Around December or January, students are usually ready to take addition to the next level. I like to integrate snowmen into my math lessons, specifically when I introduce the concept of “adding 3 numbers.” Since a traditional snowman is built with 3 big snowballs, it allows students to visualize an addition problem stacked up like a snowman, except adding inside of a snowman is way more fun than just adding 3 regular numbers!
Lesson Introduction: Whole Group
I like to introduce new concepts during our whole group math circle. I pulled out my giant Inflatable Dice Set and sat the students in a circle. Next, I drew a blank snowman on the whiteboard and chose 3 students to help me toss 3 dice into the center of the circle. 
Each time it landed, the students would tell me the number and I'd write it inside one of the snowballs. After tossing all 3, we'd add the 3 numbers together and write the answer. They had so much fun doing this activity and I felt like it helped them visualize the addition problem. When students are working on vertical addition problems, it's important that they align the numbers vertically, so having them stacked inside of a snowman also helped them.
Small Group Practice: Working in Trios
The next time we came together to meet in our class math circle, I explained to students that they'd be working in trios to get some smaller group practice adding 3 numbers. After I demonstrated and got them into trios, each small group was given 3 Dotted Dice (one for each person) and 3 blank Snowman Addition pages. 
I give students the flexibility to find somewhere comfortable to work. Each student in the trio takes a turn throwing their die. In the trio, they each have ownership and contribute toward creating addition problems with 3 numbers and then solve the equations together.
Independent Practice
Once students are able to add 3 numbers confidently using the dice, I set up a basket with dice and Snowman Addition pages for them to choose during independent math work time. Since I prefer it to be a little quieter in the classroom during this time, I have the students work with Dice Erasers for their independent practice because they don't make any noise. I usually walk around the room and monitor how they're doing as they "play" with this center activity.
My students had so much fun learning to add 3 numbers with these activities, especially with the dice and snowmen. It makes a world of difference when you give students something to "play" with while they learn!
