Title: Snowflake Project
Description: Students make snowflakes glued to a separate sheet of paper, pass it around while students add words of encouragement. A hands on way for kids to express compassion and empathy towards each other.
Project Ideas: empathy, compassion, mental health, social health,
Objectives:
1. Students show fine motor skills when making the snowflakes
2. Show students perseverance that exists with snowflakes- one snowflake doesn’t make a snowman
3. Acceptance of oneself and others- Students see themselves as unique but also understand the importance of working together as a group. Grade level or Target Age Range: Elementary to middle school (can be adapted to
Vocabulary: uniqueness, perseverance, unity
Materials: Squares of white paper, Sheets of Construction paper with the quote “A snowflake is one of the most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together” , markers and pictures of snowmen and snowflakes for reference.
Anticipatory Set (introductory to the project): Does anybody know anything about snowflakes? Snowflakes are all unique, each one is different. However while snowflakes are all different they are also fragile. One snowflake can just melt in your hand. But when they group together, that’s when they make things like snowmen and snowballs.
Demo/Directions:
1. Show finished snowflake. Hand out white squares, with at least 2 squares per kid. ( 5 mins)
2. Demonstrate how to fold the snowflake for cutting it. Fold square diagonally in half to make a triangle, then fold that triangle in half to make a smaller snowflake. Cut different shapes into the triangle. Unfold entirely to reveal finished snowflake (7 mins)
3. Hand out scissors to cut the snowflakes then have kids cut their own snowflake while monitoring their steps and answering any questions (15-20 mins)
4. Hand out construction Paper that has the quote “A snowflake is one of the most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together” on it. (5 mins)
5. Have kids glue snowflakes to the paper on the side where the quote is written and write their name on the back of the paper. (7-9 mins)
6. Take the time to discuss what qualities that make a person unique. Have the class brainstorm nice things to say to a person (5-7 mins)
7. Have the class pass their papers around, with the backside facing up as they write a kind word about the person whose paper it is. (20-end of class)
*this last step may need more guidance with younger kids, meaning the volunteers would have to take the reins on passing around the paper. Older kids closer to upper elementary school/middle school should be able to efficiently pass around their papers with little guidance.
Reference:
The Chemistry of Snowflakes