Snowflake Bentley

crayola supplies

Fine Line Markers
Erasable Colored Pencils
Gel Markers
Construction Paper

household supplies

none

Why?

Six-sided frozen crystals fascinated Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley. See how he studied and photographed these delicate structures.

Steps

1. Read Snowflake Bentley to learn about photographer and self-made scientist Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley. He discovered the uniqueness of each snowflake while taking photographs of them through a microscope, a technique now known as microphotography.
2. Use Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencils and your imagination to draw a picture of Snowflake Bentley taking photos of snowflakes falling, perhaps outside of a barn. Use your eraser to highlight the wood grain, draped cloth, or the accordion-like folds of the camera.
3. Use Crayola Fine Tip Markers or Gel Markers to draw snowflakes falling. Enlarge one to show detail.

adaptations

Cut out paper snowflakes, each with a different pattern.

Create a classroom precipitation poster showing what conditions in the atmosphere produce rain, snow, sleet, hail, and other forms of precipitation.

For younger children and those with special needs, show photographs of the type of camera Bentley used, or visit a museum to see antique cameras. Explore how microscopes work. In winter, catch snowflakes to see variations in their patterns.

benefits

Students learn about the life and accomplishments of Wilson Bentley, photographer and self-made scientist.

Students understand how Bentley used the lens in a microscope to photograph individual snowflakes.

Students discover why snowflakes are unique.

Students draw Snowflake Bentley and an enlarged snowflake.

grades

Grades 4 to 6
Special Needs
Grades 1 to 3

subjects

Language Arts
Science
Visual Arts

time

30 to 60 minutes

curriculum standards links

US: Research U.S. Standards
UK: Research UK Standards
Canada: Research Canada Standards