Fall Into Crafting: Seasonal Classroom Projects for Kids

6 Projects to get your scholars excited for Fall 

As the weather cools and the leaves begin to change colors we all start to think about the comforts of Fall. When a season shifts there always seems to be excitement and curiosity. Kids can feel the moods change and the shift is one they want to participate in. Using these motivating vibes to get creative is a great use of time and energy in the classroom.    

1. Spidey Pointing Sticks

When students come to the board to show off their thinking, solve a problem or highlight some insight. These spidey pointing sticks are an exciting and fun way to let students point out their work or thinking at the board. You will need both your  MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine and the Spider #5 Die Cut for this project. Start by cutting out one black spider. You can also allow students to use other fun colors if they want to make it more unique to their own preferences. Then use a hand punch to cut out two small white circles for the eyes. Add more detail on the eyes and glue the eyes to the spider. Finish up by attaching the spider to straw. Students will love to have their own pointer to use during their own presentation opportunities in the classroom. 

2. Colors of Fall Squirrel Project

When kids have the chance to get creative with different art mediums they not only get to explore art in fun ways they also have a chance to gain lifelong skills that can become lifelong hobbies and skills. Watercolor painting is a great exploration of art for kids because it can be pretty forgiving. This project requires you to use MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine, the Squirrel and Acorn Die Cut, as well as Stand-Slide On Die Cut. To create these squirrels you will begin by cutting a squirrel out of white cardstock. Then cut an acorn out of brown construction paper. Next you will cut one large stand out of the thickest paper you can find. Once the squirrels are created you can let the students use watercolors or paint to add color to the squirrel. Give them time to dry then use a marker to add facial features to give the creature some spunky personality.  Students can also add detail to the acorn with a marker or you could have them write a specific response to a question you pose for them. Once it is dry and ready to go set the squirrel in the chipboard stand and glue the acorn in the squirrel's front legs.

3. Counting Apples 

This is a project that will be both fun and educational for your primary scholars. Create these apples and add an element for counting or letter recognition that can be used within some of your lessons during your school year. To make them use your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine and the Apple (3-D) Die Cut as well. Follow these steps to make an apple for each of your scholars.  Start by cutting six strips (red or light green) for each apple. If you would like the holes to be smaller you could cut a few extra for each apple. Then cut one green leaf for each apple as well. Next you will need to stack all of the strips and add the leaf on top of the stack so the holes are all aligned. Attach a metal brad through the stack so the cap is on top of the leaf. Then fan out all of the paper strips so they are evenly spaced. Finish up by gathering the loose ends at the bottom of the apple. Fasten these parts with another metal brad so the prongs are on the inside of the apple. If you are wanting these to be counting apples, write a number on each strip and draw a representation as well to help with counting for scholars. If your goal is to work on writing or letter recognition- make one apple uppercase letters and another lowercase and have students find the math with a peer to connect those two styles of writing the same letter. 

4. Shape Pumpkins 

These pumpkins are such an exciting way to introduce or practice shape recognition. Students can make these at school and take them home to use as decorations in their own homes and it will be a way for them to share their learning at home in such a crafty and cute way. Get started by getting out your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine. You will also need the large size of the Pattern Block Die Cut as well as the Pumpkins #2 Die Cut. Start by cutting out an orange pumpkin for each of your students. You could even cut out one of both types of the pumpkins for each and you could use the small ones to create a bulletin board in your classroom or the hallway to showcase your learning with shapes. Next, use dark green paper to cut out the pumpkin tops for each of the pumpkins. You will then need to make many cut-outs of the shapes using black construction paper. You can give your learners independence in creating the faces or this can be a great way to lead them through making the same pumpkins using the same shapes by instructing them to use two triangles for the eyes, one square for the nose and three rhombuses for the mouth.  

5. Counting Turkey 

This creative way of making a count by 1’s chart or as a way to practice multiplication facts for some of your older students. I would personally make the turkeys myself before having students add the numbers or facts to the turkey on their own. However, this is something you could have students create once you have the cut our materials ready for them. Start by cutting out the Turkey Woven Die Cut using your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine. You will also need to use the Weaving Strips Die Cut to make the strips that you will need to weave through the Turkeys. Once these are all cut out you, or your students, can use the strips to create the weave pattern and then glue the strips to the back of the turkey to keep them in place. After that it will be time to write numbers 1-56 as a counting map on each of the small squares. Or if you have older students you could have them write some of their multiplication facts that they are needing more practice with. 

6. Thankfulness Turkey Book

This can be used as a thanksgiving activity but it can also be an entry into fall project as a way to get kids thinking about reasons why they are thankful for school as soon as the weather starts to change or even as a first day of Autumn activity. For this project you will need your  MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine, the Book Builder-Turkey Die Cut and the Book Builder-Circle Die Cut. Both of these also come in the Book Builder Set that will give you lots of other amazing options to create other books that will benefit in your learning space. To make the Turkey Books you will start by cutting out turkeys and let students decorate with colors or markers. You will also need to cut out multiple white and yellow 4" circles and give several white and one yellow to each student. Have students draw or write what they are thankful for on each of the white circles. Finish up by lining up the white circles with the yellow circle on top and staple the left side to the turkey base. Allow students to add as many thankful pages as they would like to make this project personal and engaging.   

These projects are just a few simple ways to get students excited about the fall while also engaging them in learning about their concepts and content in colorful and wonderful ways. These are also ways for scholars to highlight their creativity and learning with their family members at home as they will be able to take them home and parents will love having these items to store away and keep as keepsakes. 

Written by Amy Pinegar.