By

Learning Together Joyfully: Leaves, Ghosts & Thanks

Welcome back educators, parents, grandparents and care-givers! With the dog days of summer almost behind us, we look to usher in the cooler weather. We are ready to trade out sandals for boots and go for a brisk walk amongst the changing leaves. October is the perfect month. Most children love Hallowe’en – the candy, apples, costumes and selecting a pumpkin to be decorated. What exciting times for children! Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to express our gratitude for all that we have – including pumpkin pie!  This month we have a focus on teaching children perspective – another way to develop strong social-emotional skills. Enjoy the many Perspective, Fall, Hallowe’en, and Thanksgiving activities, books and songs as you play, learn, grow, together throughout October!

Quick Links

Use these links to quickly navigate to specific sections within this blog!

  1. Read and Sing Together
  2. Create together: Puzzles, Crafts, Drawing and Constructing
  3. Explore, Engage & Interact together
  4. Healthy Living: Movement & Nutrition
  5. Reflect: Thoughts of the Day about Learning

Ilovetogoagardening.com

1.  Read and Sing together 📚  

There is a wide range of ability in students when it comes to perspective.  Like all types of dynamic thinking, the process of appreciating and analyzing multiple and diverse perspectives is a developed skill that must be reinforced over time.  Although there are numerous reasons to teach students the value of integrating and examining multiple viewpoints, the following five reasons provide a clear rationale for developing and teaching differing perspectives. The links between empathy and reading literary fiction are well documented. A 2019 study looked at how children’s story books foster identification with characters who are dissimilar from the readers. Reading ‘own voices’ stories from diverse perspectives offers children an authentic window into someone else’s experience.

Download this Perspective handout. 

  • Benefits of teaching children Perspective include the improvements in:
    • Critical Thinking – Comparing, contrasting, analyzing, and interpreting are examples of the skills necessary for understanding multiple perspectives. 
    • Problem-Solving – The ability to understand and acknowledge a differing viewpoint is an integral component of conflict resolution.  Tolerance – An essential part of creating an inclusive learning environment includes providing students with a safe space where everyone is valued and respected.  It is important to provide students with opportunities to learn from the diverse and varied experiences of each other.
    • Flexibility – A flexible mindset takes into account the possibility of complex situations with multiple correct answers. Students who show creativity and flexibility in their thinking are able to solve problems and become more confident when making plans and asking for help.
    • Empathy: Mastering the skill of perspective-taking will help students to develop a stronger sense of empathy.  Perspective-taking is the act of perceiving a situation or understanding a concept from an alternative point of view which is a critical skill for all aspects of life. When Children grasp another’s perspective, they are more likely to be empathetic, anticipate other’s behavior or thinking, handle conflicts peacefully, be less judgmental, value differences, speak up for those who are victimized, and act in ways that are more helpful, comforting and supportive of others.  

BOOKS ABOUT OBSERVATION AND PERSPECTIVE: The following books focus on the theme of perspective which encourages kids to be keen observers of the world around them. They will help children to look more closely at things, perhaps angle for a different viewpoint, whether that is physical–”look up!”–or emotional–”how do you feel?” And sometimes, things aren’t quite as they seem. So dust off your powers of perception and read these books with your kids! Check them out at your local school or public library or consider purchasing them as gifts.

