Book Summary
This newly reissued classic story celebrates the beauty of autumn.

Children will develop listening and observational skills as they learn about autumn and different objects and events associated with this special season.

Before Reading
Write Now It's Fall on the top of a sheet of chart paper. Ask the children to think of all the things that are associated with this season. Some children may also know this season as autumn. Record their responses on chart paper. Tell the children that they will be listening to a story about two children who enjoy a variety of fall activities. Encourage the children to notice if any of their ideas are depicted in the story. Follow the reading with a discussion.

Activity

In advance: Using construction paper, draw and cut out the following fall motifs that are depicted in the book: red and brown leaves, yellow and red rain hats, red apples, round black nuts, yellow school bells, bird shapes, pumpkins, triangular witches hats, and turkeys. Turkeys can be created by tracing an open hand and cutting it out. Cut out enough items so that the children will have several of each. (If there are an abundance of shapes, invite students to help you cut out the items.)

1. Provide the children with the different fall items. Review the different items with the them. Explain to that you will read a story titled Now It's Fall, about a girl and boy who love to do special things during fall.
2. Tell the children that you have given them a variety of things that they will see depicted throughout the story. Ask them to find the items that match the story's illustrations and hold it up while they listen to the story. Praise the children for their listening and observational skills.
3. Put several cut-out shapes in a small plastic storage bag and place it inside the book. Place the book in the library or science area and encourage the children to read alone or with a friend. Ask them to independently find the items that match the story's illustrations.

Booktalk

Follow the story with a discussion about the different types of activities depicted in the book. Ask the children to describe similar experiences that they may have had. Are their fall weather experiences similar or different from the story? What other types of things do they like to do in the fall? Are there special foods that they eat or holidays that they celebrate during the fall? Does this book remind them of any other books?

Other Books About Autumn

When Autumn Comes
by Robert Maass
Beautiful photographs depict the color and beauty of autumn.

Fall
by Chris L. Demarest
Rhyming text depicts the sights and sounds of fall.

Autumn Story
by Jill Barklem
A story about a mouse that gets lost in the woods during the autumn harvest.

More Books by Lois Lenski

I Like Winter
Cowboy Small
Policeman Small
The Little Auto
The Little Train
The Little Fire Engine

Teaching plan written by Risa Young