As the school year kicks off and the excitement of a new beginning fills the air, there’s something special about September. It’s a time when our students are settling in, and routines are taking shape. Let’s be honest, keeping that excitement alive and making learning truly engaging can sometimes feel like a challenge. That’s why I’m sharing some of my favorite September activities that will engage your students. Let’s explore some ideas that will keep your classroom an exciting place to learn!
September Activities for Morning Work
Let’s chat about how I keep the momentum going each morning. I’ve found that morning work is the perfect opportunity to sneak in some essential ELA and math skill reviews while my students are fresh and focused. It’s all about starting the day on the right foot and getting into the right mindset for the day. I love using a mix of resources to make sure those critical skills are reinforced without feeling repetitive.
September Morning Work for First Grade
I love using this September Morning Work resource, especially during September when we’re all getting back into the swing of things. Each page is designed to reinforce essential ELA and math skills while keeping the September activities fun and engaging for young learners.
For example, each page starts with a short, playful sentence featuring a character, like “Andy the ant ate apples all afternoon.” Students get to circle all the target letters in the sentence, which is a great way to work on letter recognition. After that, they color pictures that begin with the same letter, reinforcing the sound and its connection to words. It’s hands-on, visual, and perfect for our little learners who are still developing foundational literacy skills.
The math section of each page is just as engaging. For example, students practice writing numbers through catchy little rhymes like “A straight line down is lots of fun, that’s how you make the number one.” Then, they get to circle items that represent that number and draw something that represents the number they’re working on. It’s a great way to sneak in number recognition and counting practice without it feeling like a chore.
These pages are set up in a way that balances learning with creativity, making morning work both effective and enjoyable. My students love it! I find it sets a positive tone for the day. Plus, the consistent structure helps them know what to expect, which is a huge win for those busy mornings!
Morning Work for Second Grade
I also use this September morning work resource in my classroom because it strikes the perfect balance between reinforcing key ELA and math skills and keeping my students engaged. Each page is organized to include a variety of activities that target different areas of learning, making it a great way to kick off the day.
Each page typically begins with tracing and printing letters, which helps reinforce handwriting skills. Students then work on beginning sounds by identifying and writing the initial sounds of pictures. This is such a simple, yet effective way to solidify their phonics knowledge.
I also made sure this resource incorporates patterns, which are great for developing logical thinking. Students extend or create patterns, which may involve shapes, colors, or numbers. These activities are designed to be both visual and interactive. This makes them perfect for second graders who are still mastering these concepts.
Math skills are front and center with addition and subtraction exercises. These exercises are often presented in fun ways, like filling in number charts or solving problems with visual aids. There’s also a strong focus on number words. Students match numbers to their word forms and solve word problems that require them to apply what they’ve learned.
I enjoy how the resource introduces vocabulary and sight words. Activities like unscrambling words or filling in word boxes build vocabulary while improving spelling and reading fluency. There tends to always be a fun twist, like finding secret words or solving word searches. This adds an element of excitement to the practice.
Fall Math and Literacy Worksheets
Another go-to among my September activities are these fall math and literacy worksheets. They combine both math and literacy skills while tapping into the excitement of the season. Each page is packed with activities that keep my students engaged and learning.
The fall vocabulary and crossword puzzles are always a hit. These pages focus on seasonal words like “pumpkin,” “squirrel,” and “scarecrow.” My students enjoy solving riddles and matching words to pictures. This helps to build their vocabulary while helping with spelling and reading comprehension. The resource also includes fun literacy activities like alphabetizing fall-related words and unscrambling letters to reveal hidden words. These tasks are perfect for reinforcing word recognition and sequencing skills.
On the math side, the resource features everything from simple addition and subtraction to more complex graphing and patterning activities. The fall graphing page has students count and record items like apples and pumpkins. It’s a great way to introduce them to basic data collection and interpretation. Plus, the seasonal theme makes it more relatable and fun for them.
One of my favorite pages is the Capture the CORE game. This interactive activity allows students to practice strategy and critical thinking as they try to complete squares, capture the apple cores, and earn points. It’s a fantastic way to encourage friendly competition and collaboration in the classroom.
September Activities for Fire Safety
As I dive into planning for September activities, I love using my Fire Safety unit in my classroom. It not only engages my students but also teaches them crucial life skills. With fire safety being such an important topic, especially during the fall when many communities highlight fire prevention, this resource is the perfect way to make sure my students are both informed and prepared.
The unit kicks off with essential fire safety rules, such as “Stay Low and Go,” “Get Out and Stay Out,” and “Stop, Drop, and Roll.” Each rule is clearly explained, and the activities that follow help students grasp these concepts in a fun and memorable way. For instance, they identify and explain each rule, encouraging them to think critically about why these actions are necessary in an emergency.
One of the highlights for me is the section on carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. It breaks down the dangers of carbon monoxide in kid-friendly language and emphasizes the importance of having detectors at home. There’s even a take-home checklist that encourages families to ensure their home is as safe as possible, making it a perfect tie-in with our September focus on safety and preparedness.
