Snow Lesson Plan: Measuring and Exploring Snow (Grade 2)

This free snow lesson helps students investigate winter weather through hands-on science and early measurement activities. Students act as observers and young scientists as they predict, test, measure, and record what happens to snow and ice.

Overview

Students explore the properties of snow using their senses, simple experiments, and outdoor observations. Across several class sessions they investigate snowflakes, melting, frost formation, and snowfall amounts. The lesson integrates basic measurement and recording skills while helping students understand that natural phenomena can be studied using evidence.

Subject Connections

Science learning focuses on winter weather, states of water, and observation. Math skills are used when students measure with informal units, read inches on a simple ruler, and create a basic class graph. English Language Arts skills are practiced as students explain observations aloud and record results using drawings, numbers, and short statements.

Learning Goals

Students will:

• Describe observable characteristics of snow and ice
• Recognize that snow is frozen water
• Make predictions and compare results
• Measure using both informal and standard units
• Record observations with drawings, numbers, and simple charts
• Interpret simple data displays

Materials

• Resealable bags
• Snow or crushed ice
• Plastic cups
• Dark construction paper or fabric
• Magnifying glasses
• Clear containers
• Metal cans
• Ice cubes, salt, water, spoons
• Chart paper or whiteboard
• Blocks or linking cubes
• Paper rulers marked in inches
• Student science notebooks
• Pencils and crayons

Preparation

• Prepare an observation chart with columns for predictions and results.
• Place snow or crushed ice into sealed bags and keep cold until use.
• Create a simple inch ruler on cardstock for each student.
• Identify an outdoor location suitable for safe snow observation.
• Set aside an indoor observation space near a window or table.

Teaching Procedure

Session 1 – Mystery Investigation

1. Show students a paper bag containing a sealed bag of snow or ice. Ask them to predict what is inside and explain their reasoning.
2. Allow students to gently hold the bag and describe temperature, weight, and texture. Record their ideas on the class chart.
3. Reveal the contents and give each student a cup with a small amount of snow or ice to examine and sketch in their notebooks.
4. Guide a discussion about what snow looks and feels like and how it is different from liquid water.

Session 2 – Looking Closely at Snowflakes

1. Place dark paper outdoors so snow can land on it, or provide images if snow is unavailable.
2. Students first observe with the naked eye and then with magnifiers. They draw what they see.
3. Teacher models counting sides of snowflake shapes and helps students notice repeating patterns.
4. Students create paper snowflakes and label them with observed features.

Session 3 – Frost and Melting Experiments

1. Students add ice, water, and salt to a metal can and observe the outside surface.
2. Teacher prompts students to describe the frost forming and record observations.
3. Place packed snow, loose snow, and ice cubes into clear containers and have students predict which will melt first.
4. Students observe periodically and update a class results chart showing changes over time.

Session 4 – Measuring with Informal Units

1. Students choose a classroom object and measure it using blocks or linking cubes placed end-to-end.
2. Students draw the object and record the number of units used.
3. If snow is present, students measure their footprints in the snow using the same units.
4. Teacher compiles class results and students compare measurements.

Session 5 – Measuring with Inches

1. Introduce the paper ruler and demonstrate how inches are marked and read.
2. Students trace their hand and measure its length in inches.
3. Students measure a snow pile or container depth using the ruler and record the number.
4. Class creates a simple graph comparing hand or snow measurements.

Assessment

Evaluate student notebooks and participation. Students should show predictions, drawings, and recorded measurements. Students also explain one observation they made about snow and one thing they measured.

Differentiation

• Provide picture recording sheets for emerging writers.
• Allow partner support for measuring activities.
• Challenge advanced students to compare two measurements and explain differences.

Grade Adaptation

This lesson is designed for Grade 2 students who are ready to record measurements and interpret simple data. Kindergarten and Grade 1 students can participate using drawing and verbal observations with more teacher support, while Grade 3 students can add more detailed written explanations and more precise measurement comparisons.

Extension Ideas

• Track snowfall over several weeks and create a class weather chart.
• Compare local weather with another city using an online weather map.
• Have students write a short winter observation journal entry.