Eight Leaf Mini-Lessons for Fall

Fall is officially here, and soon the trees will be shedding magenta, crimson, vermilion and auburn leaves. There are many opportunities use leaves to teach students lessons to enhance their math, science, art and English skills.

EducationWorld has curated a list of eight activities to do in the classroom with fall leaves. 

1. Puffy Paint Fall Art: Provided by BlogMeMom.com, this activity involves science and art. Students can make their own puffy paint, add some leaves and can create a poster board filled with beautiful art.
2. Why Do Leaves Change Color: This fun science experiment will show students firsthand why leaves change their color when the seasons change. This hands-on activity provided by Education.com requires green leaves, jars, aluminum foil, rubbing alcohol, hot water, and coffee filters. By adding all of these ingredients together with leaves, students will learn about the breakdown of chlorophyll. They will learn that in autumn, chlorophyll breaks down and other pigments are seen, making the leaves appear red and yellow. 
3. Leaf Garland: Have students gather outside and grab a handful of their favorite fallen leaves. Then, using yarn, students should thread the leaves to create their own garland. Students can take their projects home and hang them above their beds, or above their mantles.
4. Leaf Graph: Who says you cant bring mathematics into the mix? Gather students outside to collect as much leaves as they can, and record the leaves they collected on the chart provided by BusyTeachersCafe. The chart asks students to record how many yellow, red, orange, and brown leaves the student collected, and then asks them questions such as, "how many brown and yellow leaves were collected in all?" Students can fill out the chart, and then compile their results in a graph. 
5. Rain of Leaves by Aileen Fisher: This is a poem that follows the story of children who are watching the leaves fall off the trees around them. Teachers can create a large billboard or poster of the poem, and have students read the poem out loud, and draw a photo corresponding with it. Teach students about metaphors using the poem. Invite them to select their own verbs to create other unique metaphors.
6. Warhol-Inspired Fall Art: Start out the lesson by showing students examples of Andy Warhol's multi-colored popart, and instruct students to make their own rendition using fall leaves. Students can pick a leaf to trace, and using a sheet of paper folded into fourths, create their own Warhol-inspired art.
7. Leaf Magnets: With the help of a laminator, students can keep their favorite leaves on the fridge all year. Gather students to collect their leaves and get to laminating. With some super glue, attach a magnet to the back of the leaves, and the class will have a leaf magnet. 
8. Glitter Leaves: This shining craft will make leaves glitter like the stars. With the help of Mod Podge, glitter, foam brushes, yarn, and leaves, students can create fun glitter leaves using all different colors. After their leaves dry, students can thread the leaves with yarn and hang it up at home for their family to admire. 

Article by Kassondra Granata, EducationWorld Contributor