Snowflake Bentley Activities

Are your students captivated by snowflakes? If so, grab a copy of Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin. In this picture book biography, students learn all about Wilson Bentley’s life and passion for photographing snowflakes. I want to share some activities you can pair with this book.

Snowflake Bentley is a wonderful winter read aloud that appeals to a wide range of ages. Here are several activities you can pair with this picture book biography.

About the Book

Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Illustrator: Mary Azarian

From the time he was a small boy in Vermont, Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as small miracles. And he determined that one day his camera would capture for others the wonder of the tiny crystal. Bentley’s enthusiasm for photographing snowflakes was often misunderstood in his time, but his patience and determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each one is startlingly beautiful. His story is gracefully told and brought to life in lovely woodcuts, giving children insight into a soul who had not only a scientist’s vision and perseverance but a clear passion for the wonders of nature.

Snowflake Bentley is a wonderful winter read aloud. This picture book biography shares information about Wilson Bentley and his passion for photographing snowflakes.

If you don’t already have a copy of this book in your school or classroom library, you can find it on Amazon.

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Snowflake Bentley Activities

I have put together several activities to pair with this picture book biography. This companion has a large focus on comprehension and vocabulary. You’ll find a handful of questions to help guide the discussion as you read. Students can also respond to the questions in writing.

Use these discussion question cards to help guide your students through Snowflake Bentley.

After reading the book, students can put the story back together with this cut and paste sequencing activity.

Help students practice sequencing Snowflake Bentley with this cut-and-paste activity.

For vocabulary, I selected 12 words for the story. Each vocabulary card has a matching definition. Students can use the cards in a pocket chart center or to play a memory matching game. To continue working with these words, students can complete a fill-in-the-blanks page or a vocabulary match-up activity.

Help your students practice key vocabulary from Snowflake Bentley with these practice pages.

This companion also includes a few extra book activities. I added a character chart, by the numbers activity, a snowflake maze, a snowflake art gallery, and a page where students identify the fake snowflakes.

After reading Snowflake Bentley, your students can complete a variety of book-themed activities.

As an extension, students can follow the step-by-step directions to create their own paper snowflakes. Pair these with a piece of writing or let them stand alone.

Are you reading Snowflake Bentley this winter? Decorate your walls with paper snowflakes. This companion includes directions to make paper snowflakes, writing templates, and prompts to pair with the book.

Digital Activities for Snowflake Bentley

With many classrooms going digital, I decided to add some digital options to each book companion. In addition to the printable PDF, you will find a Google Slides link that can be used with Google Classroom. I have also included a fillable student PDF. Please note: these digital options do not include the snowflake craft. Instead, there are slides with images and a text box for a student response.