Fall Small Group Ideas

FaLL SmALl GrOUp IdeAs

(from Sandi Dexter, Wedgwood 3-5’s Teacher)

Playdough Party: While children poke, pound and pinch playdough, have a conversation with them. This is the perfect time to make lists of favorites, asking those wondering questions, and let the topic go where it may. It is difficult for children to feel heard at the larger group time, so here is their chance.

Looking at Leaves: We have all scooped up handfuls of beautiful fall colored leaves, but have we taken a close look at them? Bring out the magnifiers and ask children to examine their leaf. Ask them to describe the leaf and, if able, you can write down what the children say so they can take the leaf, and it’s description, home.

Round the Table Stories: Fill in the blank stories are very popular. Add a twist of not telling the children what the story is about, simply ask for words. For example,

Colors/shapes/size/kind of animal, etc. If needed, you could also have them draw a picture of the item from a basket (use magazine pics) and do it like a Rebus story!

Be a Bird, Be a Tree: Children can use their bodies to imitate nature. Find an open space and ask the children for ideas of things they can pretend to be with their bodies – involving them in that aspect of the activity makes it more appealing. After they become familiar with this activity, ask each child to demonstrate something the others must guess. If they have trouble coming up with ideas, refer to the picture cards from the stories for help.

Postcard Pictures: You can buy plain 3x5 postcards at the post office. Give each child a card and let them draw a picture (you can borrow the crayons from the preschool or bring yours from home). Then tell them you will collect them and send them to someone in their small group family. When the postcards arrive they can try to remember who drew that design!

More Postcard Fun: The children may wish to thank a particular guest who has visited the school so far. How fun for the guest to receive a THANK YOU postcard from a child, after the fact. Maybe each child will choose a different guest who has come to the school, or perhaps one person will get ALL the postcards.

What is Peeking Through the Window? Simple activity children love doing again and again. Cut a small one inch square in a manila folder and put a picture inside the folder with a small portion of the picture showing through. You can use magazine pictures, ads from the paper, or even the cover of a book they might recognize. Decide before the game starts how you plan to have children guess. Will they all shout out the name at once, or take turns?

What is that shape? Manila folders, again, but different! With a strong flashlight, shine light at an object hidden behind a folder. Children have to guess what it is. This is fun to do with manipulatives from school… just get a supply and have fun! Children love getting it right, so simple things are fun. Helps children feel powerful!

With any small group activity, it is helpful to lay out the ground rules before you begin. Let the children know what is expected of them and they will be ready to jump in!