Hands-On Four Seasons Lesson Plan for Pre-K & Kindergarten | Seasons Wheel Craft

Engage your Pre-K and kindergarten students with this complete, hands-on lesson plan for learning the four seasons! This resource guides you through teaching winter, spring, summer, and fall using a fun 'Seasons Wheel' paper plate craft. Perfect for homeschool or classroom science, the plan includes learning objectives, a step-by-step guide, and differentiation ideas to support all learners. Bring nature study to life with this memorable art project.

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Lesson Plan: My Super Seasons Wheel

Materials Needed:

  • 1 large paper plate or a large sheet of thick paper (like cardstock)
  • A ruler and a pencil or black marker
  • Brown paint or a brown crayon/marker for the tree trunk
  • Safety scissors and glue stick
  • A small collection of craft supplies for decorating:
    • Winter: Cotton balls, white glitter
    • Spring: Scrunched-up pink and green tissue paper, small flower stickers
    • Summer: Green paint, marker, or crayons; a small yellow pom-pom for the sun
    • Fall: Small pieces of torn red, orange, and yellow construction paper (or real leaves from outside, if available)
  • (Optional) A children's book about seasons, like "The Tiny Seed" by Eric Carle or "A Tree for All Seasons" by Robin Bernard.
  • (Optional) Pictures or flashcards of seasonal items (e.g., snowman, swimsuit, pumpkin, flower).

Lesson Details

Subject: Science / Nature Study
Grade Level: Pre-K / Kindergarten (Age 5)
Time Allotment: 45-60 minutes (flexible)

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:

  • Identify the four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.
  • Describe a key feature or activity for each season (e.g., "In winter, it can snow," or "In summer, we can go swimming.").
  • Create a visual representation of the four seasons using different art materials.

Lesson Activities & Procedure:

  1. Introduction: The Season Detective (5 minutes)

    Start by asking engaging questions to spark curiosity. "Look outside our window right now. What do you see? Is it hot or cold? What are you wearing today?" Talk about the current season. If you have a book about seasons, read it together now to introduce all four.

  2. Instruction: Season Sorting Game (10 minutes)

    If you have seasonal flashcards or pictures (you can quickly draw things like a sun, a snowflake, a flower, a pumpkin), spread them out. Create four piles and label each one with a season. Say, "Let's sort these pictures! Where does the snowman go? Which season pile?" Guide your student as they sort the items, talking about why each item belongs in that season.

  3. Main Activity: Creating the "Super Seasons Wheel" (25 minutes)

    1. Prepare the Wheel: Using a ruler and marker, help your student draw a large "+" on the paper plate, dividing it into four equal sections (quadrants).
    2. Draw the Tree: Draw or paint a simple tree trunk in the very center of the plate, with main branches extending into each of the four sections. Let the student do as much of this as they are able.
    3. Decorate Each Season: Assign one season to each quadrant. Now for the fun part! Guide your student to decorate each section to represent its season. Encourage them to be creative and talk about their choices as they work.
      • Winter: Glue on cotton balls for snow on the branches and the ground. Add some glitter for icy sparkle!
      • Spring: Glue on tiny, scrunched-up pink tissue paper for blossoms and green tissue paper for new leaves. Add flower stickers to the "ground."
      • Summer: Use green paint or crayons to make the tree's leaves full and lush. Glue a yellow pom-pom in the corner for the bright sun.
      • Fall: Glue on the torn red, orange, and yellow paper pieces (or real leaves) to the branches and ground, showing the leaves have changed color and are falling.

  4. Conclusion: Show and Tell (5 minutes)

    Once the craft is complete (or dry enough to handle), ask your student to give you a "tour" of their Super Seasons Wheel. Ask questions like:

    • "Can you show me the spring part of your tree? What is happening in spring?"
    • "Which season is your favorite on your wheel? Why?"
    • "What kind of clothes would you wear in your winter section?"

    Celebrate their beautiful creation and hang it up for display!

Differentiation and Extension:

  • For Extra Support: Focus on just two opposite seasons first, like Summer and Winter, on a paper folded in half. You can also pre-cut all the craft materials so the student can focus solely on gluing and placement.
  • For an Extra Challenge: Go on a "season walk" outside and collect items that represent the current season (e.g., acorns in fall, a special rock in winter, a bright green leaf in summer). Afterwards, have the student draw a picture of their favorite seasonal activity and dictate a sentence to you about it, which you can write at the bottom.

Merit-Focused Rubric Evaluation

Criteria Evaluation
1. Learning Objectives Excellent. The objectives (identify, describe, create) are specific, achievable for a 5-year-old, and directly measurable through observation and the "Show and Tell" conclusion. They align perfectly with the developmental level of the learner, focusing on concrete actions and verbal expression.
2. Alignment with Standards and Curriculum Excellent. This lesson aligns with typical early childhood science standards, such as observing and describing patterns in the natural world (seasonal changes). The progression is logical, moving from introduction of the concept to a hands-on application.
3. Instructional Strategies Excellent. The plan uses a wonderful variety of teaching methods. It begins with a story/discussion (auditory), moves to a sorting game (kinesthetic, logical), and culminates in a multi-sensory art project (kinesthetic, visual). The strategies are articulated clearly and promote active, hands-on learning.
4. Engagement and Motivation Excellent. The lesson is highly engaging for a young learner. It uses a hands-on craft, a game, and connects directly to the child's observable world (the weather outside). The "Super Seasons Wheel" craft provides a strong sense of ownership and pride, which is a powerful motivator.
5. Differentiation and Inclusivity Excellent. The plan explicitly includes suggestions for both extra support and an added challenge. This demonstrates an awareness of diverse learning needs, even in a one-on-one homeschool setting. The activities are universally accessible and culturally neutral.
6. Assessment Methods Excellent. Assessment is seamlessly integrated and age-appropriate. The sorting game serves as a formative check for understanding. The final "Show and Tell" is a perfect, low-pressure summative assessment that allows the child to articulate their learning in their own words, directly linking back to the objectives.
7. Organization and Clarity Excellent. The lesson is sequenced logically with a clear beginning (Introduction), middle (Instruction/Activity), and end (Conclusion). The step-by-step instructions for the craft are easy for a parent or teacher to follow, ensuring a smooth and successful experience.
8. Creativity and Innovation Excellent. While the "four seasons plate" is a well-loved activity, this plan elevates it by framing it as a "Super Seasons Wheel" and pairing it with a sorting game. This combination encourages critical thinking (sorting) and creative expression (art), moving far beyond simple memorization of season names. The focus is on application and creation.
9. Materials and Resource Management Excellent. The materials list is clear, detailed, and utilizes common, inexpensive craft supplies readily available in a homeschool or classroom setting. It also offers flexibility (e.g., "or real leaves"), allowing the teacher to adapt based on available resources.