Fall Into Learning: 7 Fall-Themed Lesson Plans for Homeschoolers
As the air cools and leaves turn shades of red, orange, and yellow, fall provides the perfect opportunity for homeschooling parents to make learning an exciting and immersive experience.
The vibrant colors, seasonal changes, and abundant natural resources allow for many educational activities that bring the outdoors into your curriculum.
Seasonal lessons are an excellent way to integrate creative learning across multiple subjects, from science and math to art and creative writing.
In this post, we will explore seven fall-themed lesson plans that homeschoolers of all ages can enjoy.
Also, my first link-up blog party is at the bottom of this post! 🙂
These lessons combine hands-on activities with academic skills to ensure that your children learn while having fun.
Whether you’re looking for science-based experiments or creative art projects, this post will inspire you to embrace the beauty of fall and create an engaging educational environment for your homeschool.
1. Leaf Classification and Botany (Science)
Objective: Learn about the different types of trees and leaves in your area, classify them, and explore the science behind photosynthesis and seasonal changes.
Activity:
- Step 1: Go on a nature walk to collect various leaves. Encourage your child to observe the trees they come from. For younger children, focus on simple characteristics (like shape or size), while older kids can focus on more complex features (like leaf arrangement, lobes, and edges).
- Step 2: Back at home, sort the leaves based on different attributes (e.g., shape, color, size). Discuss the differences between deciduous and evergreen trees, and explain why some trees lose their leaves while others don’t.
- Step 3: Create a leaf classification book. Have your child tape or glue the leaves into a notebook, labeling each one with the tree species and adding a short description of its features.
- Step 4: Dive into the science of why leaves change color in the fall. Discuss the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis and how reduced sunlight causes leaves to lose their green color and reveals the pigments hidden underneath.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows of fall leaves are present all year long? These colors are hidden under the green pigment called chlorophyll, which fades as the trees prepare for winter!
Tip: If you’re unable to identify the leaves, try using a free tree identification app like LeafSnap or PlantNet. These tools use your smartphone’s camera to help you quickly identify tree species based on the shape and structure of their leaves.
Trick: You can preserve the leaves by pressing them between heavy books for a week or two, then use them for future science lessons or crafts. Laminating the leaves is another option to keep them looking fresh for longer.
2. Pumpkin Math: Estimation and Measurement (Math)
Objective: Practice estimation, measurement, and data recording using pumpkins, an autumn favorite.
Activity:
- Step 1: Visit a local pumpkin patch or grocery store to pick out a few pumpkins in various sizes. Make it a family outing to get everyone involved.
- Step 2: Before cutting into the pumpkins, ask your child to estimate the weight, circumference, and number of seeds inside each pumpkin. Have them record their estimates on a chart.
- Step 3: Use a kitchen scale and tape measure to find the actual weight and circumference of each pumpkin. Record the results and compare them to the estimates. Discuss the concept of estimation and how we use it in everyday life.
- Step 4: Finally, carve open the pumpkins and have your child count the seeds inside. For older children, extend the lesson by introducing data collection and graphing. For example, they can create a bar graph showing the estimated vs. actual seed count for each pumpkin.
Fun Fact: The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed a whopping 2,624 pounds! It was grown by a Belgian farmer in 2016 and holds the Guinness World Record for the heaviest pumpkin.
Tip: If you want to avoid the mess of carving pumpkins indoors, take this activity outside. You can also save the pumpkin seeds for roasting or as a simple math tool for skip-counting or pattern activities later.
Trick: For young learners, use the pumpkin seeds to practice basic math skills like counting, sorting, and creating groups. Ask them to group seeds by tens, fives, or twos, reinforcing early math concepts in a hands-on way.
3. Fall Haikus and Poetry Writing (Language Arts)
Objective: Learn the art of haiku and write fall-themed poetry inspired by nature.
Activity:
- Step 1: Start with a short lesson about haikus, explaining their 5-7-5 syllable structure. Haikus are a great way to introduce poetry since they are short, simple, and require careful thought about word choice.
- Step 2: Go outside for a “sensory walk” where your child can note what they see, hear, smell, and feel. Encourage them to write down descriptive words that evoke fall imagery, such as “rustling leaves,” “cool breeze,” “golden sunset,” etc.
- Step 3: Back at home, use the observations to create fall haikus. Write several examples as a family and share them during a cozy reading session. For older kids, you can explore more complex forms of poetry like free verse.
Example Haiku:
“Leaves swirl in the wind
Orange and gold float to earth
Autumn whispers in”
Fun Fact: Haikus originated in Japan and were originally part of a longer poetic form called “renga.” They became popular as standalone poems in the 17th century.
Tip: Use fall-themed poetry books to inspire your children. Books like “Leaf Man” by Lois Ehlert or “Fall Mixed Up” by Bob Raczka are great reads for younger children that combine autumn imagery with playful language.
Trick: Not all kids love writing, but making this activity a “family poetry slam” can add a competitive or fun element. After everyone has written their haikus, have a mini poetry reading where each child presents their poem. Consider creating a small fall-themed award or certificate for the best use of language or imagery.
4. Fall-Themed Story Starters (Creative Writing)
Objective: Foster creativity through writing by using seasonal story prompts to inspire short stories or essays.
Activity:
Provide the following story starters and ask your child to choose one and finish the story. This activity encourages imaginative thinking and helps children improve their writing skills.
Story Starters:
- “As the wind blew the leaves off the trees, I noticed something strange buried under the pile…”
- “The pumpkin in our yard started glowing one night, and it led us to…”
- “While hiking in the forest, I stumbled upon a hidden door in the trunk of a large oak tree…”
Fun Fact: Did you know that pumpkins have been associated with Halloween for centuries? The tradition of carving pumpkins (known as jack-o’-lanterns) comes from an old Irish myth about a man named Stingy Jack, who tricked the devil and was doomed to roam the Earth with only a carved-out turnip to light his way.
