Domain:
Science & Sustainability
Competency:
Connect people, science, and the planet
🎂
2-3 year olds
⏰
10 to 15 minutes min
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Learning Objective
Students will identify the four seasons by pointing to pictures of a tree in each season.
Learning Resource Synopsis
In 'A Tree For All Seasons' by Maryse Guittet, young readers explore the changing seasons through the life of a single tree. The tree blooms with flowers in spring, produces fruit in summer, loses its leaves in the fall, and stands covered in snow during winter. The book features lift-the-flap elements that introduce various creatures, like owls and bumblebees, who find shelter in the tree's branches throughout the year. This engaging board book uses simple text and interactive elements to teach children about the cycle of seasons and the different animals that rely on the tree for habitat.
Extended Learning Resources
| Resource & Author | Publication Info | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Tiny Seed | Scholastic, written by Eric Carle | In this beautifully illustrated book, children learn about the life cycle of a seed and the seasons, enhancing their understanding of nature's cycles. |
| National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Weather | National Geographic Kids, written by Karen de Seve | This engaging book introduces young learners to different weather patterns and how they relate to the changing seasons with vibrant photographs and simple explanations. |
| My First Book of Seasons | Candlewick Press, written by Mary Murphy | Through colorful illustrations and simple text, this book helps children discover the characteristics of each season and the natural world around them. |
Vocabulary List
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tree | Big plant with a trunk and branches. Trees are tall and strong. | Look at the tree. It's so tall. Can you touch the tree? |
| Leaf | Green part of a plant; leaves are like tree's arms. | See the leaf? It's on the ground. Can you pick up the leaf? |
| Snow | White and cold, falls in winter. You can play in snow. | Do you see the snow? It's cold. Let's touch the snow. |
Prompt
Essential Question: "What do you see in winter?"
Today, we're going to explore what happens to trees during different times of the year. Let's think about what we can see and feel when it's wintertime outside.
Anticipatory Set
- Hold a soft, white cloth or cotton ball and say, 'This feels like snow. Can you touch it too?'.
- Show a picture of a snowy tree and say, 'Look at this tree. What can we see on it?'.
- Gently shake a small bell and say, 'This sound is like the wind in winter. Let's listen together.'.
Teacher Tips
- Encourage children to use their senses by touching the cloth and listening carefully to the bell.
- Create a safe space for children to express what they see or feel without pressure to speak.
- Use simple language and gestures to guide children through each step, ensuring they stay engaged and curious.
Learn
Let's dive into 'A Tree For All Seasons' by Maryse Guittet. We'll see how our tree friend changes throughout the year and meet some animal friends along the way.
Interactive Engagement
- Point to the flowers on the tree.
- Can you buzz like a bee?
- Look, the leaves fall down.
- Make a 'whoo' sound like an owl.
- Touch the snowy branches.
Teacher Tips
- Use big gestures to show tree changes.
- Make animal sounds and pause for imitation.
- Repeat key words like 'bloom', 'fall', 'snow'.
Ask
Let's think about our tree friend and how it changes with the seasons. What do you remember seeing or feeling?
Discussion Questions
- Was the tree happy in summer or winter?
- What animal did you like in the story?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage children to use gestures or simple words to express their thoughts. For example, if they liked the owl, they can point to it or make a 'whoo' sound.
- Use facial expressions to help toddlers connect with feelings. Show a smile for summer and a thoughtful face for winter.
Navigate
Seasonal Tree Adventure: Discovering Nature's Cycles
This hands-on activity helps young learners explore the cycle of seasons by experiencing the changes a tree undergoes throughout the year. Inspired by 'A Tree For All Seasons,' children will engage with the natural world, fostering an understanding of interdependence and seasonal change. Through sensory exploration and peer interaction, they connect emotionally to the rhythms of nature.
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Teacher Tips
- Encourage children to work in pairs to find seasonal items, fostering cooperation and communication.
- Guide the children to notice small details, like the texture of leaves or the sound of crunching snow.
- Ensure safety when handling small items and supervise closely during outdoor exploration.
Share
Let's think about our tree and all the things we saw and did today. Remember how the tree looked in each season and how we watched the animals play.
Reflection Questions
- Clap your hands if you liked seeing the tree with flowers.
- Can you wiggle your fingers like the leaves falling in autumn?
- Show your face for winter. How does the tree feel in the snow?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage toddlers to express with their bodies, like waving hands for leaves or smiling for sunshine.
- Model each action or facial expression first, so they feel comfortable mimicking you.
- Celebrate all responses, whether it's a smile, a clap, or a joyful noise, to build their confidence and joy in learning.
UDL Strategies
Representation
- Use large, colorful picture cards depicting trees in each of the four seasons, allowing children to visually compare the differences. Include elements like snow for winter, blossoms for spring, green leaves for summer, and falling leaves for autumn.
- Play short audio recordings associated with each season, like birds chirping for spring, rustling leaves for autumn, crickets for summer, and wind howling for winter, to provide auditory cues alongside visual aids.
- Introduce tactile elements such as soft cotton for snow, smooth fabric for leaves, grainy sandpaper for bark, and textured paper for autumn leaves to enhance sensory exploration of each season.
Action & Expression
- Offer opportunities for children to create 'seasonal tree collages' by gluing collected items onto paper, allowing for artistic expression and a tangible demonstration of their understanding.
- Facilitate a 'seasonal dance' where children can express the feeling of each season through movement, such as fluttering like leaves in autumn or tiptoeing like raindrops in spring.
- Set up a 'story circle' where children share what their seasonal twigs represent and how they feel about the current season, encouraging verbal expression and peer interaction.
Engagement
- Start with a 'mystery box' that includes items from all four seasons, such as a small flower, a leaf, a piece of faux snow, and a sunshine sticker, to capture attention and introduce the concept of seasonal change.
- Launch a 'seasonal adventure' where children dress up or wear accessories like hats or scarves that correspond to the current season, promoting imaginative play and personal engagement.
- Conduct a 'nature treasure hunt' where children find and collect items that represent each season, like acorns for autumn or flowers for spring, maintaining interest through exploration and discovery.
Assessment Criteria
Formative Assessment
- Observe children as they point to the picture that matches the current season during the 'Explore' phase; note if they can accurately identify the season by recognizing specific characteristics like color changes or leaf presence.
- During the 'Act' phase, watch for children's ability to select appropriate items for their seasonal tree (e.g., leaves, acorns) and listen to their explanations about why they chose those items, indicating their understanding of current seasonal attributes.
- In the 'Reflect' circle, pay attention to children's verbal descriptions of their seasonal tree and how they feel about the current season, noting their ability to connect personal experiences with the tree's seasonal changes.
Summative Assessment
- Have students participate in a 'Show and Tell' session where they present their completed seasonal trees and describe the items they used. Assess their ability to articulate why these items represent the current season and look for accurate associations with seasonal characteristics.
- Ask children to create a simple collage using pictures or cutouts of trees in different seasons. Evaluate their ability to place each picture in the correct seasonal category, checking for their understanding of visual cues like snow, flowers, or leaf colors.
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