10 Educational Activities for Kids This Fall

                               

10 Educational Activities for Kids This Fall

Fall is a season filled with crisp air, colorful leaves, and the perfect opportunity for kids to explore and learn through exciting activities. Together we’ll explore ten educational activities that will engage and inspire young minds during the autumn season. These activities are not only fun, but they will also promote creativity, critical thinking, and learning in various subject areas.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Fall offers a beautiful landscape of changing leaves, acorns, and other natural wonders. Organize a nature scavenger hunt where kids can explore the outdoors and learn about different plant species, insects, and animals. Provide a checklist of items for them to find, such as a red leaf, a pinecone, a bird feather, and a spider web. This activity encourages observation skills, critical thinking, and appreciation for the natural world.

Apple Science Experiment

Visit an apple orchard and gather a variety of apples. Back at home or in the classroom, conduct a simple apple science experiment. Cut the apples into pieces and observe the different parts, such as the skin, flesh, and seeds. Discuss the concept of seeds being responsible for growing new apple trees. This hands-on activity introduces kids to basic biology and the lifecycle of plants.

Pumpkin Carving and Storytelling

Carving pumpkins is a classic fall activity that can be made educational by adding a storytelling component. After carving the pumpkins, encourage children to create a story based on the face they carved into their pumpkin. Each child can take turns telling their story, fostering creativity, public speaking skills, and imagination.

Fall Themed Art Projects

Engage kids in various fall-themed art projects, such as leaf rubbings, watercolor paintings of fall landscapes, and creating leaf collages. Discuss the changing colors of leaves and why they occur. Encourage children to explore different art techniques, enhancing their fine motor skills and artistic expression.

Fall Harvest and Nutrition

Teach kids about the fall harvest and the importance of eating seasonal fruits and vegetables. Visit a local farmer's market or a farm. Let the children pick their own produce. Back in the classroom or home, talk about the nutritional benefits of these foods and incorporate them into a cooking activity. Preparing simple recipes using fall produce encourages healthy eating habits and practical math skills through measuring and following recipes.

Fall-themed Science Experiments

Explore the science behind the fall season with hands-on experiments. Investigate the chemical process behind changing leaf colors by conducting chromatography on different leaves. Study the migration of birds and discuss why they fly south for the winter. These activities introduce kids to scientific concepts and encourage curiosity and inquiry.

Fall Math Games

Turn fall leaves, acorns, or pumpkins into math manipulatives. Use them to teach addition, subtraction, and counting skills. For older children, introduce concepts like multiplication and division through fall-themed word problems. These interactive math games make learning enjoyable and enhance children's math proficiency.

Fall Book Club

Create a fall-themed book club where kids can read and discuss books related to the season. Select a mix of fiction and non-fiction books about autumn, harvest, and the changing environment. After reading the books, hold discussions and encourage kids to express their thoughts and feelings about the stories. This activity fosters a love for reading, comprehension skills, and critical thinking.

Fall Geography Adventure

Embark on a fall geography adventure by exploring different regions and how they experience the autumn season. Discuss the changing weather patterns and seasonal differences between various locations. Encourage children to create maps and mark the places they learn about, broadening their understanding of the world.

Fall Music and Movement

Engage kids in fall-themed music and movement activities. Play music inspired by the season and encourage them to dance, move like animals preparing for hibernation, or act out the falling leaves. Music and movement enhance coordination, creativity, and provide a fun outlet for self-expression.

Fall is a fantastic season for children to learn and explore the world around them. These ten educational activities offer an exciting way to engage kids in learning during the autumn months. From nature scavenger hunts and pumpkin carving to science experiments and fall-themed art projects, these activities foster creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the changing season. Whether at home or in the classroom, these activities will undoubtedly make this fall a memorable and enriching experience for kids. So, let's celebrate the beauty of autumn while providing our children with valuable educational opportunities.

Videos to Watch:

Counting Leaves! Ten Frames Count Numbers 0-10, Fall Autumn Math, Virtual School Online Learning

 FUN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8YIwUvVTI0

 

How to Create a Mini-Garden in Small Spaces with Your Kids This Summer

Creative Ways to Garden in Small Spaces

Now that school is out and spring here, it is the perfect time to think about gardening. Gardening can be fun as well as relaxing for both you and your children. With rising prices at the grocery store, it can also be a great way to save money. Growing your own vegetables and herbs can help you put money back into your budget. Gardening is also a great way to teach your kids about responsibility and self-reliance.

