Objective
By the end of this lesson, Tempest will be able to identify and describe some of the changes that happen outdoors during the fall season in Wisconsin, including changes in leaves, weather, and animals.
Materials and Prep
- Colorful leaves (red, orange, yellow, brown)
- Small containers or bags for collecting leaves
- Crayons or markers
- Paper for drawing
- Warm clothes for outdoor exploration
Before the lesson, it is helpful to take a short walk outside to observe the environment. Make sure to dress Tempest warmly for the weather.
Activities
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Leaf Collection: Take Tempest outside to collect colorful leaves. Encourage her to find leaves of different colors and shapes. Talk about how the leaves change color in the fall.
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Leaf Art: Once back indoors, use the collected leaves to create leaf rubbings. Place a leaf under a sheet of paper and rub a crayon over it to reveal its shape and texture.
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Weather Observation: Discuss how the weather changes in the fall. Look outside and talk about what the sky looks like. Is it cloudy or sunny? Is it windy? Tempest can draw a picture of the fall weather.
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Animal Changes: Talk about animals preparing for winter. Discuss what animals do in the fall, like gathering food or changing colors. Tempest can pretend to be an animal preparing for winter!
Talking Points
- "Look at all the pretty colors of the leaves! What colors do you see?"
- "When the weather gets colder, what do you think the animals do? Let's pretend to be squirrels gathering nuts!"
- "Why do the leaves change color? They turn red, orange, and yellow when it gets chilly!"
- "Can you feel the wind? The wind is one of the signs that fall is here!"