Falling Leaves
leaves cut from construction paper (fall colors)
Circles (9" in diameter) cut from brown construction
paper
scissors
tape or glue for each child
Draw a spiral on the brown circles and have
the children cut along the spiral line of the circle.
When they are finished ask them to lift the cut circle to see the results!!
Provide pre-cut leaves (or materials for them to cut them). Glue
or tape the leaves along the spiral. Hang the decorated spirals from
the ceiling of the room.
Corncob Painting for Fall
Wash corncobs and allow to dry for several
days. Make paint pads by placing folded paper towels in shallow containers
and pouring on yellow tempera paint. The children can roll their cobs on
the paint pads and then onto their paper.
Variation: Cut the corn cobs in half and the
children can use the end as a stamp to make corncob flowers!
Nature Walk Cornstarch Impressions
While on a nature walk with the children in
the fall, encourage them to pick up leaves, twigs, dried flowers or other
nature objects.
To make Cornstarch Impressions:
In a saucepan, mix together 1 cup cornstarch;
2 cups baking soda; and 1 1/4 cups water. Cook over medium heat until the
mixture thickens. Cool, then flatten mixture between sheets of waxed paper.
Let the children lay their found items on top of the cornstarch mixture
and press them down firmly. Then they can remove their objects and see
the detailed impressions they made!
Mr. Pumpkin Head
Place a small pumpkin on a table, with washable
markers, a damp sponge, and accessories - hats, eyeglasses, scarves, wigs,
etc. Let the children draw faces with the markers, and dress up Mr. Pumpkin
Head. They can erase their work and start again, by using the damp sponge!
Autumn Window Paint
Paint an autumn scene on your windows with
the following recipe. It is easily removed with a solution of water and
vinegar.
Window Paint:
2 tablespoons powdered tempera paint
1 tablespoon warm water
1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
Measure powdered tempera paint into a container.
Mix in water thoroughly to achieve a smooth paste. Add liquid dish soap,
mixing completely, but gently to avoid making suds (if too many suds form
place paint in the freezer for a few minutes). This paint dries on the
window in about 5-10 minutes.
Fall Wreath
Take the kids for a nature walk and collect
things like: pine cones, fall leaves in many colors, nuts, acorns, etc.
You will also need: cardboard or large paper plate and glue.
Cut a wreath shape out of cardboard. Ask children
to decorate their wreath with their own findings. Add a ribbon, if they
wish.
Autumn Leaf Sun Catchers
Decorate your windows with these wonderful
Leaf Sun Catchers! You will need contact paper, tissue paper
in fall colors, permanent marker, leaf shape patterns.
Cut a 5 x5 inch square of contact paper, put
tape on the dull side and tape it to the table for each child. Peel of
the backing so that the sticky side is facing the child. Have the children
cut or tear small pieces of tissue paper and completely cover the piece
of contact paper. Cover the first 5 x5 piece with another piece so that
the tissue is now between the two pieces of contact paper. Trace a leaf
shape onto the contact paper and cut out the leaf shape. Use a couple of
pieces of clear tape to adhere the leaves to a window where the sun will
shine through them.
Variation: You can sprinkle the tissue with
water to make the colors bleed into each other. Let it dry before putting
on the second piece of contact paper.
Songs, Finger Plays, Nursery Rhymes
Do you have a fall song to share with us?
Send us an email!
Recipes
How to Preserve Fall Leaves
To preserve real leaves for leaf rubbing....Brush
the leaves on each side with vegetable oil. Place the oiled leaves
between layers of newspaper. Place a heavy object on the newspaper
for about three days. You will have beautifully preserved leaves
for leaf rubbing!