If you are thinking about planting a vegetable or herb garden, you’ll need the space to do it. If you want to grow herbs and vegetables but you only have a limited amount of space in which you can use, here are some creative ways to start a garden with your kids in a small space this summer.

Flower Pots or Planters

Flower pots don’t have to just be for flowers. They can also be used to grow vegetables and herbs as well. If you crunched for space, these pots could make the ideal home for single plants like lettuce, onions, beets, and carrots. Just be sure to check to make sure that you are planting these items in season. Late April and May the perfect times for planting the vegetables mentioned above. Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, chives, mint, and basil are all great plants and herbs to plant during June.

You may want to plant a variety of vegetables and herbs, so be sure to check with your local extension agency or farm bureau to find out when is the right time to each plant.

Planters are no laughing matter. Many of them come in a variety of designs that can make your home or small garden space look great.

One of the best things about using flower pots to grow your plants in is that you can keep your plants indoors or outdoors. Of course, you will want to check to see how much sunlight each plant will require to ensure that they thrive. Again, I suggest checking with your local farming agency or other resource.

I’ve used flower pots myself to grow herbs and tomatoes in, and I was pleased with the flexibility this method of planting offered me. I didn’t have to worry about going outside to check on plants. They were safely inside of my own home.  

Flower pots are not the same as having a full-blown garden. However, they worked just as good for single plants.

Use boxes

Who said you have to throw those used boxes away? Make those old boxes do double duty by turning them into a mini garden. Depending on the size of the box, you could probably plant more than one vegetable inside. Line the bottom of your box to prevent water and soil from leaking onto your floors. Be sure to choose the correct soil in which to plant your plants in.

 Check to make sure that you have added enough soil to your plants especially if they will be outside. You also want to make sure that water has a way to drain so that it doesn’t get stuck inside the box and harm your plants.

Sunlight is also important. Plants have to receive the correct amount of sunlight in order to flourish. This calls for research on your part. A quick online search can usually tell you how much sunlight you will need to expose your plants to.

Again, these “box gardens” can be kept inside or outside. Best of all, these boxes won’t take up a lot of space.

Raised Gardens

Raised gardens are also a wonderful way to grow plants in small spaces. You and your kids can construct one of your own with material from your local Lowes or other hardware store, or you can easily purchase one in a store or online.

A raised garden doesn’t take up a lot of space, and it can provide you and your kids with a way to have fresh herbs and vegetables when you don’t have much space to work with. You do have to make sure that you use the correct mix of soil. A good rule of thumb is not to use the dirt from outside. You will need to purchase the correct mix to begin your gardening adventure.

Another plus to using a raised garden is that you can also utilize the bottom of the garden. The bottom portion can be used to hold small flower pots and other planters. This will help you to make the most of the small space in which you have.

Raised Planter

Similar to a raised garden is a raised planter. The raised planter provides the same easy maintenance as raised garden but with an added bonus. It eliminates the problem of having to bend over to tend to the plants. This is wonderful news for people who have bad backs and want to still grow a small garden. Also, weeds and other fuzzy creatures are keep away from your vegetables and herbs when you chose to use a raised planter or a raised garden.

Planters can even be tiered. This tiered system enables you to plant several small rows at one time. They are ideal for growing plants or herbs vertically on balconies, decks, patios, or inside your home.

Raised planters can also be constructed or purchased from one of the local stores that carry gardening and hardware supplies. You can also opt to purchase one from an online store.

Portable Greenhouse

A portable greenhouse can be just the thing to help get your garden started. Of course, a mini greenhouse is not for long term use, but it is ideal for getting your plants started when you are confined to a small space.

Portable greenhouses then to come with shelves that are adjustable so that you can accommodate your plants as they grow. They also come with special made plastic covering that works to keep the warmth from the sunlight inside of the mini greenhouse.

Walls, Ceilings, and Windows

Another place to plant vegetable and herbs are in plants that attach to the sides of the wall. They are several ways to do this.

You can purchase bracket and hanger, and then you can use them to create a way to secure your potted or hanging plants to your home's walls. These can be used inside or outside.

