OCTOBER THEMES
These pages are dedicated to all the wonderful childcare providers and teachers that have become my friends and support through my daycare email lists. Most of the activities and ideas on these pages come from them. Please visit there sites or send them a note to let them know what you think of their ideas. Also, feel free to email me with ideas of your own for activities or other themes that you feel would be appropriate for any particular month. I will add your ideas with links to your website and email address. Thank you, and enjoy!

LETTERS: C & D
Coming Soon

NUMBER: 2
Coming Soon

SHAPE: Triangle
Coming Soon

COLOR: Orange
Coming Soon
Autumn/Fall
The following songs, crafts and ideas come from Tracy's website at Lil Treasures Child Care
Understanding Fall:

Fall/Autumn is one of the 4 seasons; it follows summer. Fall is the season that warns us that cold weather is coming. Many changes are taking place out of doors. See how much your kids know first, ask some of the following questions:
1. What do the leave do in the fall (change colors, fall off the trees)
2. What type of weather is in the fall? (all types, it can be hot, cold, rain even snow)
3. What are some of the things we do in the fall? (rake leaves, pick apples, pick pumpkins, get ready for the winter...)
Find a suitable book in the library about fall. There are several good ones!



LEAVES

SCIENCE: Collect green leaves and place them on a tray to dry.... over time they turn brown without clorophyl the leaf loses his green color.



Leaf Comparisions: Use a glue stick to glue leaves plucked from 4-6 different trees on to a poster board. Cover with clear contact paper. Sandwich leaves of the same size and variety between two pieces of clear contact paper. Trim around each leaves leaving a sealed edge. Set the board and leaves on a tray. The children compare and match the leaves.



Autumn Leaf picture: Go outdoors and find as many colored leaves as possible. Take them indoors and set them aside. On a large piece of white paper, draw the outline of a tree trunk and branches. Color in the outline with brown crayone. Next, glue the leaves you found onto the colored branches and allow to dry.



A Walk in the Leaves: In the autumn, watch the wind blowing leaves from the trees. Walk through some of the fallen leaves and notice the crunching sound under your feet!
Study why they fall from the tree! Collect different kinds of leaves to examine. Compare the colors and shapes. You may want to allow the children to use a magnifying glass to look at the leaves even closer. Count how many leaves fall in a five-minute period.
Don't forget another idea is to rake up several piles of the fallen leaves and allow the children to jump in the piles.



Dried Leaf Art: Collect a variety of colors of fall leaves. Bring the leaves inside and let them dry. Crumple up the dry leaves and place them in bowls. Set out the bowls of leaves, small bowls of glue or cotton swabs. Give each child a piece of construction paper. Let the children use the brushes or swabs to spread glue all over their papers. Then have them sprinkle small amounts of dried leaves on top of the glue. Help them shake the excess leaves.



Draw leaves free hand, then color or paint the pictures.



Do rubbings with crayons or pencils by placing paper on top of various leaves.



Paint leaves, then print them onto the paper by turning them over and pressing them onto the paper by hand.



Leaf bursts: Tape leaves to the paper, paint or use markers to color around leaves, then remove leaf. By replacing the leaf or several different leaves onto different parts of the paper, a burst effect will occur.



Foiled leaf designs: Place heavy foil on top of leaves, and then rub carefully with a stick, until a print appears. Cut out the leaf and glue to cardboard, if desired.



Predraw a brown crayon tree and let the children thumbprint yellow , orange, brown "leaves" on the tree.



Help the children paint the inside of their hand and set it down 3 or four times creating the branches.



Have the children glue a Popsicle stick on the paper and then draw branches out of the top and then glue on torn up squares of autumn colors for the leaves.



Put a pile of different colored leaves in a zip lock bag and then have the children try to guess how many are in the bag. record the guesses and then count the leaves as you take them out !



Using q-tips dot paint on to large (real) leaves.



Have your children try to classify the leaves by biggest, smallest, smooth, rough, colors...



Dance and blow around the classroom like leaves in the wind to music : add autumn colored streamers for the kids to hold onto .



Make a toilet paper tree: Cut a slit in the top of one end of the t.p. roll. then using half a paper plate, slide it into the "trunk" making a tree. Then the children can glue on real leaves to the tree.
OR a different variation
Make a toilet paper tree: crumple small pieces of red yellow and orange tissue paper glue them onto a large paper plate cut slit in one end of a TP roll insert the paper plate splatter paint leaves arrange one or more leaves on a sheet of construction paper partially fill a small spray bottle with DILUTED tempra paint spray lightly over the leaves when paint dries, lift the leaves to reveal the design.



