The Leaves Are Falling One by One

Posted by: Wanda Torres

Author: Steve Metzger
Illustrated by Miriam Sagasti
Recommended Grade Level: Grade Level: Grades K-2


Common Core Standards Addressed:

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.B4. Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities; connect counting to cardinality.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.B4.A.When counting objects, say the number names in the standard order, pairing each object with one and only one number name and each number name with one and only one object.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.B4.B. Understand the last number names said tells the number of objects counted. The number of objects is the same regardless of their arrangement or the order in which they were counted.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.B.5. Count to answer "how many?"questions about as many as 20 things arranged in a line, a rectangular array or side as many as 10 things in a scattered configuration; given a  number from 1-20, count out that many objects.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.C.6. Identify whether the numbers of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g. by using matching and counting strategies.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.CC.C.7. Compare two numbers between 1 and 10 presented as written numerals.

Summary: This book is about how children enjoy and welcome the season of fall(autumn). As the leaves are falling down, the children are playing with the leaves. They are counting leaves from one to ten in a fun way. They are counting with rhyming words and the beat of the song " The Ants go Marching one by One". By using the pictures of the book the children can see the different colors of leaves in the fall season as well.

Rating:**** This book is developmentally appropriate for preschoolers and Kindergartner. The teacher can use this book to do a lesson about the fall. Most importantly the children can learn to count from one through 10. The children can recognize written numbers in words and use the leaves to count as well. The children will have fun by reading the book and rhyming at the same time. It will let them get involve and find it exciting by seeing the colors of the leaves as well. Many students get enthusiastic about learning when the teacher use visuals.The children will be able to learn about matching objects with numbers.
I recommend this for First grade and second grade students who are still learning numbers and will also be a good book for English Language Learners.

Classroom Ideas:

The teacher will introduce a Math lesson by using the theme of Fall.

The purpose of integrating the book is to reinforce the concept  of fall and teaching students the relationship of objects and numbers. It will engage the students to count with the teacher and acting out the reading. It can also be incorporated in the dramatic learning center. It is recommended that when the teacher reads the book that she/he be very enthusiastic in order to engage the students. This book can be helpful for this lesson so students can learn about recognizing numbers written in words, 1=one, 2=two.etc. Teacher can review this by using index cards with images of leaves of different colors.

The students will be counting and trying to answer how many leaves represent each number and counting from one to ten.

In a small group activities:
 For homework the teacher can ask the children to go on a nature walk and to bring to class ten leaves.
 The children can make leave printing and count the leaves from one to ten. They will be using colored leaves, paint brushes, and paper. The children will press the paper up side down  to the leaves and into the paper.
They will be able to identify colors as well.
 After the leaves are dry the children can see quantities and pair the amount of leaves with each number.
The students can also count the leaves that they collected from the community walk, where they can write numbers in a piece of paper in order to learn about written numbers.

They are learning to count in order from one to ten. This can be use to do another activity to challenge students who already know how to count up to 20.

Addition can be used in all these activities; for example, there are 4 green leaves, how many leaves do you need to make 5. Subtracting numbers can be incorporated as well.