The burnt oranges, deep reds, and bright yellows of changing fall leaves are a source of endless inspiration for writers and artists alike.
This collection of teacher-generated materials includes creative lesson plans, awesome leaf crafts, art projects, outdoor classroom activities, and science experiments. They make for a fantastic way to celebrate this visually stunning time of the year, all while teaching core math, literacy, and research skills.
1. Have a Leaf Scavenger Hunt
Let students play detective and see how many different types of leaves they can identify. This clearly illustrated visual guide includes the most common leaf types including maple, oak, and walnut leaves.
Learn more: Education.com
2. Leaf Rubbings: Shapes and Patterns
This cross-curricular lesson incorporates artistic fun with science-based questions. After creating their colorful crayon leaf rubbings using dead leaves, students can compare their shapes, structures, and patterns and practice sorting them accordingly. An alternative version of this lesson can be done with washable markers or a chalk process.
Learn more: Education.com
3. Conduct a Leaf Chromatography Experiment
This simple science experiment from NASA will allow students to see the hidden yellow and orange pigments in green leaves right before their very eyes. Using readily available household ingredients makes for a great opportunity to learn about the chlorophyll in leaves, photosynthesis, chromatography, and capillary action.
Learn more: NASA
4. Read and Write Leaf Poems
The changing colors of fall have inspired many beautiful poems. This poetry collection is a great launching point for a discussion about poetic tone, emotion, themes, and different types of figurative language. As an extension activity, students can write their own poems, using their five senses to describe the natural world.
Learn more: Read Works
5. Create Watercolor Leaf Prints
After gathering their own leaves, students can play with the magic of watercolor paint to create some beautiful pastel leaf prints. In just a few simple steps, they'll have delicate and detailed leaf prints to show off in the classroom.
Learn more: Pink When
6. Read a Fall Themed Book
This mini-lesson helps students identify the main idea of the fall-themed book, Why Do Leaves Change Color? This popular picture book includes intricate pictures of leaves in different sizes, shapes, and colors and a clear science-based explanation of how they change color each autumn.
7. Make a Fall Leaf Garland
This lovely garland is fun and easy to make and is a great way to appreciate the textures, patterns, and colors of beautiful leaves, all while creating a memorable piece of art. It also makes for a great opportunity to talk about color theory, warm and cool colors, leaf pigments, all while developing fine motor skills.
Learn more: Artful Parent
8. Looking at Leaves Powerpoint
This engaging and informative presentation teaches students about the different parts of leaves, the process of photosynthesis, and the three main types of leaf arrangement. What better way to appreciate the amazing colors of plant species all around us?
Learn more: Twinkl
9. Create a Leaf Graph
Students can measure and compare leaves of different lengths using a ruler, while also practicing their counting, tracing, and writing skills. This also makes for a great opportunity to have a discussion about leaves and how soil development impacts their growth.
Learn more: Education.com
10. Watch an Animated Video About Autumn Leaves
This kid-friendly video explains why deciduous leaves change color. The accompanying activities and the interactive website includes a map, quiz, game, and vocabulary review are all easy ways to reinforce student learning.
Learn more: Brain Pop
11. Make a Leaf Lantern
These stunning leaf lanterns are a great way to bring light into your classroom during the dark autumn days. Made from lightweight paper, they look delicate by day and add a warm and cozy feel to your classroom in the afternoon. Students can let their creativity run wild with real leaves, liquid watercolors, or other art supplies.
Learn more: Little Pine Learners
12. Effect of Sunlight on Leaves Experiment
This simple science experiment demonstrates how surface area impacts the amount of sunlight leaves can absorb. By using their hands as a model, students can see which shapes create larger surface areas, similar to rain forest plants, or smaller surface areas similar to desert plants.
Learn more: Around the Kampfire
13. Read a Leaf Themed Book
This rhyming picture book is perfect for sing-a-long and a fun way to introduce the theme of fall leaves to your class. Students will love feeding the accompanying interactive poster of the "old lady" as you read the book. The accompanying sequencing activity is a great way to build critical thinking skills.
Learn more: Teachers Pay Teachers
14. Decorate Windows With Autumn Leaves
What better way to connect nature to art class than with the colorful leaves of fall? Students are sure to enjoy creating beautiful "stained-glass" windows while mimicking the color of fall leaves. An alternative version of this activity uses dry cake watercolor to coat the leaves to add extra color.
Learn more: Education World
15. Fall Leaves Emergent Reader Activity
This fall-themed emergent reader is an easy way to integrate math and literacy. Students color the leaves red or yellow to create combinations of ten in a tens frame while demonstrating both their counting and reading comprehension skills.
Learn more: Teachers Pay Teachers
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