Leaf Color Script

Warm-Up: What Do You Notice? (5 minutes)

(Teacher displays the first slide of Leaf Color Slides - title slide or vibrant fall leaves image)

"Good morning, everyone! Look at this beautiful picture. What do you see? What colors jump out at you?"

"That's right, so many amazing colors! Who can tell me what time of year we usually see leaves like this?"

"Fantastic! Today, we're going to become leaf detectives and uncover the secret behind why leaves change into these brilliant colors in the fall!"

Introducing Chlorophyll (10 minutes)

(Teacher moves to Slide 2: "The Green Machine: Chlorophyll")

"Take a look at this leaf. What color is it mostly? Yes, green! Most leaves are green for most of the year. Do you know why? It's because of something super important inside the leaf called chlorophyll."

"Can everyone say 'chloh-ruh-fill'? Excellent!"

"Chlorophyll is like a tiny, magical chef inside every green leaf. Its job is to use the sunlight to make yummy food for the tree to grow big and strong. What a busy chef!"

(Teacher moves to Slide 3: "Where Does the Green Go?")

"But then, something changes. As summer starts to say goodbye, and fall breezes in, the days get a little shorter, and the weather gets a little cooler. The tree starts to get ready for a long winter nap."

"When the tree gets ready for winter, our tiny chlorophyll chef stops making food as much, and slowly, the chlorophyll starts to fade away, almost like magic!"

"Now, here's the cool part: all along, there were other colors hiding inside the leaf, but we couldn't see them because the green chlorophyll was so strong. But when the green goes away, poof! These hidden colors get their chance to shine!"

"So, what color does chlorophyll make leaves? And what happens to the chlorophyll when the weather gets cold and the days get shorter?"

(Teacher moves to Slide 4: "Red, Yellow, Orange!")

"That's right! When the green fades, we start to see all sorts of other colors, like bright yellows, fiery oranges, and deep reds! These colors were always there, just waiting for their turn to be seen."

"This is why every fall, our trees put on a spectacular color show for us! It's nature's way of getting ready for winter."

"Who can tell me some of the amazing fall colors we see when the green disappears?"

Activity: Chlorophyll Painting (10 minutes)

"Now it's your turn to be artists and scientists! We are going to do a Chlorophyll Painting Activity!"

"I am going to give each of you a piece of paper and some paints. First, I want you to paint a leaf green in the middle of your paper. This green represents the chlorophyll, working hard all summer."

"Once you have your green leaf, you can start adding other fall colors—like red, yellow, and orange—around or on top of your green leaf. Imagine the green fading away and these beautiful hidden colors starting to show through!"

"What colors are you using for your hidden leaf colors? What color did your leaf start as?"

(Circulate, assist, and encourage students. Provide positive feedback.)

Cool-Down: Reflect and Draw (5 minutes)

"Amazing work, leaf artists! Now, to wrap up our leaf detective work, you'll each get a Leaf Observation Journal."

"On the first page, I want you to draw your favorite fall leaf color that you learned about today. Then, below your drawing, write just one sentence about why leaves change color in the fall. Think about our 'green chef' and the hidden colors!"

(Collect journals as students finish.)

"Before you go, can one or two people share one new, amazing thing they learned about leaves today?"

"Wonderful! You are all fantastic leaf scientists! Give yourselves a round of applause!"

Chlorophyll Painting Activity

Objective: To visually represent the concept of chlorophyll fading and other leaf colors emerging.

Materials:

• White paper
• Washable paint: green, yellow, orange, red
• Paintbrushes
• Small cups for water
• Paper towels for dabbing brushes

Instructions:

1. Start Green: On your white paper, use the green paint to draw and color in the shape of a leaf. This green represents the chlorophyll that is busy making food for the tree all summer long.

2. Add Hidden Colors: Once your green leaf is painted, imagine the green chlorophyll starting to fade away as fall arrives. Now, using your yellow, orange, and red paints, add these "hidden" colors to your leaf. You can paint them over the green, around the green, or in different sections of your leaf. Show how these beautiful colors start to appear!

3. Explore and Create: Experiment with how the colors blend and layer. Think about what a real fall leaf looks like when it changes color.

4. Share Your Art: When you are finished, be ready to share your colorful leaf and explain how your painting shows what happens to leaves in the fall!

My Fall Leaf Journal

Name: _____________________________

Draw Your Favorite Fall Leaf Color!

Draw a picture of your favorite fall leaf color that we learned about today. Make it vibrant and beautiful!

Why Do Leaves Change Color?

Write one sentence about why leaves change color in the fall.