Storytime Lesson Plan for Preschoolers: Autumn

Everything Has a Season I

Storytime Lesson Plan #3

"Everything Has a Season I: Autumn"

Ecclesiastes 3:1

This series of lesson plans was developed and used in NSW, Australia. Some books and/or songs may not be available in your area. Please adapt these suggestions to suit your resources.

I. Introduction: Show the children a collection of leaves and other Fall items. Discuss how God made the trees and the seasons. Talk about how trees change throughout the seasons.

II. Fall Fingerplay:

Red and yellow, green and brown (count off colors on fingers)
Leaves are falling to the ground (simulate falling leaves with hands)
We pile them up, oh so high ("pile" leaves with hands)
Then we JUMP in (pretend to jump in leaves)
My friends and I!

III. Story: Ten Tall Oaktrees, by Richard Edwards. Discuss how God wants us to care for the Earth He created. Discuss ways we can care for the Earth.

IV. Song: "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," from "Sunday School Songs" recording by Cedarmont Kids.

V. Fall Song/Game: "The Leaves on the Trees" (tune: "The Wheels on the Bus")

Form a circle with the children then sing:

The leaves on the trees came tumbling down, tumbling down, tumbling down (flutter hands down while singing)
The leaves on the trees came tumbling down, all over town (flutter hands down then turn around.)

The leaves on the trees are red, red, red. Red, red, red. Red, red, red (everyone wearing red goes to center of circle and shake themselves)
The leaves on the trees are red, red, red...all over town.

Repeat for orange, yellow, green, brown, and purple (or any other colors, until all children have had a chance to be in the center of the circle.)

VI. Story: The Tiny Seed, by Eric Carle. Briefly discuss the significance of a plant's life cycle.