Did you know that REAL snowflakes really do look like snowflakes?
Sounds kinda funny, but I have never thought about looking at snowflakes until I saw the book The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder at the library and we had our first snow of the season! This book is really amazing!
But, snowflakes really do look like snowflakes!!! I only wish that I had my Canon to take the photos…it was off being repaired…so I had to try to work with what I had…but you can still sort of see the designs, which are pretty amazing!
Catch your own snow crystals: (directions from from The Story of Snow) We used some thick, dark paper. (In hindsight, we should have used non-textured black cardstock.) We set the paper outside on the front porch so that it would be cold. (If the paper is too warm, the snowflakes would melt immediately once they hit the paper.)
After allowing the paper to get cold for about 10-15 minutes we stepped out into the snowfall and “caught” a few on the paper. Remember, snowflakes are really small. You don’t want to try to catch big clumps of snowflakes, but individual ones.
Once you have some snowflakes on the paper, grab your magnifying glasses and check out the designs! No two are exactly the same!
Be sure to check out Science Sunday for more fun science activities.
Brigit
We love that book! We checked it out from the library too and are waiting for the snow to arrive tomorrow. We enjoy your blog =)
Brigit
http://www.AMomsPassion.blogspot.com
Regina
This is so cool! I’m just beginning some purposeful learning activities with my three year old and with all the snow predicted for my area, I’m totally trying this. The book looks great, my fingers are crossed that my library carries it. I also wanted to recommend the book “Zooflakes” which is one of the neatest cut snowflake books I have seen.
Regina
This is so cool! I’m just beginning some purposeful learning activities with my three year old and with all the snow predicted for my area, I’m totally trying this. The book looks great, my fingers are crossed that my library carries it. I also wanted to recommend the book “Zooflakes” which is one of the neatest cut snowflake books I have seen.
Darcey
Great idea for a science activity. I’ll have to check out the book as well. I’ve inclued your post on my weekly favorites here: http://play2grow.blogspot.com/2011/01/weekly-favorites-for-january-2-2011.html
julie
What a great idea! It’s been unseasonably, thankfully warm here this week, but I’m going to grab this book from the library for our next snowstorm–thank goodness, we DO have untextured black cardstock!
Brandy
I’ve never heard of this book…we’ll have to check it out. My daughter really enjoys the book “Snowflake Bentley,” which is based on a true story for those that aren’t familiar with it. Anyway, we live in the deep south but was actually able to do this activity when it snowed on Christmas day!
Corrie
So now you’ve got to read Snowflake Bently. It is a non-fiction picture book about the first person to every take successful pictures of snowflakes. It is also a Caldecott Winner (I think).
Leptir
Jenn, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
PS I have a little blog award for you here:
http://leptir-mojpribor.blogspot.com/2010/12/award-your-blog-is-fabulous.html
Kimberly
OOH Science is FUN!!!
We do a lot of science fun here. I wish it was all I had to teach them….
(visiting from TopMommyBlogs & voting!)
Tirzah
This is so cool!!!! We just finished up our study on snow today. Unfortunately we live in LA and well, snow is a very rare event!!!! I was able to show my DD the pics and she was amazed. Thanks for sharing with us!
Phyllis
A square of black velvet works really well (although we have used black construction paper in a pinch.) Keep it in a plastic ziploc in the freezer and you have it ready whenever they are. NASA has a great worksheet that has different snow crystal shapes on it.
http://education.gsfc.nasa.gov/how/pdf/Snow_collect_card/snowflakesheet_Basic.pdf
Kristi@Creative Connections for Kids
What a great science activity! I enjoyed the photos too. How did you take the pictures of the snowflakes? I have a new camera and have so much to learn.
Brigit
We love that book! We checked it out from the library too and are waiting for the snow to arrive tomorrow. We enjoy your blog =)
Brigit
http://www.AMomsPassion.blogspot.com
Ticia
Ok, wow that is really cool. Almost makes me wish for snow.
Deborah
I love this – what a great idea to catch your own!
Coby
I had the same thought today – we are snowed in where we are (it’s our anniversary too, so a little romantic!), and I was looking at a snowflake and that, “Hm. It really DOES look like a snowflake.” Pretty amazing!