Snowflake Bentley: Understanding the Story Behind the Story

In  "Snowflake Bentley: Understanding the Story Behind the Story," students will read the true story of Willie Bentley and explore his scientific discoveries as he learned to photograph one of nature's greatest works of art: snow!  This fascinating book is certain to capture your child's heart as we discuss the creation of a snowflake and the man who dedicated his life to photographing and categorizing these unique creations.

Students at this age are also learning to read for information.  Good readers use prior knowledge, make predictions, summarize, question, infer, visualize, and make inferences.  WHEW!  That's a LOT!  It is important for children to be able to comprehend what they read--but HOW does that happen?  Students must apply literal, inferential, and evaluative skills to answer who, what, when, where, why, and how questions based on the text.  In this camp, we will practice answering comprehension questions focused on inferences, perspective, and making informed opinions. Students will review new vocabulary, and answering the 5W's + H (how) questions while reading each story.

During the 50 minute class:
• Students will be welcomed to class.  We will quickly review the class rules and our learning goals.  
• We will go over a short 5-minute mini lesson on how snow is created, which is important to understand the text.  Emphasis will be placed on building the literary vocabulary (setting, characters, events, problem/solution.) Students will then listen to Snowflake Bentley to apply their skills and answer questions.  
• Students will then spend day 2, with teacher guidance, discussing the contributions of Willie Bentley to both art and science.   Teacher support will be available to all students during this time. Students should raise their hand if they have a question.
• As a class, we will review the material covered in the mini lesson and I will answer any questions prior to dismissing the class.  

Day 1: discuss the setting (both time and place of the historical event) and read Snowflake Bentley by Jaqueline Briggs Martin
Day 2: analyze the main character and look at his decisions and contributions from different perspectives

(NOTE:  Children learn vocabulary, sequencing, and prediction skills through repetition of stories.  If you feel your child would benefit from hearing the stories again, I would love to have him/her join me in additional sections of the class!)