Fabulous Fall

This theme was used in a preschool storytime.

Books

Aw, Nuts! by Rob McClurkan
Old Bear by Kevin Henkes

Songs

Five Furry Chipmunks 
Inspired by 123 Learn Curriculum.

One furry chipmunk dashes by,
(bounce one finger)
Two furry chipmunks are way up high.
(wiggle two fingers in the air)
Three furry chipmunks with some nuts to hide,
(put hands behind back)
Four furry chipmunks play outside.
(wiggle four fingers)
Five furry chipmunks chase round and round,
(roll hands)
Scattering acorns on the ground.
(make sprinkling motion with fingers)

This rhyme is a variation on Five Furry Squirrels.

I used a chipmunk finger puppet by Folkmanis to accompany the song.

I'm a Nut
Courtesy of Jbrary

We incorporate various movements into our version.

I'm an acorn small and round,
(make a circle with your arms out in front)
lying on the cold, cold, ground.
(point to the ground)
People always step on me,
(stomp foot)
that is why I'm cracked you see.
(clap hands)
I'm a nut (clack, clack)
(tap head)
I'm a nut (clack, clack)
I'm a nut, I'm a nut, I'm a nut (clack, clack)

Apple Seed
Courtesy of Everything Preschool. 

Activity

Bubble play! I used the song Fun, Fun, Fun by the Beach Boys!

Craft

Owl

Supplies:

• Brown paper cup
• Yellow construction paper
• Brown construction paper
• Feathers
• Sticker eyes 
• Scissors
• Glue stick 

Note: To make circle cutting easier, I use a circle stamp found in the stationary section of most craft stores. 

Apples

This theme was used in a preschool program.

Books

One Red Apple by Harriet Ziefert
Ned's New Home by Kevin Tseng
Ducking for Apples by Lynne Berry

Songs

Apple Seed
Courtesy of Everything Preschool. 

Five Little Apples
Courtesy of Preschool Education. See Apple Fingerplay. 

Activity

Rhythm Sticks!

If You Have Some Rhythm Sticks
Courtesy of Jbrary 

Bread and Butter
Courtesy of Jbrary

Rainstorm! 
Courtesy of Early Childhood News.

Craft

Caramel Apple!

Supplies:

• Red construction paper
• Brown construction paper
• Red and gold sequins
• Glue
• Popsicle stick

Fall Toddler Time

This program was for children ages 18 to 35 months. 

Books

Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson
Piggies in the Pumpkin Patch by Mary Peterson

Songs & Fingerplays

Brown Squirrel
Courtesy of Bus Songs

Apple Seed
Courtesy of Perpetual Preschool

Busy Little Scarecrow
Courtesy of Preschool Learning 

I used a variety of movements for the fall songs. We mimicked each action. I usually add movements to songs and fingerplays, since it engages the group and keeps their attention.

Five Elephants in the Bathtub
Courtesy of Storytime Katie 

I created a flannel board to accompany the song.

Elephant image courtesy of Clipart Panda.

Bathtub image courtesy of Cliparts.co.  

Scarf Play

This is the Way
Courtesy of Anne's Library Life 

Let's Go Riding in an Elevator
Courtesy of Jbrary

We only counted to three.

At the end the kids were invited to dance! I played the song Celebrate from the CD Kids Dance Party by The Party Cats.

Fall Fun!

Today I hosted a fall themed storytime for preschoolers. It was wonderful! The caregivers were very engaged and the kids enjoyed the program.

Books

Aw, Nuts! by Rob McClurkan
Old Bear by Kevin Henkes
Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington

Songs & Fingerplays

Five Furry Chipmunks
Inspired by 123 Learn Curriculum

One furry chipmunk dashes by,
(bounce one finger)
Two furry chipmunks are way up high.
(wiggle two fingers in the air)
Three furry chipmunks with some nuts to hide,
(put hands behind back)
Four furry chipmunks play outside.
(wiggle four fingers)
Five furry chipmunks chase round and round,
(roll hands)
Scattering acorns on the ground.
(make sprinkling motion with fingers)

This is a variation on Five Furry Squirrels. I purchased an adorable Folkmanis chipmunk finger puppet at the New Jersey Youth Services forum. I needed a good reason to use it!

I'm a Nut
Courtesy of Jbrary

I added a few more movements to the song.

I'm an acorn small and round,
(make a circle with arms in front) 
Lying on the cold, cold, ground.
(point to ground)
People always step on me,
(stomp foot)
That is why I'm cracked you see.
(clap hands on cracked)
I'm a nut (clack, clack)
(tap head while making clacking noise)
I'm a nut (clack, clack)
I'm a nut, I'm a nut, I'm a nut (clack, clack)

Activity

Shaker Eggs!

I haven't used the shaker eggs in a while with the preschoolers, so I thought it would be fun to break them out! Eggs, sticks, and scarves are always a hit with my group.

Egg Shakers Up
Courtesy of Jbrary

Shake it On Your Shoe
Courtesy of Jbrary

This is a fun way to count with the group!

Everyone Can Shake
Courtesy of Jbrary

In our version we tap the egg on our knee.

Craft

Fall Wreath

Supplies:

• Paper plate with center cut out
• Yellow paper
• Brown paper
• Red paper
• Orange paper
• Orange foam 
• Yarn
• Streamers
• Whole punch 
• Gluesticks
• Sequins

I used Ellison stamps to cut the leaves and apples. I traced  the pumpkins onto orange foam and cut out the shapes. If you don't have foam, simply use orange paper. I had extra from another craft and it added a nice 3D element to the wreath.