Trellis can also be used as a station for potted plants. They can be staked to the ground, hung on your wall, or stand they can alone in your garden area. This will provide you a simple area on which to hang several plants in pots.

Don’t forget to look up. You and your kids can hang plants from your ceiling or other area where you can attach a hanging basket. You can plant single plants or herbs inside these baskets.

Do you lack the space for a full-blown garden? Do you still want to grow some vegetables and herbs? Then, get creative and utilize your flower pots, planters, large boxes, and mini green houses to grow your own tiny garden.

Teen Novels that Teach History

Historical Novels for Teens and Teachers

History and literature go hand in hand.  It is through journals, diaries, and storytelling that history is passed down from generation to generation. There are novels, both fiction and non-fiction, that can be used to make history come alive for students. 

*Night John

Gary Paulsen’s “Night John” tells the story of Sarny. Sarny is a young slave girl who lives on a plantation somewhere in the South in the 1950’s.  Sarny’s mother has been sold, and she is being raised by another slave named Dealey. One day the Master purchases a new slave named John.  John is unlike the other slaves because he can read and write which is against the law. Although he had escaped from slavery earlier, Night John has returned to the South to teach the other slaves how to read and write.

The book was first published in 1993. It can be used to teach about the slavery, the Civil War, and the importance of reading.  It can also be used to compare and contrast the lives of African slaves with those of the indentured servants that helped settle the first colonies in America. 

*To Kill a Mockingbird

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is the thought provoking book by Harper Lee.  It is set in 1936 in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. It is centered around the trial of Tom Robinson, a young black man who is accused of rape. It is told from the point-of-view of Scout, a teen year old girl, and it is based on the events surrounding “The Scottsboro Trials”.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a heartwarming novel.  It is rich with humor and innocence even though it discusses the serious social issue of rape. “To Kill a Mockingbird” can be used to discuss the effects of the Great Depression in America.  It can also be used to discuss Jim Crow laws, “The Scottsboro Trials”, racial inequality, and even the judicial system. 

*She Said Yes

“She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall” by Misty Bernall is the true story of Cassie Bernall.  Cassie Bernall is one of the victims of the Columbine High School shooting.  The book is based on witnesses’ reports that Cassie was praying when one of the shooters asked her if she believed.  Cassie reportedly said, “Yes, I believe” just before she was fatally shoot. 

Teachers can use this incredible sad novel to teach about the Columbine High School shooting and other similar acts of terrorism. 

*Out of the Dust

This novel by Karen Hesse is set in Oklahoma from 1934-1935 during the Dust Bowl.  It is about the life of Billie Jo and her family.  Although times are tough and the neighbors are all running away from the land and the endless dust, her father insists that they tough it out.  Unfortunately, they cannot win against the relentless dust, and one innocent mistake has disastrous results. 

“Out of the Dust” can be used to teach about life during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowls.  It can also be used to discuss the causes of the Dust Bowl and the things that the government and farmers did to try to stop them.

*Briar Rose

“Briar Rose” by Jane Yolen starts when Rebecca Berlin’s grandmother “Gemma” dies.  Rebecca becomes curious about her grandmother’s past and begins to ask questions about Gemma and the strange story she always told Rebecca at bedtime.  It is the German fairytale, “The Briar Rose” an alternate to “The Sleeping Beauty”.  The novel moves back and forth between the present and the past.  Rebecca eventually learns that her grandmother is actually a survivor of the Holocaust.

“Briar Rose” is an alternative to the traditional books used to teach students about on the Holocaust. It can be used to discuss World War II, the Holocaust, and Jewish culture.

*Sarah Plain and Tall

Written by Patricia MacLachlan, “Sarah, Plain, and Tall” is about life in the West during the 19^th century.  A widower, Jacob Witting, decides to place an ad for a mail-order bride to help him raise his two children Caleb and Anna.  Sarah, a tall and plain woman from Maine, comes to answer Jacob’s advertisement. 

This short novel can be used with young teenagers and tweens to teach about life in the Old West.  It can also be the basis for a discussion on “mail-order brides”.  The teacher can discuss the reason someone would become a mail-order bride and why western farmers would find the need to place an advertisement for a wife.

