Lesson Plan
Falling Into Fall!
Students will be able to identify and describe at least three characteristics of the fall season, such as falling leaves, cooler weather, and common fall activities.
Understanding seasonal changes helps students observe and make sense of the natural world, fostering curiosity and early scientific thinking. It also connects their learning to their everyday experiences.
Audience
Kindergarten Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through interactive slides, discussion, and a hands-on activity, students will explore fall.
Materials
Smartboard or projector, Crayons, Construction paper, Glue sticks, Falling Into Fall! Slide Deck, Fall Exploration Worksheet, and Fall Scavenger Hunt Activity
Prep
Gather Materials & Review
10 minutes
- Review the Falling Into Fall! Slide Deck and ensure all technological equipment is ready.
- Print copies of the Fall Exploration Worksheet for each student.
- Prepare materials for the Fall Scavenger Hunt (e.g., gather a few fall leaves, small twigs, or pictures of fall items if doing indoors).
- Ensure crayons, construction paper, and glue sticks are accessible.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What do you notice about the weather today? What do you see outside?"
- Introduce the lesson using the Falling Into Fall! Slide Deck (Slide 1-2). Engage students with questions about what they already know or observe about fall.
- Teacher Script Guidance: Refer to the Falling Into Fall! Script for detailed talking points.
Step 2
Exploring Fall (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Present slides that highlight key fall characteristics: falling leaves, cooler weather, animals preparing for winter, and fall holidays (Slide 3-6).
- Facilitate a brief discussion for each characteristic, asking students to share their experiences and observations.
- Teacher Script Guidance: Refer to the Falling Into Fall! Script for detailed talking points and questions.
Step 3
Activity: Fall Exploration Worksheet (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Distribute the Fall Exploration Worksheet.
- Guide students through the worksheet, encouraging them to draw or color items they associate with fall.
- Circulate to provide support and encourage students to share their drawings.
- Teacher Script Guidance: Refer to the Falling Into Fall! Script for instructions.
Step 4
Cool-Down & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together. Have a few students share their favorite part of fall or something they drew on their Fall Exploration Worksheet.
- Conclude by summarizing the main ideas about fall (Slide 7). Reinforce that fall is a season of change and beauty.
- Introduce the Fall Scavenger Hunt Activity as a fun, optional extension or homework.
- Teacher Script Guidance: Refer to the Falling Into Fall! Script for closing remarks.
Slide Deck
Falling Into Fall!
Get ready to explore the amazing season of autumn!
Welcome students and introduce the exciting topic of fall! Ask open-ended questions to activate prior knowledge.
What is Fall?
What do you notice when the weather gets cooler and leaves start to change?
Prompt students to share what they already know or notice about fall. Encourage observation skills. 'What do you see when you look outside lately?'
Colorful Leaves!
Leaves turn beautiful colors and gently fall from the trees. It's like nature's confetti!
Discuss how leaves change colors (red, yellow, orange) and fall from trees. Ask: 'What's your favorite leaf color?'
Crisp, Cool Air!
The air gets cooler, perfect for cozy sweaters and playing outside!
Talk about the cooler weather, wearing jackets, and perhaps less daylight. 'Do you need a jacket when you go outside now?'
Animals Get Ready!
Squirrels gather nuts, and some animals get ready for a long winter nap.
Briefly mention animals like squirrels gathering nuts and bears preparing to hibernate. 'What do animals do to get ready for winter?'
Fun Fall Times!
Fall brings special holidays and fun activities like pumpkin patches and apple picking.
Touch upon holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving, or other fall celebrations they might know. 'What fun things do you do with your family in the fall?'
Hello, Fall!
Fall is a wonderful season full of changes, colors, and exciting adventures!
Review the main points: colorful leaves, cool weather, animals preparing, and fun holidays. End with a positive message about fall.
Script
Falling Into Fall! Script
Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning, wonderful learners! Let's start our day by noticing something special. Look outside our window, or even just think about when you were coming to school today. What do you notice about the weather? Is it hot like summer, or a little cooler? What do you see on the trees or on the ground?"
(Allow time for student responses, validate their observations.)
Teacher: "That's right! Many of you are noticing that the air is getting a little cooler, and maybe you've seen some leaves changing colors! Well, guess what? We are officially 'Falling Into Fall!' Today, we're going on an adventure to learn all about this amazing season. Let's look at our first slide!"
