Social Studies & History: Exploring Tradition and Cultures

Autumn is a season full of harvest celebrations, historical events, and cultural traditions that you can explore with your children. 

• Harvest Festivals Around the World: Research harvest festivals such as Thanksgiving in the United States, the Mid-Autumn Festival in China, and Sukkot in Israel. Create a visual map displaying these celebrations around the world. Include pictures, sensory props like mini lanterns for the Mid-Autumn Festival, or dried fruits and nuts commonly associated with these celebrations. 

• Thanksgiving Story and History: Read books about the history of Thanksgiving, such as Squanto’s Journey by Joseph Bruchac, and discuss the significance of gratitude. For children who struggle with complex language, use simplified picture books or create a visual storyboard to help them follow the sequence of events. Storyboard That, Boords, Storyboarder, and Canva are great tools to make visualizing stories just a bit similar.

• Local Fall Traditions: Explore your community’s seasonal events. Visit a local farm or pumpkin patch and discuss the history of farming in your region. If field trips aren’t feasible, create a “virtual field trip” using videos, maps, and images.

• Sensory Adaptation: Use real items like pumpkins, corn husks, or pinecones for a hands-on history lesson, allowing children to explore and connect through touch. For children sensitive to tactile input, provide tools like gloves or a barrier (e.g., a towel) to touch items more comfortably.

Language Art: Reading, Writing, and Storytelling

Autumn is a season full of harvest celebrations, historical events, and cultural traditions that you can explore with your children.

• Fall-Themed Books: Choose books that capture the essence of autumn, such as Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert or Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell. Create a sensory storytime by using props—like felt leaves, real apples, or scented play dough—to enhance comprehension and engagement.

• Writing Prompt: If I Were a Leaf…: Encourage creative writing with a prompt such as, “If I were a leaf, I would….” For non-verbal children or those who struggle with written expression, offer alternative ways to respond, such as drawing, using AAC devices, or creating a collage that tells their story.

• Fall Poetry: Read and create autumn-themed poetry together. Use visual aids like word cards for sensory descriptions (e.g., “crunchy,” “crisp,” “glowing”) and allow children to choose words to build their poem. Consider creating a tactile “poem board” where each descriptive word is attached to a related texture or object. If you live in the Washington Metropolitan area, be sure to take a trip to the Planet Word Museum.It is an immersive museum dedicated to exploring language and the power of words.  

• Sensory Adaptation: Provide options for writing, such as large-grip pens or textured paper, for children who struggle with fine motor skills. If handwriting is difficult, encourage typing or dictation using a voice-to-text tool.

Math: Counting, Measuring, and Patterns

Math comes alive with hands-on activities that incorporate natural items and real-world problem-solving. 

• Pumpkin Math: Use small pumpkins or gourds for a variety of math activities. Measure their circumference, compare weights, or count the number of seeds inside. Have your child make predictions before cutting open the pumpkins, and then count together using visual aids or number lines for support.

• Patterning with Leaves: Create simple or complex patterns using leaves of different shapes and colors. Adapt this activity for younger learners by using pictures to match, sort, and sequence leaves, or use large felt leaves for children with limited fine motor skills. If you are looking to mix a bit of tradition with your non-traditional activities, check out the pre-made worksheets at MathCenter.

• Graphing Autumn Items: Gather various autumn items (acorns, pinecones, apples, etc.) and create a simple graph. Use visual supports, like colored tape or a magnetic board, to help children place the items in rows for easy comparison.

• Sensory Adaptation: If your child is overwhelmed by too many items, keep materials simple and focused. Use manipulatives like squishy sensory balls or weighted items that provide calming input while working on math concepts. Remember, you do not need to work out of a workbook to do math. Math is everywhere! Here is a cool resource that shows you how you can incorporate math into your routine, inside and outside the house.

Science: Investing the Changes of the Season

Science in autumn can be full of wonder as children observe nature’s transformations. 

• • • Leaf Investigation: Go on a nature walk and collect leaves of various shapes, colors, and sizes. Back at home, use a magnifying glass to explore leaf veins, texture, and color patterns. Discuss why leaves change color, using visuals and simplified explanations for children with cognitive delays.

    • Life Cycle of a Pumpkin: Study the life cycle of a pumpkin through books, videos, or real pumpkins. Create a visual timeline using images, or allow your child to draw or use stamps to illustrate each stage.

    • Experiment: What Makes Leaves Change Color?: For older students, perform a simple chromatography experiment to see the hidden pigments in green leaves. Use visual step-by-step instructions and sensory supports like squishy stress balls for children who need help managing transitions between steps. Science Buddies, NASA for Students, and Geographics for Kids offer a rich collection of science experiments organized by topic, grade, and level of difficulty so you can easily determine the “fit” for your learner.

    • Sensory Adaptation: For children with visual impairments, provide tactile models of leaves and trees. Use scents like pine or cinnamon to help create a sensory connection to the lesson.

Art & Music: Expressing Creativity through the Season

Autumn’s beauty can inspire creativity in art and music, allowing children to express themselves in new and meaningful ways.

• Leaf Rubbings and Collages: Create leaf rubbings using crayons and textured paper. Make it sensory-friendly by using large, sturdy leaves and heavier paper for easier handling. For children who struggle with crayon grip, wrap the crayon in fabric or use adapted tools for better control.

• Pumpkin Decorating: Instead of carving pumpkins, consider painting them or adding texture through glued-on materials like yarn, pom-poms, or beads. Let children choose the materials and create their own unique designs.

• Autumn Music Time: Create a playlist of seasonal songs and incorporate movement activities like leaf dancing or using scarves to represent falling leaves. For children sensitive to sound, keep the volume low or use headphones with a preferred sound balance. 

Embrace the Season with Joy

Incorporating all the core content areas through autumn-themed learning can be a joyful and enriching experience for your homeschool. By making sensory adaptations and embracing a variety of approaches, you can ensure that your child—no matter their learning needs—can connect with and enjoy the beauty of the season. With a little creativity and intentional planning, autumn can become a time of growth, discovery, and celebration in your homeschool. 

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