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Welcome to the December Teachers' Nook from Westcott!
In This Issue:
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From the Teacher's Desk: Snowflakes
Do you know a snowflake's shape is created long before it arrives on the Earth's surface? First, an ice crystal surrounds a miniature piece of debris, inside a cloud - and forms a snow crystal. The shape of the snowflake will depend on the temperature of the cloud. When the crystals begin to fall from the clouds, they bond together to form snowflakes. Each snowflake is comprised of up to 200 separate snow crystals. These crystals form into one of seven different shapes. The Stellar crystal is the most popular shape. This famous star shape inspires artists and photographers.
Study Snowflakes
If you'd like to study snowflakes with your students, go outside when it’s not windy and the temperature is between -12 and -16 degrees. Bring a piece of dark cloth with you. This will make it easier to view the crystals. You might like to use a microscope or magnifying glass to enlarge the crystal for easy viewing.
"Snowflake" Bentley
In 1885, a man named Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley learned how to make the crystals show up in photographs. Wilson lived in a small town in rural Vermont and he adapted a microscope to a bellows camera and discovered that he could take a photo of a single snow crystal. He captured over 5000 snowflakes during his lifetime and he never found any two alike. You can find more information, photographs, and resources at the Snowflake Bentley official website.
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Snowflake Art Projects
Snowflake art projects are lots of fun too.
Use your imagination or try out these web sites for ideas and inspiration.
There are several online snowflake makers.
A very kid-friendly site is
Make-a-Flake Snowflake Maker.
Here students are able to manipulate a virtual pair of scissors to create a variety of snowflake designs. Or print the snowflakes and cut them out.
And check out this one - how to make a snowflake from a coffee filter from the CBC.
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Puzzles: Challenge students with problem solvers
As a teacher, Ken Weber discovered that mysteries and puzzles were an excellent way to gain students’ attention.
Try these puzzles in your classroom:
- Something for a Stormy Night
- At Home in Amaranth
- 5-Digit and 4-Digit Numbers from Mr. Stuart
Get puzzling and try the puzzles.
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Classroom Activities
Winter Snooze
Spur a discussion on wintertime animals with this cave or burrow project. Then discuss what hibernation means and which animals (such as bears, hedgehogs, badgers, or mice) hibernate.
Materials:
Check out the step by step instructions for this classroom activity > |
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Eligible Educator School Supply Tax Credit
Did you know?
If you are an eligible educator you can now claim a 15% refundable tax credit on up to $1,000 of supply purchases per year.
Questions with answers from CRA > |
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New 2016 School Tools Catalogue
Westcott's new Back to School 2016 school tools are designed with the student in mind.
Westcott's new Back to School 2016 catalogue features our new fashion print products in Camouflage – a super-hot fashion trend!
We have also updated the colours in our Fashion Stripes products which were a huge hit last season.
View Back to School 2016 catalogue online >
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