  • Look Up! by Jung Jin-Ho. A girl in a wheelchair looks down from her balcony and calls to passersby below: “Look up!” Dog walkers, a bike rider, a kite flier, and dozens of commuters walk by without taking any notice. Then a boy stops and looks up. He lies on the sidewalk so the girl can see him better. A woman joins him. Soon nine people and one dog are lying down and looking up. The girl looks up at the reader and smiles. They will enjoy talking about both the perspective of the girl and the people on the sidewalk, as well as how being aware of our surroundings will help us see how to be generous to others.
  • They All Saw A Cat by Brendan Wenzel. The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws . . . In this glorious celebration of observation, curiosity, and imagination, author and illustrator Brendan Wenzel shows us the many lives of one cat, and how perspective shapes what we see. When you see a cat, what do you see? Children will love following along with the simple, fun story, while parents will appreciate the book’s clever and thoughtful lessons about how everyone has a unique perspective.
  • Flashlight by Lizi Boyd. In this wordless book a child takes a flashlight outside on a dark night. Each page shows the objects in the light, which is what the child sees, but readers will still be able to view the creatures in the dark. A wonderfully whimsical and magical tale that will spark questions about how we see and what we might be missing. This book allows readers to experience the wonder and excitement of nighttime exploration in the woods and wordlessly entices readers to explore the hidden nature outside their own homes.
  • Duck Rabbit by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Take a close look at this rabbit with the super long ears! What? You think it’s a duck with a really long bill? Two observers share their opinions on what this creature is. They argue, but also begin to see the other’s perspective, too. Children will love the fun story based on the classic duck/rabbit visual puzzle, while parents will appreciate the book’s lessons about differing points of view and right versus wrong.
  •  wrong.
  • Do you believe in Unicorns? By Bethanie Murgula. Is that a horse wearing a hat? It’s definitely not a unicorn in disguise — that would be ridiculous, right? It’s probably just a horse that’s having a bad hair day. Or trying to keep the sun out of its eyes. Or perhaps this horse just really likes hats! If you follow it long enough, maybe it will take off its hat and you’ll finally know for sure. Or will you? It’s all a matter of perspective in this cheerful, cheeky story about seeing magic in the everyday. This book is so much fun! A white horse wearing a hat prances around. But is it actually a horse? Perhaps it is a unicorn in disguise? Even when the hat comes off, clever illustrations make you wonder if that horse isn’t actually a unicorn. Or is it just your imagination? Children will love the humor and the way the story poses questions about the reality of what they see.

The graphicsfairy.com

FALL BOOKS: Whether or not teaching about the change of seasons is a part of your routine, cozying up with a fall-themed read is a favorite way to ring in the season. Here are a few of our recommended books for kids. Check them out at your local school or public library or consider purchasing them as gifts.

  • Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert. Ride the wind and drift east with Leaf Man in this autumnal classic by Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator Lois Ehlert, perfect for young readers returning to school in the fall. Fall has come, the wind is gusting, and Leaf Man is on the move. Is he drifting east, over the marsh and ducks and geese? Or is he heading west, above the orchards, prairie meadows, and spotted cows? No one’s quite sure, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man’s got to go where the wind blows. Ehlert crafts each illustration out of actual fall leaves on every spread to reveal gorgeous landscapes. This playful and whimsical book celebrates the natural world and the rich imaginative life of children.
    • Follow-up activity: Read it and imagine the billowy, gusty journey of Leaf Man, and then collect and press fall leaves for students’ to make their own creations.
  • The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry. An emotionally impactful exploration of love and loneliness, this is an essential addition to any picture book collection. The author and the widely acclaimed Fan Brothers present a gorgeous and poignant picture book about two unexpected friends and the special connection they share. This tender and affectionate story reminds us of the comforting power of friendship and the joy of helping others—a tale that will inspire and delight children for generations to come. All the animals know not to mess with the old Scarecrow. But when a small, scared crow falls from midair, Scarecrow does the strangest thing.…He saves the tiny baby crow. Soon a loving bond grows between the two unlikely friends. But is it strong enough to weather the changing of the seasons?
    • Follow-up Activity: Ask children to discuss how they can be good friends.
  • Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak. As trees sway in the cool breeze, blue jays head south, and leaves change their colors, everyone knows–autumn is on its way! Join a young girl as she takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with every flower and creature and gust of wind, she says good-bye to summer and welcomes autumn.
    • Follow-up activity: Ask children to share signs of Autumn they have experienced.
  • Awesome Autumn by Bruce Goldstone. What is autumn all about? This comprehensive celebration of all things autumn will show you! Autumn is awesome! Leaves change color. Animals fly south or get ready to hibernate. People harvest crops and dress up as scary creatures for Halloween. And then there are pickup football games to play, Thanksgiving foods to eat, leaf piles to jump in―all the amazing things that happen as the air turns crisp and cool. With colorful photographs, lively explanations, and classic craft ideas, this book has created a festive and fascinating exploration of autumn’s awesomeness.
  • Leaf and the Fall by Allison Sweet Grant and Adam Grant. Persistence and creativity can lead to amazing things, as Leif the leaf discovers in this story. Leif is a worried leaf. It is autumn, and Leif is afraid to fall. “All leaves fall in the fall,” say the other leaves. But Leif is determined to find a different way down, and with his friend Laurel, he uses the resources around him to create a net, a kite, a parachute in hopes of softening his landing. The clock is ticking, the wind is blowing. What will happen when a gust of wind pulls Leif from his branch? In a culture that prizes achievement, kids are often afraid to fail–failing to realize that some of the very ideas that don’t work are steps along the path to ones that will.
    • Follow-up activity: This book pairs well with STEM lessons because Leif ends up testing many methods to help ease his fall to the ground.
  • Ten Apples Up on Top by Dr. Seuss. Don’t let the apples drop! Three animal friends practice balancing apples on their heads in this hilarious introduction to counting, illustrated by Roy Mckie. The sturdy board book teaches all about numbers, with a dose of signature Seuss charm. Kids will learn to count to ten–and want to start all over again!
  • The Golden Apples by Dan Yashinsk. Jack may be good at following recipes, but he’s not very good at following directions. When his two older brothers fail to find the golden bird that made off with their father’s prized golden apples, Jack steps up for the job. But there are many challenges to be faced along the way; without the help of a fast and friendly fox, Jack just might not make it. With a smart princess who loves grunge rock, angry kings, magic animals, conniving siblings, and tempting casinos, this delightful re-mix of an old Cape Breton Jack tale seamlessly blends modern and ancient. Acclaimed Canadian storyteller Dan Yashinsky brings wit and whimsy to this wonder tale.   
  • Hiking Day by Anne Rockwell. This book celebrates nature and the outdoors about a child’s first mountain hike! A young girl and her family go hiking up a nearby mountain for the very first time. As they climb up and up the path, they see everything from a friendly toad to a prickly porcupine, tall leafy trees to tiny red berries. Anne Rockwell and her daughter, artist Lizzy Rockwell, celebrate a day the little girl will never forget, especially when she reaches the mountain’s summit. With simple, lyrical text and bright illustrations that jump off the page, Hiking Day brings the joys of spending an afternoon outdoors to life.
    • Follow-up Activity: Ask children to share a hiking experience or an afternoon in the outdoors.

wishesquotes.com

HALLOWE’EN BOOKS: Halloween is such a fun and unique time of year. We dress up in costumes and indulge in some delicious sweet treats. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without some spooky ghost stories! Here’s a list of some Halloween books for kids of all ages who enjoy a good scare. Check them out at your local school or public library or consider purchasing them as gifts.

