Kindergarten and Preschool Lesson Plan Ideas and Activities 

Fall Theme Unit - Preschool and Kindergarten Activities for Fall 

Fall Theme Literature Activities

"It's Fall" by Linda Glacier is a good literature selection to use to introduce the

concept of the changes that occur during this time of year.

Predictable Chart - Follow-up Activity

Using a predictable chart to introduce the coming of fall is an excellent teaching strategy to model the reading process and discussing the signs of fall.  The pictures to accompany the chart is found in the theme unit.

Fall is...

A time for falling leaves

A time for pumpkins.

A time for harvesting.

A time for migrating.

 A time for hibernating.

 A time for scarecrows.

 A time for migrating.

  A time for sweaters.

 Corresponding Emergent Reader

In the link below you will find a sample page from the corresponding emergent reader that each child would receive as their own follow-up book to introducing the chart.  They can compile the book according to the chart (a line can be drawn down the middle, printed and made into a smaller booklet). Their own individualized book can be read to their family.  In the black and white version, the children can color the pictures also. 

Corresponding Emergent Reader in Color - Sample Page

Corresponding Emergent Reader in Black and White - Sample Page

 Autumn Is Here - an emergent reader printable book used for shared reading

In the link below you will find an emergent reader printable book called Autumn Is Here.  The story can be reproduced into a big book, written on chart paper or displayed onto an overhead transparency or smartboard to use for a shared reading experience.  Look in the link Reading Strategies for more information on shared reading.

Fall Emergent Reader Printable Book 

Follow-up Craft - Squirrel Puppet

The children could make a squirrel puppet and act out the changes that occur at this time of year.

Simple Version - Squirrel Puppet

The squirrel template would be painted, cut and a craft stick glued on.  Tissue paper could be cut, scrunched and added for the fur as shown in the photograph to the left.

More Difficult Version - Squirrel Puppet

The templates would be painted, cut and assembled on a paper bag as displayed in the photograph above.

More Literature and Craft ideas Used for the Fall Theme

The craft and poem below is a great follow-up acitivity after reading the book Fall Leaves Fall! by Zoe Hall and illustrated by Shari Halpern.  This is great book for preschool and kindergarten aged children.  The text is simple, pictures and story lines will really appeal to this age group.  The characters in the story tell what they do when the fall leaves appear.  There is also two pages dedicated to the types of leaves found on the various trees.

 Falling Leaves Craft Scene - Instructions

Make a copy of the tree trunk in the link below.  The children color or paint the tree trunk.  The poem would be cut and glued to the picture. Cut colored construction paper (orange, yellow, brown and red) into different shapes.  Glue these onto the scene representing falling leaves. Note:  The children could also paint falling leaves. Leaves made of coffee filters or paper towel with drops of food coloring added would also make a very beautiful craft display (this technique shown below)

Falling Leaves Poem

Autumn leaves are falling down                  

All around the yard and in the town

Falling, falling on the ground

and spreading their colors all around

One fell on my head

I laughed and said,

'I like Autumn!'

Tree Trunk Used for Fall Scene Craft

More Literature and Fall Craft Activities

The activity outlined below would be a great follow-up to reading the story Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert.  This is a delightfully illustrated book where the leaf man travels across the land driven by the wind and he sees all kinds of characters in the form of leaves.  The children will really enjoy closely looking at the pictures in this book and after creating their own leaf characters.

 Funny Leaf Person Craft Follow-up Activity

 Day 1-  Instructions

Pour a little water in 3 different plastic cups. Add red, yellow and green food coloring , children extract the colored water using an eye dropper, drop onto a coffee filter or paper towel (make sure you place a protector underneath) allow this to dry.

 Day 2 -  Instructions      

The children cut out the colorful leaf body. They can draw or add other body parts using construction paper or felts. The poem can be cut and added to the scene

Funny Leaf Person Poem

I see something green, red and yellow             

It is a funny, colorful leafy fellow                          

He floats through the air

Where he lands, he doesn't care

Wouldn't you like to find

A leaf of this kind?

Signs of Fall

Fall Picture Collage       

A fall collage could be made using the pictures from a magazine or the ones found in the theme unit.

Related Math Activities- Leaf Counting Booklet

In the theme unit or member's area  you will find a tree outline.  This can be copied and made into a leaf counting math booklet. The number would be printed on the page.  The children would color the trunk and tear pieces of colored contruction paper and add these for leaves showing the correct amount displayed on the page. The pages can be compliled and made into a counting booklet.

Scarecrow Mini-Theme

 Connection to Literature

The book "The Scarecrow's Hat" by Ken Brown could be used to introduce this theme.  This book offers a repetitive story line and an opportunity to introduce sharing and cooperation.

 Scarecrow Shape Craft 1 - This craft can be made using rectangles and circles as shown in the picture found in the theme unit or member's area. Paper shred was added for the hair.

 Scarecrow Craft 2 - The scarcrow template would be colored, cut and assembled as displayed in the photograph.  A child's photograph could be added or the children could draw their own scarecrow face using the circle provided.

 Owl Mini-Theme

 Kindergarten and Preschool Owl Craft

Many teachers like to integrate a mini unit on owls during their Fall study theme.  In the craft to the right the children studied facts about owls and watched a video/DVD learning more facts about them.  This was followed-up by doing the owl craft displayed to the right.  They printed a fact about owls on the front. A lunch bag was used for the body and hand prints used for the wings. 

Leaves for Sponge Painting

Information on How to Gain Access to This Theme Plus   Click Here