Snow FACTS: Possible Interactive Notebook Activity

 

SNOW FACTOIDS!

Get the free downloadable version at this link:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Snow-Factoids-An-Interactive-Notebook-ActivityFREEBIE-2259165

Snow Facts

by 

Gail Skroback Hennessey

Fun/Informative Interactive Notebook Activity!

1. One inch of water is about six inches of wet snow or 12 inches  of fluffy snow.

2. The world's largest snowflake was 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick. It fell in Fort Keogh, Montana, on January 28,1887.

3. Snow can be colors other than white, including blue, orange, green, yellow, and purple.  Actually, snowflakes are clear.

4. Air pollution caused orange snow to fall over an area of Siberia, Russia, in 2007.

5. Mount Baker,in the North Cascades, of  Washington State, holds the record for the most snowfall. 1140 inches fell during 1998-1999.

6. The record for the most snow in one storm, within 24 hours, was in Silver Lake, Colorado. Back in 1921, Silver Lake received  76 inches of snow.

7. Heilongjiang Province, China,holds the record for the world's largest snow sculpture. In 2007, a snow sculpture 656 ft. long and 116 ft. tall was made.

8. Snow flakes have SIX sides.

9. On average, a snowflake falls to earth at 3.1 mph.

10. One snowflake contains about 10 quintillion water molecules(that's the number 10 with 10 zeroes).

11. Did you know that Valdez, Alaska, averages 326 inches of snow a year? That makes it the snowiest state.

12. Wilson A. Bentley studied snowflakes for much of his life and is probably the most famous snowflake researcher. He was nicknamed "Snowflake Bentley. 

13.According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world record for the most snowmen built in one hour is 2,036. The record set, on February 28, 2015, involved 1406 people. 

14. If you have  "chionophobia", you have a fear of snow.

15. Bethel, Maine, has the record for the largest snowman ever built. A 122 ft. snow-woman was built in 2008. The record still stands in 2026.

16. In the USA, the typical snowman is made up of three parts. In the United Kingdom, two parts are usually used to make a snowman.

Extension Activities:

1. Illustrate one of the factoids.

2. Pretend you are a snowflake. Tell about a day in your life. What did you do? What did you see? Feel? Etc.

3. Do a paper cutting of a snowflake. Write a poem using each of the letters of the word snowflake.

4. Locate 10 NOUNS and 10 VERBS in the factoid statements.

5. Pronouns are NOUN substitutes. Can you spot 7 PRONOUNS  in the Factoid statements?

Check out this resource: 

If you live where there is snow, you have probably built a snowman. The snowman has been around for quite a while. In fact, the earliest drawing of a snowman was found in a book dating back to 1380! The book,"Book of Hours" was found in a library in the country of the Netherlands. This resource has four snowmen reading passages:

1. Famous sculptor, Michelangelo, was hired to make a snowman for a wealthy person in Florence, Italy.

2. A snow man is used each April,to help predict the weather during a festival in the country of Switzerland.

3. One of the earliest written comments about snowmen dates back to 1690. Two snowman were left to guard Fort Schenectady, in New York, during a blizzard with very tragic consequences!

4. The world's record for the largest snowman, Olympia, was constructed in 2008. 13 million pounds of snow were used to make the amazing snow-woman! As of 2026, the record still stands.

Each short reading passage includes following directions to identify answers. There are also several extension activities and a Did you Know? section.

Snow Reading Passages/Extension Activities: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SNOWMEN-Four-Reading-Passages-2252375

Illustrations from Pixabay and Guinness World Records

Using the News in the Classroom: What do you know about Greenland?

   

Click here for the free download: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Greenland-a-Freebie-What-do-you-know-about-the-Worlds-Largest-Island-15318969

Let’s Learn about Greenland! 

Greenland is in the news with Donald Trump saying he wants to purchase the world's largest island from the country of Denmark. At this time, the people of Greenland and the people of Denmark do not wish to sell or become part of the United States. What do you know about Greenland? Can you locate it on a map of the world?

Did You Know?

1. Greenland has more boats than cars!

2. Probably because there are few cars, Greenland has the cleanest air

in the world.

3. There are few if any roads between the different towns of Greenland.

Snowmobile, sled, boat or airplane are used.

4. The longest road in Greenland is only 35 km(about 18 miles) in length.

5. Popular souvenirs from Greenland are the carvings made from

narwhal teeth, musk-ox horn, reindeer antlers and sperm whale teeth.

