Grade Level

1st Grade

Duration

30 Minutes

Unit Context

Unit 3 of 30: Seasons of Learning

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Retell key details from the story Snowflake Bentley (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2)
Identify the central message that each snowflake is unique (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2, RL.1.3)
Use fine motor skills to create symmetrical snowflake crafts demonstrating understanding of snowflake uniqueness (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.5)
Communicate observations about snowflakes orally using complete sentences (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.4)

Standards Alignment

English Language Arts

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2: Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3: Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.4: Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.5: Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

Fine Motor Development & Art Integration (supporting ELA through hands-on craft)

Developing hand-eye coordination and symmetry concepts through snowflake folding and cutting

Materials

Picture book: Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin (actual book or printed story)
White paper squares (8" x 8") for snowflake cutting
Safety scissors (rounded tips)
Pencils for drawing patterns
White crayon or light pencil (optional)
Paper towels or mats to protect tables
Chart paper or whiteboard for teacher notes/illustrations
Large snowflake image with labeled parts (for visual reference)

Lesson Procedure

1. Introduction and Story Time (8 minutes)

Gather student in a comfy circle. Introduce the book Snowflake Bentley, explaining it’s about a man who discovered that every snowflake is special and different.
Read the story aloud with expressive voice and pause to show pictures. Ask occasional predictive or clarifying questions, e.g., “What do you think makes each snowflake different?”
Post-reading, ask the student to retell the main idea and name one or two special facts about snowflakes. Write key words on chart paper (unique, cold, nature, photography).

Teacher Tip: Use picture prompts from the book to scaffold retelling.

2. Discuss the Science and Art of Snowflakes (5 minutes)

Show a large printed or projected snowflake image. Point out the symmetrical shape and the six points. Explain briefly that snowflakes form in cold clouds and they always have six sides but never look exactly the same.
Using think-aloud, describe how Bentley took photos of snowflakes to show their differences.

Engage: Invite the student to observe their own fingers and ask how both hands look alike or different — relate this to snowflake symmetry and uniqueness.

3. Snowflake Craft Activity (13 minutes)

Give the student a white paper square to fold (teacher models folding in half diagonally twice to form a triangle).
Guide them to carefully cut small shapes out of the folded edges to create their unique snowflake design. Relate how these cuts determine the snowflake’s unique shape.
Encourage the student to open their snowflake and compare it to others, noticing similarities and differences.
Optional: Use crayons to gently add patterns if finished early.

Skill Focus: Symmetry in art, fine motor cutting skills

4. Student Sharing and Reflection (4 minutes)

Ask the student to describe their snowflake using complete sentences. Prompts: “How is your snowflake special? What shapes did you cut?”
Write any interesting descriptions or observations they share on chart paper to reinforce expressive language.
Reinforce the lesson message that no two snowflakes are exactly alike, just like people.

Assessment

Informal observation of student’s ability to retell key details and use descriptive language (CCSS speaking & listening standards).
Evaluate fine motor skill during cutting for careful folding and symmetrical cuts.
Check understanding of uniqueness of snowflakes through oral explanation.

Extensions/Adaptations

For students needing additional challenge or support:
- Challenge: Create a “snowflake story” drawing sequence showing Bentley photographing snowflakes.
- Support: Pre-fold snowflake paper for student and provide simpler cutting shapes.
Cross-curricular link: Math symmetry activity next day, comparing snowflake shapes with mirror images.

Reflection for Teachers

This lesson ties literacy skills directly into science and art, creating a rich, engaging context for young learners to grasp unique natural phenomena while practicing ELA Common Core standards. The hands-on craft coupled with oral language use fosters multi-modal learning, making the content memorable and meaningful. Consider having a digital camera or tablet on hand in future for students to photograph their snowflakes, thus connecting to Bentley’s photographic legacy in a tech-savvy way.

Snowflake Bentley

Teaching Instructions