*Call of the Wild

Jack London’s “Call of the Wild” is a novel about a dog named Buck.  Buck is a family dog that is kidnapped from his home in California and taken to the Yukon to work as a sled dog.  The story takes place during the Klondike Gold Rush.  Buck learns the brutal lessons of life as a sled dog. Buck’s instincts help him to become one with the wilderness.

This novel can be used to discuss the Klondike and the California Gold Rush.  Students can also examine the effects of the discovery of gold on California’s demographics and economy. 

There are many different novels that are not just fun to read. They are also a great way to spice up any history lesson.  

Fun Things to Do in Your Classroom with Fabric

 

Fabric can be used for many different ways to make fun and educational things for your class.  All you need is the material and an active imagination to get students interested in fabric and excited about learning.

*Class Quilts

Quilting isn’t just for little old ladies. You can get your students involved in quilting by make a classroom quilt using  small scrapes of fabric. Before beginning your classroom quilt, it was also be interesting to teach the students the history of quilting. Once this is done, let the quilting begin.

This quilt can be used to display each of the students’ names or it can be used feature a book, a story, or other lesson that you have just completed. You can then display the on a wall in your classroom or in the hallway.  Your students and parents will be excited to see the classroom quilt.

*Banners

Classroom banners can be designed for a specific event or just to show your class pride. They can also be used to summarize a recently read book or even a monthly theme like apples, clowns, or holidays. Banners are quick and simple to make, and they are a lot of fun for students to design.

*Tote bags

Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving or Mother’s Day-it doesn’t matter.  Students can use fabric to design totes for any season or any occasion.  This is a fun and quick activity that you and your students will both enjoy.

You and your students can make tote bags for any season or for any different activity.  Depending on the age of your students, you may have to pre-cut the fabric and do the sewing and ironing.  However, this is a fun way to make something that is not only cute but also useable.

Fabric can be used in several different ways in your classroom.  You can make classroom quilts, banners, totes, and other objects with fabric.  Making these items can be educational as well as fun. 

http://www.quilting-in-america.com/History-of-Quilts.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_4869601_make-banners.html

"Where the Wild Things Are": Educational Activities

 

Maurice Sendak’s book, Where the Wild Things Are can be used to teach many different skills and fun activities that can be stretched across the curriculum.  The following are some exciting activities using Where the Wild Things Are that can be altered to fit different age groups while still being educational.

Character Education:  “Why Be a Wild Thing?”

The story is a great way to introduce a discussion on emotions and how to handle them. After reading the book, ask students if they know what emotions are.  Allow time for students to answer.  Then, explain that emotions are feeling.  Once you have explain what emotions are, ask students if they have ever been angry like Max and if they have, how did they handle that anger.  You can have them look at the consequences of Max’s behavior-being sent to his room without supper.  Then brainstorm with them things that they could do differently.

Social Studies:  “Where are the Wild Things?”

Have students design their own world map or globe. The model must include the 5 oceans (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic) and at least two continents that actually exist. Then, allow them to create their own “Land of the Wild Things” on their map. Older students can make their model 3-D. 

Science: “And a Forest Grew”

Have your students grow their own forest.  Students can do something as simple as plant seeds in paper cups and watch them grow.  If you want to do something on a larger scale, you can plant a classroom garden in a designated spot outside.

Art: “Create a Wild Thing”

Students can draw and paint pictures of what they think a wild thing is.  They can also use pictures from the internet or various magazines to create their own “wild thing”.

Language Art:  “Wild Review”

Once the students have read “Where the Wild Things Are”, have them practice their writing skills by either doing a book review.  Have students include the story elements such as plot, setting, and theme.  They can rate the book on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being not interesting at all and 5 being very interesting.

“Wild about Books”

Students can also write their own children’s story.  The book can be about wild animals or how to deal with different emotions. Their story should also include fun illustrations.

Music:  “Wild Rumpus”

Students can make their own rumpus.  Let them use different musical instruments to make some fun “wild rumpus” of their own during playtime or music class.