  • Hallowe’en is coming! by Cal Everett. A fun, rhyming read-aloud Halloween picture book that starts a new holiday tradition. Perfect for kids wanting to celebrate the spookiest season of the year! This book is a lyrical celebration of the building excitement that children―and adults!―feel as the magical and mysterious night of Halloween approaches.
  • Hardly Haunted by Jessie Sima.  A delightful spooky story about an old house who wants to be a home…even if her new family isn’t what she expected. House has a problem. She’s a little spooky. She’s a little cobwebby. Oh, no! What if she’s haunted? She’s not sure, but…her hinges creak. Her pipes bang. And on windy days, the branches scritch-scratch at her windows. She tries to hold her breath and be as still as possible. If she’s on her best behavior, maybe a family will move in. How will House ever find a family that doesn’t mind being haunted?
  • Monster on the Block by Sue Gantz-Schmitt. Monster is excited to see what kind of creature will move into Vampire’s old house on the block. He even starts practicing his welcome growl for the new neighbor. But when the moving truck pulls up, it’s not a greedy goblin, an ogre, or a dastardly dragon that steps out. Instead, it’s something even more terrifying than Monster could have imagined! Monster quickly rallies the other neighbors to unite against the new guy on the block. But what if the new neighbor isn’t exactly as bad as Monster thinks? Join Monster as he confronts his fears in this charming and lighthearted look at what it means to accept others who are different from us.
  • The Pomegranate Witch by Denise Doyen. When a scary old tree blooms with the most beautiful pomegranates ever seen, the neighborhood kids’ mouths water with anticipation. But the tree isn’t theirs—and it has a protector! So begins the Pomegranate War, a fun, rollicking, rhyming tale of a battle between the sly, plucky young rascals and their wry, witchy neighbor who may have more than one trick up her sleeve. This delectable romp from award-winning children’s poet Denise Doyen and acclaimed illustrator Eliza Wheeler honors classic children’s literature and revels in nostalgia for free-to-roam days full of playful invention.
  • Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds. In this Caldecott Honor–winning picture book, The Twilight Zone comes to the carrot patch as a rabbit fears his favorite treats are out to get him. Jasper Rabbit loves carrots—especially Crackenhopper Field carrots. He eats them on the way to school. He eats them going to Little League. He eats them while walking home. Until the day the carrots start following him…or are they? This hilarious picture book  shows it’s all fun and games…until you get too greedy.
  • Skulls by Blair Thornburgh. This book celebrates one of the most important bones in the body: the skull! You probably don’t think much about skulls. So what’s the big deal about them? Well, every head of every person you’ve ever seen has a skull inside. And that includes YOU! This smart, skull-positive story cheerfully dispels any fears kids might have about their skeletons, flipping our view of skulls from a spooky symbol to a fascinating, cool, and crucial part of our bodies.
  • Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht. Pick a pumpkin from the patch. Tall and lean or short and fat. Vivid orange, ghostly white, or speckled green, might be just right. Pairing a wonderfully rhythmic read-aloud text with expressive retro illustrations, author Patricia Toht and illustrator Jarvis capture all the excitement and familial feeling of a favorite holiday tradition. Readers will be happy to follow along with each step, from picking out the perfect specimen at the pumpkin patch (be sure to stop for cider and toffee apples) to carting it home, scooping out the insides, carving a scary face, and finally lighting a candle inside — savoring the familiar ritual of transforming an ordinary pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind glowing jack-o’-lantern. Great book to read prior to going to the pumpkin patch.

From Seed to Pumpkin: A Fall Book for Kids by Wendy Pfeffer. Read and find out about how pumpkins grow from a tiny yellow seed to a pumpkin in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book. This is a clear and appealing environmental science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Plus it includes includes a find out more section with activities such as an experiment to show how plants use roots to drink water from the ground and a recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds. This is a Level 1 Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades. 