Tip: To help inspire their writing, set up a cozy writing station at home with seasonal decorations like mini pumpkins, fall-scented candles, and soft blankets. A comfortable atmosphere can help make writing time more enjoyable.
Trick: For reluctant writers, set a timer and turn it into a challenge.
Give them 10-15 minutes to write the first part of the story, encouraging them to write without overthinking it.
Afterward, they can go back and edit or continue their stories. This helps reduce the fear of a blank page!
5. Acorn Math: Patterns and Sequences (Math)
Objective: Explore patterns and sequences using acorns, leaves, and other natural items collected from the outdoors.
Activity:
- Step 1: On your next nature walk, collect acorns, leaves, small sticks, or other natural objects that can be used in this activity.
- Step 2: Sort the objects into groups, then create simple patterns (e.g., acorn, leaf, stick, acorn, leaf, stick). Have your child continue the pattern and then create their own using different sequences.
- Step 3: For older kids, incorporate math concepts like skip-counting or introduce multiplication by grouping objects. Ask them to create more complex sequences like every third item being an acorn.
Fun Fact: Acorns are seeds that grow into oak trees, but not every acorn gets the chance! Many acorns are eaten by animals like squirrels, who rely on them as a primary food source in the fall.
Tip: Turn this into a multi-day activity by encouraging your children to find different types of acorns or leaves. This adds variety and gives them more materials to work with for patterns.
Trick: For a creative twist, use the natural items for a craft once your math lesson is complete. For example, glue the objects onto construction paper to create a fall scene. This blends math and art into one fun activity!
6. Autumn Art with Leaf Rubbings and Watercolors (Art)
Objective: Create fall-themed art using leaf rubbings and watercolor painting techniques.
Activity:
- Step 1: Gather some leaves from your yard or local park. Lay each leaf under a piece of white paper and gently rub a crayon or colored pencil over the top to capture the leaf’s shape and texture.
- Step 2: Once you’ve completed several rubbings, let your child paint over the designs with watercolors. Use autumn-inspired colors like orange, red, yellow, and brown for a seasonal touch.
- Step 3: Once the artwork is dry, display it around your homeschool space as a way to celebrate the beauty of the season.
Fun Fact: Leaf rubbings have been used by scientists for centuries to study leaf structure and patterns, helping botanists identify different plant species.
Tip: To add a sensory element, incorporate other textured materials like bark, pinecones, or seeds into your rubbing activities. This encourages tactile exploration as your child learns about the natural world.
Trick: For younger kids, try creating a leaf-rubbing alphabet where each rubbing corresponds to a letter (e.g., L is for Leaf, P is for Pinecone). This helps integrate art with early literacy.
7. Fall-Themed Nature Journaling (Multi-Subject)
Objective: Practice observation skills, scientific recording, and creative writing through nature journaling.
Activity:
- Step 1: Encourage your child to start a fall nature journal where they can document their observations during outdoor walks. Focus on details like the changing colors of the leaves, the weather, or wildlife activity.
- Step 2: Encourage your child to make sketches, take notes, and even press leaves or flowers between the pages. This combines artistic expression with scientific observation.
- Step 3: Once or twice a week, have your child write a journal entry about what they noticed. Ask them to reflect on questions like “What surprised you today?” or “How has nature changed since our last walk?”
Fun Fact: Keeping a nature journal was a favorite pastime of naturalists like Charles Darwin and Henry David Thoreau. It’s a great way to build a lifelong love of science and nature.
Tip: Pair this activity with seasonal nature books, such as “The Nature Connection” by Clare Walker Leslie or “Nature Anatomy” by Julia Rothman. These guides can help kids identify what they observe while providing space for creativity.
Trick: Make this a family activity by having everyone keep their own nature journal. Sharing entries at the end of the week fosters discussion and reflection.
Tips for Implementing Fall-Themed Learning in Your Homeschool
Now that we’ve covered a range of fall-themed lesson plans, here are a few additional tips to make the process smoother and more enjoyable:
- Incorporate Outdoor Time: Don’t be afraid to take lessons outside! The fall weather is perfect for outdoor activities, and kids often retain more information when learning is hands-on and nature-based.
- Make It a Family Affair: Involve siblings of different ages in each activity. Younger kids can engage with simpler tasks, while older children take on more complex concepts. This approach helps build family bonds and allows you to cater to multiple learning levels at once.
- Create a Seasonal Learning Space: Decorate your homeschool area with fall-themed items like pumpkins, leaves, and cozy blankets. This helps create an immersive learning environment and gets everyone excited for the season.
- Build a Routine: Consistency is key when homeschooling. Set aside time each day for specific activities, but leave room for spontaneity, especially when it comes to seasonal changes like sudden rainstorms or sunny afternoons that beg for a nature walk.
- Incorporate Literature: Fall is the perfect time to introduce seasonal picture books, poems, or chapter books that tie into your lessons. Books like “Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn” by Kenard Pak or “We Gather Together” by Wendy Pfeffer can add to your autumn learning environment.
Embrace the fall season by blending learning with nature. With these lesson plans, your homeschooling can be as colorful and exciting as the world outside your window.
Fall is a season full of wonder, and these activities will help you and your children discover the beauty of learning through nature.
Happy fall homeschooling!
I’ve put together a special Fall Worksheet Pack that’s perfect for homeschooling or simply keeping your kids engaged with fun, educational activities this season!
