Autumn Hashtag Block Lesson, Fall Small Group Activity, K-5 STEM Activities

Autumn Hashtag Block Puzzles — Fall STEM for Elementary

Autumn Hashtag Block Puzzles are printable fall STEM activities for elementary students that build spatial reasoning, counting, and problem-solving with Hashtag Blocks.

These NGSS-aligned fall STEM centers include ready-to-use puzzle mats featuring classic autumn images—pumpkins, apples, leaves, sunflowers, acorns, and more. Perfect for small group learning, centers, fast-finisher bins, or makerspace tubs, each challenge gets students modeling, testing, and improving their designs.

What students do

• Use Hashtag Blocks to recreate seasonal pictures shown on the mats (e.g., apple, worm-in-apple, acorn, tree, corn, fox, mushroom, pumpkin, owl, scarecrow, sunflower, leaf)
• Count and compare block quantities by color (visual totals are printed on each mat).
• Follow the Engineering Design Process—Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Test, Improve, Share (posters and guiding questions)

What teachers get

• Printable puzzle mats (color) ready to laminate or slip into clear sleeves for repeated use
• Teacher instructions with quick-start guidance for inquiry, management, and reflection.
• Alignment to NGSS K–2-ETS1-2 and 3–5-ETS1-2 and TEKS science process standards.

Materials needed

• Hashtag Blocks + the printable mats (included)

Why you’ll love it

• Low prep, high engagement: set out blocks, add mats, and go.
• Flexible formats: ideal for small group stations, whole-group modeling, RTI pull-outs, or sub plans.
• Skill-rich: reinforces modeling, geometry/visualization, counting, perseverance, and collaborative talk moves.

Bring the season to life with hands-on puzzles your K–5 students will beg to repeat—all while hitting engineering practices and keeping your centers running smoothly.