Homeschooling in Detroit.com Presents
A Virtual Theme Unit
Winter Wonderland
Copyright Homeschooling In Detroit 2011, all right reserved.
Not part of this publication may be distributed without the author’s express, written
consent.
Introduction
Theme units are one of the most flexible and versatile home school tools; they can be
used to supplement your current curriculum or you can complete a series of units over
the year and cover the majority of school subjects. They are fun, hands-on and
completely customizable too!
Theme units allow you to cover a range of subjects based on a single theme, such as a
particular holiday, boats, reptiles or anything else of interest to your child.
There are plenty of ready-made thematic units available for purchase, but you can easily
create one yourself.
What is a Virtual Theme Unit?
A virtual theme unit is comprised of materials that can be found freely on the Internet.
We’ve done all of the Google searching to find he best links and pre-screened them for
appropriateness and content. While we can’t be responsible for broken or misdirected
links by 3rd parties, we can assure you that the links found in this theme unit are free of
spam, spyware and objectionable material at the time of this printing.
How to Use this Theme Unit
Included in this unit are links to learn about winter. To help reinforce the learning, your
child can create a notebook and journal his or her experiences. We’ve included themed,
lined notebooking pages. You can print and use these pages for your child’s notebook,
or use plain notebook paper, if you want to save on printer ink costs.
To complete this unit, you will need a three-ring notebook, scissors, crayons or markers,
glue or tape and materials/supplies/ingredients for the activities, crafts and recipes.
Copyright Homeschooling In Detroit 2011, all right reserved.
Not part of this publication may be distributed without the author’s express, written
consent.
Let’s Get Started!
Do you know that each snowflake is actually made up of over 200 ice
crystals? Do you know why it’s white? As you complete this unit, you’ll
learn about these things and much more about winter.
To get prepared for your discoveries, print this snowflake paper and make
several copies so you can start your notebook. If you want to decorate the
front of your notebook, you can print these templates to make beautiful
paper snowflakes and glue them to the front.
After you have assembled your notebook, think of everything you already
know about winter and write it down on the first page. You might write
down things like “It’s cold.” Or “Sometimes, it snows.” Go ahead and do
that now.
Now, for the really fun part! On the second page, write down a list of
questions or things you want to know about winter. This might be
something like “Why doesn’t it snow in Florida?” or “How is Lake Effect
Snow formed?” There aren’t any “wrong” answers here!
As you complete the rest of this unit, take a look back at both pages. Is
everything you wrote down for things you already knew correct? Did you
find answers to your questions?
Finally, on the third page, start your vocabulary list. This is where you will
write down all the new words and definitions you learn as you complete
this unit. Go ahead and start with these words: wind chill, lake effect snow
and winter storm warning.
Ok! Let’s learn about winter!
Copyright Homeschooling In Detroit 2011, all right reserved.
Not part of this publication may be distributed without the author’s express, written
consent.
Winter Storms
How Does a Winter Storm Form? –
(Upper Elementary & Middle
School) This site is just packed with
all kinds of good information!
You’ll learn so much about winter,
you’ll be an expert soon!
Billy & Maria Learn about Winter Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3 – (Early
Elementary) Have fun learning about winter with this fun, printable, book.
You can color it, if you’d like!
Fast Winter Facts -- (All Ages) 10 quick and-to-the-point facts!
Winter Storm Trivia – (Upper Elementary & Middle School) Are you cool?
Like, really, really cool? Cool as winter? Try this bit of winter trivia quiz to
prove it!
Copyright Homeschooling In Detroit 2011, all right reserved.
Not part of this publication may be distributed without the author’s express, written
consent.
Science Experiments
Frosted Window Panes – (Upper Elementary & Middle School) To perform
this experiment, you will need:






Epsom Salt
Liquid Dishwasing Soap
Water
Lens Cleaning Cloth
Glass Container
Spoon
Ice Cube Igloo -- (Upper Elementary &
Middle School) How do igloos keep people warm? For this experiment, you
will need:




