Snow: Sensory Bin

This week we are learning about snow.  Fortunately we have snow right now.  So I scooped some up from the yard and brought it inside for the kiddos to play with.  

In circle time we talked about the three states of water:

1. Liquid - like your bathwater, rain, the ocean....
2. Solid - ice or snow
3. Gas - steam

Then I set them loose to discover.  As they played, snow naturally got flung here and there as they scooped and dug.  Soon one of the kiddos noticed the puddles here and there (table, chair, floor).  He said, "Look!  I think this used to be snow!  Now it's water!"  Terrific discovery!

 They had a blast playing with the snow inside.  We did need to put on gloves/mittens after a bit so they could continue their play.  We also made predictions on what we thought would happen to the snow through out the day.  When they went home, there was still snow in the bin, but it was a bit mushier.  I scooped out a cup full to leave in the classroom so when they come back to preschool they can see what happened to their snow.