Natasha Jobe observed preschoolers at Isabella Walton Childcare Centre playing with and throwing leaves in the playground. She noticed their interest in leaves and proposed exploring this topic further through sensory activities, art projects, math lessons, and outdoor play. Natasha conducted a small group activity where the children enjoyed discussing leaves and collecting piles. Based on their engagement, she believes the children remain interested in leaves and the inquiry process will be successful.

1. Phase One
Investigating
Leaves
Natasha Jobe
ECEP 229-001
Due: October 26, 2012

2. Centennial College Early Childhood Education
Student Name: Natasha Jobe
Agency: Isabella Walton Childcare Centre
Age range of children:2.5-3.5
Centre Focus:
ANECDOTAL OBSERVATION POSSIBLE CUES
Tuesday October 2nd, at 9 o’clock a.m. Developmental Cues:
I joined the second group of
preschoolers going outside in the - Throwing
playground. When I walked outside, I - Fine motor (picking up leaves
noticed J and M were throwing leaves from ground)
in the air and watching them fall to the - Social (talking to each other
ground. about what leaves do)
As I entered the playground, I walked
up to J and M and asked them what Interest Cues:
they were doing. M held up a leaf to my
face and said “look, leaf!” J turned to M - Watching leaves fall
and said “leaves fall on my car”. M - Throwing leaves in the air
giggled and threw her leaf up into the
air. While she threw it she said “wee!” J
looked at me and said, “look Tasha,
leaves falling.”
A then walked up to us and picked up a
leaf and said, “my leaf!” She then threw
it up in the air and said “yay, it falls”.

3. Possible Interests Web:
Small group experience (circle) to confirm interest in the
topic:(describe all parts of your circle)
I placed the leaves in the middle of the circle. The children enjoyed
playing with them and collecting piles of leaves. I asked the children
several questions such as:
 What colours do you see?
 Where can you find leaves?
 What do you do with leaves?
 Etc.
The children and I had several discussions about the leaves they saw
and were able to feel. J began dancing with the leaves, and when I
asked what he was doing he said, “I can dance with the leaves”,
meanwhile F was fanning himself with the leaves.

4. Consider the following and fully describe how you INTEND to explore
your chosen experience with preschoolers
 How will you introduce the experience?
 Have children sit in circle time
 Ask what they think about leaves (colour, size, where you find
them, etc.)
 What lures might you use to attract the children?
 When I gather the children in circle time I will place leaves in
the middle of the circle to grab their attention
 Preschoolers require support and guidance to fully explore an
experience. How will you guide and support their interactions
with the materials and each other and with you?
 COLLABORATION
 Closure is important in any planned experience. How will you
end the experience with the children? What guidance strategies
would be helpful to use?
 I will end the experience with a final question
 I will give each child one or two leaves to play with for a little bit,
then I will collect them when it’s time to finish up circle time
BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR 6 EXPERIENCES IN THE PROJECT,
COMPLETE THIS GROUP (CIRCLE) TO BE SURE OF THE
CHILDREN’S INTEREST IN THE TOPIC
Arrange a date, and time to implement your chosen experience
using the elements you defined in your procedure.
Evaluation and Reflection:
NOW THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED THIS GROUP EXPERIENCE
(CIRCLE):

5. How did it go? ARE THE CHILDREN STILL INTERESTED IN THE
TOPIC?
I think that the circle time went pretty well. It was a little disorganized,
but overall the children had fun and they definitely seem interested in
leaves. They seemed to have a lot of fun talking about leaves, so I
think that this was the perfect topic to choose.
WILL THE INQUIRY PROCESS WORK WITH THIS TOPIC? WHY
OR WHY NOT?
I think that this topic will definitely workout well. This is because, it is
fall so the leaves are different colours, and the playground is covered
in leaves. This provides many opportunities to talk about leaves while
outside or even looking out the window at the trees. Leaves of all
shapes, colors and sizes are available all around the center, so the
children will be able to experience watching leaves in the wind,
crinkling with their hands, stepping on them, etc.

6. Dear ECE Supervising Teacher:
PLEASE SIGN INDICATING THE STUDENT COMPLETED THE
GROUP EXPERIENCE (CIRCLE) WITH THE CHILDREN
Thank you.
Signature: ______________________________________________
(ECE TEACHER WHO OBSERVED THE CIRCLE)
DATE:___________________________________________

7. Rationale:
Throughout the past few weeks, I have observed that your children seem to be
very interested in discussing and learning more about leaves.
During play time outside, I have noticed your children are very fascinated with the
changing of colours, as well as the way leaves fall from trees. In the upcoming
weeks, your children will have plenty of opportunities to explore leaves. Many
experiences will be implemented to support your children’s knowledge of leaves.
Some of these experiences will include:
 Sensory experiences involving leaves
 Counting, sorting and matching leaves
 Dance and/or drama
 Painting and gluing leaves
 Games related to leaves
 Observing details and movements of leaves
Documentation will be posted throughout the next few weeks. Feel free to take a
look at any time.
Natasha

8. K W H L
-spikey -why do they fall -sensory/fine
-red, yellow, green off trees? motor
-not food -are they food? (crumbled leaves,
-look like tree -what do they feel bead leaves, lace
-falls like? in leaf shape)
-up in the tree -what can you do -art
-I throw it with leaves? (glue, paint,
-blowing it is hard -where do you find collage, rubbing)
-I’m dancing leaves? -math
-throw lots -are they different (sort, count,
-I kick them shapes? handful, match)
-fall down -drama
-I like leaves (dance, dramatic
-woooo area)
-flying in the sky -gross motor
-hold it (leaf hope, leaf
-touching toss)
-not green -science
-outside (observe with
magnifying glass,
throw and watch
fall)