Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year. Actually, I do love something about every season!! Here in Minnesota, we can find leaves of red, yellow, orange, and brown!
When I prepare for this lesson, I collect a variety of leaves.
-big and small leaves
-leaves in different colors
-leaves from different kinds of trees
Hold a leaf and watch it fall to the ground. Talk about what you saw. “This small leaf moved like this. (You can show this with your hands) Let’s see if that happens again.”
Repeat this process with your other leaves. If you have time, invite your students to drop the leaves and watch how they travel to the ground. What did they notice?
This is one of my students’ favorite songs for autumn. I especially love the incredible instrumentation that Andre DiMuzio created to accompany it.
Here are the free Google slides with the lyrics.
It’s fun to teach this song with a xylophone or glockenspiel. You can play it by starting at the shortest bar (C) (do’), and going step by step to the longest bar. If you turn the instrument on its side with the shortest bar on top, it’s easy to see and hear the melody descending. Just play the melody. Then add the lyrics.
Falling Leaves Adapted by Kathy Kampa
Down, down, down, down, the leaves are falling to the ground.
do ti la sol fa mi re do‘
Whoosh!
Red, yellow, orange, and brown, the leaves are falling to the ground.
do ti la sol fa mi re do
Whoosh!
I sing the song with a scarf in my hand. Children love dancing with lightweight scarves. They just love the way the scarves float so lightly. I pass out one scarf to each student. I model swaying with my scarf from side to side. This crosses the midline of their bodies. We move from a high level to a low level.
*Note: For very young learners, I tie a knot in the middle of the scarf to make it smaller. Children can hold onto the knot.
Then, the magic “Whoosh!” Children can toss their scarves into the air. Scarves are easier to catch because they’re so light. My students laugh when the scarf lands on their arm, their head, their shoulder . . . .
You can model this action with your students. I usually do this twice. Look! The scarf is on my head! Look! The scarf is on my elbow!
Then encourage students to spin around. This is a wonderful, vestibular movement! They can spin fast or slow. My students will sing this song over and over again. On the recording, the last time just slows down to signal the end of the song.
Here’s a video of my young learners in Tokyo.
I use small, lightweight hemmed scarves like these. Search for “hemmed scarves” or “juggling scarves.” Check the reviews. I like mine! Young children can practice naming the color, too.
If your scarves are big for your students, just tie a knot in the middle of the scarf. They should hold onto that part.
Check out my Pinterest board for more autumn activities. This song is available on my album “Jump Jump Everyone.” You can find it on most streaming services, such as Spotify. For more kid-tested music and movement activities, check out my music on iTunes.
Kathy Kampa is a teacher, author, and teacher-trainer who specializes in working with young learners. She taught at Seisen International School in Tokyo, Japan in the PYP (Primary Years Program) and continues to teach young learners in Minnesota. Kathy uses a globally minded, inquiry-based approach to teaching that helps students develop 21st-century skills. She also supports the development of English language skills by creating songs, chants, and TPR/movement activities targeted to young learners’ needs.
Kathy and her husband Charles Vilina are also co-authors of Magic Time, Everybody Up, Oxford Discover, Beehive, Buzz, and Blue Dot, all published by Oxford University Press.
Here’s another video of this song.
#AUTUMN #FALLINGLEAVES #KIDSMUSIC #AUTUMNDAYS #AUTUMNCOLORS #NURSERYRHYMES #ENGLISHSONGS #KINDERGARTEN
I love this photo! When we lived in Tokyo, we witnessed such beautiful autumn leaves. People celebrate the season outside by enjoying picnics, taking hikes, and taking lots of pictures!
