Thematic UnitFall LINDA HODGE EDU 440 Developmentally Appropriate

Thematic Unit…Fall LINDA HODGE EDU 440

Developmentally Appropriate Learning “Show me and I forget; Teach me and I remember; Involve me and I learn. ” Benjamin Franklin

Is it DAP? Does the activity: Ø Ø Ø Ø Allow children to participate at their own level? Allow for flexibility, with no “right” or “wrong” outcome? Encourage exploration and thinking? Allow for socialization and interaction with others? Give children choices? Foster children’s positive feelings about themselves? Respect individual differences and cultural diversity? Acknowledge the physical needs of children?

Why Fall for Pre-K ØSeasons are something every child will experience. ØEasily adaptable for cultural diversity. ØProvides hands-on experiences with real objects ØProjects focused on the learning process, not the end product ØRelevant to children’s life experiences ØResponsive to the interests and needs of the children

Fall Webb Compare, sort, trace Read about, music, count Make book Discuss Art projects Leaves Colors of fall Sort, chart draw Sort Graph Weigh Nuts Fall Apples Shapes Weather Clothing Discuss season change Fall Months Compare/contrast Sort Graph What months Spelling Music Reading

Integration of Multiple Domains Ø Ø Ø Aesthetic-Appreciate art as a non-verbal communication Affective-Demonstrate experience using ageappropriate materials Cognitive-identify that leaves fall from the tree in fall Language-Demonstrate comprehension of story and good listening behaviors Physical-small motor skills practiced. Social-social interaction with others/comparison of other’s work

Cross Curriculum Ø Literature Ø Science Ø Music and Movement Ø Language Arts Ø Art Ø Math

MO Early Learning Standards Ø Literacy Ø Math Ø Physical Development, Ø Health and Safety Standards Ø Science Ø Social and Emotional Standards

Goals of Fall Unit 1. The students will be able to identify that leaves fall from trees during autumn. 2. The students will be able to identify three fall colo 3. The students will be able to identify things that happen in fall. 4. The students will be able to identify weather changes in fall. 5. The students will be able to identify fall months. 6. The student will be able to compare and contrast 2 different colored apples. 7. The student will be able to document various shapes, sizes an colors of nuts on a graph.

Concepts of Fall Unit 1. Increase small motor skills by tracing/cutting. 2. Practice sorting 3. Practice shapes 4. Practice colors 5. Compare/contrast 2 apples/taste/color 6. Discuss weather change/clothing 7. Learn new songs/finger plays 8. Read books

Literature Ø “Fall is here, I love it!” by Elaine Good Ø “We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt” (big book) Ø “The Three Friends and the Leaves” by Tomie de. Paola (set of 8). Ø “Why Do Leaves Change Color? ” by Betsy Maestro Ø “Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Leaf Pile” by Josephine Page Ø “Clifford’s First Autumn” by Norman Bridwell Ø “The Shy Scarecrow” by Mary Packard (set of 6) Ø “The Lonely Scarecrow” by Tim Preston (class set)

Science Ø Compare leaves, sort by size, shape, etc. Ø Discuss seasons and the changes in the weather. Ø Discuss which months are considered to be fall months.

Music and Movement Ø“Jimmy Crack Corn” from Kidding Around with Greg & Steve CD ØSing, “Leaves on the Trees” sung to the tune of Wheels on the Bus Ø Sing, “Fall is Here” sung to the tune of Farmer and the Dell ØSing “Leaves” sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Language Arts ØMake “The Colors of Fall” booklet ØMake a “Fall is…” class book. ØRead and learn various poems and chants about fall. ØRead the story, “Scarecrow” by Susan Mungia Ø Make individual“Fall” book by cutting pictures from magazines

Art ØUse leaves to make crayon rubbings. ØMake tear-art trees and leaves Ø Finger paint leaves Ø Create marble-painted leaves Ø Create water colored Indian corn. Ø Make scarecrows with different items— paper, fabric, and raffia Ø Folded die-cut leaves to make a hanging

Math Ø Sort a variety of nuts by shapes, colors, size, etc. Ø Graph leaves by colors, shape Ø Pattern die-cut leaves Ø Weigh acorns, nuts. Ø Leaf math

Additional Resources Fall Is Concept Book Leaves Fall Down emergent reader Leaves Fall Down Teacher Version Leaves Fall Down Pocket Pictures Fall is Here emergent reader Fall is Here Teacher Version Fall is Here Pocket Chart Pictures The Fall Basket emergent reader The Fall Basket Teacher Version The Fall Basket pocket chart pictures Hubbard's Cupboard has some great fall booklets you can print and make with your class www. hubbardscupboard. org