Exploring Snowmen

Lesson Overview

This multi-day lesson plan for 3rd-grade students in a self-contained 6:1:4 classroom focuses on engaging non-verbal students through interactive and sensory-based activities centered around the theme of snowmen. The lesson incorporates elements from books such as Sneezy the Snowman, Snowman at Night, Snowman at Work, and The Snow Thief. The activities are aligned with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (Kindergarten level, adjusted for the students' cognitive and communication needs) and include speaking and listening skills, comprehension, sequencing, and vocabulary building through multimodal interactions. This lesson includes Speech, Occupational Therapy (OT), and sensory components to support holistic learning.

Standards Addressed:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.5: Add visual displays to descriptions to provide additional detail.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text with support.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7: Use illustrations and details in a story to describe characters, setting, or events.

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Day 1: Sneezy the Snowman (60 minutes)

Objectives

1. Build vocabulary related to snow and winter.
2. Identify key story events through visuals and repetition.
3. Foster engagement and turn-taking using communication devices.

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Materials

• Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright (hard copy or large format visual version).
• Picture cards for vocabulary (e.g., snowman, hot cocoa, hat, scarf, sun).
• Toy props (small snowman figure, scarf, hat, cup for cocoa).
• Individual communication devices pre-programmed with essential vocabulary and simple responses (e.g., "hot," "cold," "melt").
• Laminated sequencing cards with large images.
• Snowflake-shaped sensory items (foam cutouts or textured stickers).

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Lesson Sequence

1. Introduction to the Lesson (10 minutes)

• Greeting (2 minutes): Begin with a short “Good morning!” song using gestures and pictures to reinforce communication.
• Sensory Warm-Up (5 minutes): Begin with a hands-on activity by passing around squishy, cool “snow” (instant snow or sensory bin with cotton balls) while asking students to describe it using their devices (e.g., “cold” or “soft”).
• Book Cover Discussion (3 minutes): Show the book cover and use the students' devices to predict the story. Example question: "What will happen to the snowman?" Options on devices: “melt,” “play,” or “stay.”

2. Read-Aloud and Interactive Storytelling (25 minutes)

• Read Aloud (15 minutes): Use an animated voice and stop to emphasize certain words like "hot" or "cold." Pair the words with sensory actions (e.g., blowing warm air for “hot” or touching a snowflake prop for “cold”).
• Interactive Questions (10 minutes): Pause to ask story-related questions, using visual aides or communication buttons. Example: "What happened to the snowman when he got hot?" With picture selections and responses, students will press “melt” or select a melting image on their devices.

3. Hands-On Sequencing Activity (15 minutes)

• Use 4 large pictures that represent events: Snowman melts by fire, drinks cocoa, wears a scarf, and feels better. Place them deliberately scrambled, and assist students in putting the events in order on a Velcro board. Prompt them to use their communication devices to describe each picture.

4. Closing Circle (10 minutes)

• Vocabulary Recap Game: “I Spy” game with the props and illustrations. Example: “I spy something that keeps the snowman warm” (scarf). Students find the matching prop or use devices to identify.
• End with the Snowflake tactile stickers as rewards while playing a goodbye song.

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Day 2: Snowman at Night (60 minutes)

Objectives

1. Explore the concept of nighttime through sensory play.
2. Build sequencing and comprehension skills.
3. Expand vocabulary, focusing on verbs (e.g., roll, slide, play).

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Materials

• Snowman at Night by Caralyn Buehner.
• Black construction paper, glow-in-the-dark snowman stickers.
• Laminated action picture cards (rolling, sliding, sleeping, playing).
• Sensory bin with small snowman figures and kinetic sand.

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Lesson Sequence

1. Welcome & Sensory Warm-Up (10 minutes)

• Introduce the concept of night with “lights off” and flashlights. Allow students to explore glow-in-the-dark snowman props to create a calming atmosphere.
• Engage students by shaking a snow globe and asking, “What do you think snowmen do at night?”

2. Read-Aloud & Verbs Exploration (20 minutes)

• Read the book, pausing to act out or show visuals of snowmen “rolling,” “sliding,” and “playing.”
• Encourage students to select the correct verb on their devices to match the action shown in the book or on picture cards.

3. Tactile Sequencing Activity (20 minutes)

• Use the sensory bin and toy snowmen to reenact scenes from the book (e.g., rolling, sliding). Have students use hand-over-hand guidance to place scenes in order using picture cards.
• Assist them in telling their story sequence: "First, snowmen roll. Next, they slide. Last, they play."

4. Closing Circle (10 minutes)

• Play a matching game with laminated action cards and props. End with a short movement activity where students imitate the snowmen’s actions.

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Extensions & OT Add-ons

• Create a snowman craft using paper, glue, and tactile materials (cotton balls, buttons).
• Practice fine motor skills by “buttoning” a fabric scarf during closing activities.

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This carefully crafted lesson embodies the teacher’s needs and supports non-verbal learners by combining sensory engagement, communication technology, and foundational literacy skills with age-appropriate content.