(Display Falling Into Fall! Slide Deck - Slide 1: Title Slide)
Teacher: "This is our lesson today: Falling Into Fall! Isn't that a fun name? Let's see what fall is all about."
(Display Falling Into Fall! Slide Deck - Slide 2: What is Fall?)
Teacher: "So, what is Fall? What comes to your mind when you hear the word 'fall' or 'autumn'?"
(Encourage a few responses.)
Exploring Fall (10 minutes)
(Display Falling Into Fall! Slide Deck - Slide 3: Colorful Leaves!)
Teacher: "Look at these beautiful leaves! One of the most magical things about fall is how the leaves on trees change their colors from green to bright reds, oranges, and yellows. Then, what happens to them? They gently fall to the ground, like nature's confetti! Has anyone seen colorful leaves falling or picked one up? What color was it?"
(Allow students to share short anecdotes or observations.)
(Display Falling Into Fall! Slide Deck - Slide 4: Crisp, Cool Air!)
Teacher: "Brrrr! Another big change in fall is the weather. The air gets cooler and sometimes a little bit breezy. It's the perfect weather for wearing cozy sweaters, light jackets, and playing outside! Do you need a jacket when you go outside now? How does the cool air feel on your skin?"
(Discuss clothing and feelings associated with cooler weather.)
(Display Falling Into Fall! Slide Deck - Slide 5: Animals Get Ready!)
Teacher: "It's not just us who notice the changes! Animals get busy in the fall too. Look at this squirrel! What do you think he's doing? He's gathering nuts to save for the winter. Some animals get ready to take a long winter nap. Animals are very clever!"
(Ask: "What other animals might get ready for winter?")
(Display Falling Into Fall! Slide Deck - Slide 6: Fun Fall Times!)
Teacher: "Fall also brings some super fun activities and special holidays! Maybe you've visited a pumpkin patch, gone apple picking, or celebrated holidays like Halloween or Thanksgiving with your family. What are some fun things you do in the fall?"
(Allow a few students to share their favorite fall activities.)
Activity: Fall Exploration Worksheet (10 minutes)
Teacher: "Wow, we've learned so much about fall! Now it's your turn to show me what you know. I'm going to give you a special Fall Exploration Worksheet. On this worksheet, you can draw your favorite fall things, like colorful leaves, pumpkins, or even yourself in a cozy sweater! You can also color the fall pictures you see."
(Distribute Fall Exploration Worksheet and crayons. Circulate to assist and encourage students.)
Teacher: "Remember, there are no right or wrong drawings, just share what fall means to you!"
Cool-Down & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)
(After students have had time to work on their worksheets, bring them back together.)
Teacher: "Alright everyone, let's put our pencils down for a moment. Who would like to share one thing they drew or colored on their worksheet? Or tell us your favorite part about fall?"
(Call on a few students to share.)
(Display Falling Into Fall! Slide Deck - Slide 7: Hello, Fall!)
Teacher: "Fantastic shares! So, we learned that fall is a season when leaves change colors and fall, the weather gets cooler, animals get ready for winter, and we have lots of fun activities! It's a truly beautiful season of change."
Teacher: "Before we finish, I have a fun idea for you. I'm going to give you a special Fall Scavenger Hunt Activity to take home or do around school! You can look for different fall items, like a red leaf, a brown stick, or something orange. It's like being a fall detective!"
(Distribute the Fall Scavenger Hunt Activity if desired as homework/extension.)
Teacher: "Thank you all for being such amazing fall explorers today! Remember to keep observing all the wonderful changes around us. Happy Fall!"
Worksheet
Fall Exploration Worksheet
My Favorite Fall Things!
Draw your favorite things about the fall season! What do you see, feel, or do?
Fall Colors!
Circle all the colors you see in fall:
Red Blue Yellow Green Orange Purple Brown
Draw a Fall Scene!
Draw a picture of what fall looks like outside your window or in your neighborhood. Remember the colorful leaves, cooler weather, and anything else you learned today!
Activity
Fall Scavenger Hunt!
Become a fall detective! Can you find these items that tell us it's fall?
Check them off as you find them! You can do this at home, outside, or even in pictures!
- A Red Leaf
- A Yellow Leaf
- An Orange Leaf
- A Brown Stick
- Something that smells like pumpkin
- A picture of an apple
- A picture of a squirrel
- Something that makes you think of cooler weather (like a jacket or a scarf)
- A pumpkin (real or a picture!)
- Something orange
Bonus Challenge!
Draw one more fall item you found that wasn't on our list!