Winter Thematic Unit Ideas for Lower Elementary Students

Are you looking for some winter thematic unit ideas to use in your classroom? Create a thematic unit about winter across all the curricular areas. 

From literature list to art projects, have your students explore the theme of winter.  Check this list to explore some wonderful winter thematic unit ideas that can be used throughout this wonderful season of the year.

1. Winter Themed Literature Lists

A winter thematic unit has so many wonderful choices for literature.  You could create a literature-based thematic unit based on one of the numerous winter themed stories.  Here are just a few winter books.

Winter Literature List

  • Snowmen At Night: Caralyn Buehner
  • The Biggest Snowman Ever: Steven Kroll
  • Sneezy the Snowman: Maureen Wright
  • Snowballs: Lois Ehlert
  • The Mitten: Jan Brett
  • The Snowy Day: Ezra Keats
  • Animal in Winter: Henrietta Bancroft
  • Now It Is Winter: Eileen Spinell
  • Dream Snow: Eric Carle
  • Owl Moon: Jane Yolen
  • The First Day of Winter: Denise Fleming
  • The Snowman: Raymond Briggs

2. Winter Language Arts Centers & Activities

There are numerous language arts centers and activities that can be used with a winter thematic unit.  From classroom made books to phonic games students will enjoy the variety of centers and activities while learning about winter.  Check out this list!

Winter Themed Language Arts Centers & Activities

  • Winter Writing Word Bank
  • “All About Winter” Classroom Book
  • “Winter Senses” Student Booklet
  • Winter Student Story
  • Winter Story Elements Graphic Organizers
  • Winter Beginning, Middle & Ending Story Graphic Organizers
  • Winter Sequence Story Retelling Graphic Organizers
  • Winter Beginning Sound Capital & Lowercase Match Games
  • Winter Make a Short Vowel Word Family Game
  • Winter Short Vowel Sounds Roll It! Read It!  Words & Sentences
  • Winter Sight Word Games
  • Winter Build a Word Game

3. Winter Mathematics Centers and Activities

Let us look at some winter mathematics centers and activities that you could use with your students.  These activities could be used with lower elementary students, along with special education students depending on their skill level.  Try one of these winter thematic unit math activities with your students!

Winter Themed Math Centers & Activities: 

  • Snowmen Counting Student Booklet
  • Snowmen & Snowflake Number Match Game
  • Snowmen & Snowflake Number Word Match Game
  • Winter Counting Games
  • Winter Number & Ten Frames Matching Game
  • Winter Roll & Cover Math Games
  • Winter Addition & Subtractions Facts Clip Game
  • Winter Build 2-Addend Addition & Subtraction Sentences
  • Winter Build 2-Addend Addition & Subtractions Sentences with Ten Frames
  • Winter Build 3-Addend Addition & Subtraction Sentences
  • Winter 5 In a Row Math Game Cards: 2 & 3 Addends
  • Winter Roll & Bump Math Games: 2 & 3 Addends

4. Winter Science & Social Studies Centers & Activities

Winter is a great season to begin the study of the four seasons with your students in both the curricular areas of science and social studies.  There are several winter activities that you can do with your students that promote learning in these areas. Here are some suggestions for you!

Winter Themed Science & Social Studies Centers & Activities

  • Winter Writing Word Bank
  • “Winter Senses” Student Booklet
  • “Weather Watcher” Classroom Book
  • “The Four Seasons” Informational Writing Text
  • Winter Weather Conditions Study
  • Winter Artic Animals Student Reports
  • Make Ice Cream with Snow or Ice
  • Winter Map Skills: Which countries or continents have snow?
  • Geography of the North Pole
  • Winter Holidays Study

5. Winter Art & Technology Centers & Activities

Who does not love to see beautiful winter art projects?  Students will love to create winter themed art projects along with using technology to work on learning skills in the winter theme.  Look of these ideas for you!

Winter Themed Art & Technology Centers & Activities

  • Snowman at Night Art Project
  • Snowman Chain Art Project
  • Winter Tissue Paper Hat & Mittens
  • Paper Cutting Snowflakes
  • Winter Chalk Drawing
  • Winter Letter & Sound Match BOOM & Task Cards
  • Winter Counting Google Slides
  • Winter Build a Word BOOM Cards
  • Winter Number & Ten Frame Match BOOM & Task Cards
  • Winter Patterns BOOM Cards

Grab your Free, Winter Roll & Cover Math Card Games Here!

In summary, there are many engaging winter thematic unit ideas.  You and your children can explore the units with books, centers, and activities. Whatever theme you choose your students will have a wonderful time discovering with the literature and activities you choose. 

Find some more Thematic Units and ideas in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.

To read more topics about thematic units check out my blog, “Why Use Thematic Units In Your Classroom or Home School?”

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