September and October Theme

September: Welcome to Early Fall & Pumpkin Season

Week 1: Early Fall Introduction

• Theme: Transition to Fall
• Focus: Introduce the concept of seasonal changes.
  • Topics:
    • What happens in early fall?
    • How trees change, leaves turn color, and animals prepare for winter.
    • Discuss the cooler mornings and warmer afternoons.
    • Introduce fall-related words (autumn, harvest, equinox).
• Activities:
  • Nature walk to observe early fall changes.
  • Leaf rubbings and sorting by color and shape.
  • Create a class “Fall Observations” journal.

Week 2: Pumpkin Patch Fun

• Theme: Pumpkins Everywhere!
• Focus: All about pumpkins – their growth, uses, and fun facts.
  • Topics:
    • How pumpkins grow (seed to fruit).
    • Different types and sizes of pumpkins.
    • The significance of pumpkins in fall festivals.
  • Activities:
    • Hands-on pumpkin exploration (feeling the texture, scooping seeds).
    • Pumpkin life cycle chart.
    • Counting and measuring pumpkins.

Week 3: Fall Information & Farm Life

• Theme: Exploring Fall on the Farm
• Focus: Learning about fall harvests, farm animals, and life on the farm during autumn.
  • Topics:
    • Discuss fall crops like apples, corn, and pumpkins.
    • How farm animals prepare for colder weather.
  • Activities:
    • Create a paper “farm” scene with animals, barns, and fields.
    • Interactive farm animal game.
    • Sorting farm produce by size and color.

Week 4: Spiders & Creepy Crawlies

• Theme: Spiders & Fall Insects
• Focus: Introduction to spiders and other autumn insects.
  • Topics:
    • How spiders build webs and their role in the ecosystem.
    • Common fall insects and their activities.
  • Activities:
    • Make spider webs using yarn and paper plates.
    • Spider counting game (matching legs and bodies).
    • Observe real or model spiders to identify body parts.

October: Fall Exploration & Halloween Fun

Week 1: Bats, Owls, & Nighttime Creatures

• Theme: Nocturnal Fall Animals
• Focus: Learn about bats, owls, and other creatures of the night.
  • Topics:
    • How bats use echolocation.
    • Owls and their ability to see at night.
    • Other nocturnal animals common in fall.
  • Activities:
    • Craft an owl from paper bags or pine cones.
    • Bat wing span comparison activity.
    • Nighttime animal scavenger hunt (pictures and cutouts).

Week 2: Cats & Superstitions

• Theme: Black Cats and Halloween Legends
• Focus: Learn about cats and their connection to fall and Halloween folklore.
  • Topics:
    • The history of cats and Halloween.
    • Exploring superstitions and their origins.
  • Activities:
    • Make a black cat craft with construction paper.
    • Storytime: Read classic fall folktales about cats and Halloween.
    • Discussion on pets and how to care for them in the fall.

Week 3: Pumpkins and the Pumpkin Patch

• Theme: Pumpkin Patch Adventures
• Focus: Visit or learn about the pumpkin patch, emphasizing the importance of pumpkins in fall.
  • Topics:
    • Learn about different pumpkin sizes, shapes, and colors.
    • Discuss the importance of pumpkins in fall traditions.
  • Activities:
    • Build your own mini pumpkin patch using small pumpkins.
    • Paint a pumpkin to take home.
    • Pumpkin math: counting seeds and measuring height and weight.

Week 4: Halloween Fun & Fall Festivities

• Theme: Halloween & Fall Celebrations
• Focus: End of the month with fun, educational Halloween activities.
  • Topics:
    • Halloween traditions around the world.
    • Fall festivals and harvest celebrations.
  • Activities:
    • Dress-up day: come in costumes for a fun, festive learning day.
    • Trick-or-treat safety lessons.
    • “Chuck a Pumpkin” game and obstacle course.