2-3 Ice Cube Trays
Salt
Water
Slushy Mix (made with a few ice cubes & tablespoons of water in the
blender)
 Baking Sheet
 Teaspoon
 Freezer Space
Ice & Salt – (All Ages) Why do we use salt on roads in winter? Scroll down
to the section that says “Ice and Salt.” For this experiment, you will need:
 Two Containers
 Ice Cubes
 Salt
Copyright Homeschooling In Detroit 2011, all right reserved.
Not part of this publication may be distributed without the author’s express, written
consent.
More Science
Experiments
Water/Snow/Ice -- (All Ages) Learn more about the properties of water,
snow and ice. For this experiment, you will need:
 Snow (if you live where it’s warm, make your own by mixing crushed
ice in a blender)
 Paper cups
 Two identical containers
 Two 9" x 13" cake pans
 Freezer (or outdoors if temperature is below freezing)
Examining Snowflakes – (All Ages) No snow
needed! For this experiment, you will need:
 Black Paper or Fabric
 Magnifying Glass
More Winter Experiments – (Varying Ages)
Love science experiments? Here’s 6 more!
Copyright Homeschooling In Detroit 2011, all right reserved.
Not part of this publication may be distributed without the author’s express, written
consent.
Math
Penguin Puzzler – (Early Elementary) Can you find out how many row of
penguins there are?
Place the Penguin – (Upper Elementary) Place the penguins on the right
numbers on the grid in this online math game.
Math Worksheets – (Grades 1 – 5) Lots of printable winter-themed
worksheets!
The Last Snowman Standing – (Addition & Subtraction) Scroll down to
“Snowman Games” for the printable game mat and instructions.
Mitten Math – (Multiplication) Practice your multiplication facts with this
printable worksheet.
Snowflake Dot-to-Dot – (Counting) What will this snowflake look like?
Collecting Snowballs – (Addition & Subtraction) This game takes a little
work to put together, but well worth it!
Copyright Homeschooling In Detroit 2011, all right reserved.
Not part of this publication may be distributed without the author’s express, written
consent.
Language Arts
Winter is Mine Poem –
(All Ages) Print this
poem and add it to
your notebook. What
do you like most about
winter?
Winter Story Starters –
(All Ages) Try one of
these 10 story starters
and write a story to
include in your
notebook.
Winter Word Search –
(Elementary) Are any
of these words on your
vocabulary list?
Winter Sight Words Mini-Book – (Early Elementary) Print and color your
own mini-book and practice your sight words.
Acrostic Poetry – (Upper Elementary) Have fun making your own poetry
with Acrostics!
Snowman Tales – (Grades 2 – 6) A fun way to practice reading
comprehension.
Copyright Homeschooling In Detroit 2011, all right reserved.
Not part of this publication may be distributed without the author’s express, written
consent.
Crafts
Kid-Made Doorbells – A perfect winter decoration & fun to make too! For
this craft, you will need:






A Paper Egg Carton
Paint
Glitter
Glue
Yarn
Jingle Bells
Snow Globes – Create your own shimmery
snowfall. For this craft, you will need:
 A Glass Jar (baby food, pimento or olive
jars)
 Plastic Figurines (or anything you want to put into your snow globe)
 Glitter
 Epoxy Glue
 Glycerin (available at drugstores)
Bird Cake – Help the birds in your neighborhood stay happy this winter.
For this craft, you will need:




Bacon Fat
Birdseed
Styrofoam Cup
String
Copyright Homeschooling In Detroit 2011, all right reserved.
Not part of this publication may be distributed without the author’s express, written
consent.
Food Fun
Snow Food – Make an edible glacier, slush cones and snow ice cream!
Snowflake Quesadillas – A fun lunch treat. For this recipe, you will need:
 2 Plain Flour Tortillas
 2 Spinach Flour Tortillas
 1 Cup of Grated Cheddar Cheese
Snowmen Biscuits – These adorable snowmen are almost too much fun to eat. For this
recipe, you will need: 4 cups all purpose flour (more or less) and 1 cup cake flour




Refrigerated Biscuits
Raisins
Pretzel Sticks
Vanilla Frosting (optional)
Hot Chocolate – A perfect treat on a cold winter’s day! For
this recipe, you will need:




1 Cup of Milk
1oz of Chocolate
¼ Teaspoon of Vanilla
Sugar to Taste
Copyright Homeschooling In Detroit 2011, all right reserved.
Not part of this publication may be distributed without the author’s express, written
consent.
Thank you for downloading this free Theme-Unit guide by Homeschooling In Detroit. We
have done our best to find high-quality resources for quickly creating your own, custom
theme unit. As of the date of this publication, these links are free of spam, spyware and
objectionable advertisements.
Please be aware that Homeschooling In Detroit cannot be responsible for broken or
misdirected links. As with any Internet resource, it is recommended that parents screen
the site before asking their children to visit it.
About Homeschooling In Detroit:
Homeschooling In Detroit is for homeschooling families in the Metro Detroit area;
families like yours! We are a completely free resource, providing information on support
groups, classes and events in Wayne, Oakland and Macoomb Counties (and sometimes
beyond). Visit our site for the latest information on events, groups, classes and more.
Be sure subscribe to our weekly newsletter while you’re there.
Feedback
We’d love your feedback on this Theme Unit Guide. Feel free to drop a line to
Christina@HomeschoolingInDetroit.com.
Writers Wanted!
Homeschooling In Detroit is a collective effort of homeschooling families like yours. If
you’re interested in become a writer, just fill out this quick form.
Copyright Homeschooling In Detroit 2011, all right reserved.
Not part of this publication may be distributed without the author’s express, written
consent.