October

Guilford County's School Readiness Calendar
The School Readiness Calendar helps parents and providers get young children school ready with these fun and simple activities!

Calendar for October 2026
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

It's School Discovery Month!
Every family has choices at GCS, from PreK/Kindergarten through senior year, students have all kinds of paths open to them. Take time to learn about the many possibilities — from your outstanding neighborhood community school to exploring our Choice Programs and Schools, CTE programs, dual enrollment offerings and more. 

1
  • Check your local school system for School Choice Fair date
2
  • Match leaves by shape or color
3
4
  • Count seeds from a pumpkin
5
  • Make patterns with different color sliced apples
6
  • Hide letters in shredded paper, then find and name them
7
  • Lyrics:
    This is the way we pick the apples,
    Pick the apples, pick the apples,
    This is the way we pick the apples,
    On a sunny day,
    Look at all the apples we've found,
    Apples we've found, Apples we've found,
    Look at all the apples we've found,
    Red, green, gold, and brown
8
  • Create play dough using flour, salt, water, and pumpkin spice
9
10
  • Paint using leaves as stamps or brushes
11
  • Sort acorns by size of cap
12
  • Set up a water play area to wash small pumpkins
13
  • Pretend to be squirrels gathering nuts
14
  • Count pumpkins you see while driving
15
  • Create a tape web on the floor and walk along it
16
  • Lyrics:
    Windy days are here again,
    Here again, here again, Windy days are here again,
    Whirling leaves around.
    Watch the leaves, they dance and twirl,
    Dance and twirl, Dance and twirl,
    Watch the leaves, they dance and twirl,
    Falling to the ground.

17
  • Look for stories about fall at the local library
18
  • Take turns sharing what you are thankful for
19
20
  • Say thank you in silly voices
21
  • Play 'Going on a Bear Hunt'
22
  • Paint with red, yellow, and green to mix colors
23
  • Roll pine cones in peanut butter and birdseed
24
  • Use string to measure the circumference of pumpkins
25
  • Set up a pretend apple picking activity
26
  • Name shapes maded in the sky by migrating birds
27
28
  • Dance like swirling autumn leaves
29
  • Pretend to mail thank-you letters
30
  • Recycle a box and decorate it as a treasure chest
31
  • Rearrange silly faces on paper pumpkins

Tips for Parents:

Enhance your child's language and communication skills by reading icture books daily. Discuss the pictures, ask questions, and explore various book types to stimulate curiosity and understanding. For More Information, visit readbondgrow.org

Book(s) to Read this Month:

"When the Leaf Blew In" by Steve Matzger and Kellie Lewis

"No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship."
— Dr. James Comer
Oct 2026