Book Summary

Through the simple text and vivid illustrations of Fall Leaves Fall!, by Zoe Hall, children will learn how leaves change in autumn. Told through the eyes of two brothers, children will be provided with examples of how they can explore and learn about leaves. The book provides parents and teachers with activity ideas. The last page of the book illustrates how leaves grow and change throughout the year.

Children will develop science, math, and observational skills as they learn about different types of leaves.

Before Reading 
Read the first page of the book to the children. On a sheet of chart paper write the question depicted in the book: "How do we know when fall is coming?" Ask the children to respond to the question. Record their comments on chart paper. Explain to the children that they will compare their answers to the book.
 

Activities

Learning About the Leaves All Around Us

• Chart paper
• Photocopy paper and photocopier (optional)
• Markers
• Glue

1. On a sheet of chart paper, paste photocopies or drawings of the six different types of leaves depicted in the book: ginkgo, maple, sassafras, beech, and two types of oak leaves. Write the name of each leaf below the picture.
2. Review the leaves with the children. Ask the children to predict what types of leaves they will find in their community. Which leaves will be the most common? Which will be the least? Record the children's predictions.
3. Explain to the children that you will send a note home to their families requesting that they collect different types of leaves found near their home. Set a date for the children to bring their leaves to school.
4. Invite the children to bring their leaf collections to the meeting area. Ask them to individually sort their leaves into like piles.
5. Show the children the chart paper and review six types of leaves featured in the book and the chart with their leaf predictions. Invite the children to compare their leaves with the leaves from the book. Were they able to find the same leaves that were depicted in the book? Were there any leaves that they were not able to find? Were there other types of leaves that they found that were not depicted in the book?
6. Encourage the children to compare their findings with their predictions. Create another language experience chart to summarize their experience.

A Fall Leaves Collage

• Paper
• Markers or crayons
• Glue
• Variety of leaves

1. Show the children the two pages in the book Fall Leaves Fall that depict the brothers holding collages. Invite the children to describe what they notice about each collage.
2. Explain to the children that they will use leaves and drawing materials to create their own collages. Provide the children with the suggested art materials. Ask the children to write or dictate descriptions about their finished pictures. Invite the children to share their finished work during group time. Encourage the children to compare the different ways they used the leaves and art materials.
3. Keep materials accessible so that children can continue to incorporate leaves into their art experiences.

Other Books About Autumn

• Autumn Leaves
  By Ken Robbins
  Beautiful photographs teach children about the characteristics of different types of leaves and why they change color in autumn.

• When Autumn Comes
  By Robert Maas
  Depicts all of autumn's colorful changes through beautiful and varied photographs.

• Autumn
  By Nicola Baxter
  Informational text with rich photographs provides children with a simple description of autumn. Includes activities to support learning.

Other Books by Zoe Hall

• The Apple Pie Tree
• It's Pumpkin Time!
• The Surprise Garden

Teaching Plan written by Risa Young.