School in the Snow

We are currently snowed in, but there's no reason why the school has to end. While "normal" students might get the day off, we are busy learning here at the homeschool house. Of course, that doesn't mean the children have to know that... They think it's all good fun!

Here are some ideas on snow lessons:

• Learn how snow forms. This link has a lot of good information on this subject.
• Make a snow gauge. Use a large can, bucket, or two liter soda bottle with the top cut off. Attach a ruler to one side and set it in a visible place. If you don't feel like trudging out to check it very often, you can set it near a window as long as there are no overhangs that can interfere with the snowfall. Measure the snow and create a chart from the data you gather.
• Focus on snowy areas in a geography lesson. Point out how these cultures adapt to the snowfall and go outside for a brief lesson on living in the snow.
• Make history interesting. Talk about record snowfalls and what it was like to live through. Dicuss the effects that the snowfall had on the area.
• Go outside and play! When you come back in, teach the children how to properly care for wet clothing.
• Teach them how to safely and successfully start a fire.
• Teach them to plan and serve a warm meal (such as soup).
• Identify animal tracks. We had a lot of little visitors last night, judging by the tracks outside. Find out what is visiting your house. Learn about those animals and how they survive in the snow.
• Discover how much water is inside a certain volume of snow. Fill a cup with snow and bring it inside. After it melts, measure what remains.
• Make snowshoes. Here are some simple instructions.
• Prepare for a power outage. Explain possible causes of power outages and what the family will do in the event of a power outage.

I could go on and on, but I've got four eager kids waiting to go discover the winter wonderland outside. Have a wonderful day! Happy learning!