Autumn Leaf Science

Ciara McNearly

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Autumn Leaf Science

Understand why leaves change color in the fall

In this lesson, students will investigate why leaves change color in the fall through a hands-on experiment and a discussion. This lesson helps students understand the scientific processes behind seasonal changes, fostering curiosity and a love for science.

Audience

Achievers (ages 9-10)

Time

45 mins

Approach

Understand why leaves change color in the fall

Materials

Leaves collected prior to the lesson, White paper, Rubbing alcohol, Glass jars, Plastic wrap, Bowls, Hot water, Worksheet: Autumn Leaf Experiment, and Discussion Guide: Why Leaves Change Color

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

Greet the students and introduce the topic.
Ask if anyone knows why leaves change color in the fall.
Explain that today, we'll explore the science behind this colorful change.

Step 2

Experiment Setup

10 mins

Distribute the collected leaves, glass jars, white paper, and rubbing alcohol.
Demonstrate how to place leaves in the jar, cover them with rubbing alcohol, and mash them up.
Cover the jar with plastic wrap and place it in a bowl of hot water.
Explain the safety precautions while working with rubbing alcohol and hot water.

Step 3

Observation and Explanation

15 mins

Ask students to observe the changes in the jar and share their thoughts.
Discuss how the rubbing alcohol breaks down the chlorophyll, revealing other pigments such as carotenoids and anthocyanins.
Hand out the 'Autumn Leaf Experiment' worksheet and guide students to fill it out based on their observations.

Step 4

Discussion

10 mins

Use the 'Why Leaves Change Color' discussion guide to facilitate a conversation.
Discuss questions such as: 'What did you observe?', 'Why do you think these changes happen?', 'How do these changes benefit trees?'
Encourage students to share their thoughts and relate their findings to real-world examples.

Step 5

Closure

5 mins

Recap the key points learned in the lesson.
Ask students to share one interesting fact they learned about leaf color change.
Thank the students for their participation and enthusiasm.

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Worksheet

Autumn Leaf Experiment

This worksheet guides students through the steps of the leaf color change experiment and records their observations.

Describe the leaves you collected. What colors do you see?

Observe the leaves carefully and note down the visible colors.

What happened to the leaves after adding rubbing alcohol and placing them in hot water?

Describe any changes you observed.

Why do you think the leaves changed color?

Think about the discussion and the explanation provided.

What are chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins?

These terms were explained during the experiment.

How do you think the color change helps trees during the fall?

Consider how trees prepare for the coming winter.

Discussion

Why Leaves Change Color

This discussion guide helps facilitate a conversation about the observations and scientific concepts behind leaf color change.

What did you observe during the experiment?

Encourage students to share their observations and use descriptive language.

Why do you think these changes happen to the leaves?

Guide students to think about the scientific reasoning behind the color change.

How do these changes benefit trees during the fall season?

Discuss how trees prepare for winter by shedding leaves and conserving energy.

Can you find any examples of trees that stay green all year round? How do they differ?

Explore the concept of evergreen trees and compare them with deciduous trees.