I posted a picture of my new bulletin board on my Instagram yesterday and had some comments requesting activity details. I don’t blame you; Isn’t is so stinkin’ cute?!? I got the idea from a pin that I saw on Pinterest and adapted the activity to better suit my second graders. (Find my activity HERE on TPT.)
First, we read The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. I’m sure there are many books out there that have more to do with snowpeople melting, but I threw this lesson together at the last minute (lightbulb moment) so The Snowy Day – SUCH a classic – had to do.
I stumbled upon this incredible “animated storybook” on the Ezra Jack Keats website. We watched it on BookFlix though because BookFlix shows the words.
Then we watched Olaf sing his “Summer” song in a video clip from Frozen… obviously that was a HIT with my second graders! They sang every word. (Okay, so did I.)
Lastly, we talked about how we could relate the book and the video to each other. Then we talked about how we could relate both to what we are currently learning in science (states of matter / water cycle).
How’s that for some whole-theme, cross-curricular teaching?!
*Pats self on back*
Writing Prompt:
You are a snowman. Some kids made you yesterday, but now you are melting and turning into a puddle. Who made you? What did you look like? What is happening that is making you melt? How do you feel about melting? What is going to happen to you now? Students wrote their final copies on regular writing paper that I drew a squiggly line around to create a puddlish appearance. We made the snowman heads out of bowls and construction paper. When everything was done, I hot-glued the heads to their respective puddles and TA-DA!
They look great. The stories are SO incredibly clever and creative.
I just LOVE second graders.
My bulletin board is 14 feet long. FOURTEEN FEET. I literally cannot fit the whole thing in a picture without taking a panorama. #teacherproblems
Thanks for coming by!
Unknown says
They came out great!! Great idea!
Ashley Smith ~ The Primary Source says
Love this! I may be borrowing this idea for January. 🙂
Kidpeople Classroom says
This is terrific, Kristin. Wintery without holiday. Thanks for sharing! See you later, Kathleen Kidpeople Classroom
SARA FRAMPTON says
I nominated you for a Liebster Award, visit my post to see all about it!
Sara
Frampton's FUNdamentals
Katie says
Hi Kristen,
Just like Sara, I also nominated you for a Liebster Award! Head over to my blog to see more about it
Katie
Teaching Voracious Learners
Thrills in Third Grade says
These are ADORABLE!! I love your Olaf on your board, too. Really great job.
Jamie
Thrills in Third Grade
Can't Stop Smiling says
This is adorable. Thanks so much!
Nancy
Unknown says
I saw this at the perfect time because I really need to focus on writing with my 1st/2nd graders, and they love Olaf! How did you do the Olaf cutout?
School and the City says
I always tape butcher paper on my board, project a picture, trace it, color it, cut, then laminate! It's so simple, and the kids love it!
Unknown says
Coolness. I've got to do that to get a Fancy Nancy up on my Fancy Nancy Word Wall, too.
School and the City says
Yes!! Good luck!
Unknown says
Hi there – Just wondering what you have written on the yellow piece of paper on your display! Such a wonderful idea. 🙂
School and the City says
Hi Maria! on the yellow paper, I printed the writing prompt and the standards that were being taught/practiced/met. We were required to post standards on each new bulletin board.