They are are called tupilaks.

6. Unlike Iceland, Greenland does NOT have many hot springs to use for

geothermal power.

7. Mummies of women and children, dating back 500 years, were found in

1978. Called the Qilakitsoq Mummies, the eight (six women, young baby

and a young boy) are extremely well preserved and you can make out

the coloring of their clothing and the tattoos on some of the adults.

8. During World War 2, Greenland was used by the allies. There is a U.S

Military base in Greenland called Thule Air Base.

9. During May until July, Greenland is the “Land of the Midnight Sun”.

10. The correct namer of Greenland is Kalaallit Nunaat(meaning “Land of the Greenlanders”).

11. There are no penguins in Greenland.

12. It is estimated that 80% of Greenland is covered by ice.

Map Work: https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/greenland

1. What is the capital of Greenland? _______________It is also known as___________________.
2. Name the bay between Greenland and Canada. ______________
3. Which country is to the northeast of Greenland?______________

    4.The capital of this country to the southeast of Greenland is Reykjavik.__________________

    5. The United States has an Air Force Base in Greenland. What is it called?_____________________

    6. True or False: MOST of Greenland is located ABOVE the Arctic Circle._______

Extension Activities:

1. Learn some Greenlandic:

• Hello: Aluu

• Thank you: Qujan

• Yes: Aap

• No: Naamik

• Goodbye: Takuss or baaj

2. Teachers can use this link to share some mythological creatures of

Greenland. Have students draw and write something about one of these

creatures. https://www.mythfolks.com/greenland-folklore

3. Make a postcard and write a message to someone sharing 3 facts

learned about Greenland. 

https://www.secretatlas.com/explorers-club/greenland/51-facts/

https://guidetogreenland.com/about-greenland/greenland-today/the-qilakitsoq-mummies/?affiliate=140

Webquest on Greenland:Learn about Greenland with this fun/informative webquest. There are 10 web questions, several fun facts and a couple of extension activities. Great for a Friday activity, a substitute day or just when you want to introduce students to geography areas of the world.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Greenland-A-Webquest-12925025

Please check out my website for teachers: gailhennessey.com for lots

of free materials in current events, geography, career surveys, short

reads and more.

Free clipart from clipsafari.com/pixabay.com

https://www.mapsofworld.com/greenland/

Key: 1. Nuuk/Godthab 2. Baffin Bay 3. Norway 4. Iceland 5. Thule 6. True

Check out my web quests and plays on famous people at my TpT 

Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/gail-hennessey

Groundhog Day is Coming : Feb. 2nd

    

**** Download for free: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Groundhog-Day-Freebie-5189943

Are you READY for Groundhog Day?

Groundhog Day is February 2nd. It's a time when people look to a groundhog to find out whether or not we will be having six more weeks of winter. The idea dates back hundreds of years when people looked to hibernating animals such as badgers, hedgehogs and bears to see when they might wake up from their winter sleep.

According to the tradition, if the animals saw its shadow, winter would last several more weeks. If it didn't see its shadow, spring would be soon arriving.

When Europeans, especially the Germans, came to the United States, they brought the tradition. The groundhog became the animals of choice as it hibernated and looked something like the European hedgehog. Groundhog Day started back in the 1880s with the first official celebration on February 2, 1887. The most famous groundhog weather forecaster is Punxsutawney Phil, of Punxsutawney, PA. On February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil , who lives at the Punxsutawney Library is taken to Gobbler Knob and placed in a heated burrow underneath a simulated tree stump on the stage near where hundreds have gathered. At 7:25 if Punxsutawney Phil comes out to make his weather prediction. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't see his shadow, spring is on its way!

Did You Know? 

1. The groundhog, also called woodchuck, is a relatives of the squirrel. Learn some additional Fun facts about groundhogs at this link: https://animalsake.com/facts-about-groundhogs

2. Groundhog day is also celebrated in Canada on Feb. They have several weather forecasting groundhogs including Wiarton Willy, Shubenacadie Sam and Balzac Billy.

3. Did you know that Groundhog Day is an official university holiday at the University of Dallas(Irving, TX)? Celebrations are held in honor of the groundhog.

4. The very first mention of a Groundhog Day in the United States was found in a diary entry of James Morris. The year was 1841.

