Footprints in the Snow
Hello reader! Series
What’s inside...
Pictures and simple text depict forest animals' tracks in the snow as they rush to their homes during a winter storm.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the animals might feel when they see their footprints in the snow?
Why do you think the author chose snow to show the animal’s footprints?
How do you think the snow affects the animals' lives in the story?
Can you think of a time when you left footprints somewhere? How did that make you feel?
What do you think happens to the footprints when the snow melts?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage children to imagine and describe the environment of the story, focusing on sensory details like the cold of the snow and the quietness of a snowy day.
Ask children to compare their experiences with snow (if any) to the experiences of the animals in the book.
Discuss the concept of tracks and what they can tell us about the creatures that made them, relating it to detective work.
Use the book’s illustrations to engage children visually, asking them to describe what they see and what it adds to the story.
After reading, consider taking a walk in a nearby park or yard to create your own footprints and discuss what you've read in a real-world context.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: The book depicts various animals exploring their snowy environment, leaving behind footprints. The main character's interest in discovering whose footprints belong to whom encourages a sense of wonder and investigation.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be observant and curious about their surroundings, fostering a love for exploration and discovery in the natural world.
Example Lesson: Understanding Nature and Seasons
Explanation: Through the journey of finding footprints in the snow, children learn about different animals and their behaviors during the winter season.
Real-World Application: This awareness can help children understand seasonal changes and the adaptations animals make to survive, promoting respect and care for the environment.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
Explanation: As children follow along with the protagonist's quest to match the footprints to their rightful owners, they engage in problem-solving and critical thinking.
Real-World Application: These skills are applicable in everyday situations where children need to analyze information and make decisions based on their observations and knowledge.
Example Lesson: Patience and Perseverance
Explanation: The journey of identifying each set of footprints demonstrates patience and the importance of persevering through challenges.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of persistence when facing tasks or problems, encouraging them to not easily give up.