White Snow Bright Snow

White Snow Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Caldecott Award Winning
Grade Level: K-2
Summary: This story shares the joys that children have when the first snowfall comes each year. It also shows the preparation steps that adults need to do when a snowstorm comes. The characters in the story built snowmen and played in the snow. When the snow began to melt, so did their snowmen and all of the other magical things that happened with the first snowfall.
Theme/Skill: Responsibility and helpful skills in order to prepare for a storm. (Weather lesson) / Science
Pre-reading activities: Asking questions to stimulate an understanding of the process which takes place when preparing for a snow storm. During what season/month does the snow start to fall? What do your parents do when the snow is all over their driveway? Do you help them shovel? What do you like to do in the snow? What happens to animals when it gets cold and snowy? While reading the story, allow time for students to generate their own questions connecting to prior knowledge of snow and winter.
Post-reading activities: Discuss with the class how snow is created. Why does it happen? What was your favorite part of the story? Why would the mailman need to start wearing different foot wear? Why was the police man sick?
Assessment: Have students create their own snowflake mobile, making three snowflakes each. Each snowflake made, would include something the student liked to do in the snow or something that the snow reminded them of during winter time. The mobiles would get hung around the room or placed on the windows.
Reflection: This book helps stimulate prior knowledge and can help process different steps that need to be made in order to prepare for a storm. People need to work together and take responsibity. This Caldecott Award winning book is a great way to integrate weather and to share how snow forms. Careers and jobs can be discussed as well. White Snow, Bright Snow has a variety of themes and class discussions that could be made from this piece of children's literature. It is an interesting read for children!