A Snowy Experience

It’s not too often that we wake up to a snowy scene like this, in the Pacific Northwest.  When we do get snow, everything gets put on hold.  The laundry piles up, the dishes go unwashed, the sewing projects are pushed aside, and new recipes get put on the back burner.  It’s time to head out and make some memories.

Talk about snow!  We usually only get a dusting around here, so 7 inches was amazing!

We took Cookie outside to experience her first snow.  She immediately started digging in it.

Cooper enjoyed it too.

I love that the kids really get to see what a blanket of white looks like.

They notice the branches, heavy with wet snow.

The see the icicles forming on the side of the house.  It’s not often that we get weather that’s cold enough to produce these things.

My daughter made a little snowman to keep in the freezer.  I remember doing that as a kid, and then bringing it back out in the middle of summer.

As a teacher, I see schema in the making.  Our literacy make-up is the sum of our experiences.  We carry those experiences with us everywhere we go.  We build on that experience, learn from it, write about it, and make connections in our reading.  These snowy day experiences will be filed away in our memory until we need them again.  As we read about a child, dragging a branch through the snow, or a snowball melting and dripping down an arm, or the way a scarf feels wet, warm, and cold all at the same time, we’ll remember our own experiences and connect to the book we’re reading.

There are so many wonderful Winter books out there for kids.  I’ve always had a large fiction collection of Winter books.  This year, I’m trying to add more non-fiction texts to my library.  Here are a few of my favorite books for a winter day.

Happy reading and happy snow day!

6 comments on “A Snowy Experience”

  1. goldgirl Reply

    the pic of your dog is too adorable! I love the idea of freezing a snowman and taking him out in the summer. Will have to try it with my son when he is a bit older

  2. rebecca Reply

    LOVE these pictures…that is SO much snow! more than we've gotten here this year. thanks so much for the collection of book ideas as well, I'm always on the lookout for fun books for the kids! 🙂 thanks for linking up this weeK!

  3. Vicky Reply

    Those are such amazing photos. We used to live on the east coast and while I don't miss the snow, your pics made me feel a little something. I am a new follower visiting from Made By Little Hands. Vicky from Mess For Less

  4. Amy Reply

    WOW! Gorgeous pics. We usually have plenty of snowy days like that, but this winter we haven't had a single significant snow. I'm sure it'll come before March though. Thanks for sharing at Shine On Fridays! I hope you'll be back again with more fun posts this Friday!

  5. special 'k' Reply

    Snow! It feels so magical. Thank you so much for sharing. What a beautiful space you have created my very first visit here I will follow on my way out so I know my path back here. Perhaps you will find the time to come visit me soon and do the same. I look forward to engaging more throughout the year and beyond. Take care. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

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