Thanksgiving Tree

Step one:  Lay out wax paper on a table.  Squirt some yellow and red paint on the wax paper.  I chose red and yellow for fall colored leaves and the opportunity to talk about color mixing (red + yellow = orange). Provide children with several options of mixing/manipulating the paint.  I used several type of brushes and encouraged the use of their fingers as well.  After they have mixed until their hearts content, lay another piece of wax paper on top of the paint.  The end result should look something like this:

Step Two:  While you wait for the paint to dry, gather sticks from outside.  This is a great time to talk about colors of leaves, leaves falling, change of seasons, etc...

Step Three:  After the paint dried, I drew some leaves on the paper.  Each child was instructed to cut along the lines.

 Step Four:  Depending on the age/ability of the child, have them dictate to you or write what they are thankful for on the leaves.   

Step Five:  I did not have a hole punch, so I used a large needle and poked it through the paper to thread some yarn in order to hang the leaves.  You could add an additional fine motor activity by allowing them to punch holes and thread yarn through the holes.

Step Six:  Hang your leaves on the "tree" and talk about what each leaf says as it is hung on the "tree".
 

This activity aligns with the following standards based on the West Virginia Early Learning Standards Framework (http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/p2520.15.pdf)


Language and Literacy:  Writing:  Text type and Purpose:  2.Uses a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to communicate ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

Science: Scientific Knowledge:  Understanding the living and physical world:   1.Observes and describes the immediate and familiar world, such as the natural world, materials, living things, and natural processes.

The Arts: Visual Art:  Foundations of Visual Art:   4.Explores color and texture using different mediums,including clay, natural materials, wood, paper, crayons, chalk, paint, glue, paste, etc.

Physical Health and Development:  Fine Motor:  Fine Motor Development:   1.Demonstrates increased ability, strength, dexterity, and control to manipulate and use tools such as scissors, staplers, hammers, and fastening tools.