Integrating ELA CCSS with a Fun Fall Tree Journal

I always loved science in school. It is the one subject that teachers to all learning styles and most kids love all the hands on activities. Many schools have a Family Science Night with great science stations for the whole family to do together. If you are thinking about doing one you need to check out Education World's tips for making it fun and successful by clicking on the image above. One of the tips was to provide a list of simple activities that parents and children can explore together at home. When I was putting my new Unit Fall Leaves, Fall Leaves Shared Reading, Guided Reading and Writing Unit together, I decided to include to integrate A Science Journal about Fall Trees that students can do not only at school but also as a family activity at home.

I love fall and love to see all the beautiful leaves turning colors on the trees. I was fortunate to have grown   up in New York and spent many years in New England and Mid Atlantic states and always looked forward to fall . Now I live in Northern Florida and miss the many weeks of seeing all the beautiful reds, oranges and yellows lining the streets where I live. Whether you live in a warm climate or not taking a walk outside to observe the trees and having students draw and write about what they observe over time would be a great way to integrate science and language arts.

 After reading lots of books about fall give each student a different color piece of yarn , string or label and go outside. Have students pick a tree they want to observe and tie a string, yarn around a branch or mark their tree. Have them observe the leaves on their tree. Then come back to the room and give each one their Tree Journal. For Kindergartners they can just draw their tree and 1st graders can draw and write about their tree. Add as many pages as you need for each time that you take them outside to do their observation. It would also be a great activity to send home for parents to do with their children to continue the activity. You can download your free copy by clicking in the image above. If you would like to see more of my K-1 Unit on Fall Leaves, Fall Leaves, just click on the image below.

Hope you have some beautiful fall trees for your students to observe.
Thanks for all you do to make a difference for your students.

What fall activities do you like to do with your students?