Winter is the perfect time to make learning feel like a cozy, snow-filled adventure! Snow days and chilly mornings can spark creativity and excitement in your classroom when paired with the right lessons. Whether students are imagining their perfect snow day, crafting snowman-shaped poetry, or analyzing text threads from Frosty himself, the season offers endless inspiration for engaging ELA activities.

Fun snow day activities like designing “dream snow forts” or writing group stories about winter adventures can complement these lessons and encourage collaboration. Pairing these with interactive reading passages, comprehension games, and creative writing prompts helps keep middle schoolers engaged and learning.

1. For Goodness Flake! It’s a Snow Day!”

When I first introduce the topic of snowflakes to my students, I can’t help but share my own fascination with how something so small can be so complex and beautiful. I just love a snow day, and the beautiful, little flakes are so intriguing! This lesson blends science and storytelling, drawing students in with the wonder of how snowflakes form and why their intricate six-sided shapes are so unique. I love seeing their curiosity come to life as they learn that no two snowflakes are truly identical, and the fun facts about snowflakes makes the article that more interesting.

Key Features:

• Informative article about snowflake formation and unique snowflake facts.
• Multiple-choice questions to test reading comprehension.
• A creative writing prompt where students describe why snowflakes are fascinating.

Why Students Love It: They enjoy discovering fun facts, like how some snowflakes can be as large as a coin, and sharing their favorite snowflake shapes.

Why Teachers Love It: The activity reinforces key middle school ELA standards, with comprehension questions that encourage critical thinking and a writing prompt to strengthen descriptive writing skills.

Classroom Tip: Create a “Snowflake Wonder Wall” where students can post their writing responses and draw their own unique snowflakes. You can even print out snowflake templates, and have your students write their constructive response on them.  The snowflakes will add a winter wonderland to your classroom! 

2. Color-by-Number Winter Reading Passage with Multiple Choice Questions

When I introduced this color-by-number activity, I knew it would be a hit. There’s something magical about combining learning with a fun reveal—my students can’t wait to see the colorful picture form as they answer comprehension questions correctly. It’s a fantastic way to keep them engaged, especially during winter months when focus can waver. This fun ELA winter activity will do the trick!

Key Features:

• Snowman Poetry: Students write winter-themed poems in a snowman template.

• Winter Reading Passage: A compelling short story that challenges reading comprehension.

• Frosty’s Text Messages: Students analyze Frosty’s fun text conversations to practice tone, mood, and purpose.

• Creative Writing Prompt: Students craft their perfect snow day story using descriptive writing.

Why Students Love It: It feels like a game! They love seeing the winter image come to life as they answer correctly.

Why Teachers Love It: The activity is self-paced and great for both independent work and small group stations.

Classroom Tip: Use this activity as a low-pressure assessment or in a winter-themed literacy center.

3. Winter Digital Activities: Snow Poetry, Frosty’s Texts, and More!

I always look forward to incorporating this digital activities into my lessons—it’s like opening a winter-themed treasure chest of creative learning. My students love how they can express themselves through snowman-shaped poems and decode Frosty’s playful text messages. It’s especially rewarding to see their confidence grow as they tackle reading passages and experiment with descriptive writing.

Key Features:

• Snowman Poetry: Students write winter-themed poems in a snowman template.

  
  

• Winter Reading Passage: A compelling short story that challenges reading comprehension.

  
  

• Frosty’s Text Messages: Students analyze Frosty’s fun text conversations to practice tone, mood, and purpose.

  
  

• Creative Writing Prompt: Students craft their perfect snow day story using descriptive writing.

  
  

Why Students Love It: They enjoy the digital format and the chance to create unique, seasonal-themed work.

Why Teachers Love It: These activities blend creativity with ELA skill-building, and they’re perfect for in-person or virtual classrooms.

Classroom Tip: Host a “Winter Literacy Showcase” or “Snowman Poetry Gallery Walk”.  Have your students “present” the Google Slide of their Snowman poetry, and have the students walk around the room reading each other’s creations.

Looking for Winter Templates? Check these out!

Snowflake Templates

Free Winter Paper

These winter-themed ELA activities will add seasonal joy to your classroom while supporting academic growth. Whether your students are debating snow day policies, composing snowman poetry, or revealing hidden winter scenes, they’ll stay engaged and excited to learn.

Grab this eBook to help your students write short answer responses and paragraphs!

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