  • The Short Straw by Irene Mathias. Halloween night, a haunted house. Are you brave enough to go inside? Trick-or-treating has never been this much fun, or this scary. This book is a narrative poem about being brave enough to enter a haunted house on Halloween night!
  • Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds. Jasper Rabbit is NOT a little bunny anymore. He’s not afraid of the dark, and he’s definitely not afraid of something as silly as underwear. But when the lights go out, suddenly his new big rabbit underwear glows in the dark. After trying everything to get rid of them, why do they keep coming back?
  • Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson. This fun family read-aloud is the perfect way to start Halloween celebrations and an ideal gift book. A sweet story of quick wits, friendship, and inclusivity from the creators of The Gruffalo! The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch’s hat, then her bow, and then her wand!  Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom.  But is there room on the broom for so many friends?  And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?
  • Flashlight Night by Matt Esenwine. This book is an ode to the power of imagination and the wonder of books. Three children use a flashlight to light a path around their backyard at night; in the flashlight’s beam another world looms. Our heroes encounter spooky woods, a fearsome tiger, a time-forgotten tomb, an Egyptian god, a sword-fighting pirate, and a giant squid. With ingenuity, they vanquish all, then return to their tree house—braver, closer, and wiser than before—to read the books that inspired their adventure.
  • Bone Soup by Cambrian Evans. Across the land for his infamous appetite, Finnigin is never seen without his eating stool, his eating spoon, and his gigantic eating mouth. When Finnigin finds himself in a new town on Halloween, he hopes to join a great feast with the creatures who live there. But not a body or soul will share any of their food with the ever-famished Finnigan. So what’s a hungry skeleton to do? Armed only with his wits and a special ingredient, will Finnigin be able to stir up a cauldron’s worth of Halloween magic?
  • Leo: A Ghost Story by Mac Barnett. You would like being friends with Leo. He likes to draw, he makes delicious snacks, and most people can’t even see him. Because Leo is also a ghost. When a new family moves into his home and Leo’s efforts to welcome them are misunderstood, Leo decides it is time to leave and see the world. That is how he meets Jane, a kid with a tremendous imagination and an open position for a worthy knight. That is how Leo and Jane become friends. And that is when their adventures begin. This is a charming tale of friendship, real and imaginary.
  • How to Make Friends with A Ghost by Rebecca Green. What do you do when you meet a ghost? One: Provide the ghost with some of its favorite snacks, like mud tarts and earwax truffles. Two: Tell your ghost bedtime stories (ghosts love to be read to). Three: Make sure no one mistakes your ghost for whipped cream or a marshmallow when you aren’t looking! If you follow these few simple steps and the rest of the essential tips in How to Make Friends with a Ghost, you’ll see how a ghost friend will lovingly grow up and grow old with you. A whimsical story about ghost care, Rebecca Green’s debut picture book is a perfect combination of offbeat humor, quirky and sweet illustrations, and the timeless theme of friendship.
  • Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler. Carve out family time for this clever and humorous picture book about a skeleton who is falling to pieces that needs help pulling himself together. Bonaparte is having a tough time. It’s hard for this young skeleton to just hang loose when he can’t keep hold of himself. When he plays catch, his throwing arm literally takes a flyer. Eating lunch can be a real jaw-dropping occasion. How can he start school when he has so many screws loose? Luckily, Bonaparte hit the bone-anza when it came to his friends. Franky Stein, Blacky Widow, and Mummicula all have some bonehead ideas to help pull him together. But will it be enough to boost his confidence and get him ready for the first day of school?
  • Please Scare My Kids: With No Words by Samir Safar. Spooky creatures are all around in your daily life. Kids conquer fears like superheroes. The illustrations are scary but fun. Do you have what it takes? No Fear!

  • Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O’Connor. This bestselling counting book for beginning readers is filled with ghosts, a witch and spooky fun!It’s Halloween, and ten timid ghosts in a haunted house have a problem: a mean witch has moved in and is planning to scare them out, one by one! Young trick-or-treaters learn to count down from ten to one as each ghost flees from the witch’s silly costumes and homemade props. When the homeless ghosts gather in the woods, their fear turns to determination and they plot to get their house back. Will the ghosts frighten the witch away in time for Halloween night?

THANKSGIVING BOOKS:

From history to silliness, all these Thanksgiving books are fun! It is important to cultivate in  children a sense of contentment in what we have been given and gratitude for the little things around us. Hopefully, these books can help your children be more thankful while educating them in the history of Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving traditions. Check them out at your local school or public library or consider purchasing them as gifts.

  • The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing. Gobble Gobble! It’s turkey time! Thanksgiving is yet another big moment to be celebrated in Natasha Wing’s best-selling series. Everyone’s favorite fun-filled, family-filled, food-filled holiday is almost here! Follow along as the feast is prepared, cousins are greeted, and everyone gathers around the table, all with an extra helping of holiday fun. This family fun read-aloud makes the perfect gift to get young readers excited for this festive fall holiday!
  • Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano. Turkey is in trouble. Bad trouble. The kind of trouble where it’s almost Thanksgiving…and you’re the main course. But Turkey has an idea―what if he doesn’t look like a turkey? What if he looks like another animal instead? After many hilarious attempts, Turkey comes up with the perfect disguise to make this Thanksgiving the best ever! Wendi Silvano’s comical story is perfectly matched by Lee Harper’s watercolors.
  • 10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston. A fun, silly, bouncy rhyming book that teaches little ones how to count backwards! Perfect for fall, or all-year-round! Children will gobble up this hilarious story about ten goofy turkeys and their silly antics: swinging from a vine, strutting on a boar, doing a noodle dance, and more! Beloved author Tony Johnston brings a lively energy to the text, which first-time illustrator Richard Deas brings to life as wild and wacky fun!
  • Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wendy & Harry Devlin. Every year Grandmother invited a guest for Thanksgiving dinner and allowed Maggie to do the same. “Ask someone poor or lonely,” she always said. Thanksgiving was Grandmother’s favorite day of the year. The cooking was done and her famous cranberry bread was cooling on a wooden board. But she wasn’t happy to find out Maggie had invited the unsavory Mr. Whiskers to dinner. Would her secret cranberry bread recipe be safe with him in the house? After a long absence this delightful 1971 classic is back. So is Grandmother’s secret recipe!
  • Squanto’s Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving by Joseph Bruchac. This book tells the story of the Native American named Squanto who befriended the English settler of Plymouth. After being kidnapped by an English captain and sold as a slave to the Spanish, Squanto was finally able to return to his homeland. When he did, he was saddened to find that most of his people had been killed due to the disease that European settlers brought to America. Despite this, Squanto still felt that there was a possibility of peace between Native Americans and the settlers, so he decided to help those in Plymouth. Students will enjoy this biography of Squanto because it provides a more historically accurate tale of the events surrounding the first Thanksgiving and shows why it is something that Americans still celebrate today. This story is a good children’s book about Thanksgiving Day.
  • One Is a Feast For Mouse; A Thanksgiving Tale by Judy Cox. This book is a Thanksgiving story about a mouse living in a family’s home. After Thanksgiving dinner, when the family is resting and playing, the mouse makes his way to the dinner table. He finds all the leftover food and is happy to see a pea and thinks a pea is a feast for a mouse. However, as he makes his way home across the table, he is enticed by all the other delicious foods. Each time he tries to carry more food his pile grows bigger and bigger. Eventually, the mouse has a run in with the family’s cat and ends up dropping all the food! There is a big crash and the mouse runs back to his house. After all the excitement, the mouse finds a pea made its way into his home. He is grateful for the pea and considers it a feast. Students will love this silly and heart-warming tale about a mouse’s Thanksgiving feast. This is one of the best kids’ Thanksgiving books!

SONGS: Music has a huge impact on a child’s cognitive development in many ways:

  • When children sing and use actions along with the words, they develop an understanding of symbolism which leads to pretend or symbolic play, an important developmental activity.
  • Children build an understanding of concepts such as high/low, fast/slow, numbers, letters. Their language skills are stimulated, leading to increased vocabulary.
  • They also learn about cause-effect relationships with simple movements (shaking the bells makes a sound).
  • Engaging in music activities that are guided by a parent is a great way to improve children’s attentiveness and attention span, as well as memory, due to the repetition in songs and constant exposure to lyrics.

desicomments.com

2. Create together: Puzzles, Crafts, Drawing and Constructing 🧩 

AUTUMN ACTIVITIES: Autumn is in the air and you can hardly look to the left or right without seeing an abundance of creative inspiration in the form of pumpkins, scarecrows, sunflowers, and foliage. Whether you prefer Halloween or Thanksgiving, they both provide plenty of inspiration for your art projects. Jack-o’-lanterns, witches, spiders, and turkeys are just some favorites. We have something for every age and in every medium in our list below. So grab your favorite art supplies and get to work on some of these awesome fall art projects!

Lifewiththecrustcutoff.com

  • Download this Fall Dot-to-Dot – skip counting by 2, 5 and 10’s. 
  • Download this Fall Scavenger Hunt.
  • Download this Fall Leaves – I spy game.
  • For younger children, download this Fall tracing activity.
  • Download this Autumn Bingo game.
  • When in the outdoors, what a perfect time to focus children’s attention on reading the world around them. Download these environmental print activities.
  • Download this Fall Colouring pages – colouring is a great way for children to relax. 
  • Download these flashcards of Fall Words OR these Fall Words OR more Fall Words. Consider using them in the following ways:
    • Print 2 sets of words and play Memory with them.
    • Print 2 sets of cards and play Go Fish with them.
    • Use them in a writing center.
    • Trace the words in a sand tray.
    • Make the words out of playdough.
    • Draw a fall scene including some of the fall vocabulary from the cards.
    • Place the word cards in alphabetical order.
  • Download these Autumn Ice-breaker questions.
  • Collect some coloured leaves and then download this Autumn Colouring page. Children can copy the many colours from their collection OR download these Leaf-Art-Prompts that encourage children to look at leaves closely to finish the drawing.
  • Math anyone:
    • Download these numbers to 10 activities.
    • Download some Pattern Block Mats.
    • Download this Kindergarten activity – Counting and Cardinality
    • Read Ten Apples Up on Top by Dr. Seuss and then download these Fall File Folder Games  – appropriate for young children.
      • There are 10 trees (5 with leaves and 5 with apples) and each of them has a specific number of leaves or apples the kids have to match with a number. The numbers are in 2″ circles so if you have a round paper punch this should make cutting these easy.
      • You can make two games from this one as there are 4 pages plus 1 to cut in pieces. Kids have to recognize the pattern and complete the sequence by placing the correct tile in the empty space.
    • Download a series of Apple activities.
  • Download these leaf templates to cut out and create these Fall Leaf Chalk Art. Children can create their own leaves to create their pictures.

Christine Gish/Pinterest

PERSPECTIVE AND OBSERVATION ACTIVITIES: Perspective is a way the character views people and events in a story. Every character has a unique perspective that depends on: their experiences; their preferences; their feelings; and their thoughts. Understanding a character’s perspective and point of view helps children understand what characters say and do in a book.

Point of View vs. Perspective

krzmarzickm.blogspot.com

fnp.sgquotes.com

THANKSGIVING ACTIVITIES: Canadian Thanksgiving is an annual celebration meant to honor life’s blessings while spending quality time with close family and friends. It is celebrated on the second Monday of October. Even though its origins are based in religion, it has recently become a reason for families and friends to enjoy a delicious meal together and express gratitude for their life. The first Canadian Thanksgiving was reportedly hosted in 1578 by the English explorer Martin Frobisher in what is now Newfoundland. At the time, Frobisher and his expedition attempted to travel through the Northwest Passage safely. The celebration marked their safe arrival to the New World. That first celebratory meal consisted of a simple but delicious combination of salted beef and mushy peas.

YourTrueNature.com

HALLOWE’EN ACTIVITIES: Halloween is among the oldest traditions in the world as it touches on an essential element of the human condition: the relationship between the living and the dead. The observance evolved from ancient rituals marking the transition from summer to winter, thereby associating it with transformation, is still a central theme of the holiday.

  • Ask children to use their imagination and create toilet paper roll Spiders.

autumn-everafter.tumblr.com

3. Explore, Engage & Interact together 🌍

FALL ACTIVITIES: Fall is the season for all senses. The feel of cooler temperatures after a long summer. A warm, visually pleasing palate of reds, oranges and browns. The taste of pumpkin spice in everything. The sound of crunching leaves underfoot. The many elements of autumn either intrinsically deliver happiness or trigger memories of past joy from which we can keep taking bites, just like a freshly baked apple pie.

  • A is for Apple Cinnamon Sensory Bin. Fall is a favorite season with so many fun family friendly activities to do. There is apple picking, and pumpkin picking. To create a smelling sensory apple bin do the following. Mix a generous amount of cinnamon with sensory oats. Add a bunch of cinnamon sticks (three in which I used to form the letter “A”), a small MacIntosh apple, and a ball of red wool yarn for something interesting. The yarn looked like its red apple counterpart, but had a fun texture and added another activity component to the bin. I also added a tiny silver scoop. The addition of the real apple mixed with the oat and cinnamon scent made the entire bin smell like apple crisp. 

HALLOWE’EN ACTIVITIES: Today, Halloween is more popular in North America than the rest of world. It’s become really popular in Great Britain where it got its start. For most people, Halloween is about dressing up and decorating homes and classrooms. Some kids go door-to-door in their neighbourhoods to trick or treat. Others celebrate at school or at parties. Halloween’s a good way to have fun scaring ourselves. Even just a little bit, as the nights get longer and the days get colder.

invajy.com.

memesbam.com

THANKSGIVING ACTIVITIES: As the holidays approach and you pack up your Hallowe’en decorations, it’s time to think about Thanksgiving and all that it has to offer. Joyous times with friends and family along with good food and laughter is something to anticipate. It’s easy to get caught up in the noisiness of turkeys, and grocery store crowds — but Thanksgiving first and foremost is an opportunity to appreciate what you have and cherish precious moments with those you love most. It is a time to express our gratitude. Gratitude is one of the most positive feelings that people practice. Showing appreciation and gratitude guide people towards better health. Psychology research has found neurological and biological benefits for our lives when gratitude is expressed. Gratitude is not an action. It is a positive emotion that everyone can feel.

YOUTHFITNESSGUY.COM

4. Healthy Living: Movement & Nutrition 👭

MOVEMENT: Brain breaks are short, 3-5 min. mental breaks, designed to help kids stay focused and attentive in the classroom or to help them through transition times. You miss wish to enjoy some yoga to celebrate Hallowe’en and Thanksgiving.

For Parents:

  • During homework time;
  • Transition times when you need to bring energy levels down;
  • During unpreferred tasks – for example, while cleaning their bedroom;
  • Before bed – use a calming brain break;
  • In the morning – use an energizing brain break.

For Teachers:

  • First thing in the morning;
  • Between subjects;
  • After recess or after lunch;
  • After gym class;
  • Intermittently during times when kids need to sustain focus;
  • When a student is feeling frustrated and needs a short break.

acefitness.org.

freepick.com

NUTRITION: Healthy eating often means enjoying a variety of fruits and vegetables. With the big Thanksgiving meal over, who says the feasting has to be? After the many hours that are spent preparing for such a huge spread, Thanksgiving leftovers are a given. You don’t have to give up the beloved leftover turkey sandwich, but why not explore a few new ways to enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers? Leftover Cranberries – make some Cranberry Bread. Turkey vegetable soup is always popular and so nutritious. Read through the following recipes to enjoy cooking and preparing with your children.

  • Make some easy Banana Ghosts and involve your child in this easy and fun preparation.
  • Still yearning for those spices reminiscent of Fall? Bake one of these delectable Spice Cakes.  Children can measure out the ingredients.

5. Reflect: Thoughts of the Day about Learning 💭

PERSPECTIVE: Understanding Others’ Perspectives.

priyankadutta.com

THANKSGIVING: 

Quotesgram.com

Searchquotes.com

HALLOWE’EN: