Fun November Lesson Plan Ideas
The month of November is the perfect time to jump right into fall themes and fun activities. There are so many great fall read-alouds, but one that stands out to me is the book In November! In this blog post, I will share lesson plans and ideas for your kindergarten and first-grade classrooms.
You will find classroom activities that you can use for reading and writing. Anchor charts, reading comprehension, and responding to literature. Fun arts and craft ideas that will work perfectly into your November themes.
You will also find a free file at the end of this post that I think your class will have a great time with!
In November Book Summary
If you know me, you know I am a super huge fan of Cynthia Rylant. In November by Cynthia Rylant is also one of my all-time favorites. This is a charming picture book that beautifully captures the essence of the fall season.
The author takes us on a journey through the sights, sounds, and feelings that make November special. From the crisp air to the cozy warmth of family gatherings, Rylant paints a vivid picture of this time of year.
The book is filled with poetic language and lovely illustrations that evoke a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the simple joys of autumn.
In November Reading Comprehension Activities
Engaging in an interactive read-aloud involves multiple readings of the book. While the teacher handles the decoding, the students establish a more profound connection with the story by participating in discussion questions.
In November Lesson Plans – Figurative Language
We start by slowing down the text and reading it each day. As you know, our Engaging Readers lessons focus on one book per week. So, we spent most of the week exploring Cynthia Rylant’s word choices. Cue the music… figurative language!
What is Figurative Language?
Figurative language moves beyond the literal interpretation of words to communicate a message or idea. It involves using language creatively to captivate readers, stimulate thoughts and emotions, and infuse both written and spoken expression with drama and allure.
It serves as a means of adorning ordinary, everyday English, transforming it into something distinctive and enjoyable. Through figurative language, speakers and writers can add their personal touch to commonly used expressions, injecting a sense of uniqueness and playfulness.
In November’s amazing illustrations are fantastic! This book provides a perfect opportunity to discuss figurative language. YES! Kindergarten and first-grade students can work with figurative language.
Creating this anchor chart on figurative language in this fall book was a great way to introduce these lessons.
In November – Responding to Literature
After discussing the texts, students did a fantastic job of putting those words to images in their responses.
In November – Opinion Writing
Incorporating opinion writing into reading comprehension not only stimulates critical thinking but also urges students to dissect and articulate their perspectives on a given text. This not only deepens their comprehension but also cultivates communication skills, creating a more interactive and enlightening reading experience for young learners.
Students were asked to share their favorite part of the story. Check out their responses!
In November Read Aloud: Arts and Craft Ideas
We like to put art and learning together. This fall tree torn papercraft is the perfect backdrop for our sentence study!
In November Read Aloud: Video
There is nothing like a book when you are working on close reading, but a video is a great way to supplement the lesson. Students have the opportunity to hear fluency demonstrated by another reader.
You can find all of these read aloud activities in our reading comprehension units.
Grammar Study for Fall
We also included this fun grammar study on pronouns in the reading units.
Fall Stained Window Craft
This is a fun and each November craft idea. You will just need:
- construction paper
- clear contact paper
- fall colored tissue paper
- a leaf frame template (you can make your own or use the one that is included here.)
Fall Free Worksheets
Here is the free fall activity I promised you! Simply add your name and email to the box below.
Free Lesson Plan Template
You can download this free template and edit it to make it your own! On the PDF version, each resource is linked so you can find it quickly.
Looking for other Fall Lesson Ideas?
- 13 Fun Turkey Trouble Activities and Thanksgiving Book Ideas
- Fun After the Fall Activities and Book Lesson Plan Ideas
Have a great November!
2 Responses
I love this idea! Gotta buy this book!
It is one of my FAVORITES!