Subject:
Art (Painting/Drawing) and Science
Grade:
K-2
Age:
4-8
Submitted by:
Melissa Jordan, an art educator at Black River education center Sullivan, Ohio.
Objectives:
Students will observe the different colors in fall leaves.
Students will create a multi-color fall leaf in the crayon-resist technique.
What You Need:
9x12 white paper
leaf pattern to fill 9x12 paper
crayons (red, yellow, brown and orange)
watered down green tempera paint or green watercolors
a book that explains why leaves change color. (Why Do Leaves Change Color--Scholastic book) any book will do.
real leaves with lots of color
large bulletin paper and brown paper to create a large tree. (Teacher will do this)
safety scissors
watercolor brushes
What You Do:
Procedure:
Teacher will read book and lead discussion on fall and why leaves change colors.
Show students real leaves to show them the different colors leaves can be. Try to show them a leaf that has all the fall colors with green peeking through!! Ask students what color they see.
Show students that leaves have veins and that they form little trees!
Pass around leaves if they cannot see this.
Demonstrate the project to the students:
a. Trace leaf pattern onto 9x12 paper. (You can use a real leaf for the pattern).
b. Cut out leaf.
c. Draw veins on leaf. The veins can be as simple or as complex as each individual student is able to do.
d. Now color the leaf with fall colors by pressing hard. Leave some parts of the leaf white where they want some green to show through.
e. When students have pressed hard and colored 75% of the leaf they can paint the green wash over the leaf. It is magic--the white areas soak up the green paint like a sponge. The crayon areas resist the paint--I tell the students those parts are protected!!
f. I show the students what will happen if you don't press hard with crayons so they will be inspired to do a good job.
g. Put on drying rack.
After your demo let the students do the project.
When leaves are finished, teacher can paint a large tree with brown tempera paint and display all the leaves together on the tree. Some of the leaves can be falling or at the bottom. The kids love to see how their leaf is part of one large tree!!!
Why Do Leaves Change Color?
by Betsy Maestro, Loretta Krupinski
In a clear text, Betsy Maestro explains the concepts of photosynthesis, pigments, and chlorophyll in terms children can understand. She includes activities children can do with leaves, and even a list of places known for brilliant fall colors that children can visit with their families.
Look What I Did With a Leaf (Naturecraft)
by Morteza E. Sohi
Sohi gives careful directions on how to choose leaves for shapes and color, how to arrange them in animal forms, or natural scenes, and how to preserve the finished work of art.
Recommended Items:
Leaf Press Kit
Preserve all the beauty of a leaf collection creatively in this handmade ribbon bound journal that you design yourself. Use the unique stencil and paints to personalize this keepsake.
Biography:
Melissa Jordan is an art teacher for the 1st-4th grades. She has been teaching for 5 years.
KinderArt® Lesson/Activity 
