Do You Want To Build A Snowman?

Learning math may be quite boring, but add a snowman (to the equationโฆhaha) and the joy of learning comes to life. Building a snowman is always a generational favorite. So, why not build a snowman indoors while learning basic math skills. Add some music and the fun will never end.
Goals
Eye-hand coordination Target throwing
Counting Learning Arithmetic
Developing fine motor coordination
Supplies
Snowman
- 3 small white laundry baskets (Dollar Store)
- 1 roll of black crepe streamer (eyes and buttons)
- Orange cone shaped marker or a long carrot taped to the bottom of one of the baskets (nose)
- 2 fallen tree branches (arms)
- Scarf
- Winter hat or a cut out top hat
- 3 separate cards numbered 1, 2, 3
Snowball
- White yarn (snow balls) or you may want to buy a bucket of โSnowtime Anytimeโ (picture) http://www.snowtimeanytime.com
- Scissors
Math Supplies
- Equation chart example: (__ + __ = __) Template included
Snowman Set-Up
- Place the three white baskets next to each other in a straight line.
- Tape the number 3 alongside the snowmanโs head, the number 2 alongside the body and the number 1 alongside the base.
- Tape a cut-out top hat or winter hat to the end of the basket representing the snowmanโs head.
- Place the orange cone or tape the carrot inside the basket representing the nose of the snowman.
- Wrap the black crepe streamer around the strips of the basket to make its eyes and the buttons.
- Place the scarf around the snowmanโs neck (between the head and body)
- Place the branches (arms) between the strips of the body of the snowman so that it stays in place.
- Refer to picture for the finished product.
How To Make the Snowballs
- Begin by wrapping the white yarn around the non-dominant hand/fingers (not including the thumb) approximately 100 times.
- Remove the yarn carefully so it doesnโt come apart.
- Cut a 1 foot long piece of yarn and wrap it around the middle of
the gathered yarn. It will look like the number 8. - Tie the piece of yarn tightly to keep the gathered yarn from coming apart
- Take your scissors and cut through all the loops as evenly as possible.
- Trim around it and fluff it up. Enjoy tossing them.
- Refer to video
Directions:
1 on.
What is Being Learned
ยท Basic math and writing skills
ยท Eye-hand coordination skills are developed
ยท Developing their fine motor coordination when making the snowballs.
ยท Instilling their creativity as they create their own snowman.
Variations
ยท Change the math function from addition to subtraction, multiplication, or division
ยท Play with others and add up the score to see who reaches 100 points first.
Modifications
- If a child is not able to write, use cut out numbers to place on the lines of the equation.
- If a child doesnโt recognize numbers, ask the child to count popsicle sticks and place them on each line of the equation. Add the sticks after tossing both snowballs into the baskets.
- If the child canโt stand for a long period of time, they may want to sit in a chair while they are tossing the snowballs.
ยท
Elizabeth OโHara Bio
Owner of Gymsters, a physical education program for all children with a concentration on early childhood and the special needs population.
Executive Board Member to plan the construction of our local all-inclusive playground, Adapted Physical Education Teacher, tutor and volleyball coach.
ยทMother of 3 beautiful children, a grandmother of 3 precious toddlers and married to a loving husband, Dave. Available for consultation. Email: gymsters444@sbcglobal.net
https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/let-it-snow-4-indoor-activities-with-homemade-snow/
https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/the-polar-express/
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- Let Is Snow! 4 Indoor Activities with Homemade Snow
- The Polar Express
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This post originally appeared on our January/February 2021 Magazine