenters: Joey Schoen and Kristenza Nelson

Reflections from Participants:

A wonderful morning of exploring the many joys that can be taken from the winter season.  Joey and Kristenza started the event with asking participants what their favorite seasons were and why.  This was a great way for everyone to share in the dialogue.  We learned that our outlook and enthusiasm makes all the difference in presenting experiences to children.  

Winter is full of possibilities for exploration, as all have access to snow and ice.  Snow and Ice are open ended and the creativity in children, bursts out of them.  Every child enjoys building snowmen which opens up conversations on different types of snow and learning about the science.  Children are always ready to go outside but they don’t have long term memory and quickly realize they’re cold.  Be mindful, check in with the children often and teach them how to shake off mittens.  Have provocations ready to go when the children arrive outside.  Some children are going to enjoy the experience and some are not, embrace both.  Keep it fun! 

Snow activity ideas: picnics, bring the outside in and vice versa, pull dolls in sleds, use time lapse photography, look for revelations in outdoor surrounding, snow stories from animal tracks, discovering scat, winter affects on sound, moonlight on snow, tree shadows on snow, different layers of snow and how it captures light, snow forts, using like glue-imbedding objects in. Designs and patterns from boots and other items, melting snow, drawing in snow, sculptures  with natural materials and snow, pushing heavy snowballs-requires collaboration, cut chunks of snow and build with, use snow saws, make big piles, pack it down, hollow it out, ask parents to help build Quinzi mounds.

Ice Activities ideas: puddles, smashing, wood pick made from sticks, how much weight can ice hold, air bubbles in layers, breaking ice-using  pieces, molds-ice cube trays, color droppers, freeze twine in molds to hang ice shapes.  Use Sensory tables for combining ice and snow-colored water and eye droppers, brushes.  Ice cubes outside can become treasure, ice slides, water freezing in gutters 

Reflections by Kelly Kritsberg Assistant Director/Toddler Teacher South Metro Montessori School

After attending the workshop on snow and ice, it brought me back to my sense of wonder and curiosity of the natural world.  What a great opportunity to meet with other educators and discuss our own experiences with snow and ice while exploring Dodge Nature School’s space and the work of their teachers with the children.  As I walked the environment, I could see the beauty of materials that was offered to children and I could see learning happening.  I will take these experiences/conversations back to my own environment and develop provocations for snow and ice in our own context. Snow and ice evokes a sense of serene beauty, purity and the stark transformation of the wintry landscape. 

Reflections by Cecilia Condra Preschool Teacher South Metro Montessori School

It was a very rich experience, in the sense that we were able to get to know other participants, talk about what we like and share different perspectives about the topic at hand.  It reminds us again, that it is a matter of observing every detail before our eyes and discovering through provocations, that children can think beyond what their eyes observe.  There were lots of ideas and themes presented on how to take advantage of the season.  Participating in these gatherings always gives me more ideas from the opportunities to discuss the unique experiences presented.  I was very grateful to participate and meet new teachers!