What Makes It Snow?

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

K

Overview

In this lesson, students will be able to explain that snowflakes form from ice crystals in clouds. They will make a model to show the common six-sided structure of a snowflake. Students will also recognize snow as a solid form of water. Students are shown a video of snow falling and discuss their experiences with snow. Students discuss where they think snow comes from and how snowflakes are formed. Students see an animation of ice crystals in a cloud and a snowflake forming. Students see videos of actual snowflakes forming and pictures of snowflakes with six similar branches or “arms.” Students then model the formation of a snowflake using cotton swabs.

Science (2015) Grade(s): KG

SC15.K.9

Observe, record, and share findings of local weather patterns over a period of time (e.g., increase in daily temperature from morning to afternoon, typical rain and storm patterns from season to season).

UP:SC15.K.9

Vocabulary

  • Observe
  • Record
  • Share
  • Findings
  • Weather
  • Patterns
  • Period of Time

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The number of sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy, cool, or warm days.
  • The relative temperature at various times of the day (e.g., cooler in the morning, warmer during the day, cooler at night).
  • The relative number of days of different types of weather conditions in a month.
  • The change in the relative temperature over the course of the day.
  • Certain months have more days of some kinds of weather than do other months (e.g., some months have more hot days, some have more rainy days).
  • The differences in relative temperature over the course of a day (e.g., between early morning and the afternoon, between one day and another) are directly related to the time of day.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Observe weather patterns over a period of time.
  • Record findings of weather patterns over a period of time.
  • Share findings of weather patterns over a period of time.
  • Describe patterns in the weather data.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Patterns of weather can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.
  • Whether events have causes that generate observable patterns.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Crosscutting Concepts

Patterns

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

Other

License Type

CUSTOM

Resource Provider other

American Chemical Society
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