108 NATURE STUDY 



WEATHER 

 Snowflakes : 



Take advantage of the first snowstorm for a lesson on 

 the snowflakes. 



Facts : 



The relation between raindrops and snowflakes is very 

 close. For example, the rains of winter are often due to 

 the fact that the snow melts before reaching the earth, so 

 that from the same clonds may fall snow on the highlands 

 and rain in the valleys. 



Snowflakes have always six parts. This is because 

 the ice needles, acting like small magnets, are attracted 

 and repelled by laws of their own, forming regular and 

 very beautiful figures on the hexagonal plan. 



Method : 



Choose a snowstorm when the flakes are very large. 

 Let the children collect the falling snowflakes on black 

 cloth and observe their shape. What is happening to 

 the snowflakes ? Why ? Who could turn the water drops 

 back into snoAv? Where must the drops be to become 

 snow crystals again? What does Jack Frost make of 

 the water that is on the earth ? in the sky ? 



What good is the snow to the plants? Who build 

 houses of snow or ice to keep themselves warm ? 



"Weather Records : 



The daily record for November (Weather Record, No. 

 II.) must be examined by the children to determine the 

 prevailing wind, its character, and the prevailing cloud 

 forms of the months. 



