More Fall!

We are right in the midst of fall now.  The temperature has gotten cooler, the leaves are changing colors and its almost time to rake up the leaves that have fallen.  That means it's time for another great fall read aloud!

The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger is a sweet story about a little yellow leaf holding on tight, not ready to fall.  Other signs of fall are happening all around the little yellow leaf.  He sees geese flying away, pumpkins growing and leaves being raked into piles, but he is not ready to fall.  Finally, snow falls and it is turning to winter but the little yellow leaf will still not fall, even though he is all alone.  But then, the little yellow leaf realizes he is not alone after all.  There is a little scarlet leaf hanging on tight to a branch above him.  Together, they decide to let go and drift away in the wind.  This is a delightful story that has such vivid language and a calming flow to it.  This book is perfect for an afternoon read aloud after playing outside in the fall weather!

After we read this book we decided to make our own little yellow leaf.  Here is what we did:

Materials:
- Finger paint
-Marble
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Pan or tray

1) Cut out a leaf shape in the construction paper.
2) Lay the leaf in the pan or the tray and squeeze 3-4 dots of finger paint on the tray (I used read, green and yellow)
3) Add the marble to the pan or tray and show the child how to move the marble around on the tray by tilting the tray. (Side note: Since I was doing this with my 18 month old I used a aluminum foil tray with a plastic lid so that the marble would not fly out.  It worked great!)
4) When the leaf is painted to your satisfaction take the marble out and let the leaf dry in the pan.

Ours turned out great!  Here is a picture.  My little boy loved shaking the tray to make the marble move around.

If the weather is nice where you are take the read aloud outside!

Happy Reading!

Laura