| The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree |
We used to do this the "traditional" way (each
child illustrated his/her own page with all 4
seasons). We found that the children who
already knew seasons "got it," (with their
pictures perfectly illustrating an apple tree in
each season) and the rest, well let's just say
this activity wasn't a lasting learning experience.
So, we began "committees." Each committee
was responsible for a season. Then the winter
committee got together and discussed how the
tree looked in the winter, what they wanted to
paint, and who would be responsible for
painting each part. The spring, summer, and fall
committees did the same. (Committee work is
led by the children.... we, as teachers provide
materials and hints- but only if asked.) Once the
paintings were dry, we wrote captions following
the
pattern:
"It is (season).
The tree is/has (bare/pink blossoms/green
apples/red apples)."
We post the pictures and read them all year!
After this project, they all know characteristics
of the seasons.
child illustrated his/her own page with all 4
seasons). We found that the children who
already knew seasons "got it," (with their
pictures perfectly illustrating an apple tree in
each season) and the rest, well let's just say
this activity wasn't a lasting learning experience.
So, we began "committees." Each committee
was responsible for a season. Then the winter
committee got together and discussed how the
tree looked in the winter, what they wanted to
paint, and who would be responsible for
painting each part. The spring, summer, and fall
committees did the same. (Committee work is
led by the children.... we, as teachers provide
materials and hints- but only if asked.) Once the
paintings were dry, we wrote captions following
the
pattern:
"It is (season).
The tree is/has (bare/pink blossoms/green
apples/red apples)."
We post the pictures and read them all year!
After this project, they all know characteristics
of the seasons.
