Lesson Plan: Fall Mathematics for Preschool/Nursery
Subject: Mathematics
Topic: Fall
Duration: 30 Minutes
Objectives
- To introduce young children to basic math concepts through the theme of Fall.
- To encourage recognition of shapes, counting, and simple addition using Fall-related items.
- To foster creative engagement and kinesthetic learning with interactive activities centered around the season.
Materials Needed
- Colorful leaves (fake or real)
- Small pumpkins (real or plastic)
- Counting bears or fall-themed counters
- Construction paper
- Crayons or markers
- A large basket or container
Introduction (5 Minutes)
-
Greeting and Circle Time
- Gather the children in a circle.
- Begin with a fun song about Fall (e.g., “The Leaves Are Falling Down”).
- Briefly discuss the changes that happen in Fall, such as changing leaves, pumpkins, and cooler weather.
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Introduction to Math Concepts
- Introduce the math concepts of counting and shapes using Fall items. Show a leaf and ask, “What shape is this?” Encourage responses.
Activity 1: Leaf Counting (10 Minutes)
-
Counting Leaves
- Distribute 5-6 leaf cutouts to each child.
- Encourage children to count their leaves out loud with you.
- Ask questions:
- “How many leaves do you have?”
- “What color are your leaves?”
- “What shape are the leaves?”
-
Shape Recognition
- Discuss the different shapes and sizes of the leaves.
- Ask children to find a leaf with a specific shape or color.
Activity 2: Pumpkin Addition (10 Minutes)
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Pumpkin Counting Game
- Lay out small pumpkins in a line.
- Ask children to help you count the pumpkins together.
- Start with simple addition: “If I add one more pumpkin, how many do we have now?”
-
Hands-On Addition
- Use counters (like counting bears) to represent the pumpkins.
- Demonstrate adding and removing counters while encouraging children to verbalize their answers.
Activity 3: Fall Art & Reflection (5 Minutes)
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Creative Activity
- Provide construction paper and crayons/markers.
- Allow children to draw their favorite Fall item (leaves, pumpkins, etc.) while talking about the colors and shapes they are using.
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Share and Reflect
- Invite children to share their artwork with the group.
- Use this opportunity to reinforce counting: “How many leaves are in your picture?”
Conclusion (5 Minutes)
- Gather the children back in a circle.
- Review the concepts learned: counting, shapes, and basic addition.
- Sing another Fall-themed song to wrap up the lesson.
- Provide positive reinforcement for participation and engagement throughout the lesson.
Assessment
- Observe children’s ability to count and recognize shapes during activities.
- Encourage participation and listen for correct responses in discussions.
Adaptations
- For children requiring additional support, pair them with a peer or offer one-on-one assistance.
- For advanced learners, introduce simple subtraction using the pumpkins or leaves.
Extensions
- Plan a nature walk to collect real leaves and apply counting and shape recognition in a natural setting.
- Introduce simple graphing by having children categorize leaves by color or size during a future lesson.
This lesson plan provides an interactive learning environment where preschoolers can explore math concepts aligned with the theme of Fall, fostering enjoyment and engagement in mathematics.