Interactive activities like mapping out a fire escape plan and designating a family meeting spot add an engaging, hands-on element. Students get to visualize and plan out their safety steps. I find that this activity makes the lessons stick even more. To keep things fun, the unit includes word searches and coloring pages that reinforce fire safety terms and concepts.
September Activities for Terry Fox Celebrations
I make sure to include some September activities centered around Terry Fox! I use these Terry Fox worksheets in my classroom because they help my students connect with an important piece of Canadian history. While learning more about Terry Fox, they also learn about perseverance and making a difference.
The resource begins with an introduction to Terry Fox’s story, his diagnosis of cancer, and his determination to raise money for cancer research by running across Canada. This background sets the stage for meaningful discussions in the classroom about resilience and the importance of helping others.
One of my favorite activities in this resource is where students get to reflect on Terry’s journey and answer questions like why he started the Marathon of Hope and what makes him a hero. This section encourages my students to think deeply and connect with the material on a personal level.
There’s also a detailed timeline of Terry’s Marathon of Hope that highlights key stops along his journey across Canada. This helps students visualize the scope of his run! It’s a great way to incorporate a bit of map work while learning about an inspiring historical figure.
The resource also includes creative writing prompts and opportunities for students to express their thoughts on what it means to be a hero. They can reflect on Terry’s quotes and even write their own article as if they were a reporter covering his run. These activities boost their writing skills!
Looking for a quick overview of Terry Fox in a digital format? Make sure to explore my Terry Fox PowerPoint to learn about Terry Fox’s life and his Marathon of Hope.
September Activities for ELA
Let’s dive into the next set of September activities that are perfect for boosting those ELA skills. I’ve found that keeping things fresh and interactive is the key to keeping students engaged. So, let’s explore some more ideas that will have your students excited about reading and writing this fall!
Fall Sight Words Scoot
A student favorite among my September activities is the Fall Sight Words Scoot resource in my classroom. It blends sight word practice with an engaging activity that is perfect for the fall season. The setup is simple but effective, making it easy to incorporate into our daily routine.
I set up scoot cards on each desk. I have the students move from desk to desk, solving the sight word puzzles on each card and recording their answers on a sheet. The best part is the movement. Every 30 seconds, I call out “Scoot!” and they rotate to the next desk. It’s a fantastic way to get them up and moving while reinforcing their sight word knowledge.
The resource is organized by grade level, which makes differentiation a breeze. Each grade level has its own set of sight word cards, so I can tailor the activity to meet my students’ specific needs. For example, the pre-primer and primer levels focus on foundational words like can, is, and red. As we move into higher grades, the words become more complex, such as because, upon, and those. This progression helps to build their confidence and skills over time.
Fall-Themed Sight Word Coloring Pages
These fall-themed sight word coloring pages are a hit with my students. Each page features a fall-related picture. Students color different sections of the image based on sight words. For example, one page might have students color all the sections labeled with “the” in one color and “can” in another. This activity reinforces their sight word recognition and gives them a chance to enjoy a bit of art.
First-Grade Sight Word Color by Code
This first-grade set takes the color-by-code concept of blending learning with creativity and pairs it with sight word practice. Each page has a back-to-school image divided into sections. Students once again color the sections based on the sight word associated with a specific color.
What I love about these resources is that they cover a wide range of sight words appropriate for first graders. It’s a great way to reinforce those words while also giving students a sense of accomplishment when they see the completed picture. The clear instructions at the top of each page make it easy for students to understand what they need to do, and the variety of images keeps things interesting.
Roll-A-Story Fall Writing Prompts
I make sure to include fall creative writing prompts in my September activities. My Roll-A-Story resource brings out the seasonal excitement while helping my students get creative with their writing. The fall-themed prompts are perfect for capturing the essence of autumn and letting students have fun with their storytelling.
Students roll the dice to create quirky sentences like “A smiling scarecrow sang nursery rhymes in a pumpkin patch” or “A big orange pumpkin quietly sat knitting a scarf under a pile of leaves.” The fall imagery really sparks their imaginations. It’s amazing to see the stories they come up with based on these prompts.
Once they have their silly sentence, I encourage them to expand on it by adding more details. They might explore why the scarecrow is singing or what happens after the pumpkin finishes knitting its scarf. This process helps them develop their ideas further and makes the stories more engaging.
After writing, I have my students draw a picture that matches their story. They absolutely love bringing their stories to life! It adds a creative, visual element to the activity. The combination of writing and drawing keeps them engaged.
I usually kick off this activity by modeling how to roll the dice and create a sentence. Then, I let the students take over. We often share our fall stories as a class, which adds a public-speaking element to the learning process.
Fall Cootie Catcher Center
When planning my September activities, I always look for something that blends fun with learning. This Fall Cootie Catcher resource fits the bill perfectly. It’s a great way to kick off the season with a lighthearted activity that gets students engaged while incorporating some classic fall humor.
