Weeks 19-27 • Focus: Winter Science, Leadership, and Physical Properties
In the third quarter, learning deepens as students explore more abstract patterns in the world around them. This includes the physical properties of winter, the qualities of leadership and friendship through the lives of historical figures, and the scientific principles of light and sound. Math skills progress to place value with larger numbers and data representation.
Academic Skills:
Content Knowledge:
Exploring the science and beauty of winter through hands-on investigations
The Snowy Day
by Ezra Jack Keats
Snowflake Bentley
by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Explore properties of water as solid and liquid. If snow is available, bring inside and observe melting. Measure and record temperature changes.
Read The Snowy Day. Focus on sensory language describing snow experiences. 1R4
Catch snowflakes on black paper and observe with magnifying glass. Note that all have six sides (defining attribute). If no snow, make paper snowflakes.
Write sensory poem: "Snow looks like...", "Snow sounds like...", "Snow feels like...".
Solidify place value understanding. Use base-ten blocks to build two-digit numbers. Play "Roll, Build & Write" with dice. 1.NBT.2
Create symmetrical snowflake patterns, focusing on mathematical patterns in nature.
Read Snowflake Bentley. Discuss Wilson Bentley's dedication to photographing snowflakes and his discoveries.
Practice writing numbers in standard and expanded form (e.g., 42 = 40 + 2).
Discuss how winter weather affects communities - snow days, plowing, safety. Read Katy and the Big Snow if available. 1.6b
Continue place value work. Play games like "Race to 100" using dice and base-ten blocks. Focus on trading 10 ones for 1 ten.
Conduct "Ice Experiments" - which melts ice faster: salt, sugar, or plain water? Make predictions and test.
Create a class book: "Our Winter Wonder Book" with each child contributing a page about their favorite winter activity or memory.
Practice comparing and ordering two-digit numbers using winter contexts.
Science Materials:
Math Activities:
Exploring leadership, character, and civic values through biographies
Martin's Big Words
by Doreen Rappaport
Abe's Honest Words
by Doreen Rappaport
George Washington's Teeth
by Deborah Chandra
Can I Play Too?
by Mo Willems
Frame Dr. King's work around fairness and kindness. Explain that some laws were unfair because they treated people differently based on skin color, and Dr. King worked peacefully to change those rules so everyone could be treated equally.
Read Martin's Big Words. Discuss the power of words and peaceful protest. 1.2a
Create "I Have a Dream" drawings - child illustrates their dream for a better world.
Write about "What makes a good friend?" Include at least two reasons. 1W1
Review telling time. Create a timeline of Dr. King's day with activities at different times. 1.MD.3
Communication is key for leaders. Make paper cup telephones to explore how sound travels through string. 1-PS4-4
Read friendship books like Can I Play Too? Discuss inclusion and kindness.
Read George Washington's Teeth. Discuss perseverance despite challenges. Introduce him as the first president.
Look at money - identify Washington on quarter and dollar bill. Discuss why he's honored.
Read Abe's Honest Words. Focus on honesty as a character trait. 1.2a
Create Venn diagram comparing Washington and Lincoln (both presidents, different times, both on money).
Time matching games with analog and digital clocks. Practice half-hour times.
Review all three leaders studied. Create a "Leadership Qualities" chart listing traits like fairness, honesty, perseverance, kindness.
Continue exploring communication. Test what makes the cup telephone work best (tight vs. loose string, different materials).
Write opinion piece: "The leader I admire most is ___ because..." with reasons.
Celebrate Presidents' Day with patriotic songs and flag activities.
Activities:
Science Materials:
Hands-on investigations of fundamental physical properties
The Listening Walk
by Paul Showers
Sound and Light
Informational texts
Read The Listening Walk. Go on your own listening walk and record sounds heard.
Investigate vibrations: Pluck rubber bands, tap tuning fork in water to see ripples. 1-PS4-1
Feel vibrations on a speaker playing music. Place rice on drum and watch it jump when drum is hit. Sound = vibrations!
Begin data collection: Survey house for sound sources. Create categories. 1.MD.4
Begin shared research: "How does sound travel?" Use simple texts and videos to find answer. 1W6
Make simple musical instruments: rubber band guitar, water glasses with different levels for pitch exploration.
Create bar graph of sound sources found in house (radio, TV, doorbell, etc.).
Reinforce that objects can only be seen when illuminated. Use flashlight in dark room to demonstrate. 1-PS4-2
Survey for light sources. Add to data collection from sound investigation.
Build "pinhole box" (shoebox with small hole) to show light travels in straight lines. Create shadow puppet theater.
Research: "What is a shadow?" Create collaborative poster with findings.
Complete data analysis: Compare objects that make light, sound, or both. Ask questions about the data.
Shadow experiments outside at different times of day. Trace shadows and observe changes.
Discuss how understanding of light and sound led to inventions: telephone, radio, electric lights. Timeline of innovations.
Present research posters on sound or light. Practice speaking and listening skills.
Create a "Science of Sound and Light" exhibit with experiments, instruments, and shadow art to share with family.
Sound Experiments:
Light Experiments:
Consolidating knowledge and preparing quarterly report
This week is for consolidating knowledge from the quarter and preparing the third quarterly report. Focus on celebrating the deep learning that has occurred in science and social studies.
Play favorite place value games. Review time telling with "What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?" Practice data interpretation with graphs created.
Set up "Science Museum" with favorite experiments. Child explains one experiment to family member (how sound comes from vibrations, etc.).
Review famous Americans studied. Play "Who Am I?" game with clues about each leader. Discuss their contributions.
Child chooses favorite book from quarter to read aloud. Discuss what made it special. Review opinion writing pieces.
Select best work for portfolio. Create "Quarter 3 Highlights" page with drawings of favorite activities.
Observe your child's ability to:
Academic Skills:
Content Knowledge:
Compile observations and work samples to complete the third quarterly report:
| Title | Author | Week(s) Used |
|---|---|---|
| The Snowy Day | Ezra Jack Keats | Weeks 19-20 |
| Snowflake Bentley | Jacqueline Briggs Martin | Weeks 19-20 |
| Martin's Big Words | Doreen Rappaport | Weeks 21-23 |
| Abe's Honest Words | Doreen Rappaport | Weeks 21-23 |
| George Washington's Teeth | Deborah Chandra | Weeks 21-23 |
| Can I Play Too? | Mo Willems | Weeks 21-23 |
| The Listening Walk | Paul Showers | Weeks 24-26 |
Complete the year with Quarter 4: Growth and Discovery, featuring life cycles, weather patterns, and environmental stewardship.
Continue to Quarter 4