Count Down to Fall (Arbordale Collection)
Weather, Climate, & Seasons Series
What’s inside...
Count backwards from 10 to one during the colorful fall season, while learning about various trees such as aspen, birch, and maple, and observing animals preparing for winter. The educational section 'For Creative Minds' includes information on plant parts, leaf shapes, the importance of plants, and a leaf-matching activity.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some of the changes you noticed in the trees and animals as we read through the book?
Which animal in the book did you like the most, and why?
How do you think the forest changes when it moves from summer to fall?
Can you describe the colors used in the book to show autumn? What's your favorite autumn color?
Why do you think it’s important for the animals to prepare for fall?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting, ask your child what they already know about fall and its effects on nature.
While reading, pause on pages with different animals and trees, asking your child to describe what they see and what might be happening.
Use expressive voices for different animals to make the reading more interactive and enjoyable.
After reading, take a walk outside and compare what you see with the illustrations and events from the book.
Encourage drawing or coloring a scene from the book, which can help your child express their understanding and appreciation of the story’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Nature
Explanation: The book takes readers on a journey through the changing seasons, with a focus on the varying shapes and colors of leaves. This encourages children to observe and value the natural world around them.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in outdoor activities such as leaf collection, nature walks, and seasonal crafts, fostering a lifelong connection with nature.
Example Lesson: Counting and Number Recognition
Explanation: As the title suggests, 'Count Down to Fall' incorporates counting backwards from ten, which helps children practice their counting skills and familiarizes them with number sequencing.
Real-World Application: This skill is beneficial in daily activities such as organizing toys, dividing snacks, or even counting down days to exciting events, enhancing their mathematical foundation.
Example Lesson: Understanding Seasonal Changes
Explanation: The book illustrates how different trees and their leaves change through the seasons, providing a basic understanding of the cycle of the seasons and how nature responds.
Real-World Application: Children can observe these changes in their own environment, leading to discussions about weather changes, the importance of seasons in agriculture, and adaptations in animals and plants.
Example Lesson: Patience and Anticipation
Explanation: The countdown structure of the book teaches children the concept of anticipation and the value of patience as they turn each page to discover new elements about fall.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be mirrored in waiting for special occasions, understanding the growth of plants or timing in baking, helping them grasp the importance of patience in achieving desired outcomes.