Leaves Counting and Estimation

Children count leaves, one-at-a-time, until the tree is full. How many leaves will it take?

Grade, Age Range or Specialized Learner: Multi-age, Preschool/Pre-K, 3-5 year old

Target Learning Skill(s):

Number Sense
Counting
Plus One

What you need:
Artificial leaves
Tree printable
Tape

The KidsSoup tree printable makes the perfect tools for this fall estimation activity.

Preschool Activities:

Media Root

Free tree printable

Display the tree in an area where the whole class can see it. (Option: Tape tree inside a magnetic baking pan. Glue small magnets to the back of the leaves.)

Preschool Activities:

Media Root

Explain that you are going to place leaves on the tree until the tree is full. Add one leaf and ask the children how many more leaves will be needed. Record their answers on a number line or chart paper.

Place leaves on the tree, one at a time, until the children decide it is full. Make sure to mention that you are “adding one” each time and state the new total. At the end, re-count each leaf to show that the total remains the same.

Preschool Activities:

Media Root

This activity can be easily adapted for an individual’s or group’s skill level by changing the size of the tree and/or the leaves. This would allow you to increase or decrease the amount of leaves the children count.

Leaves and fall preschool lesson and activities

Preschool Activities:

Media Root

To extend the children’s experience with counting and leaf colors, take them outside and look for leaves.

Sing the song "Leaves are falling" together.

Leaves are Falling
by Jolanda Garcia, KidsSoup, Inc.
(Tune: Are You Sleeping? Frère Jacques)

Leaves are falling, leaves are falling
All around, all around.
Let's find a yellow leaf
Let's find a yellow leaf
on the ground, on the ground.

During the song have children find and collect yellow leaves. Change the leaves colors in the song to red, green, brown, orange.

Let each child collect a few different leaves to bring inside. Back in the classroom, children can sort, count, and compare the collected leaves.

Preschool Activities:

Media Root

Give each child a leaf worksheet printable. Let children color the trees and glue on leaves. Have children count and record the number of leaves they glued down.