Fall Time

Cut out several simple leaves from different colored paper.  Write the names of several favorite songs on the back of the leaves (one song per leaf).  Have several blank leaves and tape them to the board or wall. 

Have a child choose one leaf.  If it is blank, they can tell something they like to do in the fall (rake leaves, ride their bike, hike, go for a walk, play in the leaves, go to a pumpkin patch, etc).

If the leaf has a song title on it, sing the song.

Fall Fun

Choose some favorite songs including a few "Autumn" songs.  You can use "Rain Is Falling..." p. 241, and change the word "rain" to "leaves."  The children will love it.  You could also use p. 246 and 247 along with your favorites.

Cut a large pumpkin shape out of orange paper.  With black paper, cut two eyes, a nose, a mouth, eyebrows, cheeks, maybe ears and curly eyelashes.  You could also cut out a green stem, a vine and a few colored leaves.

Lay all the parts to use on the pumpkin on the table so the children can see them and choose what they want to use to decorate.  Every time you sing a song or a verse, let one or two children put something on the pumpkin.  Be sure to watch your time so the pumpkin gets fully decorated. 

Autumn and Gratitude

There are 24 songs listed under "Gratitude" in the Primary Songbook.  How many do you and your Primary children know?

Autumn Day p. 247

• 1st line: Use a fall picture
• 2nd line: As you sing this line look to your right then left.  Point to the children then yourself.
• 3rd line: Use real apples or pictures of a red and yellow apple
• 4th line: Picture of a tree full of apples or leaves
• 5th line: Picture of children with Jesus

Sing each line, then have the children sing it with you a few times. Continue through the rest of the song.  The children can help hold pictures.

It's Autumntime  p. 246

This is an easy song to teach and fun for this time of year.

• Sing the 1st verse.  
• Ask how many times they heard the phrase "it's autumntime."   (4 times)
• Have the children sing it with you.
• Sing the 2nd verse.
• Ask How many colors they heard and what were the colors.  (3 colors, yellow, red, and brown)
• Have the children sing it with you.
• Sing the whole song with the children
• Ask if anyone can tell what the rhyming sound is or the rhyming words.  ("ou" sound, down, town, brown, found)
•  How many times they sing the phrase "it's autumntime" in the entire song.   (8 times)

Use colored paper (yellow, red and brown) to help the children sing the colors in order.  You can use colored leaves in those colors, too.

Cut out several yellow, red and brown leaves and pass them to several children. Have them stand when they sing the color of their leaf.

Fun, Fall Singing Time

Often times we become so wrapped up in preparing for the Sacrament Meeting Program that we forget about the sheer enjoyment of singing.  Here a a few songs to intersperse with the program songs.  Many have actions and you can be creative with some of the words.

• Do as I'm Doing - rack leaves, pick apples, mop/vacuum the floor, bake a cake, etc.
• Fun to Do - racking leaves, eating an apple, making my bed, picking up toys, riding a scooter, etc.
• Popcorn Popping - Try these words for Autumn season:

 I looked out the window and what did I see?
Autumn leaves were falling from the tree.
Fall has brought me such a nice surprise,
Leaves all colors fall before my eyes. 
I could rake the leaves into one big pile,
A mound so high it just made me smile.
My feet began to run,
Leap and oh, what fun!
What a treat the autumn leaves can be!