Tree Adoption
Exploring how the environment changes
Instructions
- Together with your child find a tree close to your home that will change through the year with leaf color, size, flowers, etc.
- This tree can be in your backyard, in a nearby park, or on a route that you drive often with a child
- Take a picture of the tree this month
- Place a reminder on a calendar together to check on the tree again every two months - for a total of 6 times a year
- Each time take a picture and post where child can see and compare the changes of the tree
- Chat about how our surroundings are filled with living objects - trees, plants, animals, etc.
Simplify
Select a leaf from the tree every few months and place in a plastic sandwich bag to compare how the leaves change
Click to listen to this story of "Leaf Man" by Lois Ehlert
Extend
Collect a number of leaves and glue into a picture on paper like in the book "Leaf Man" by Lois Ehlert
QUESTIONS FOR CHILD
Can you tell me the four seasons of the year? If the tree leaf is green, what season do you think it is?
Can you share how you have changed this year?
Materials
- tree
- camera
- calendar
Share This Activity
Curriculum Plan Resources
Skills Focus
- Shape - Review
- Color - Black
- Number - Seven, 7
- Alphabet Letters - J, I
- Sense - Smell
- Character Trait - Courage
- Target Words - Long, Little, Short, Small
Monthly Proverb
Chinese - If you get up one more time than you fall, you will make it through
Did You Know?
"Before children enter elementary school, they must develop many linguistic and cognitive skills that will make later academic learning possible. By the age of five, however, children differ markedly in their success in reaching these developmental goals." Entwisle & Alexander, 1993
Books to Read
"The Little Engine That Could"
by Watty Piper, Illustrator Loren Long (Activity 12) (audiobook available)
"My Very First Mother Goose"
with Ioa Opie Editor and Rosemary Wells Illustrator (Activity 26)
"The Color Monster, A Story About Emotions "
by Anna Lienas (Activity 8)
"The Color Monster, A Story About Emotions" VIDEO
by Anna Lienas (Activity 8)
"The Little Engine that Could" VIDEO
by Watty Piper (Activity 12)
"My Very First Mother Goose" VIDEO
with Ioa Opie Editor and Rosemary Wells Illustrator (Activity 26)
Music Playlist
"America (My Country Tis of Thee)" VIDEO
by the Hit Crew, Album: Drew’s Famous Music for Summer Games and Activities (Activity 13)
"Teeth" VIDEO
by Willa Brigham, Album: Healthy Happy Habits (Activity 25)
"Miss Mary Mack"
by Ella Jenkins, Album: You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song (Activity 9)
"My Country 'Tis of Thee" VIDEO
by Aretha Franklin (Activity 13)
"Miss Mary Mack" VIDEO
by Patty Shula (Activity 9)
"Teeth"
by Willa Brigham, Album: Healthy, Happy, Habits (Activity 25)
Monthly Materials List
Click Here to view the list!
Fingerplay / Poems / Songs
Jack and Jill
(Activity 19 Month 9)
Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after.