• Name the four seasons.
• Identify signs and changes associated with each season.
• Examine how seasonal change affects animals, birds and humans.

Activity

• As an introduction to the seasons, read Jack Kent's marvelous book, Round Robin , or any other book or poem that takes its reader through the seasons.

• As part of the follow-up discussion, have the students revisit the text by identifying the four seasons and the changes associated with each season, e.g., in the fall Round Robin flies south, leaves are seen falling from the tree.

• Set up a display of books with a "seasonal" theme. Divide the class into four groups: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Have each group choose books relevant to their particular season and create a poster to show how the authors/illustrators "show" their season.

• Have each group share their poster with the whole group.

Assessment Tips from Old Tom the Turtle

• Conduct individual conferences with each group and have them explain their poster illustrations/text.

• Write a class letter to one of the authors explaining what was learned about the seasons from his or her book

• Following the class presentations, give each student a sheet of paper divided into 4 sections: winter, spring, summer, fall. Have each student illustrate a thing done by an animal, bird or human in each section. Store results in student portfolios.