Leaf Rubbings: To help children notice the veins in leaves and the different shapes of leaves, let them place a variety of leaves (underside up) under a piece of light coloured construction paper. Using the sides of crayons that have had the paper covering removed, children make crayon rubbings of the leaves.



Fall Tree: Give your kids a feel for fall by having them create their own tree. Have each child decorate a paper lunch bag, with fall colors, and their name. Take them out for a nature walk. Let them see and feel the tree's bark, fallen leaves, sticks, etc. Have them collect leaves (fallen&fresh), sticks, bark, and small parts of tiny branches. Bring them inside. Lay out newspaper for each child, have them empty the collection onto the newspaper. Give each child a large piece of manilla paper. Have them arrange and glue the sticks, bark and brach pieces to form the trunk and branches, then have them attach the leaves.



Finger Tree: Gather colored paper (red, orange, brown, green, yellow) Trace the child's hand onto several sheets of several colors. Cut out. Then cut out a brown tree trunk&branches in proportion to the amount of leaves. Have the child glue the hand shapes to the tree trunk to form the leaves of the tree.
Option: Have the child think of things to be thankful for and label the hand/leaves.
Another Option: Use as a class project. Use one hand cutout for each child to make a class tree.



Fall-leaf stained glass designs: Colorful fall leaves wooden ice cream sticks paper towels old crayons pieces waxed paper paper clips kitchen towel iron tape 1.) Take your class on a walk outdoors and collect 4 or 5 fall leaves. 2.) Give each child a ice cream stick, paper towel, and some pieces of old crayon. Ask each child to make crayon shaving over the paper towel by scraping the side of the ice cream stick against the crayon. Each child should make a handful of shavings. 3.) Next, give your child 2 12"long pieces of waxed paper. Children will then arrange their fall leaves on one of their pieces of waxed paper. have the children sprinkle colored wax in the spaces between the leaves. 4.) Ask each child to lay a second piece of waxed paper on top of his or her leaf arrangement. Use paper clips to attach each childs pieces of waxed paper together. 5.) Place a towel over the paper, to protect the iron. then set the iron at a low temperature and iron each childs arrangement. 6.) Then display in the window!



Dry Leaves: Materials: Green construction paper, dry fall leaves picked up from the ground, glue, brushes. Preparation: Cut a fairly large leaf shape from construction paper for each child. Have the children brush glue on their leaf shapes. Then let them crinkle dry leaves and scatter the pieces all over the glue. Variation: Draw bare tree figures on pieces of construction paper. Then let the children crumple up the dry leaves and glue the pieces of their papers.



SCARECROWS:

Scarecrow Decorating: Materials: Picture of a scarecrow, glue, pieces of material, buttons, noodles, anything that can be used to decorate the scarecrow. Let the children decorate. Cut the scarecrows out and use them as a bulletin board border for a display of completed work. Add a heading such as, 'We're Not Scared of Hard Work', or 'This Class Is Not Scared of Hard Work.' DISCUSS: The reason for scarecrows and the damage done to farmers crops by birds and animals. Ask what other kind of devices could be used to scare away these pests. Provide crayons and paper for children to draw pictures of these substitute scarecrows. Produce a picture or poster which shows a large crow and discuss.



SNACKS:

Stuffed Baked Apples
Ingredients: Firm baking apples, Butter or marg., Sugar, Hot water, Filling for Apples Fillings: raisins or walnuts or honey or banana slices or prunes or nutmeg or brown sugar or coconut or cinnamon candies or orange slices or pineapple. Toppings: ice cream or peanut butter or whipped cream or cheese or vanilla pudding or granola or custard or lemon sherbet or jelly
Directions: Core apples and sprinkle with 1 t. sugar. Set in baking dish. Stuff apple (combine several if you with). Pour hot water to cover bottom of dish. Bake 400 30-35 min. Spoon liquid over apples every 10 min. while cooking.Cool



Hot Apple Cider:
Ingredients: 3 cups apple juice, 1 cup cranberry juice, 8 in. stick of cinnamon, broken electric slow cooker, or saucepan, cup measure.
Directions: Put all ingredients in the pot. Cook on high till mizture boils. Reduce to low and simmer 5 minutes. *Do not let children near hot things. Serve warm or cooled. Talk to children about the smell and taste.



