Snow Problem

Episode 2                                                                           Planet: Nature

Learning concept of the episode: Rain and snow are different forms of water.

Story Summary

It is raining on the Tiny Planet of Nature as Bing and Bong come across a line of Flockers, each waiting at the Flockwash for a shower. Soon, the temperature drops, freezing the waters in the Flockwash and preventing the flow to the Tank. The Flockers have no running water until Bing applies a recent discovery that heated snow makes water and once again saves the day.

Focus Early Learning Goal

Knowledge and Understanding 9: Observe, find out about and identify features in the place they live and the natural world.

Linked ELGs

PSE4, PSE8, CLL3, CLL8, KU1, KU2, KU3, KU4, KU10

Preparation

• Watch the Tiny Planets episode 
• Talk about what Bing and Bong did in the story

Talk about…..

• Weather change
• Snow, ice and what happens to ponds and lakes during cold weather
• How you can make drinks cool with ice

Focus Activity

 Bing’s Icy Treats (see overleaf)

Follow-on Activities

• Put coloured ice cubes (use food colouring) in the water play
• Look at close-up pictures of snowflakes, focus on the patterns, you could also use a magnifying glass
• Cut snowflakes out of white paper and doilies and display
• Paint snow and ice pictures using white and blue paint on black paper. Add glitter for special effect

Bing’s Icy Treats

Aim

For the children to understand the concepts of water freezing and then melting again

Resources

• Ice cube trays
• Lollipop sticks
• Various undiluted juices e.g., orange, blackcurrant
• Hair dryer
• Tray

Guidelines

• Freeze some ice cubes in trays prior to your activity.
• Discuss with the children how water freezes.
• Let the children fill some ice cube trays with diluted juice of their choice and put a lollipop stick into each.
• Ask the children where they think these could now be put to enable them to freeze.
• Bring out the previously frozen ice cubes and place them on the trays.
• Let the children touch them and describe them.
• Blow hot air onto the ice cubes and let the children see what happens or you could place them outside in the sun.
• Once frozen remove the ice lollies from the freezer and let the children eat them.

Key Vocabulary

Water, ice, freeze, melt, snow, cold

Health & Safety

Ensure that no child has an allergy to any of the juices used, if they do ask for them to bring some thing in from home or use just water.

Water and electricity do not mix, take care when using the hair dryer, and ensure only the adult uses it.

Equal Opportunities

All children can participate in this activity. For a child who may find it difficult to pour the liquids into the cube trays, use a funnel or supervise appropriately.