GCNS embraces winter with snow adventures!


By Emilee Harvey
Glebe Cooperative Nursery School (GCNS) teachers welcomed students back to school on January 4. As a licensed childcare provider, GCNS is exempt from pandemic school closures.
That day, the teachers decided to embrace the season (and the above average temperatures) with an outdoor morning adventure. Students were greeted with a variety of special activities: snow painting, snow blocks and fort making, even making ice cream (see the easy recipe to try at home).
The highlight of the morning was a home-made volcano. The students gathered around head teacher Helen Brydges as she mixed vinegar and baking soda in the snow until it frothed and bubbled just like a real volcano. “The students were very interested in the volcano and what was taking place,” said Brydges. It was a great way to incorporate learning and inspire imagination during outdoor play.
The students also had the opportunity to take their art outdoors. They painted the snow with spray bottles and squirt bottles and used paint and paint brushes to paint large sheets hanging on the playground fences. The snow offered a great background for colour mixing and added to the outdoor learning and fun.
The teachers had put in the extra effort the previous day to fill water balloons with coloured water. After they were left out in the playground to freeze overnight, the children peeled off the balloons to find frozen coloured ice orbs, which they happily pulled around in sleds.
The children capped off the day with a warm mug of hot chocolate. The mild morning provided a rich opportunity for learning and fun as the class was able to take full advantage of the snow. Here’s a recipe to try at home the next time it snows.
Ingredients
1 cup milk (any kind)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
8 cups clean snow (more or less, depending on the density of the snow)
optional topping: sprinkles!
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk milk, sugar, vanilla and salt together until combined. Go scoop up some fresh (clean!) snow and immediately stir it into the milk mixture until you reach your desired consistency. The ice cream should be fluffy, not runny. But it melts quickly, so dive in quickly. Top with sprinkles or other ice cream toppings if desired and enjoy!
Source: gimmesomeoven.com/how-to-make-snow-ice-cream-recipe/
Emilee Harvey is communications manager and a parent with a child in Glebe Coop Nursery School.