An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan
Date: May 18, 1998
Grade Level(s): Kindergarten
Subject(s):
It is hard for most of us to remember how confusing time was for us when we were young. Why is it snowing now? Why is it sunny today? It's not even dark yet, why do I have to go to bed? Why is the tree in my front yard always changing? These are just a few questions that run through a kindergartener's head. This activity can be used throughout the year in many subjects, Art, Science, Reading/Language Arts, and Music.
Goal: For Kindergartners to understand seasons in the span of one year.
Objectives:
1. Students will be able to list the order of seasons, starting with Fall--the beginning of the school year.
2. Students will be able to tell what activities are done during each season.
Background Information:
This is a project that takes a year. But can be restricted to the school year. Students will use the science process skills of observation and data recording.
Procedure:
1. A calendar of each month will be followed daily. Get ideas from students on what they like to do during that month.
Example: A picture of kids sledding is a good picture for December. Place the pictures around the calendar.
2. Keep track of what time the sun rises and sets from the local newspaper. Have them work with the clock at home with their parents.
3. Have the students decorate the tree on a colorful bulletin board as the seasons change. They will like to participate in making a bulletin board. This can also be incorporated into art. Children love to make snowflakes and flowers that can be placed on a tree as the seasons change. Real leaves from outside can be used for fall. Have the students bring 2 bright and colorful leaves in from the playground after recess.
4. At the beginning or end of each day have the students do a weather journal. For kindergarteners it can be as easy as coloring the picture of the sun if it was a hot day, or color the snowflake if it was snowing.
5. Read books that have to do with weather:
Caps, Hats, Socks and Mittens
- a book about the Four Seasons by Louise Borden illustrated by Lillian Hoban
Have you seen Trees?
by Joanne Oppenheim
My favorite Time of the Year
by Susan Pearson
Gather Up, Gather In
- a book of seasons by Helldor
6. Sing weather related songs:
Tune:
Ten Little SnowmenOne little, two little, three little snowmen
Four little, five little, six little snowmen
Seven little, eight little, nine little snowmen
Ten little cheery snowmen!
Tune: Winter is so very cold (Mary had a little lamb)
Winter is so very cold, very cold, very cold
Winter is so very cold, with snowflakes falling down
Watch them as they drift and float, drift and float, drift and float
Watch them as they drift and float, to the winter ground
Assessment:
A. Ask questions frequently throughout the year about the seasons:
What are seasons?
What do we do in each season?
How do we know when the seasons are changing?
What do we wear in each season?
What season is it now?
When did it change?
What do animals and plants do in each season?
What season were you born in?
B. Completion of Bulletin board and weather journals.