In this blog post I’m sharing 9 classroom themes for September. I love to use themes with my students, and while sometimes I use the same ones each year.. Sometimes I like to mix it up and get some new ones too. So to save you some time with trying to plan for the month, I’m here to help! Below you will find different themes to use throughout September, along with resources and activities to try.
1. Johnny Appleseed
Johnny Appleseed Day is September 26th.. And with this being the perfect season for apples.. It kinda makes sense to do Johnny Appleseed throughout September! Some of my favorite Johnny Appleseed activities are;
- Johnny Appleseed Adapted book
- Write the Room Activity
- Johnny Appleseed Reading Comprehension Passages
- Pinterest Board of Ideas for Johnny Appleseed Activities
- Johnny Appleseed Activity Unit
- All Johnny Appleseed Activities Here
- Johnny Appleseed Folk Tale on Youtube
2. Apples
Apples are one of my favorite themes to teach. They tie in nicely with Johnny Appleseed.. And if you’re lucky, you can tie it in with a tree to an apple orchard. Or if you don’t have one close by (like me!) You can go on a virtual field trip to the apple orchard!
- Free Measuring Apples with Snap Cubes Task Box
- Virtual Field Trip to the Apple Orchard
- Apples Activity Pack
- Life Cycle of an Apple Adapted Book
- All Apple Activities Here
3. Back to School
Back to school can be a theme in itself. I love to focus on some different school themed resources and get students introduced to their new (or old!) classroom. I’ll do a lot of focus on classroom rules, expectations and routines. But I’ll also be sure to spend this time having fun with my students and building some strong relationships together.
Some of my favorite back to school themed activities are;
- If You Take a Mouse to School Activities
- Who Stole the Teacher? Crime Scene
- Robots at School Wh- Questions Adapted Book
- 2D School Bus Adapted Book
- Free Editable School Bus Name Craft
- School Supplies Adapted Book
- Pinterest Board of Back to School Activities
4. All About Me / Family
This is probably one of my favorite themes to do with my students. I love getting to spend time and do some fun activities with my students to learn more about them and their families. This is also a great way for me to be able to ensure that my students, their families and cultures are represented throughout the school year in my classroom too.
Some of my favorite activities for this are;
- All About Me Lap Book
- Me and My Family Activity Pack
- Only Bun of Me Craftivity
- Let’s Taco ‘Bout Me Craftivity
- Different Families Adapted Book
- Free Editable Name Play Dough Mats
- I Can Write My Name Journal
- Pinterest Board of ‘All About Me’ Activities
- Pinterest Board of ‘Family’ Themed Activities
5. Community Helpers
Teaching the theme of community helpers helps students understand the roles of different people in their community and how they contribute to society. This theme also helps students develop social skills by learning about the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Plus, learning about community helpers can encourage students to explore different career paths and develop a sense of responsibility and empathy towards others. Some of my favorite community helper activities are;
- Community Helper Task Boxes
- Free Community Helper Boom Cards
- Community Helper Emergent Readers
- Community Helpers Sorting Pages
- Pinterest Board of Ideas
- All My Community Helpers Resources
6. Pirates
The concept of pirates is often exciting and engaging for students. This can increase their motivation and interest in learning. Plus the theme of pirates works really well for teaching a variety of academic and social skills, such as reading comprehension, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. Using a theme like pirates can provide a fun and creative way for students to learn and practice important skills, which can help to make learning more enjoyable and meaningful for them. Some of my favorite pirate activities are;
- Pirate Classroom Scavenger Hunt
- Who Pushed the Pirate Overboard? Interactive Crime Scene
- Pirate Wh- Question Boom Cards
- All My Pirate Activities
- Over the Deep Blue Sea YouTube Song
- Port Side Pirates by Barefoot Books on YouTube
- Pinterest Board of Ideas
7. Football
American football as a theme can provide an opportunity to teach important social and communication skills. This includes teamwork, sportsmanship, and following rules. Additionally, it can be a fun and engaging way to teach math skills, such as counting yards and calculating scores. It can also provide an opportunity to teach physical education skills, such as throwing, catching, and running. Using a popular and familiar theme like football can help to increase student motivation and engagement in the learning process.
8. Autumn/Fall
Autumn/Fall is a season that is familiar and relevant to most students. Students can observe changes in the environment, such as leaves changing colors and falling from trees. This can be used as a basis for learning about science and nature. It also provides opportunities for sensory experiences, such as feeling the crisp air and crunching leaves underfoot. Autumn/Fall also offers many cultural and social events, such as Halloween and Thanksgiving. Fall is a rich and engaging theme that can be used to teach a variety of academic and life skills to special education students. Some of my favorite Autumn/Fall activities are;
- Wh- Questions Adapted Book
- 2D Shape Leaf Matching
- Autumn/Fall Wh- Question Scenes
- Mr Pumpkin Goes for a Fall/Autumn Walk Adapted Book
- All of my Fall/Autumn Activities
- Autumn Leaves are Falling Down Song on YouTube
- Pinterest Board of Ideas
9. Labor Day
Teaching about Labor Day can provide a great opportunity for students to learn about the history and significance of the holiday. It can also help students develop their understanding of the importance of work and the value of workers in society. This theme can also provide an opportunity to explore different types of jobs and careers, and how they contribute to the community and economy. Some of my favorite Labor Day activities to use are;
- Emergent Reader
- Labor Day Adapted Book
- Reading Comprehension Worksheets
- Labor Day for Kids YouTube Video
- All My Labor Day Activities
Those are my 9 favorite themes to use throughout September in my classroom. Under each one I’ve also tried to give you some ideas of activities you can try with your students. What theme(s) do you have planned for September with your students? Leave a comment below!
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Nikki
