Let it snow! Well, even if you don’t have snow on the ground, you can still have faux snowy fun after reading The Snowy Day book by Ezra Jack Keats. Plus, this snowy fun will build pre-writing skills. The Snowy Day is a highlighted book in the Virtual Book Club for Kids.
First, are you new to Virtual Book Club for Kids? You can follow along with weekly themes, books, and learning ideas in the private Facebook group. Become a part of the Virtual Book Club group. I’ll be sharing an activity at least once a month for the group too.
Now, on to The Snowy Day pre-writing idea.
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The Book: The Snowy Day
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats is a classic story (in fact it won the 1963 Caldecott medal) of a little boy who explores the fresh blanket of snow over the city. He makes different footprints and even tries to save a snowball for another day.
There is now a video of the story too. If you are an Amazon Prime member you can watch for free. —>Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
And, don’t miss the theme song to the movie done by Boys II Men.
Bonus: Don’t miss the new book, A Poem for Peterwhich is all about The Snowy Day.
The Pre-Writing The Snowy Day Activity
Little ones need lots of hands-on sensory experience to explore writing. Sensory trays are an easy and helpful way to give kids experience.
GETTING READY
Materials needed: writing cards (see free download below), 2 blue construction paper sheets, jelly roll pan, salt, drawing utensil (optional),
Making lines and copying images is one way to give children practice making strokes. We created 8 different kinds of lines for kids to practice. Each line has a little snowman head to signal children where to begin their line.
1. You can download the 4×6 sheets and cut them apart. You can keep them loose or hole punch the stack and attach with a ring clip.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE DOWNLOAD PAGE
2. Cover the bottom of a jelly roll pan with two pieces of royal blue construction paper. Cover the paper with salt.
TIME TO WRITE
Invite your child to trace over the first line prompt with her finger. Start at the snowman. You can describe movements such as up and down or left to right as your child is working.
Time to move to the sensory tray. Have your child repeat the line in the salt. Smooth the salt and repeat with other line prompts.
SENSORY VARIATIONS
You could also use shaving cream, real snow, flour, baking soda, sugar, white sand, or cloud dough in your sensory tray to mimic the snow.
See, it is super easy and helpful! A great way to practice pre-writing skills.
Now it’s time to see more great activities that compliment The Snowy Daybook.
Snowflake Swat Letter Learning Game – Preschool Powol Packets
Snowball Sight Words on a Sticky Table – Views From a Step Stool
Snowy Day Inspired Alphabet Writing Tray by School Time Snippets
Snow Dough Bin- To Be A Kid Again
Puffy Paint Melted Snowman– Messy Little Monster
Cozy Winter Book Nook- CraftCreateCalm
Snow Tea Party- Teach Beside Me
Easy Colorful Paper Towel Snowflakes- Toddler Approved
Let’s Build Snowflake Designs- JDaniel4’s Mom
Why we salt the roads Science Investigation from Rainy Day Mum
Snowman Lantern – Artsy Momma
Coffee Filter Snow Flakes – Mama Smiles
Melting Snowball Estimations– My Storytime Corner
P.S. Need more reading winter ideas? Get our Winter Preschool Literacy Unit full of reading and literacy activities.—>Get the Winter Preschool Literacy Unit
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