Falling Leaves Poem

Fall is my favorite season to create dances with my littles, if you couldn’t tell. The last few weeks I have been doing this leaf poem with my 4,5, and 6 year olds. They love it and so do I! So many wonderful movement qualities! Here’s what we did… I hung the poem on the wall. We gathered around it, and I read it through once.

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Little leaves fall softly down
Red and yellow, orange and brown
Whirling, twirling round and round
Falling softly to the ground

Little leaves fall softly down
To make a carpet on the ground.
Then, swish, the wind comes whistling by
And sends them dancing to the sky.

-unknown

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I used my drum as we started to dance to the words. I would say the first phrase and then play the drum for them to fall softly or dance in the sky.

For the color part, I asked them to choose a color– red, yellow, orange, or brown. I asked them to keep it a secret. (It’s super hard for them!) Then when I say the color they chose in the poem they pop up and make their leaf shape. I did this so they didn’t copy their friends colors, plus we want every color represented!

The other day, every single dancer chose red! That never happened before! It was made us all laugh! 🙂

After we practiced it a few times, I split the group in half. Had half of them sit, and half of them dance. The second week we did the poem, they asked if they could watch each other!

Another way to share: I asked who wanted to show us their “falling softly” one at a time. This builds confidence! Even the littles who usually don’t want to be singled out, shared their leaf falling softly. What I love most about the poem is the sudden switch in movement qualities. It’s really hard for them, but it’s a really great challenge!

After they were familiar with the poem. I tried something new with my 5-6 year olds I took half the poem…

Little leaves fall softly down
To make a carpet on the ground.
Then, swish, the wind comes whistling by
And sends them dancing to the sky.
Little leaves fall softly down. 

I asked them to work in partners and choreograph movement to the words. First I demonstrated what it’s like to work with a partner. They did really well, and it was a great chance to be able to see them working in a team. Their first experience!

There are so many ways you could use this poem in class. Above are just a few ideas! How would you use it? Do you have a fall poem that you use? I would love to hear!

Here is a list of other fall dances you may want to try:
1. Leaves Song
2. Scatter, Gather and Toss the leaves
3. Falling Leaves
4. Pumpkin Patch, Apple Tree, and Wizard of Oz 

and… more fall ideas to come in the coming weeks! xo