Rosalva Besson

Learning Experiences
(preschoolers)
Age(s) 3- and 4-year-olds
Number of children: _4______
Title of Experience: Trees change with the seasons.

RCII-1 Science/Sensory __

Intended Goals:
The students will observe, describe, and record the seasonal changes of a tree by creating a
diagram of how a tree changes by season.
Materials:
 Tree outline (one for each child)
 A book about trees changing throughout the seasons.
 One 12”x18” sheet of construction paper
 Scissors
 Glue
 Brown crayons
 Paint: green, yellow, orange, red
 Small plastic plates or bowls to hold paint.
 A variety of painting tools: sponge pieces, cotton swabs, paint brushes.

Processes: (Procedures)
To prepare for this activity, I made copies of the tree outline, collected scissors, plates, paint, and a variety of
painting tools. I familiarized myself with how and why trees change through the seasons. I will read the book
“A tree for all seasons” and use key pages from the book to review the seasons and changes the tree goes
through. I will ask the children if they can name one season and what the tree looks like in that season. We
will talk about this during group time.

Teaching Strategies:
For this activity I will make sure that I have the materials we need on the table, so the students do not have
to wait. I will demonstrate how to fold the construction paper in four sections and then have the children do
it (I will assist when needed). The students will cut the tree on the dotted line and use glue to glue a tree in
each sections of the construction paper. They will color the tree brown and use the paint and tools to paint
each tree according to the season. I will have pictures of the tree in different season so the children can look
at for reference and remind them that the same tree keeps going through the same four seasons every year:
winter, spring, summer, fall. During this time, I will ask the students about what they remember from the
book about each season.

DAP: This activity is developmentally appropriate for 3- and 4-year-old is because it helps them recognize
and create patterns, use their imagination and interactions with others. It also helps them increase control,
strength, and coordination of small muscles. They will also have fun and learn at the same time.