Flower Walk With Alison's Zinnia

A Children’s Activity Combines a Picture Book With Nature

Jan 29, 2009 Melissa Roberts

A flower walk at the local park or garden brings Anita Lobel's alphabet picture book Alison's Zinnia alive for children as they learn about flowers.

Anita Lobel's picture book Alison's Zinnia teaches children about types of flowers and the alphabet. A flower walk activity based on Alison's Zinnia invites children to learn more about flowers in nature and enjoy nature this spring or at any time of the year, climate and garden permitting.

Chose a Place for a Flower Walk with Alison's Zinnia

Select a place where blooming flowers are available- a park in springtime, a botanical garden, or a greenhouse in winter according to one's budget and local resources. Check the local Chamber of Commerce or state tourism office for more ideas, or wait until a vacation to visit a botanical garden out of town for added excitement. If going to an institution, inquire about group rates or tours, if desired.

Flower Walk Preparation

Research ahead of time to see if any of the flowers in Alison's Zinnia exist in the facility. Know where to locate those flowers and plan to take the children to see them.

For an outdoor park where flowers are not named, bring a guidebook to identify flowers or know ahead of time the names of flowers present.

If desired, create face sheets on five flowers present on the walk, including the flower's name, a picture, and the country of origin.

Read Alison's Zinnia to the child or children several times before the visit to excite them about flowers and build anticipation about the event. If desired, try the Alison's Zinnia Word Activity so the children already have a personal interest in flowers matching letters of the alphabet.

Flower Walk with Alison's Zinnia

Once preparations have been made, begin the flower walk with the children.

  1. Take the children to the garden or park desired.
  2. Walk with the children through the garden or park, or go on a guided tour as available. Notice any flowers present. Distribute the flower guides, if using, so children know the names of flowers or help children read signs in a botanical garden or greenhouse.
  3. Encourage children in matching the first letter of flowers with the names of people they know and repeating the name and flower, as does Lobel in Alison's Zinnia, to build vocabulary and word recognition.
  4. Find a comfortable place if available, such as a park bench in spring, and re-read Alison's Zinnia aloud to the children, share a snack, and enjoy the day.

With some prior planning, a warm spring day or chilly winter one can come alive for children with a flower walk and an alphabet flower story, Alison's Zinnia.

For another spring children's activities with Anita Lobel's flower story, try Visit the Florist with Alison's Zinnia.

The copyright of the article Flower Walk With Alison's Zinnia in Children’s Books is owned by Melissa Roberts. Permission to republish Flower Walk With Alison's Zinnia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Roses, Botanical Garden, Wichita, Kansas, Mary Roberts Roses, Botanical Garden, Wichita, Kansas
   
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