
When October rolls around, many of us immediately think of Halloween and the associated classroom activities. However, in a world of cultural diversity, personal preferences, and the desire to create an inclusive classroom, there are many ways to celebrate the season that everyone can enjoy. Here are some harvest-themed celebration ideas I’ve seen used over the years that keep the focus on community, nature, and the joys of autumn—without the Halloween focus.
Why not celebrate the beauty of autumn with a harvest festival? This can include the changing colors of the leaves, favorite seasonal foods, and watching as animals prepare for the winter. I’ve done leaf rubbings, apple taste-testing, and even pumpkin exploration. One of my students’ favorite activities was hammering nails into pumpkins—an activity they always loved! You could also bring in pine cones for crafts, paint pumpkins, create apple prints, or add in some science experiments to make the day even more exciting.
A gratitude challenge is a wonderful theme that resonates across different cultures and age groups. Students can write what they’re grateful for on paper leaves, acorns, or apples, and then add them to a large paper tree. Over the course of the month, the tree will fill up with everyone’s thoughtful responses. Another fun twist is creating a “grateful pumpkin patch.” These activities encourage social-emotional learning, foster a sense of community, and provide an opportunity for students to reflect on the positives in their lives. In a virtual setting, I’ve done something similar using Padlet, where students responded to daily prompts like “something that makes me happy” or “someone that loves me.”
Getting outside is a fantastic way to celebrate the harvest season! Field trips to a local pumpkin patch or apple orchard are classic fall activities. In fact, my grandbaby’s school is visiting an apple orchard this week! In the virtual world, we’ve scheduled a virtual field trip to learn about harvesting, which is another way to bring nature to students. You can also organize a fall scavenger hunt where students search for items like different colored leaves, acorns, or unique rocks either on a nature walk at school or at home. Pair this with science lessons about why leaves change color, how animals prepare for winter, or the life cycle of plants for a rich, educational experience.
Corn husks and seeds can make for a fun and creative art and craft station! One teacher I know brought in corn husks and taught her students how to make traditional corn husk dolls. She also used seeds to create beautiful artwork. These activities can be tied into lessons about the history and traditions of harvest time in various cultures. Not only do these crafts help students develop fine motor skills, but they also open the door to discussions about cultural practices and the importance of the harvest in different parts of the world.
Celebrating the harvest season is a perfect theme for this time of year, offering endless possibilities for inclusive and meaningful activities. From harvest festivals to gratitude challenges and nature-based learning, these activities engage all students, regardless of their background or how they celebrate at home. What harvest-themed activities have been a success in your classroom? When October rolls around, many of us immediately think of Halloween and the associated classroom activities. However, in a world of cultural diversity, personal preferences, and the desire to create an inclusive classroom, there are many ways to celebrate the season that everyone can enjoy. Here are some harvest-themed celebration ideas I’ve seen used over the years that keep the focus on community, nature, and the joys of autumn—without the Halloween focus.
Why not celebrate the beauty of autumn with a harvest festival? This can include the changing colors of the leaves, favorite seasonal foods, and watching as animals prepare for the winter. I’ve done leaf rubbings, apple taste-testing, and even pumpkin exploration. One of my students’ favorite activities was hammering nails into pumpkins—an activity they always loved! You could also bring in pine cones for crafts, paint pumpkins, create apple prints, or add in some science experiments to make the day even more exciting.
A gratitude challenge is a wonderful theme that resonates across different cultures and age groups. Students can write what they’re grateful for on paper leaves, acorns, or apples, and then add them to a large paper tree. Over the course of the month, the tree will fill up with everyone’s thoughtful responses. Another fun twist is creating a “grateful pumpkin patch.” These activities encourage social-emotional learning, foster a sense of community, and provide an opportunity for students to reflect on the positives in their lives. In a virtual setting, I’ve done something similar using Padlet, where students responded to daily prompts like “something that makes me happy” or “someone that loves me.”
Getting outside is a fantastic way to celebrate the harvest season! Field trips to a local pumpkin patch or apple orchard are classic fall activities. In fact, my grandbaby’s school is visiting an apple orchard this week! In the virtual world, we’ve scheduled a virtual field trip to learn about harvesting, which is another way to bring nature to students. You can also organize a fall scavenger hunt where students search for items like different colored leaves, acorns, or unique rocks either on a nature walk at school or at home. Pair this with science lessons about why leaves change color, how animals prepare for winter, or the life cycle of plants for a rich, educational experience.
Corn husks and seeds can make for a fun and creative art and craft station! One teacher I know brought in corn husks and taught her students how to make traditional corn husk dolls. She also used seeds to create beautiful artwork. These activities can be tied into lessons about the history and traditions of harvest time in various cultures. Not only do these crafts help students develop fine motor skills, but they also open the door to discussions about cultural practices and the importance of the harvest in different parts of the world.
Celebrating the harvest season is a perfect theme for this time of year, offering endless possibilities for inclusive and meaningful activities. From harvest festivals to gratitude challenges and nature-based learning, these activities engage all students, regardless of their background or how they celebrate at home. What harvest-themed activities have been a success in your classroom?
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