Cranberry Relish:
Ingredients: 1 quart cranberries, 2 oranges, quartered and seeded, 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, 2 cups sugar, food processor (with a group),large baby food jars - 1 per child, spoons. Directions: One or two children take turns putting cranberries and oranges into the grinder. Some children may cut oranges into smaller pieces before grinding. Grind again. Have someone stir in sugar, and the pineapple. When all mixed up, fill each jar with the relish. If doing this with a family, you can give the jars away as gifts tied with ribbon.



Scarecrow Salad:
Ingredients: 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2 apples, juice of 1 lemon, 2 stalks of celery, mixing bowl, measuring cups, plastic knives, apple corer.
Directions: Help the child measure the raisins and yogurt. You core the apple and slice in half. Help the child to cut the apple halves into chunks - add to the bowl. Stir in juice. Then cut the celery into small pieces. Add the remaining ingredients into the bowl and mix. Enjoy!



CORN

Corn Collage:
Supplies: Yellow and green construction paper, Glue, Unpopped popcorn.
Cut a "corn cob" and "husks" out of paper. Glue the "husks" around the "cob". Spread the glue on the "cob" and cover it with unpopped popcorn.



SONGS/POEMS:

Raking Leaves

My poor back will surely break,
If one more leaf I have to rake!
Crusty, rusty brown leaves!
Dusty, blustery red leaves!
Crunching, bunching, scrunching beneath my feet.
In a pile of crispy leaves, I'll find a welcome seat!



Scarecrow Song
Ask the kids to name a different body part to wiggle each time you recite the song: sung to the tune of the "itsy bitsy spider"

The silly silly scarecrow
Guards the fields all day.
He waves his silly [arms]
To scrare the crows away!



The Leaves Are Falling Down
sung to the tune of "the famer in the dell"

The leaves are falling down
The leaves are falling down
Red, yellow, green and brown
The leaves are falling down



Season Song
sung to the tune of "when the saints go marching in"

Oh when the leaves, fall off the trees
Oh when the leaves fall off the trees
We know that it must be autumn
When the leaves fall off the trees.
Oh when the snow, begins to fall
Oh when the snow begings to fall
We know that it must be winter
When the snow begins to fall
Oh when the birds, begin to nest
Oh when the birds begin to nest
We know that is must be springtime
When the birds begin to nest
Oh when the sun, shines o-so bright
Oh when the sun shines o-so bright
We know that it must be summer
When the sun shines o-so bright



Leaves Are Falling All Around
This is a finger play with movements

Leaves are falling all around - (put hands up and wiggle fingers)
Red, (do the sign language symbol for red)
Yellow, (do the sign language symbol for yellow)
Orange, (do the sign language symbol for orange)
And Brown. (do the sign language symbol for brown)
Twirling, swirling to the ground (wiggle fingers and bend knees and do the twist)
Look how many leaves I've found! (jump up with arms stretched out)



October Time

October time is pumpkin time,
The nicest time of the year.
When all the pumpkins light their eyes (encircle eyes)
And grin from ear to ear. (big grin)
Because they know at Halloween
They'll have lots of fun,
Peeking through the windowpanes (put hands over eyes and look)
Watching children run!



Falling Leaves

All the leaves are falling down (flutter fingers downward)
Orange, green, red, and brown. (flutter fingers)
If you listen, you'll hear them say, (cup hands around ears)
"Wintertime is on it's way." (whispering)

Thanks again to Tracy for those wonderful songs, crafts and ideas. Dont forget to visit her website at Lil Treasures Child Care

Columbus Day / Boats
Coming Soon

Library / Post Office
Try these links recommended by Dawn Smith at email: dawns_daycare@hotmail.com or url: www.buckeyekidsdaycare.com:
Library Links:
www.ipl.org/

www.lcweb.loc.gov/

www.libraryspot.com/

www.sil.si.edu/

Post Office/Stamp Links
www.philatelic.com/faq/ch20.html

www.canadapost.ca/CPC2/addrm/pclookup/pclookup.html

www.usps.gov/ncsc/lookups/lookup_zip+4.html

www.escapeartist.com/gobal10/zip.htm

http://swansongrp.com/posthist.html

www.si.edu/postal/


The Foods We Eat
Coming Soon

Halloween / Pumpkins

Try these links recommended by Dawn Smith at email: dawns_daycare@hotmail.com or url: www.buckeyekidsdaycare.com:
www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/fun.htm

www.ncsu.edu/ncsu/cep/ligon/haunted96/haunted96.menu.html

www.safesurf.com/halloween/


The following songs, crafts and ideas come from Tracy's website at Lil Treasures Child Care
Pumpkin Patch Picture

