We read several stories about Fall including There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves by Lucille Colandro, When the Leaf Blew In by Steve Metzger, and Autumn is Here by Heidi Pross Gray. These stories not only served as an introduction to the Fall season, but also were used to discuss book parts and sequencing.
In order to prepare for our upcoming field trip to the farm, we have an apple orchard, pumpkin patch and farm stand in the dramatic play area. Students are taking on different roles as customers picking apples from the trees and pumpkins from the patch. They can also buy items from the farm stand and serve as the cashier.
At the sensory table, the children can touch and feel autumn items such as apples and pumpkins while also pouring, counting, and scooping beans.
As we observe the changing colors of the leaves, it is relevant to also learn about colors and color mixing. We conducted an experiment with baking soda in which the children used droppers to drop different colored water onto the baking soda and observe the results. Several of the children noticed that they could mix two colors to make a new color. The second day of the experiment, instead of water, the children dropped colored vinegar and observed the reaction. As a class we compared the results of the two liquids.
The children also conducted an experiment to discover what color the green leaves outside would turn. The children started by ripping up green leaves into tiny pieces and placing them in a jar. We then poured rubbing alcohol on top, and placed the jar in hot water. After a short time, a coffee filter strip was placed into the jar and left overnight. During the night, the green color from the leaves separated revealing the color hiding "inside" the leaves. This is the color the leaves will turn.
After spending some time observing the changes of Fall, we focused our attention on apples. The students learned about growing apples, the parts of apples and that there are a variety of different kinds. We read the books, Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell, Ten Apples Up on Top by Dr. Seuss, Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington and Bad Apple Edward Hemingway. The students were taught yoga poses as a way to help them remember the most important parts of a story and their sequence.
At the end of the week, we peeled, cut and mixed apples to make applesauce. It was delicious!
While the students waited for the applesauce to cook, they completed a STEM activity where they tried to build an apple tree that could hold the most apples. The students used paper towel rolls, popsicle sticks and pom poms. Some children chose to work with a partner while others worked independently.
Several students in our class love the Hungry Hungry Hippos game. Therefore, this week in gym class we created a lifesize Hungry Hungry Hippos game. The children moved around on scooters and collected colored balls which they sorted by color into hula hoops. The scooters were a challenge at first, but they are a great tool for strengthening leg muscles. In addition to this game, the children practiced throwing and catching skills using colored scarves which we pretended were leaves falling to the ground.
Hungry, Hungry Hippos:
Throwing and Catching:
We also welcomed our first Mystery Reader this month! The children were eager with anticipation as we walked down the hallway to the library. They were in for a treat as we listened to books from the How Do Dinosaurs...? series.
