Cloud Watching: Themed Activities

 Here is another on the spot activity to add in reading, writing, listening and speaking activities to your day.

                                                        Cloud Watchingâ›…

1.  What do you see?  Do you see a dolphin in the sky? A funny face?  A bunny?  Do you see white, puffy clouds or dark, gloomy clouds?  Describe them.  

2.  Expand.  Oh, so you see a boat in the sky?  Where is it going? Who is on the boat? What kind of adventure do you think they will experience today?

3.  Read about clouds.  Are these cirrus, cumulus or nimbostratus clouds (high, low, midlevel clouds).  How are clouds part of the water cycle?  Based on the clouds you see, do you think it will rain today?  (science discussion)  Too young for that level?  Try a book like Little Cloud by Eric Carle instead.

4.  Tell a story based on the cloud pattern.  It could be a simple rainy day story with ducks and puddles in it or it could be a reality based story of surviving a tornado and so much more. 

5. Write a story.  Clouds could be the story starter for anything.  For example, "It was a dark, cloudy day when...." or "On a bright, sunny day with only a few puffy clouds dotting the sky...."

6. To build up cloud vocabulary, create the patterns with cotton balls or paint or chalk on paper and label the types of clouds.  Adding the sensory component helps with memory.

7.  Try cloud experiments such as a drop of food colouring on top of shaving cream added to the top of a glass jar with water and see the pattern that occurs.  Discuss what you observe.

8. Practice counting skills by counting the clouds as they float by.

9.  Is the sun playing hide and seek behind the clouds?  Join the game!  Either you and your child(ren) can play hide and seek or you can find a yellow ball to take the role of the sun and hide it.  See if you can find the yellow "sun" before the real sun pops out again from behind the clouds. 

10.Sing a song or make up a poem about clouds.  Make up one of your own or sing/recite one you know such as, Cloud Song (use your imagination) or I'm a Fluffy Little Cloud.

You are welcome to add your ideas to the list.  I hope they inspire you to look up in the sky,  take what you see and create great moments of learning in a fun, natural manner.

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