Falling for Leaves

This is the view of our school backyard.  Isn't it absolutely gorgeous?  I love the beauty that fall brings - the colorful leaves, the harvest of fall fruits and vegetables, and the crisp autumn air.  It's my favorite time of year!

 

 

Since it was a short week, we packed in a lot of fall leaf fun in just two days. We read the books I Am a Leaf and Ruby's Falling Leaves.  We learned that leaves help make food for trees and that there are many different kinds of trees and leaves.  We went outside into our beautiful backyard, and each kiddo collected a bag of colorful leaves.  They paid special attention to the color of the leaves, and they noticed that leaves come in different shapes and sizes.

 

 

Again this week, we had the spider web shape sorting activity out, since only a few kids got to do it last week.  They are doing great sorting and using the tongs to pick up the small objects from the basket!

 

 

In writing, we practiced tracing straight and zig-zag lines, which will help with letter formation.

 

For math, we played a scarecrow roll & cover game.  (Roll the die and cover the number.)  This game reinforces numbers 1-9, and is a fun learning tool to practice number recognition. 

 

 

We made hand/arm print fall trees with ink fingerprint leaves that turned out simply beautiful!  There is an adorably sweet poem attached, so that your child's tree can be a keepsake.

 

 

Have a wonderful Fall Break!

 



October Sensory Tables

October is here, and that means pumpkins and colorful fall leaves!  We have changed our sensory tables in the block room, and the children are having a great time exploring the new textures. 

 

In the red table, we've added dry oatmeal, mini plastic pumpkins and silk fall leaves.  I've noticed several kids just running their hands through the oats.  (Sorry for the sideways picture - I rotated and saved it about a thousand times, and it still uploads sideways!)

 

 

In the corn table, we still have...well, corn!  The kids just can't seem to get enough of it - it's almost as popular as the sand table.  We've added pom pom "pumpkins", as well as a few new scoops, and a fall striped bucket.

 

 

Have you tried sensory tubs at home?  They are so much fun!  You don't have to spend much, if any, money to create one, and most items can be found around your house.  Try shaving cream, oatmeal, beans, applesauce, or even water.  Add in some spoons, scoops, cups and bowls, and you're set!  Children get good practice scooping, dumping, pouring, and mixing with sensory tubs.

 

Try it out - it's easy, fun, and your child will love it!  (Special bonus: you'll even have fun putting it together and watching your child enjoy it too!)