The page features a cootie catcher filled with fall-themed jokes, such as “What’s worse than finding a worm in your apple?” with the punchline, “Finding half a worm!” These jokes are always a hit with my kiddos and add a playful twist to our September activities.
To get started, I have students cut out the cootie catcher along the dotted lines and fold it. The folding process is a great way to sneak in some fine motor skills practice. I usually guide them through it using a model on the whiteboard. Once the cootie catchers are ready, the fun begins!
The activity works best in pairs, where one student operates the cootie catcher, and the other selects options like colors or numbers. The operator spells out the word or counts out loud as they open and close the cootie catcher. Finally, the selector gets to hear the joke and guess the punchline before the operator reveals the answer.
Fall Coded Jokes
I don’t know about you, but I love cheesy jokes and so do kids. Once I discovered how much my students enjoy jokes, even the cheesy ones, I made sure to include activities with jokes. I wanted these activities to have a purpose, so that’s where Coded Jokes came into play.
Each page features fall-themed jokes that students decode using a simple letter substitution code. For example, they might decode the joke, “What reads and lives in apples?” with the punchline being “A bookworm!” or “If money really did grow on trees, what would be your favorite season?” with the answer, “Fall!” These jokes are both silly and clever, which makes them a big hit with my students.
I typically use this activity as a fun warm-up or during independent work time. Students work through each joke, decoding the punchlines by matching letters to their corresponding code. The activity reinforces their alphabet and letter recognition skills. Almost like a reward, it also gives them a good laugh, which is always a win in my book!
September Activities for Math
Let’s switch gears and dive into some math fun! September is the perfect time to solidify those foundational math skills while keeping things engaging for our students. I’ve got some go-to activities that make math approachable and enjoyable as we settle into the new school year.
Fall Sudoku
As we dive into our September activities, I’m always on the lookout for ways to make math engaging. These Fall Sudoku puzzles are a fantastic fit! They combine the challenge of logic puzzles with the fun of fall-themed images, making them a perfect addition to our math routine.
Each page is set up with a 4×4 Sudoku grid that uses fall-themed images like apples, leaves, scarecrows, and pumpkins instead of numbers. The goal is for students to fill in the grid so that each row, column, and 2×2 square contains one of each image without repeating. This makes the puzzles visually engaging and adds a seasonal touch to the classic Sudoku format.
To get started, I often project one of the color Sudoku puzzles on the whiteboard and use laminated pieces with magnets for the class to move around. This whole class activity allows my students to see how their peers think. It also encourages them to explain their reasoning as they solve the puzzle together. It’s a great way to introduce the concept of Sudoku and get everyone involved.
For students who finish early or need a bit of extra challenge, I also set up a math center with the black-and-white worksheet versions. These are perfect for independent work, and I often include them in our math rotation. The laminated color versions with Velcro pieces make a fantastic hands-on activity that students love to revisit throughout the fall season.
Math Boom Card Activities
BOOM Cards are an amazing digital resource that makes integrating technology into the classroom both engaging and easy. These digital task cards are interactive, self-grading, and perfect for independent learning. All you need to do is load them up on a device, whether it’s a Smartboard, computer, or tablet. Students can work at their own pace, and because BOOM Cards track progress, I can easily see how everyone is doing.
Fall Number Words BOOM Cards (1-20)
Fall Number Words 1-20 are all about matching number words to their corresponding numerals. The fall theme keeps it fun, with each card featuring autumn images that add a festive touch. I find these especially useful in my literacy centers, where students can work on their number word recognition. Since the cards are self-grading, students can immediately see if they’ve matched the words correctly, which helps build their confidence.
Fall Ten Frame BOOM Cards (Numbers 11-20)
These Fall Ten Frames 11-20 BOOM Cards are fantastic for helping students practice counting and recognizing numbers using ten frames. Each digital card presents a ten frame with fall-themed objects, like apples or pumpkins. Students have to identify the number represented. This is great for reinforcing number sense and making sure students are comfortable with numbers 11 through 20. I love using these in my math centers, where students can independently work through the cards and get instant feedback.
Ten Frames Fall Apple BOOM Cards
These Ten Frames cards take the classic ten frame concept and give it an apple-themed twist. Students work on counting and placing the correct number of apples on each ten frame. This makes it a hands-on and visual way to reinforce their math skills. I use these cards during math lessons or as a quick review activity. They’re also great for early finishers who need a bit more of a challenge while staying engaged.
September Activities to Make Learning Memorable
As we dive into the new school year, it’s all about finding those special activities that keep students engaged and excited about learning. From creative writing prompts and math challenges to fun BOOM Cards that bring technology into the mix, September is the perfect time to set the tone for a successful year. I love how these September activities reinforce key skills while adding a touch of seasonal fun to our classroom. There’s truly something here for every learner!
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