Snowflakes Discussion Prompts and Pause Points

Before the Movie

What do you know about snowflakes and how they form? (Tap prior knowledge)

What is something new you hope to learn about snowflakes? (Set goals)

During the Movie (Pause Points)

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 1:22: How do water molecules behave in liquid as compared to ice? (Compare/contrast)

Timecode 1:26: What determines a snowflake’s shape? (Identify cause/effect)

Timecode 2:24: Why is it unlikely that any two snowflakes will look the same? (Draw conclusions)

After the Movie

Look at the four related movies at the bottom of the page. Explain how each is connected to the Snowflakes topic. (Make connections)

Describe a snowflake you’ve seen before, either in person, or in a picture. What did you notice about it? (Apply new knowledge)

What more do you want to know about snowflakes? (Reflect; Revisit goals)

BrainPOP recommends reading the movie description that appears on the Snowflakes Topic Page to your class. Then show the movie once through without pausing.  Watch it again, this time using the discussion prompts.

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.