Extension activities:

1.Pretend you are a weather forecasting groundhog. Tell about your big day. What did you hear? What did you see? How did you feel being in the limelight?

2.Learn about the country of Germany: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/countries/germany/#germany-munich-city-scene.jpg

3. Read more about the groundhog. Draw/color a picture and write 5 facts learned about the groundhog( in complete sentences): http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/groundhog/ 

4. The Groundhog isn't the only creature in nature that is used to help forecast weather. Can spiders predict a sunny day? My mother-in-law told me that if you see spiders hanging up their wash(making webs) early on a summer morning, it's a sign of a beautiful summer day. See chimney smoke going straight up on a winter's day? Another sign of nice weather. But, if you see ants building mounds, it's a sign of rain. Same with birds roosting on electrical wires, another sign of coming rain. There are lots of weather folklore. Being observant to nature, can help you predict the day's weather, without a weatherman. Illustrate a weather folklore: http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-folklore.htm 

Check out my Groundhog Day, Reader's Theater Script: Learn about the groundhog and the history of Groundhog Day with Ms. Bie Ografee's guest, Sarsaparilla, the Groundhog:https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Groundhog-Day-A-Readers-Theater-ScriptVisit-with-a-Groundhog-2309751

Follow me at my TpT Store: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Gail-Hennessey

Photograph from wpclipart.com

Learn about Martin King King Jr.(Birthday is January 16th)

   

Martin Luther King's birthday is January 15th.

Download the free resource at this link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Interactive-Notebook-Activity-8947638

Did you Know?

1. The only non-president to be honored with a national holiday is Martin Luther King.

2. Only George Washington and Martin Luther King are honored on their birthdays with national holidays. Martin Luther King’s birthday and holiday is honored on January 15th.

3. Because of Martin Luther King’s protests for civil rights, King was arrested about 29(or 30) times. He was actually arrested and jailed for speeding 30 in a 25 mph area!

4. The first African American honored as Time Magazine’s Man of the Year(now called Person of the Year) was Martin Luther King.

5.Martin Luther King started college at the age of 15!

6. Estimates are that there are 700-1000 Martin Luther King Jr. streets in the United States and even a street honoring King located in Puerto Rico.

7. In his efforts to fight for civil rights, it is estimated that Martin Luther King traveled over six million miles and gave more than 2500 speeches!

8. Did you know that a young Martin actually jumped out of the second floor window of his home? He actually did this two times and fortunately didn’t get hurt(DON’T try this!!!). The first time he jumped from the window because he felt he needed to be punished because he didn’t watch his younger brother properly. His brother slid down the stair bannister and slid into his grandmother who fell. The second time he jumped out of the window was when his grandmother died. Martin felt she died because he had sneaked out of his house without asking permission.

9. Martin Luther King is the first African American to have a memorial in his honor in the National Mall area in Washington,DC.

10. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “There is nothing more tragic in all this world than to know right and not do it. I can not stand in the midst of all these glaring evils and not take a stand.”

11. Martin Luther King Jr. was the youngest person to ever be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize(in 1964).

12. Asked one day as how he hoped to be remembers, Martin Luther King Jr. replied, “Say I was a drum major for peace.

1. What do you think this quote of Martin Luther King Jr. means?  “Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”

______________________________________

2. What do you think this quote of Martin Luther King Jr. means? “The time is always right to do what is right.” _______________________________________

3. What do you think this quote of Martin Luther King Jr. means? “In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” ___________________________________

___________________________________  

4. Illustrate one of the facts you found most interesting.

Check out this Reader's Theater Script on Martin Luther King Jr. : https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-A-Readers-Theater-Script-6229923?st=2517eb0f96d0eec2d96794a568982b34

Check out this Webquest on Martin Luther King Jr. :https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-A-Webquest-484492?st=2517eb0f96d0eec2d96794a568982b34

Holiday Traditions from Around the World

 

Did You Know?

Did you know that there are two islands in the world named “Christmas”? One is in the Pacific Ocean and the other is found in the Indian Ocean.

Someone figured that if you added up all the gifts from “The Twelve Days of Christmas, you’d get 364 presents.

A stocking filled with coal for naughty children originated in the country of Italy.

Did you know that three towns in the United States are named Santa Claus?

The first holiday song sung in space was Jingle Bells.

Two of the oldest ENGLISH spoken Christmas songs are “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Joy to the World

Jingle Bells was actually written for the Thanksgiving holiday!

