Beautiful Autumn!

Autumn colours

by Lydia Parkinson

Suitable for Key Stage 1/2

Aims

To consider the beautiful variety of colours we see in autumn and give thanks for the beauty of the natural world.

Preparation and materials

• You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Beautiful Autumn!) and the means to display them.
• You will also need a collection of autumn leaves of various colours. If this is not available, use Slide 1 of the PowerPoint presentation.

Assembly

1. Ask the children to tell you what season it is. Ask them to describe the changes that take place in autumn.
   
   Listen to a range of responses.
   
   
2. Show the collection of autumn leaves or Slide 1.
   
   Invite the children to look at the leaves and describe the colours that they can see.
   
   The list of colours will include yellow, red, brown and orange. Explain that these colours are often associated with autumn.
   
   
3. Show Slide 2.
   
   Explain that this colour chart includes autumn colours in its range of paints.
   
   
4. Ask the children to think of autumnal things that display these colours in some way.
   
   Listen to a range of responses.
   
   Suggestions could include:
   
   - yellow: sunshine
   - red: apples and rosehips
   - brown: conkers and ploughed fields
   - orange: pumpkins and the sun
   
   
5. Ask the children if they can think of other colours that are associated with autumn.
   
   Listen to a range of responses.
   
   Suggestions could include:
   
   - blue: sky
   - purple: plums and blackberries
   - green: what stays green in autumn?
   
   Express what an amazing range of colours there are in the world!
   
   
6. Show Slides 3-6.
   
   Express how beautiful these images of bright autumn scenery are. Ask the children to spot the colours or just enjoy the stunning variety.

Time for reflection

Show Slides 3-6 again.

Ask the children to look again at the images of bright autumn scenery and take a moment to think about the beautiful places that they have visited and the wonderful variety in the world.

Encourage the children to look around them when they are outside to try to spot signs of autumn.

Prayer
Dear God,
For the beautiful world around us, for its many wonders and all its colours, we give thanks.
Help us to care about all the wonderful things around us and take the time to enjoy them.
Help us to preserve and protect all that is in the world so that everyone can enjoy it.
Amen.

Song/music

‘Autumn days’ (Come and Praise, 4), available at: https://youtu.be/ajRVIh3srXw (2.42 minutes long)