Spotlight on Autumn

It’s the season when Mother Nature puts on her most magical display of colour. Trees become a riot of every imaginable hue of brown, orange and gold and the last remnants of green can still be seen in the odd leaf that refuses to acknowledge the turning of the season. It’s a season of change when the days begin to wane and the nights begin to close in and a slight chill creeps into the air. Underfoot there is the crunch of leaves – kicking through a pile that has nestled together alongside a wall is everyone’s guilty pleasure. Looking upwards there is the crisp blue sky and maybe if you’re lucky you’ll see a gaggle of Geese flying in a formation of wonder as they migrate to warmer parts.

The natural resources nature provides during this season are bountiful and provide a wealth of opportunity to allow nature to inspire our creativity. With that in mind, there is no greater excuse needed to get the children out of the classroom and head off on a nature walk. If there are trees bordering the playground your walk need be no further than the boundary fence. Otherwise, set off for the nearest park armed with baskets ready for the children to collect all manner of autumnal treats. There will be the obvious treasures such as leaves, big ones from the massive Oak tree, smaller ones from the Beech and Birch. But they may also discover acorns, conkers from the Horse Chestnut or even Beech nuts. It won’t take long before the baskets are brimming with autumnal wonders.

When you get back to the classroom and shake the contents onto the tables the world we will be your oyster in terms of what you can make with the children. So enjoy being creative:

How to make an Autumn Tree Collage

Let’s Go Conkers

Autumn Word Search

Competition – Make a Halloween Lantern

Originally written 15 October 2015