We're Going on a Leaf Hunt!

Today we read the story called, We're Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger.  After reading the story, our class went outside to look for some real leaves!  While we were hunting for our leaves, we chanted some of the repetitive phrases & rhymes from our book.  We also played follow the leader & imitated Ms. Julie's actions. 

We found a variety of leaves around the school grounds & then brought them back inside to study them closer.  We collected all different colors & types of leaves.  Then, we used a magnifying glass to look at them closer.  We talked about a leaf's "job" and even pointed out the stem & veins on a leaf.  Lastly, we counted our leaves & put them in the Forest Center so that we can play with them tomorrow.   

The preschoolers were very excited to find their very own leaves at school.  However, this activity could easily be continued at home in your own backyard.  For a listening activity, you could tell your child to look for specific leaves.  (e.g.  "Look for a red leaf." or "Find a big, round leaf.")  The possibilities are endless.  

Additionally, you could practice saying the repetitive phrases from the book, "We're going on a leaf hunt.  We're going right away.  Let's find colorful leaves.  It's a beautiful day!" And, to encourage even more talking, tell your child to collect as many leaves as he/she can.  Afterwards, have your child tell you (or someone else) all about the leaves that he/she found.  

If you're feeling really energetic, you could have your child glue the leaves down onto a piece of paper & display them on the refrigerator or research other kinds of leaves on the internet.