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.