🍁The Leaf Is Off To School Preschool Lesson (non-religious)

🍁 The Leaf Is Off to School

A joyful, back-to-school preschool lesson featuring a silly leaf and his school supplies!

✏️ Lesson Summary:

This playful lesson celebrates the excitement (and chaos!) of heading back to school. Kids will follow a silly leaf who packs his glue, crayons, ruler, and more — all while preparing for the first day. With a funny story song, matching craft, movement game, snack, and learning activity, this lesson helps preschoolers feel confident, included, and excited about going back to school!

🍂 “Leo the Leaf’s First Day of School”
Preschool Story

Leo the Leaf fluttered down from his tree branch with a big smile. “It’s my first day of school!” he cheered. He zipped open his little backpack and checked inside.
Glue stick? Packed.
Ruler? Packed.
Crayons, notebook paper, and pencil? All packed! “I’m ready to learn!” he beamed. At school, Leo met his new teacher, Miss Maple. “Welcome, Leo!” she said warmly. “Let’s start with circle time!” Leo listened closely, colored carefully, and even helped his classmate Piney the Pinecone find her glue. On the playground, Leo played tag and made two new friends—Acorn and Twiggy. When the bell rang, Leo waved goodbye. “I learned to be kind, share, and always be ready!” he said proudly. That night, Leo placed a shiny sticker on his notebook. “Today was amazing,” he whispered.

📚 Learning Focus:

This story reinforces school readiness, friendship, and helping others—perfect for calming first-day jitters while celebrating independence and kindness.

📚 Storytime/Song:

🎵 “The Leaf Is Off to School”
Sing the song aloud or play the video that is above from my Church House Collection YouTube channel. Use leaf props, glue bottles, or crayons to act it out while singing!

🧠 What we’re learning: Object identification, memory, sequencing, and creative storytelling.

🎵The Leaf Is Off To School Song🎵

By: ChurchHouseCollectionStore.com

The leaf is off to school,
The leaf is off to school,
Hi-ho, it’s time to go—
The leaf is off to school!

He packed his yellow glue,
He packed his yellow glue,
Stick and smile and sing a while—
He packed his yellow glue!

He grabbed his wiggly crayons,
He grabbed his wiggly crayons,
Red and blue, and purple too—
He grabbed his wiggly crayons!

He zipped his leafy bag,
He zipped his leafy bag,
With snacks and socks and dancing blocks—
He zipped his leafy bag!

He waved to all the trees,
He waved to all the trees,
"Bye-bye, bark!" he laughed and sparked—
He waved to all the trees!

The leaf is off to school,
The leaf is off to school,
Hi-ho, it’s time to grow—
The leaf is off to school!
🎵

The Leaf Is Off To School back to school craft for preschool kids lesson plan coloring page song snack idea

🎨 Craft: Leafy School Supply Puppet

Supplies:

Construction paper (orange, red, yellow)
Crayons or markers
Googly eyes (optional)
Glue stick
Craft stick or straw
Precut paper shapes for backpack, ruler, glue bottle

Directions:

Cut out a leaf shape or use a template.
Let kids color and decorate their “leaf friend.”
Glue on school supplies like a paper crayon or ruler.
Add a stick to turn it into a puppet!

💡 Use it to sing the song again!

The Leaf Is Off To School Free Back To School Preschool Lesson Plan Free Coloring Page

🖍️ 🍁 Leo the Leaf Coloring Page (Free Download)

Meet Leo the Leaf — the most excited little leaf going back to school! This adorable black-and-white coloring page lets preschoolers bring Leo to life with their favorite crayons. Perfect for fall themes, classroom fun, or back-to-school activities. Easy to print and color at home or in class!

Download this FREE coloring page of Leo the leaf right here: CLICK HERE

🎲 Game: “Leaf Supply Search”

How to Play:
Hide small paper cutouts of school supplies around the room (glue, crayon, ruler, lunchbox, etc.).

Let kids "blow like a leaf" (tiptoe or crawl!) to find the missing supplies.

Every time they find one, shout: "Ready for school!"

🍎 Snack: “Leaf Lunchbox Mix”

Make a mini trail mix or snack cup with:

Leaf-shaped cereal or crackers (or goldfish)
Raisins (for "erasers")
Pretzel sticks ("pencils")
Mini marshmallows ("for "glue blobs")

Serve in small lunch bags or paper leaf cutouts.

Cheese Leaf Crackers Snack idea The Leaf Is Off To School Free Back To School Preschool Lesson Plan

🍎 Snack: The Leaf Is Off To School Snack

Make some leafy cheese crackers by using a mini leaf cookie cutter and cutting out leaf cheese slices and laying it on a ritz cracker.

🧠 Learning Activity: What’s in Your Bag?

Let kids pretend to pack a school bag with picture cards or real items. Ask:

“What would YOU bring to school?”
“Why do we need a crayon?”
“What does glue help us do?”

Let them “pack” their answers in a paper lunch sack or felt backpack.

🎭 Pretend Play: Leaf Bus Ride

Set up chairs in rows like a bus. Each child becomes a leaf boarding the bus. Set up a fan to blow wind like they are really riding on the bus with the windows down. The bus driver could have a paper plate (steering wheel) so they can pretend to drive. Let each kid take a turn driving the bus while everyone enjoys the ride.