The Snow Angel by Christine Leeson and Jane Chapman is a great resource to celebrate the chillier times of year and
through storytelling to examine how birds migrate annually in search of
warmer weather and food. This activity idea blends dioramic activities, character
figures or finger puppets, role play, loose media and playdough alongside
the book's message of how we're able to look out for each other. Extrude and cut clumps of green doughy grass and roll
out sheets of frosty white snow, build patterns in the surface with a range
of winter themed collage materials.
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Creating the scene
Frozen icy ponds can
be made by marking and cutting out a shape from card, covering the surface
with stick glue and securing a sheet of aluminium foil or paper over the
top. Fold the raw edges underneath and secure them with sticky tape.
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Frozen trees & frosty foil icicles
We used autumn prunings to create our winter trees - the twiggy example
featured in the photo is from the gloriously scented rosemary. Set the de-leafed
branch into a small mound of airdrying clay, which once solid can be given
a coat of white acrylic or emulsion paint. Whilst the paint is still wet,
and if wanted sprinkle iridescent glitter over the surface before setting
it aside to dry.
Make any number of icicles by knotting a loop of string and placing
the knot at the top of a folded sheet of foil. Scrunch the foil around the
knot to secure it in place and shape the body section into twisting pointed
icicle. Brush on PVA glue and sprinkle with glitter, finishing off by hanging
it up to dr
Characters
Use the story as a guide to role playing with plastic figures, illustrated finger puppets -
goose
- mice
or children's own designs. Source food eg. nuts, seeds and play fruit
Feeding wild birds in winter - RSPB.org
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Feathers we were most fortunate to find a seller offering
their own Dove's naturally shed feathers. Once cleaned in milton fluid we made contrasting faux versions
from paper and polar fleece, snipping the vane to create the barbed feathery
sides. Use these soft downy plumes - the gift given to the mice as bedding.
Play! roll out, snip, cut, extrude, mould and sculpt.
Make surface impressions and build patterns, story tell, count and design
as fine motor skills, dexterity and hand strength are all developed.
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Green
& white playdough - 
