Pumpkins Pumpkins Everywhere!

Hey all, 

Happy Fall! 

I have been looking so forward to sharing all of the Fall Fun and Pumpkin activities that have been going on in my classroom. With the month of October coming to a close and Halloween coming up this weekend (has this been the fastest month ever or what!?) my little preschool babes have been busy soaking up all the learning there is to do this season.We have spent this month in the classroom as well as out in nature observing, playing and exploring all of the hands on opportunities there are to take advantage of as the season gets cooler. Sure this cooler weather and pretty colors are cozy now...but I'm a summer girl at heart so I do what I can to enjoy the fun parts of changing weather before my tolerance for the less than 80 degree weather wears me down! ;)

Lifecycle of a Pumpkin
This activity is both educational and exciting as it pertains to one of the most exciting features of Fall for a five year old...Pumpkins!
In our classroom, we used the visuals pictured below and a catchy song to help us learn about the different stages that a Pumpkin goes through. From planting the seed to growing into a ripe, orange pumpkin, this activity helps to put the events in order! Then the students got to use their comprehension and recall skills to order the steps all on their own after the song.
It is also an activity that can be expanded upon in so many ways. Aside from labeling parts of a pumpkin, it provides opportunities to talk about the role of a farmer in planting pumpkin seeds and then growing and selling them for a profit.
We set up a Pumpkin Patch in our classroom to enable the students to re-enact all of the steps it takes to grow and sell pumpkins. A little social studies, a little science, a little Dramatic Play and some music. Knocking out skills left and right! :)
The link to the song can be found right here. You can get a copy of a labeled pumpkin from the Blog A Neighborhood Kindergarten...this blog is full of must try activities & the lifecycle visuals are a freebie from Teachers Pay Teachers!

Goin' On a Leaf Hunt

Our class read the story Let It Fall and talked about the noticeable changes we see as the season turns to Fall. Cooler weather, leaves that change color and fall off of trees, the opportunity to go on a leaf hunt. Our class headed outside and picked up as many leaves as we could fit into our little leaf hunt bags (and pockets and jackets!) and then brought them into the room to sort them by size and color. We enjoyed learning the words to the song Autumn Leaves Are Falling Down and I sent home a fun little family scavenger hunt called Don't Leaf Me Hanging. After completing the leaf hunt with their families, students brought in their findings to share with the class. We even included some of their treasures in our Sensory Table. 

Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe

I sent this recipe home with families at the end of our School Wide Fall Family Night. You can never have enough Playdough!

Recipe:

-2 Cups Flour

-1 Cup Salt

-1 Container (1 ½ ounces) pumpkin pie spice

-4 Tsp Cream of Tarter

-4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil

-2 Cups boiling water (use caution)

-Several drops of red and yellow food coloring to turn the dough orange

The last little bit I will leave you with is a movement song. The Scarecrow Song. It's a way to get 'em up and moving and Preschool Teachers live and thrive on go to activities that are sure to channel all that energy...enjoy & Happy Fall! :)