Supplies:
Cotton Balls
Orange Paint Powder
Pie Pan
Brown Construction Paper
Green Yarn
Yarn

Put the paint powder in the pie pan. Roll the cotton balls around in the paint and then set aside. Spread glue onto the brown piece of paper. Put on the orange cotton balls(pumpkins) and the green yarn(vines). Or you can also just use orange pompoms.



Tissue Ghost

Supplies:
Facial Tissues
Markers
String, yarn, rubber bands, twist ties ect.

Take one piece of tissue and roll it into a ball. Put it in the center of another piece of tissue, gather, and tie. This will form the ghost's head. Use a marker to draw eyes and mouth!



Window Watchers

Supplies:
Construction Paper
Crayons
Scissors
Glue
Colored Tissue Paper (orange, red, or yellow work great)

Draw a halloween character (bat, cat, pumpkin, ghost, ect.) on a piece of construction paper(just make sure the eyes are atleast an inch around); cut it out, including the eyes. Trace the cutout onto another piece of paper and cut it out too, including the eyes. You now have the front and back. Glue tissue paper over the eyeholes on the backside of the front cut out. Glue the front and back together (make sure to line up the eyes) so the tissue paper is hidden inside.



Spider Web

Supplies:
Black Construction Paper
White Paint
Scissors
Round, Metal Cake Pan or Pie Pan
Marble

Cut a piece of construction paper to fit into the bottom of the cake pan. Place about a half teaspoon of white paint in the middle of the paper. Drop the marble into the cake pan and tilt the pan back and forth. As the marble passes through the paint it leaves trails of white on the paper. (I have also had the kids glue plastic spiders on their pictures when they are dry!)



Bean Ghost Pictures

Supplies:
Black Construction Paper
Large Lima Beans
Glue
Markers

Glue the beans onto the paper, and use a fine point marker to make a face on the bean. This is the ghost. If you want, you can have the child draw a scene on the paper too!



Witches Broom

Supplies:
Paper Grocery Bag
Paper Towel Rolls
Scissors
Tape
String

Depending on the length you want the broom handle to be, you can tape two or more paper towel rolls together. Cut off the bottom of the paper grocery bag, then cut fringes into that side. Roll the uncut side of the paper bag around the bottom of the tube; attach with tape ,then tie with string.



Paper Grocery Bag Costume and Mask

Supplies:
Paper Grocery Bags
Crayons, Markers, or Paint
Scissors
Glue, Tape, Ect
Scrap Paper, Scrap Fabric, Buttons (and anything else you can imagine)

Depending on what you are making, cut holes for eyes, arms, neck, ect. Use your imagination and design as you want!



Paper Plate Masks

Supplies:
Paper Plates
Popsicle Sticks, Yarn, or Rubber Bands
Crayons, Markers, or Paint
Glue, Tape, Ect
Scrap Paper, Fabric, Buttons (and anything else you can imagine)

Cut out holes for eyes. Decorate as desired. Use popsicle sticks as a "handle" to hold up the mask, or use yarn or rubber bands to tie it to the face.



Scary Skulls

Supplies:
Paper Plates
Crayons or Markers
Scissors

Cut half circles (about 3-4 inches long and about one and a half inches deep)on opposite sides of a paper plate. Draw a skull face.



Monster Munchies

Ingredients: bread, raisins, shredded carrots or shredded cheese, peanut butter or cheese spread, bananas, celery, round cookie cutter (an upside down glass).

Using the cookie cutter, cut out a circle from a slice of bread. Spread peanut butter or cheese spread over the entire circle. Cut two slices of bananas for eyes. Place a few raisins for nose and mouth. Cut celery pieces to use for eyebrows and/or ears. Use shredded carrots or cheese for curly hair. Let the children be as creative as they want. You can add new ingredients and let the children experiment!

Thanks again to Tracy for those wonderful songs, crafts and ideas. Dont forget to visit her website at Lil Treasures Child Care


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