Although winter’s bitter presence has only reared it’s head a few times this year, our cold weather season isn’t leaving anytime soon. For those of us in the north, that means dark days, multiple layers, and oftentimes, more hours spent inside. (Let’s keep our fingers crossed that Punxsutawney Phil doesn’t see his shadow!)
To help make the most of your students’ or child’s time indoors, abcteach has a variety of learning activities for all ages. Take a look at the listing below and adapt it how you see fit. The items are categorized according to age groups, and can be used in class or at home.
Family Activity Planners
abcteach’s Family Activity Planners are designed to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities. Activities contain related abcteach materials, and are grouped under specific ages and subjects to make it easy for the adults in charge. There are twelve in total, including “At the Restaurant,” “My Family and I,” and “Fun at Home.”
Pre-K and K
• Write down your first and last name, address, and phone number. Practice this aloud to your parents or caregiver.
• Name community helpers from your neighborhood and create paper bag puppets to tell their story. Related abcteach Activity
Primary
• Read about neighborhood buildings. Related abcteach Activity
• Discuss “stranger danger” and what to do when strangers approach.
Upper Elementary
• Take a walk around your neighborhood and list all that you see. Then, using your list, map it out. Related abcteach Activity
• Using a cardboard box or poster paper, construct a model of your neighborhood. Include trees, buildings, cars – get creative!
Winter Activities
Pre-K -1st
• Snowman Pattern Recognition
• Booklet: Play in the Snow
• Early Reader: Mittens
• I Can Make a Snowman: Early Reader Booklet and Activity Pages
Primary
• Snowman Glyphs
• Frostie’s Line Graph
• Book Activity: The Snowy Day
• Book Activity: Stella, Queen of the Snow
• Decoding: Winter Snowflakes
Middle/Upper Elem
• Unit: Winter Precipitation
• Comprehension: Types of Snowflakes
• Snowman Word Search
• Snowman Glyphs
• Interactive: The Iditarod
• Snowflake Formation
All Ages
• Snowman Grids
• Snowman Paper Bag – For younger kids, paper bag is used to read personal stories; Older students can use as a prop while reading stories to younger children
• Snowman Venn Diagram
• Snowflake Pattern – Can be used for collages, as a word wheel, color practice, etc.
• Winter Activity Chart – Useful as a homeschool activity, or an organizational tool by parents
• Snowflake Shapebook – Displays final drafts of writing projects,
coloring practice, observation journals, etc.
Posted by Lindsey Elton and Nancy Elton, abcteach Team