October Center Ideas
Elkonin Boxes: use different erasers, objects to make it fun.
Write letters on cups. Have students close their eyes and hide a counter under one of the cups. Mix the cups up and the students guess where it is by saying the letter or sound.
Have several pictures or objects that start with 5 different letters. Make a spinner with those 5 letters on it. The students spin the spinner one at a time and pick an object/picture that starts with the letter they spin. When each student has 2-3 objects find those that match with the same sound and/or sort the objects.
Snap! Put sticks in a container, letters down. Take turns picking a stick. If the student knows the letter/sound they keep the stick. If they pick a snap they have to put any sticks they have back into the container. Keep the snap stick out or the game will never end.
Give one picture puzzle to each student. They put it together then say the syllables in the word. The number of cards is the number of syllables. Link
Put objects in a fun container like a treasure box. Students pick an object out one at a time and say what it starts with or the sounds in the word. When each student has 2-3 objects find those that match with the same sound and/or sort the objects.
Put out letters or pictures on the table. Say a sound or letter and have the students use a flashlight to find it.
Have students match the letters and/or make CVC words. You can also use the alphabet arc. Link to alphabet arc.
Alligator Snap: Put cards in the container. Take turns picking a card. If the student knows the letter/sound they keep the card. If they pick a snap they have to put any cards they have back into the container. Keep the snap card out or the game will never end.
Students look for the letter
that is on the stick
Students walk about the room and mark off when they find the letters. If they find them all they then write letters on the back of the page.
Students match the name of the student to their picture.
Label pictures for students to use in the writing center. You can find pictures at the dollar store or make your own. Link
Put out small objects such as spiders and numbers. Students match the card with the amount of spiders.
Put cards around the room. Students use the recording sheet to write the answer of how many they count.
Link for pumpkin ten frame
Bring the outside in. Add a scale and a magnifying glass to all things fall.
Have a poster for the students to look at and copy the words about fall. Then they draw the pictures and read the book.
Cut pool noodles and label with the letters. Students stack the alphabet in order.
Add a dowel so the students can make the alphabet from left to right.
Use your calm down corner as a center.
Add the alphabet to your sensory table.
Laminate and die cut paper into different shapes. Write the alphabet on the shapes. Students put the alphabet in order and then use a pointer to say the letters forward and backwards. Allow students to work as a team.
Put magnets upside down and students use a fishing rod to find the letters and tell their friend the letter. They can also match upper and lower- case letters.
Laminate leaves. Students do leaf rubbings.
Pin art. Put construction paper behind a simple picture. Students use pins to poke the object. Take the picture off and put the paper from the back up in the window.
Students grab a picture, determine what sound the picture starts with, then makes the letter with playdough.
Find this game here
Fruit stand: find fruit and vegetables at the dollar store. Label the shelves. Students sort, sell and buy the fruit and vegetables.
Put pictures and words in the word center. The students make sentences. Students read each other's sentences. They can also write the sentences.
Make a puzzle if you do not have one. Just cut index cards apart. Students match uppercase and lowercase letters.
Put pictures and letters in the pocket chart. Students match the picture to the letter it starts with. Put the answer on the back so students can self correct. They can also put the letters in order if there is time.
Put rice and small objects in a water bottle. Tape the top. Students roll the bottle until they find an object. They say the object and what it starts with. They can also draw the object and write the letter it starts with.
Use chart paper to write the alphabet. Students find pictures in magazines. Cut them out and glue it on the chart by the letter it starts with.
Students use stickers to make their name and their friends names.
Students listen to the story then draw about it.
Stamp the letters in order from a to z.