This free printable promotes a wide range of skills to go along with the “We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt” book by Steve Metzger!
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Ready to engage kids in a fun and playful activity using the book We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger? This printable activity pairs gross motor actions with visual recognition, bringing the book to life while promoting a wide range of skills, including sensory integration, gross motor coordination, and visual perception.
Using Books as Anchors for Activities
Using a book as the foundation for activities is a great way to blend literacy with skill development. Books like We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt provide the perfect backdrop for engaging interactive activities that target a whole range of skills. This helps children engage with the story while promoting skills like listening, attention, language, and movement. Why use books as the foundation for therapy and classroom activities?
Enhanced Literacy: Books provide an opportunity to build comprehension and language skills while keeping children engaged.
Development of Multiple Skills: Anchoring activities to a book gives kids motivation to engage in practice with a variety of developmental skills such as gross motor coordination, sensory processing, and visual perception.
Creative Extension: You can continue to expand on the book’s themes with hands-on activities that allow children to participate actively in the narrative.
Printable Activity for We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt Book
This fun printable activity combines visual identification and gross motor movements to complement the We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt book. It’s designed for classrooms, therapy sessions, or even home use to encourage active participation and skill development.
What You’ll Need:
Printable Leaf Identification Cards and Movement Prompts (scroll down)
A copy of the book We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger
Optional: Real or artificial leaves for added sensory exploration
What to Do:
Pre-Reading Activity: Before reading the book, introduce children to different types of leaves using the printable leaf identification cards or real leaves. Discuss the leaves’ shapes, colors, and textures. This introduces a visual component that will be important later when children search for these leaves.
Read the Book: As you read through the story, guide children in acting out the gross motor movements using the movement prompts.
These actions mirror the narrative and encourage children to move while they listen, reinforcing both the story and their motor skills. Place the leaf cards on the floor. Have kids perform the movements from the story and then retrieve the leaf card that matches the leaf in each part of the story.
The We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt printable activity is a fun, engaging way to blend literacy, movement, and sensory play. By anchoring activities to a story and using a seasonal theme like autumn, you create a dynamic learning experience that promotes various developmental skills. This activity is perfect for classrooms, therapy sessions, or even at home, providing a simple yet effective way to enhance children’s learning.
Download the printable activity pack and enjoy a leaf-hunting adventure with your kids today!
