Non Fiction 2

Rotner, S. & Woodhull A.L. (2007).   
    Every Season  Connecticut:  Roaring Book 
    Press ISBN 1-59643-136-9

We thought it would be fun to explore the seasons together with preschoolers.  In Canada we experience the 4 seasons, perhaps some of the children are not familiar with the differences of the seasons. We loved the full colour photographs showing children experiencing the various seasons and each season’s distinct flora and fauna. The text is simple and playful and we think children will enjoy sharing their experiences of the seasons. 

Provocation:

(1) Show extremes Winter/Summer  – Have 1 educator come in with their winter gear on, boots, scarves, gloves, heavy coats and toque. 1 educator in summer gear, shorts, flip flops, sunglasses, sunhats, zinc on nose! Each should talk about how much he/she loves their season to the children and why. “I just love winter, I get to wear my favourite red scarf that my Grandmother knitted for me with the matching mittens and I Love to go for long walks in the fresh snow, it squeaks under y boots!” Depending on the season may start a conversation amongst the children of “It’s too cold/hot out to wear those clothes!”  “I love…because…”

(2) Fall/Spring – collect some leaves that are changing colour, chestnuts, also have a budding flower plant at the same table to show new growth representing Spring. May start a conversation amongst the children who are familiar with the seasons that Thanksgiving may be approaching. “My yard has a lot of leaves on the ground we have to rake them up every day!”  

3 ways to present the book:
(1)Show cover like a gift,  read out authors. 2 people wrote the words for this book! And one photographer, who took all the amazing pictures!

Depending on the season read the book at circle time or with a small group after provocation number one. Read “I Love Winter” chapter pause at Snow angel page “I wonder if anyone has ever made a snow angel.” “Hmm, so if its summertime and you are at the beach I wonder if you could you make a sand angel.”  Pause again at “We wear” page.” “To keep my hands warm in the winter snow I wear my …” Read “I Love Summer” chapter pausing at “we taste” page “Mmmm, I love a nice cold glass of lemonade to help cool me down in the  hot summer sun. I wonder what other things would help you stay cool in the summer sun.”

(2)Read the book at circle time or with a small group after provocation number 2. Read “I Love Spring” chapter pause at the flower page, share a personal story “Spring is my favourite time of year. My husband and I decided to be married in Spring because we both loved the smell of spring flowers in the air.”

Pause at the dig and plant page and wonder if any of the children have helped plant a garden or grown any flowers or vegetables from seed?  Sing “Rain is Falling Down.” And the chorus only for “You Are My Sunshine”. 

(3) Basket Book with props at circle time. Have 4 different coloured cloths to represent background of seasons with some simple props for each. Lay out each cloth on the ground in front of you. White for winter sprinkle some paper snow, green for pring lay out a few flowers, yellow for summer a little sand, brown for fall with a few coloured leaves. Have basket with simple props for each season. Talk about the current season, what you love about it. “I love raking a big pile of fall leaves and jumping in!” What do you love about fall? Talk about each cloth and wonder which would represent each season and why, “The white one is for winter it could be snow!” bring out the props one by one and wonder what season we could use them in. Talk about what you love to do in each season. “I love jumping the waves at the beach in the summer!” Leave the basket and prop box out for children to explore. 

3 possible extensions for learning.

(1) Go out for a walk and note the current season, the weather, the temperature, the look of the trees, the sounds and smell. Wonder how it would look in the opposing season. Collect a basket of things from nature to later draw or paint. Collect twigs/sticks for extension 3.  

(2) Depending on the season, bring in and talk about “in season” and “local” produce. Leave items out at drawing table for students to draw or paint. Ask students next time they go shopping to look at items that are “in season” they could bring an item in to class to share as a community snack for next day.

(3) Make a stick/twig book with sticks collected from nature walk. 4 pages for each season, children could then draw something that we have discussed throughout the week.