When I was in sixth grade, we came to school one day after a beautiful snowfall. It was great packing snow, too. After lunch recess, the principal announced that we would all stay outside for the afternoon, because he wanted to try to build an igloo together. And we did! Away we went, rolling dozens of big snowballs. What a chance our principal took; for all he knew, it might not work out. What a sense of accomplishment it was when slowly under our hands an igloo took shape. It was a memorable experience, and our efforts were acknowledged with an article and picture in the local newspaper.
The igloo ended up being big enough for a whole class. As each class took turns going inside, we were amazed to notice how well snow insulates: those of us outside could hardly hear the dozens of students inside. We learned about cooperation and collaboration too, as well as a few things about structural integrity, of course.
Conditions with that kind of packing snow don't come around very often, but igloos can be built in a wider range of winter conditions. Aaron Cyr used ice blocks that he made in aluminum foil containers during a long cold spell. Plastic disposable salad greens containers can be used, too. He used water poured between the blocks as the cement.
 |
| 50campfires.com |
This family packed snow in those plastic salad containers to build their igloo. Bigger plastic storage containers work too, and make the project go faster. Their handy tips are to support the top of the door with a wooden plank or skateboard, and the roof with an inverted round sled. They used snow as cement, but road salt can be used too (a bit of magic which creates a teachable moment about why using salt works).
As I remember it, the whole school worked on the igloo that I mentioned above. For all I know, it may have been only the older grades. In any case, I remember a big, unforgettable team effort that helped celebrate the winter season.
Comments