Snowflake Bentley

Name: Snowflake Bentley
Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin

A story that explores wonder and opens a conversation with your child.

★★★★★ Loved by families

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♥ This book teaches: Wonder. staying curious about the world around you.

Before, During & After Reading

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Definition: to be amazed at and/or curious about something that is pleasantly unexpected, beautiful, or mysterious. In short: Curiosity sparks endless discovery. Summary: Wilson Bentley’s childhood fascination with snow evolved into a lifelong pursuit to capture images of snowflake crystals on film. Because the intricate patterns melted so quickly, it was impossible for him to accomplish this until his parents gifted him with a microscope-equipped camera. Even then, there were many challenges involved in capturing these images. But he persisted and conducted endless hours of experimentation over his lifetime. His efforts were rewarded and he became known by artists and scientists as the most knowledgeable authority on snowflakes. His book, “Snow Crystals” is still a major resource in the study of snow. Lesson Objectives:

Students will be more inclined to investigate what makes them curious.
This story can be linked to a study of structures found in nature. Students can look at Bentley’s beautiful photos on the internet.

Guiding Questions:

Have you ever played in the snow? What was it like for you?
Look at photos of Bentley’s snowflakes and describe what you see. (google Bentley’s snowflakes)
Willie wanted to save snowflakes so he could study them. Why was it so difficult to do and what helped him to observe them more closely?
When he finally was able to observe snowflakes what did he notice?
What did his parents give him that made it possible to take pictures of snowflakes?
What is the process by which snow crystals grow?
Why did he have to work fast to get pictures of snowflakes?
What do you see in nature that you think is beautiful? Describe why it’s beautiful to you.
Do you think there are places, plants, animals, on our planet that no one has ever discovered? If so, where would you start looking?
Did you know that no one has the same fingerprints as you (just like each snowflake is unique)? Compare your thumbprint with those of your family members - you’ll need an ink stamp pad to do this.

🌿 Virtue Connection: Wonder means staying curious about the world around you.

About the Story.

This guide is part of the Values & Virtues library, a free collection of 400+ book guides and activities organized around 12 core virtues for children from pre-K to 6th grade. Each guide includes Guiding Questions designed to open a real conversation with your child in 10 minutes or less.

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Wonder · Family Discussion Guide

Snowflake Bentley

by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Guiding Questions

Students will be more inclined to investigate what makes them curious.
This story can be linked to a study of structures found in nature. Students can look at Bentley’s beautiful photos on the internet.

Guiding Questions:

Have you ever played in the snow? What was it like for you?
Look at photos of Bentley’s snowflakes and describe what you see. (google Bentley’s snowflakes)
Willie wanted to save snowflakes so he could study them. Why was it so difficult to do and what helped him to observe them more closely?
When he finally was able to observe snowflakes what did he notice?
What did his parents give him that made it possible to take pictures of snowflakes?
What is the process by which snow crystals grow?
Why did he have to work fast to get pictures of snowflakes?
What do you see in nature that you think is beautiful? Describe why it’s beautiful to you.
Do you think there are places, plants, animals, on our planet that no one has ever discovered? If so, where would you start looking?
Did you know that no one has the same fingerprints as you (just like each snowflake is unique)? Compare your thumbprint with those of your family members - you’ll need an ink stamp pad to do this.

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Snowflake Bentley

Guiding Questions for Parents.

About the Story.

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Snowflake Bentley

Guiding Questions