Did you know there aren’t any plums in plum pudding? Actually the word “plum” at one time meant raisins.

It is believed that seeing a spider’s web on Christmas morning is good luck in the country of Ukraine.

Advent calendars and gingerbread houses are traditions of the people of Germany.

Holiday Traditions at the White House! 

Download this Interactive Notebook Activity: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/FreeDownload/Holiday-Traditions-at-the-White-House-Interactive-Notebook-Activity-2219599

• In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge began the custom of a National Christmas Tree. It had 2500 electric lights!

• First lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the custom of having a theme for the official White House Christmas tree.

• Environmentalist President Theodore Roosevelt didn’t approve of cutting a tree down for the Christmas holidays. Because of this, he banned having a Christmas tree in the White House. However, Archie, his son, cut a small tree down and hid it in the closet in the swing room. He also decorated it.

• The first president to have electric lights on the family Christmas tree was President Grover Cleveland. The year was 1894.

• President Benjamin Harrison had one of the first White House Christmas trees. It was lit with candles. The year was 1889.

• Did you know that George Washington paid 18 schillings, a lot of money

at the time, for someone to bring a camel to Mt. Vernon for the

Christmas holidays? Ok, Mt. Vernon isn’t the White House but I liked this

fact. Interestingly, the tradition of having a camel come to Mt. Vernon

during the holidays continues to this day!

• In 1834, President Andrew Jackson’s children had fun at the holidays

including having snowball fights in the White House...with snowballs made

from cotton.

•Traditionally, the official White House Christmas tree, is the one placed in the White House’s Blue Room. The tradition of an official tree at the White house began with First Lady Lou Henry Hoover(1929).
In 1997, there were thirty-six trees decorated for the holidays, and in 2012, there were 54 decorated trees!

• The holiday tradition of a gingerbread house, in the White House, began with First Lady Patricia Nixon, in 1969. Did you know that the White House gingerbread house is made from about 150 pounds of gingerbread dough? More than 250 pounds of white chocolate are used for decorating.

• Hanukkah is often celebrated around this time of year. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter became the first president to honor the Jewish

  holiday of Hanukkah, by lighting a National Menorah. The tradition continues each year. In 1993, President Bill Clinton lighted the first menorah in the White House. President George H.W. Bush hosted the first White House Hanukkah Party in 2001.

• President Benjamin Harrison dressed up as Santa Claus for his grandchildren!

  QUESTIONS:

  • If you had to create a theme for the official White House Christmas tree, what would you select and why. Draw and picture of your tree.

  • Which do you think is more environmentally friendly, a REAL or ARTIFICIAL tree? Give 2 reasons for your opinion.

  
  

  Teacher Page: Extension Activities:

  1. The holiday season is a time of giving. Encourage students to “pay it forward”, doing an act of kindness for someone else.

  2. Read a short version of a Christmas Carol: https://kidsshortmoralstories.com/short- summary-of-charles-dickenss-a-christmas-carol-christmas-ghost-stories/

  3. Illustrate one of the facts learned.

  4. Teachers may wish to read this article to share with students on which type of tree is MORE environmentally friendly: https://earth911.com/home-garden/real-vs-artificial- christmas-trees/

  5. Share some Christmas customs from around the world:https://www.rd.com/article/ christmas-around-the-world-traditions/ Illustrate a custom.
  6. Words such as abuzz, flummox, the creeps,round the clock and whiz-bang are credited with Dickens. Other words that Dickens helped to popularize include, kibosh, butter-fingers,boredom,messiness,squashed,bah humbug,and tousled. Have students create creative sentences using several of these words.

  • Check out my webquest on Charles Dickens! A Christmas Carol is probably the most popular holiday story.Have your students learn about Charles Dickens, one of the most famous writers of all times! 8 informative web questions. Additional activities/ links,too.https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Charles-Dickens-A- Webquest-200480 Also have a Reader’s Theater Script on Charles Dickens. https:// www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Charles-Dickens-A-Readers-Theater- Script-3286350

  Check out my webquest: Holiday Traditions from Around the World: During the holidays is a great time to share with kids the many traditions which have been shared with different cultures. Learn the history behind some popular holiday traditions with this webquest. There are 14 information packed web questions!

  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  
   https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Holiday-Traditions-from-Around-the-WorldWebquest-2864257

  Illustrations from: WPclipart.com