Teachers.netExplore Winter
Young readers become scientists in the field when this activity book sends them off to answer the question “Why do we have winter?” with experiments and projects that mix real science with real fun. Combining hands-on learning with trivia, jokes, riddles, and terrific illustrations, chapters start with the “tools” of science—the scientific method and how to keep a science journal—and then investigate the winter constellations, long nights and long shadows, animal tracking in snow, and food-gathering behavior in birds. Several activities center on water and ice, including “The Freezing Point of Water,” “Making Ice Cream,” and “The Amazing Snowflake Crystal,” while indoor-oriented projects study static electricity and perfect a recipe for simple yeast bread.
A Parents' Choice 2007 Recommended Award Winner
“This entertaining, ecology-conscious book (printed on 50% post-consumer recycled paper) has enough facts and fun inside to keep budding scientists from getting cabin fever through an entire winter season. From the explanation of "why we have winter, anyway" to the cool facts about snow and plenty of indoor projects using water and ice, it presents ideas in a logical order and supports them with hands-on activities and experiments.
Written for curious kids who obviously want to learn more about this subject, each chapter is introduced with a simple scientific explanation, then highlighted with cartoon-ish illustrations, bold-faced call-out words, jokes, and amazing facts. The activities and experiments are fun and interesting, with just enough of a "Wow" factor to make kids want to do them. Most experiments are designed to test a hypothesis; by treating the reader like a real scientist, Anderson challenges him to draw his own conclusions. This smart twist was enough to make me learn-by-doing several times over.” —Wendy Smolen 2007 Parents' Choice
“Explore Winter! and Explore Spring! are chock-a-block with facts and info-boxes on animal habitats, migration patterns, nesting habits, foraging, etc. Most [projects] looked simple, using stuff already cluttering your kitchen or family room, and could be done by a supervised five-year old or independent seven-to-nine year old. Take your kids hiking through the woods and look for signs of chewed acorns or nibbled branches. Deer! How cool.”—Anne Levy, www.bookbuds.net
Get ready to lean about the season! Mix real science with real fun.—Kids VT December 2008/January 2009
"For those not living in such cold climates, Maxine Andersin offers Gr. 1-4 an opportunity to Explore Winter! Interspersed within each chapter is at least one silly riddle “Just of Laughs” and assorted quick facts."
—Ruth Toor, School Librarian’s Workshop, Winter 2008
"Explore Winter! 25 Great Ways to Learn About Winte r: Author Maxine Anderson provides hands-on learning about winter and the seasons. From building hibernation dens and bird food trackers to exploring animal traits, habits, and migration patterns, this books offers readers ages six to nine a chance to experience the wonder of the winter season while having fun at the same time!" —Calgarychild.com February 2008
"Within the six chapters of this book, children can learn about winter months by doing a variety of projects, activities and experiments. I especially like the chapter about snow. One activity is to put hair spray on a glass slide and then use it to catch a snowflake. Keep the slide in a cold place and the hair spray will harden it into the shape of the snowflake. Look at it under the microscope. This is but one of the many activities to enjoy during the winter months. Have fun!" —Judy Belanger, Chicago Parent, January 2008
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Websites:
The Weather Channel
http://www.weatherclassroom.com/index.php
Weather Wiz Kids
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/
National Geographic Kids
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com
The Audubon Society
http://www.audubon.org/educate/index.php
The Museum of Science, Boston
http://www.mos.org/
The Exploratorium
http://www.exploratorium.edu/
USDA Forest Service
http://www.fs.fed.us/
Scholastic
http://www.scholastic.com/kids/weather/
Wikipedia
http://www.wikipedia.org/
World Book Encyclopedia
http://www.worldbook.com/features/seasons/html/seasons.htm
The Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/index.html
The Academy of Natural Sciences
http://www.ansp.org/
The Carnegie Science Museum
http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/defaultHome.aspx
Alexis Frederick-Frost is an award winning cartoonist and illustrator who lives with his wife in a small house near the New Hampshire seacoast. On a drafting table next to the kitchen he creates comics that have been published in comic anthologies, magazines, on the web, and as graphic novels. His comic about cycling, “La Primavera” received the Xeric award for self-published comics. In addition to drawing, he teaches at the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, Vermont. To see more of his work please visit his website: http://www.cartoonstudies.org/FrederickFrost
Want to see expanding ice in action? Sometimes the surface of water can freeze so quickly that the water underneath has no place to go but up.
