Autumn Ideas for the Classroom

Lesson Plans, Bulletin Boards, and Other Fun Stuff for Fall

Sep 25, 2006 Amy Horn

The leaves aren't the only things that change each autumn. Many middle school teachers like to fall into some new ideas this time of year, as well.

It's official. Autumn is upon us. Of course, for many teachers the lazy days of summer left early in August as they sprang into action in preparation of the new school year. But, plenty of picnics, flip-flops, and sunshine stuck around for quite awhile. Now, the days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler, and the students are getting settled-finally-into the school year. That must mean it's time for a change!

The change of seasons is a perfect time to make a few changes in the classroom. Whether it's a new unit of study, a new bulletin board, or a new goal for the year, autumn is an excellent time to jump, not fall, into some new ideas that keep the season at the center of attention. Autumn can be explored through all academic areas as well as advisory periods and exploratory classes. Teachers might be surprised at how easy it is to make fall the focal point of an interdisciplinary unit. If it's too much for the whole team to take on, a lesson, activity, or game here and there about autumn might just be what teachers need and students want at this point in the year.

Below is a list of 17 different websites that offer ideas to incorporate into all kinds of middle school classrooms this fall. Each website generally has several lessons or links associated with it, and all 17 sites are separated into three basic categories: Lesson Plans, Bulletin Boards, and Poetry. Pick and choose, take and tweak, and enjoy all that fall has to offer!

Lesson Plans

Bulletin Boards

Poetry

The copyright of the article Autumn Ideas for the Classroom in Middle/High School is owned by Amy Horn. Permission to republish Autumn Ideas for the Classroom in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.