This is a simple Unit for use with many ages. Great for the fall! We love to do it between Halloween and thanksgiving, or as a kick off to autumn time! This is easily adaptable for all ages and large or small groups. You cover several subjects. Science, math, reading,arts, writing, language arts, computer.
I have divided it up into days. You can divide it up in any way you like, make it fit your needs.

At the beginning of this Unit I have the kids choose at least 1 poem about autumn to memorize. It will be their copy work till it's memorized. They will copy it daily. I check after they write it and mark errors, they fix them and we repeat till its done right. I also have them recite it. This is usually done at the end of the Unit for dad! They also show off their art projects and tell him about what they have learned! Usually we head to the park for a picnic for this!

Day 1
First I tell the kids what we are going to be learning about, we go outside and look at the trees, I point out the changes that are taking place.

Have the kids look at, feel, smell, taste, thump on, or crumple, one or both a pumpkin and/or leaf. Then have them write about it. If you want to make it extra fun have them write a silly story about it.

Use the five senses to describe a pumpkin...
a leaf.....
It looks like:
It feels like:
It smells like:
It sounds like:
It tastes like:
Follow this link for more fun pumpkins

Day 2
Set that pumpkin on the table and have the kids all take a close look and make a guess at how many seeds will be inside.? How much will it weigh? Be sure to write the answers down for later so you can see who comes closest to right. Then as you clean it set the seeds aside for counting.
Some good questions to ask might be:
Who was closest to right?
Were there as many seeds as you thought there should be?
Were there more or less seeds?

Before you cut and clean have everyone take a turn holding the pumpkin. Once again guess at how much it weighs. And don't forget to write down all the answers.
Now weigh it?
Were you right?
What about after cleaning it?
whats the difference in weight?
Is there a difference?
Now clean off the Pumpkin seeds lay them on a cookie sheet, sprinkle lightly with salt and bake 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. A tasty treat.
Follow this link for more fun teaching heart

Day 3
We have done several variations of this. from small and simple to Large covering our wall and ceilings! We used brown paper, cut it to look like a trunk. Taped it to the wall. Then cut out branches and pin them into place on the ceiling. next everyone make leafs! We hang them from the branches! Add a few birds, lady bugs, bees or whatever get creative!
or for a simpler, easier, more for young children you can make a fall tree using leafs we printed out and the kids will color them. It was fun we made the trunk smaller, put it on a window and decorate! Get as creative as you like.
Templates at dltk-holidays

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