Fall Leaves

Grade: 1
Adapted by: E. Luna

Goal: Students will learn about the different leaf pattern, shape, size and assortment of fall leaf colors. The lesson will build proficiency in color recognition, comparison, size differentiation, and symmetry. The main focus of this lesson is to teach students how to apply symmetry to other things in nature and objects.

Objectives:

· Learn about the different types of leaves during the fall season; color, texture, pattern, size and shape.

· Use symmetry, fall color scheme, and pattern when designing the leaf

· Demonstrate good craftsmanship creating the leaf.

· Create a tree using all the leaves created by the students.

Time needed: two fifty minute class periods.

Interdisciplinary connections: fine motor, science and math

Teks:

Knowledge and skills

1.1 Perception. The student develops and organizes ideas from the environment. The student is expected to:

(A) Identify similarities, differences, and variations among subjects, using the senses; and

(B) Identify color, texture, form, line, and emphasis in nature and in the human-made environment.

1.2 Creative expression/performance. The student expresses ideas through original artworks, using a variety of media with appropriate skill. The student is expected to:

(A) Invent images that combine a variety of colors, forms, and lines;

(B) Place forms in orderly arrangement to create designs; and

Materials:

· White paper

· Crayons, color pencils and markers

· Scissors

· Examples of leaves during fall season

Procedure:

Put both of your hands on your desktop, with thumbs touching. Imagine a straight line drawn vertically, dividing your two thumbs. Note how the image of your hand on one side of the line is a mirror image of the image of your hand on the other side of the line. This “mirror image” is called mirror symmetry, or line symmetry (referring to the vertical line between your thumbs). Another way to show mirror symmetry, is by holding both hands up in front of them straight up with thumbs touching then folding their hands inward.

Look at the examples of the leaves and discuss the symmetry these leaves have. Move along discussing their color, shape, size, pattern and texture. The examples can be provided web search, photographs or from library books.

Students then will design their own leaf; their shape will reflect their family size. If the student family size is 4 (father, mother, sibling and the student) then the leaf will have 4 ends; they can be round or pointy by student’s choice. Students will fold the piece of paper in half and draw only side of the leaf. Then they will cut the shape, cutting both sides together. Assist students as needed.

When the leaf is cut, the students will then decorate their leaf with a vein pattern. The vein pattern will be created using the student’s initials. They will choose the color(s) by what best suits their family.

Lastly the students will attach their leaf to a paper tree trunk making a beautiful and unique fall tree. In the end students will also learn that the same way leaves are different in color, shape, and size; we are too and it is okay to be different.

Some of the students work: