As fall continues, our classroom focuses on different aspects of the season. The themes have become colorful leaves, Native Americans, turkeys, food, Thanksgiving, gratitude, squirrels and nuts.
Thank you all for contributing to our Feast Day, it seemed like the children really enjoyed it. We spoke about being grateful for each other and healthy food. We also said a blessing (listed below) and had the “feast” snack as a group instead of “individual” snack, which is three children eating together.
Classroom Themes
The letter box has focused on “E” and “F,” with items beginning with these letters, and “G” will be coming soon. For example, we had a frog, fox, fish, fireman, fire truck, face, fly, fruit basket, and picture of a flower on a card with the letter upper and lower case in the “F” box. The number “3” is in the counting drop box with pegs, and the No. 3 book is available to represent the third month of the school year.
Red has been the predominant color, with other autumn shades, such as yellow, orange, green and brown. We have had a variety of leaf art works, including glueing leaves on a tree, leaf window clings, leaf painting on a printed sheet and a leaf stencil.
There is a sorting and matching work with 12 leaves of four different colors and sizes, which aids pre-math concepts. A basket of various leaves, different types, colors, shapes and sizes, is available for inspection, conversation and to use while singing “Pretty Leaves Are Falling Down.”
Songs
Pretty Leaves are Falling Down
(Tune: London Bridge)
Pretty leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down.
Pretty leaves are falling down, all around town.
(Wiggle fingers)
Let’s rake them up in a pile, in a pile, in a pile.
Let’s rake them up in a pile, all around town.
(Make raking motions)
Let’s all jump in and have some fun, have some fun, have some fun.
Let’s all jump in and have some fun, all around town.
(Jump into circle)
Another favorite song is:
Brown squirrel, brown squirrel, swish your bushy tail.
(Sit on your knees and pretend to move your tail from side to side.)
Brown squirrel, brown squirrel, swish your bushy tail.
Crinkle up your little nose. (Crinkle up your nose.)
Put a nut between your toes. (Pretend to place a nut between your knees.)
Brown squirrel, brown squirrel, swish your bushy tail.
Alligator Pie
(Start by patting your legs rhythmically, then stop)
Alligator pie, Alligator pie,
There is nothing I like better then alligator pie.
You can take away the green grass, take away the sky,
But don’t take away my alligator pie.
(Substitute favorite foods for alligator)
(We have a lot of fun with this song, as each child gets to choose a favorite food, especially
when their food may not normally go well with pie!)
Blessing
Earth who gives to us this food,
Sun that makes it ripe and good,
Dear Earth, Dear Sun,
By you we live,
Our loving thanks to you we give.
Winter Jackets
When the weather turns cold, and coats become part of our daily wear, consider practicing this coat flip with your children. Lay the open jacket on the floor, the inside facing up. Have your child stand by the “hood,” “collar” or “tag.” Those are some clues that are easy to remember.
The child puts a hand in each arm hole and then flips the coat on, over the head, moving the arms up, then spreading them wide.
Coat flips may take some time to teach, but, with a little practice, your child will soon be able to put on his/her coat all by him/herself. See the video demonstration on YouTube.
Since we keep our routine of going outside if at all possible, please bundle up so we can still get daily fresh air.
Thank you for working together and your support!
