Snowmen, Snowmen

I've been doing several winter themes and last week I focused on snowmen.  This first one is one that we make ages ago (& despite the photo it is still very white).

We used a rhyme from RHYMES FOR FINGERS & FLANNELBOARDS by Louise Binder Scott.  We added the last four lines since the children were upset that the original rhyme didn't have arms.

THE SNOWMAN

 

Roll a snowball large,

Then one of middle size;

Roll a snowball small;

Use lumps of coal for eyes.

Place a carrot for a nose,

An old hat on his head,

And for his necktie, tie around

His neck a ribbon red.

A corncob pipe goes in his mouth,

Some buttons on his vest;

And there he stands so round and fat;

Of snowmen, he's the best.

But's something's missing...Can you guess what?

Let's give our friend a hand;

Some sticks from a tree will work just great

As arms for our snowman.

 

 

 

 

This guy is new (& also white)  I found the following rhyme in an old book that was donated to us & loved the fact that it used pebbles for eyes and raisins for the mouth.  I've since seen some very similar rhymes on the web. 

 

LET'S BUILD A SNOWMAN

 

First the body

And then the head.

A stovepipe hat

And a scarf of red.

Pebbles for eyes,

And a carroty nose,

And a mouth made of raisins

In two smiling row.

 

 

 

Just by adding a heart, you can use any snowman for Valentine's Day:

 

VALENTINE SNOWMAN

 

I made a snowman yesterday

So jolly, fat and fine.

I pinned a red heart on his chest

And called him Valentine.

 

 

Lisa at Libraryland is hosting Flannel Friday this week, so visit her site for lots of good ideas.

 



Winter Fun

   Does anyone remember the song "Suzy Snowflake"?  It's one that I grew up with & always loved.  For those who want snow/winter without the holiday aspects it works really well though the sheet music for it is almost always in a holiday collection.  Suzy comes to town & taps on the window to ask the children to come play with her, build a snowman or ride a sleigh.  You can find the lyrics at http://www.songlyrics.com/rosemary-clooney/suzy-snowflake-lyrics/ as well as the music.
 
   I was thinking about making the pieces for a flannel board but decided to do it 3-D instead with a snowflake from Dollar Tree that I spruced up a bit, a big plush snowman I had & a large sled ornament from Hobby Lobby. 

   I played & sang along with the Rosemary Clooney recording and used the props -- the kids really loved it!  I also had paper snowflakes to give the children so they could dance with me as well as use them with another action song--Dancing Snowflakes, from www.hummingbirded.com/winter-snow.html  .  They were able to take the snowflakes home which was another big hit.  I also had one daycare that wanted a version of Suzy on compact disc that they could take back with them (which I was able to do).

  I also created a flannel board at short notice on winter using a package of cut outs that I found at Dollar Tree.  These are all basic shapes that I'll someday recreated in felt to be sturdier.  The pieces are laminated so I'm afraid there's a bit of glare.

WINTER IS COMING

(Sing to BAA BAA BLACK SHEEP)

 

 

Winter is coming, the weather's getting cold.

 

It's time for our hats and mittens we are told.

 

Snowflakes start to fall, and many plans we make

 

To build some snowmen and go sledding at the lake.

 

Winter is coming, the weather's getting cold.

 

It's time for our hats and mittens we are told.

 

Sandy Wallick

10-30-14

 



   Flannel Friday is being hosted by Melissa at Mel's Desk this week.  It's Flannel Friday's Holiday Extravaganza so check it out!

Sparkling Snow Storytime

I love doing snow storytimes in winter. Alice Schertle begins ALL YOU NEED FOR A SNOWMAN when the first snowflake falls. SNOWBALLS by Lois Ehlert also deals with building a snowman.

An older song that I remember (and can be found on the internet) is Suzy Snowflake. She comes tapping on the window and offers to help build a snowman and take them on a sleigh ride. I'm planning on making a flannelboard to go with the song.

Another song that has picture book editions is FROSTY THE SNOWMAN. This is always a favorite & although we hear it during the Christmas season, the song itself never mentions the holiday. This means it can be used throughout the winter.

A quick and easy flannelboard is "Counting Snowflakes". I used some snowflake calendar cutouts & put sandpaper (you can also use velcro or felt) on the back. You can count up as you put them on the board & down as you take them off.