Leafy Lines

Grade Level: 1
Suggested Order: Week 2
Suggested Time: 1 hour
Lesson Type: Final Project (Medical Sciences and Wellness)
Overview
Students will observe and describe leaves, then use them in design patterns. Students will go on a nature walk to collect leaves, twigs, and other natural found materials. Students will use observation and comparison.
Vocabulary
Objectives
Required Project Materials
Multimedia Resources
Optional Multimedia Resources
Before the Lesson/ Background Information
The Lesson
Part 1: Leaf Analysis
  1. Read Tree of Life, and use discussion questions to begin topic:
    2. Lead the students on a nature walk in a leafy area on or off school grounds. Instruct them to carefully collect leaves of different types. Also collect dropped         twigs, flowers, seeds, and any other useful items.
    3. Back in class, students should explore the leaf by looking at it through the magnifying glass.
    4. Students should then trace the outline of the leaf on the paper.
    5. Students may draw the veins in the leaves and color the leaves.
    6. Read another story about leaves (optional).
Part 2: Design and Build
  1. Using the found objects, students should place leaves on wax paper or contact paper in construction paper frame and hang in window, make leaf paintings, or make a sculpture from found objects.
  2. To keep leaves soft, place in one part glycerin and two parts water, soak overnight 24 hours. Remove and press between newspapers.
  3. At the end of the week, hold an exhibit of the students’ creations.