Where the Wild Things Are is an unforgettable children’s book.  It can be used to teach students about anger management, geography, plant growth, and how to write book reviews.

http://voices.yahoo.com/where-wild-things-geography-lesson-281969.html

http://voices.yahoo.com/tutoring-lesson-plan-book-where-wild-things473279.html

 

Things to Include in a School Magazine

 

Writing for a school magazine can be fun and exciting. It is an excellent way to cultivate pride in your school and to make sure the masses stay informed. But, how you figure out what to include in your school magazine? What are today’s students interested in? If you find yourself asking these questions, consider some of these great article ideas for your school magazine.

*Health issues

Health articles are wonderful additions to any school magazine. Students are often curious about diseases and other health issues, and a school magazine is just the place for these articles. The health articles should be informative, but the terminology used in the articles should be easy to understand. It won’t do your students any good to read an article they can’t understand. You can choose your health article by month. For example, February is heart healthy month and November is Diabetes Awareness month.

*Healthy food choices

Students from high school to graduate school are often in a rush. As a result, they tend to make poor food choices. A school magazine can include ways that busy students can get both a quick meal and the nutrition that they need.

*Fashion

Have you ever found yourself wondering what you were going to wear or what your favorite celebrity was wearing? Well, so have the students who will be reading the school’s magazine. Articles on fashion are sure to interest both male and female students even if they are stuck in school uniforms.

*Tips for communicating with parents

Teenagers often find themselves struggling to communicate with their parents. As they begin to assert their independence, family relationships can become strained, and they may even find talking to their parents intimidating. So, be sure to include articles on how to bridge the communication gap between students and their parents in your school magazine.

*Relationship tips

Teens and young adults are always interested in dating tips. These can include everything from the best places for a date in your area to dating safety to how to handle sexual pressure while on a date.

*Book spotlights

Trying to encourage students to read can be frustrating. So, use every opportunity you can to promote reading. The school magazine is a great place to spotlight books.  Be sure to include a brief summary of the book, and the books pros and cons.

*Money saving tips

It is never too early to start learning how to save money. A school magazine should include money saving tips for students. This can be something as simple as how to plan a mini-budget or how to save on entertainment.

*Creative writing from students

A school magazine is a great place to display student work. These simple pieces will draw a lot of attention from fellow students. They will also be treasured by the student authors and their families. Just be sure to carefully read and edit these creative pieces before publishing them.

Don’t be confused about what to include in your school magazine. Choose topics that will interest your students and be educational at the same time.

Educational Things to Do with Your Children on a Snow Day

Snow is falling, and the kids are all out of school. However, you don’t want a snow day to turn into a wasted day. Make this frosty day an educational experience for your children. Are you wondering how? The following are some fun and educational ideas you can use on snow days.

Weather charts

Let your children experience the fun of being a meteorologist on those wintry days. Use the newspaper or the Weather Channel to chart the weather. You can have your children begin with the days leading up to your snow day or you can opt to do a 5 or 7 day forecast that includes a few days after your snow day. You can then let your children give you and the rest of the family their broadcast.

Research snow

Although the local library may be closed, you can still do some research. Have your children research snow formation and other winter weather. They can write a report about what they have learned or simply verbally share the information that they find with you and the rest of the family.

Compose poems

Snow days are great times to catch up on some writing. Your little poets can compose poems about snow, weather, and other fun parts of winter. If they don’t like cold weather, they can write poems about the problems that such wintry weather causes.

Write narratives

While your children have their pencils and composition notebooks out, they can also compose personal narratives about their snowy day. Have them include as many sensory details as possible.

Comparison/Contrast

Winter and summer are opposites. You can use the differences between these two seasons to have your children compose comparison/contrast essays. Have them brainstorm fun activities that can be performed in both winter and summer. You can then have them think of activities that can only be done during each particular season. Once your children have completed their brainstorming lists, they are all set to write.

Snowy Adventures

Who said that snow fights can’t be educational? Wrap your kids up and let them enjoy a few moments in the snow. Once they are finished, they can compose a short fictional story based on their adventure.

Newspaper articles

Snowy weather can also result in many interesting newspaper articles. Take those snowy headlines and turn them into educational experiences for your snowbound kids. Have them read articles from the paper and then write brief summaries about them. You can also allow them to write their responses to these articles.

Don’t let a snow day stop your children from learning. Turn each moment in the snow into a learning adventure using some of the activities listed above.

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-winter-storms.htm

http://voices.yahoo.com/creative-unique-ways-teenager-write-11963027.html