An effective way of exploring an unknown subject is making a stop at the library or bookstore. Not only do books give children a lot of facts and information about igloos, but they also engage students in the learning with pictures and dialog. "Building an Igloo" by Ulli Steltzer will allow children to see actual photographs of the process of building the structure. "Look Inside an Igloo" by Mari Schuh or "Igloos" by June Preszler will give students information on why igloos are used and the characteristics of these snow buildings.
Before starting this project, get the word out to classmates and neighbors that gallon milk jugs are needed. According to Education World, about 200 empty gallon milk jugs are necessary to create an igloo that will fit several people inside. Place 20 jugs in a circle on their side with the bottoms facing outward. Remove four to create a doorway and use hot glue to attach the jugs together. Continue making layers of jugs until the fifth row. On the fifth row, make an entire circle to close off the top of the entrance and start decreasing the amount of jugs in each row so the dome shape starts to form. Eventually, there will only be room for one jug at the very top, and kids will be excited about this incredible structure they made.
Children can make their very own model igloo using sugar cubes and mortar made out of 2 egg whites beaten with 3 cups of powdered sugar. Baby Center suggests using a 7-inch cardboard circle as a starting point, and stacking cubes around the circle, staggering them for strength and using the mortar to hold them together. Gradually decrease the amount of blocks used in each row to create the dome shape and leave some out at the bottom for an entrance. If sugar cubes are unavailable, children can glue miniature marshmallows onto a small Styrofoam cup turned upside-down. Use frosting as the glue and children can eat their creation after building it.
Igloos are built out of snow, of course, but they have to be the right kind of snow. Let students explore the weather behind snow, and why some snow is powdery and other snow is heavier. Let students hypothesize which type of snow would work better for an igloo. Lead into a discussion about freezing and melting points, and what would happen to the igloo on sunny days versus cloudy days or colder days versus warmer days.
The subject of igloos can be the basis of many language arts activities. Have students read and research the properties of igloos, and write a page comparing and contrasting an igloo and a traditional home that they live in. Students can also use creative writing skills to come up with a historical fiction story about an Inuit family that must incorporate facts about igloos.