For an easier challenge: -Place leaves in sensory bin and use as a sensory activity -Ask children, "What differences do you see between these two leaves?"
For most children: -Ask children, "How are you sorting your leaves?"
For a trickier challenge: -Include sticks and rocks when sorting -Ask children, "Why do the leaves change colors in the fall?"
Follow-up Ideas
-If you want to continue with this activity, write "Thank You" letters to Mother Nature for bringing the leaves back every spring. Use paper, pencils, and envelopes.
-Implement the same activity, but exchange leaves with rocks, seashells, flowers, or objects found in nature. You could also classify buttons, yarn of different colors and sizes, or pop bottle lids.
Originating Idea
Every preschool classroom has sorting bears and colored cups, but I wanted to incorporate a sorting activity in my classroom that allows the children to explore other forms of classification outside of color. With this activity, students can sort their leaves not only by color, but by size, shape, and texture.
How to Make It
The teacher fills each individual basket with envelopes and glue sticks. There should be enough baskets so there's one per student. The teacher should also keep extra envelopes nearby. She should then place the paper bags on the tables
How to Implement It
During circle time, the teacher tells the children to look out the window and tell the teacher what they see. Once the students finish talking, the teacher should point out that the leaves are falling off the trees. She then says, "Every year, the leaves fall off the tree. However, every spring the leaves grow back on the trees. We can help Mother Nature do this by mailing her the leaves we find on the ground. Grab the paper bag from your basket on the table."
The children will grab their paper bags and go outside with their teachers. They will collect the leaves and put them in their bags. Some of the earlier children will just play with the leaves, so teachers should be collecting leaves too so the earlier children can participate in the leaf sorting as well. Once the children have collected enough leaves, they should return to the classroom. The teacher will have the students sit down and dump their leaves on the table. She will then say, "We're now going to sort the leaves so that it's easier for Mother Nature to put the leaves back on the trees in the spring! How do you guys think we should sort the leaves?" The children will then communicate how they think the leaves should be sorted. Most children will then sort their leaves by color and shape. Earlier children will enjoy play with the leaves, crunching them in their hands and feeling the different textures. Later children will sort by different textures or lengths. The teacher will then bring out the baskets with envelopes and glue sticks and say, "We're now going to put our sorted leaves in these envelopes so we can send them to Mother Nature." Most students will fill the envelopes with the leaves and then glue the envelopes shut with the glue sticks. Earlier children will either simply play with the envelope or glue sticks, or may crumple the envelopes with their hands. Later children may try licking the envelopes shut-- just like their mom and dad-- and they can neatly place their leaves in the envelopes.
Once the children are done placing their leaves in the envelopes, the students will place their envelopes in the large shipping box, wash their hands, and enjoy some free play in the classroom as the teachers clean up the tables and floors before snack time.