• Invitation to inquiry
• Open minds
• Stimulate curiosity

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• Build background knowledge
• Connect to content
• Discover interesting ideas

Research Scenario

A new student is coming to kindergarten!  His name is Chege (CHAY-gay) and he lives in Nairobi.  Nairobi is in a country called Kenya that is very far from Maryland.

It is warm all year long in Nairobi. 

Chege is very excited and has sent us an email. He has never seen snow and doesn't know what winter is like. What can you share with Chege about winter where you live?

Chege's email (This is a flipchart and requires ActiveInspire software. The link leads to the file on Safari Montage.)

We need to organize our information so let's start by creating a Flurry of Ideas chart to record all the things we already know about winter. (This is a flipchart and requires ActivInspire software. The link leads to the file on Safari Montage.)

Now let's build some background knowledge and learn about winter.  What is winter and is it the same everywhere?  Let’s view a BrainPOP Jr. about  winter.

Let's make a list of the Winter Activities. (This a flipchart and requires ActivInspire software. (The link leads to the file on Safari Montage)

• Explore interesting ideas
• Look around
• Dip in

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Task and Product

Today you will create and share a winter poster for Chege so he can be prepared for his move. We will share our work with each other and prepare to send them to Chege.

Explore

We will use exploratory search strategies such as browsing, skimming, and scanning of a variety of resources to begin to collect our new information. As you begin your reading, "dip in" and reflect as you explore.

 Use the Stop and Jot strategy to record ideas and questions in your Inquiry Journal.

As an alternative, create your 'Stop and Jot' using Kidspiration.

Use the Pair-Share Protocol to clarify your ideas, get feedback, and gain insight.

As an alternative, create your 'Pair-Share' using Kidspiration.

Go to the Student Resources Page to get started on your research on winter.

• Evaluate the achievement of learning goals
• Reflect on content
• Reflect on process

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Assessments

The following scoring tools will be used to evaluate your poster and final presentation. We will look at these tools together so we all know what should be included and how you will be graded. Winter Poster Rubric

• Pause and ponder
• Decide direction
• Identify inquiry question

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Questions

Over-arching Question:

More questions: What do I already know about snow?  How do I feel about snow? What information about snow can I find in books? What information about snow can I find on the Internet? What information can I learn about snow by using my senses--looking, touching, and listening?

• Gather important information
• Go broad (search)
• Go deep (read)

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Gather & Sort

Let's learn about snow! Where does snow come from? What does it look like? We will watch the TumbleBook “The Story of Snow” .

Did you know that a very special man named Wilson Bentley was the first person who was able to take photographs of snowflakes? People gave him the nickname Snowflake Bentley.  He thought snow was beautiful.  Here’s what he said about snowflakes.

"… I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated. When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost." - Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley 1925

Together we can read Snowflake Bentley, by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, to learn more about snow and add even more information to our Flurry of Ideas. (flipchart accessed earlier)

We can learn even more about snow by visiting the Snowflake Bentley website.  We will find a picture of Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley there.  If we click on the word "snowflake," we can visit a gallery of his snowflake pictures!

Click here to look at some snowflake photographs.

Today we will make some snowflakes. We will go to the Snowflake Creator website. Let’s make our own snowflakes! 

If you would like to learn even more about snow, explore these web links.

• Reflect on learning
• Go beyond facts to make meaning
• Create to communicate

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Create

It’s time to make our posters for Chege.  Let’s look at the rubric to make sure we include all the information Chege needs when he comes to America.

Let's look at a poster a friend created and see if he included everything needed to be successful.

Your teacher will tell you what tools you will be using to make your poster.

Analyze what you have learned about snow. What clothing do you need to keep warm, and what fun activities could you be involved in? Did you answer the Essential Inquiry Question? Synthesize your findings by creating a poster that shows all you have learned and want to share with Chege. Evaluate your research product and presentation according to the rubric.

• Learn from each other
• Share your learning
• Tell your story

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Share

Listen carefully as everyone shares their poster with the class. Think about all you have learned about winter and snow.

Be prepared to share what you like and learned about your classmates' presentations. This means you have to be good listeners and a respectful audience.

• Evaluate the achievement of learning goals
• Reflect on content
• Reflect on process

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Evaluate:

Evaluate what you have learned during this research model. Complete the Winter Learning Log and share with another classmate. Share how and why your answers may be different than your friends. HOW SNOW AFFECTS OUR LIVES?  How is our daily life changed when it snows? HOW DO WE FEEL ABOUT SNOW?  What do you like most about snow?  What do you like least about snow?  Why? Winter Poster Rubric

Extend your learning: Visit some of the fun websites found on the Student Resource page. Create a snowflake from scrap paper. Go online to dress a snowman for winter! Starfall has a great activity for reading and dressing a snowman.