Hi and welcome back to Attentionology for K – 5 Teachers!
New seasons are emerging…
spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and fall in the sphere that those above the equator call, “down under.”
Both hemispheres adorn themselves with nature’s beauty in spring and fall .
Each hemisphere displays magnificent variations of flora and fauna that are specific to its diverse geography and climate.
Help children grow their awareness and appreciation of our global community by reminding those at spring’s doorstep that kids in the Southern Hemisphere are about to fall into fall.
Hold Up the Hemispheres – Catch kids’ attention and ready them to “spring into learning” or “fall into focus” by showing them a world map that you can hold in your hands.
Announce that you and your class will be celebrating seasons at the top and bottom of the globe.
Point to a place on the map, and (depending on the grade level you teach) ask if anyone knows the name of the country you’ve targeted.
Ask if that country is in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere.
Say the correct answers aloud. Then ask students to name symbols of the current season in the hemisphere in focus.
For easy examples, flowers are symbols of spring; brightly colored leaves are symbols of fall.
For added attraction, bring seasonal symbols to class for this discussion, such as flower blossoms, vegetable seeds, fall leaves, etc.
Host a Spring Into Learning – Fall Into Focus Class Event – Consider hosting a Spring Into Learning or Fall Into Focus Event or full week that connects with a number of subjects you teach, including math.
Liven Math with Leaf Manipulatives – Connect seasonal themes with math lessons and help students in the early grades “spring into learning math” or “fall into focus on math.”
Invite children to come to a table and count green spring leaves or pieces of fall foliage instead of plastic manipulatives.
Challenge students to bring things each day to school that celebrate the season…flower petals or leaves that they have found on the ground; a drawing they make of kids on a grassy playground in the sun; photos they take outdoors, etc.
Celebrating emerging seasons in school offers more beautiful ways to help students “spring into learning” or “fall into focus” throughout the day. (more…)