Leaf Me Alone!
Leaves
Grade Level : 1

Subjects: Science, Language Arts, Math

Learner Outcome:
The students will correctly identify the leaves of a plant.
The students will correctly identify the function of the leaves of a plant.
The students will name 3 leaves we eat and 3 leaves we use to make things.

Duration of Lesson: 30 minutes

Materials: Chart paper, markers, large ziplock bags, copy paper, crayons, magnifying glasses, rulers, leaf hunt permission slips (if needed), copies of Leaf Worksheet,   "All Around Plants" journal

Technology Tools/Coursework: Computer, Internet access, Data projector, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, printer

Teacher Notes:

Procedure:
1. Introduce lesson with "Changing Colors" or any other book on leaves.
    -Brainstorm colors of leaves students have seen on trees.
2. Leaf Hunt activity
    -Supply every child with a large ziplock bag.
    -Take children on a leaf hunt around your school neighborhood or local park. Children need to understand that they are only to pick up leaves that are on the ground. They are not to pick leaves off any plant.
    -If they see an interesting leaf on a plant they can make a leaf rubbing with crayon and paper.
3. Provide children with magnifying glasses to examine their finds. Children can locate the veins and maybe find a creepy crawler or two.
4. Leaf Worksheet
    -Children can work with a partner or alone to fill in the Leaf Worksheet. They are to choose 3 leaves from their bag and answer the questions. Children can print words, draw pictures or use colors in the boxes to fill in their answers. You might want to brainstorm some words to describe leaves, such as, smooth, hairy, rough, jagged etc.  They will also need to be taught how to measure the length and width of a leaf.
5. Show examples of simple and compound leaves from resource. Let children count how many of their leaves are simple and compound.
6. Show examples of smooth, toothed and lobed leaves from resource. Let children count how many of their leaves are smooth, toothed, lobed or a combination of two.
7. Let children brainstorm reasons why a plant needs leaves.
8. Show the PowerPoint presentation "Leaf Me Alone" to help students understand the function and uses of leaves.
9. Journal entry- Children make color rubbings of the 3 leaves from their worksheet . They can describe the leaf as to color, shape and feel.

Modifications: Modifications will be made based upon individual educational plans and student needs.

Enrichment Activities:
"I Wonder Why Trees Have Leaves" Andrew Charman, (Kingfisher, 1997)
Activity Place- leaf activities

Evaluation/ Assessment: Journal, observation, participation, worksheet

West Virginia IGO's:
Science: 1.3, 1.6, 1.17, 1.18, 1.20, 1.30
Language Arts: 1.3, 1.8, 1.21
Math: 1.1, 1.23, 1.25, 1.35, 1.43

National Standards:
Science:
Understands the structure and function of cells and organisms.
Understand the relationships among organisms and their environment.

Language Arts:
Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational texts.
Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes.
Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media.

Math:
Understands and applies basic and advanced properties of the concepts of measurement.

References:
Maple Leaf Pattern
Leaf placemats
The Great Plant Escape
Enchanted Learning- plant parts printout and color by number activities
Busy Teacher's Cafe- units on leaves
 
 
 
Overview
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
Lesson 5 
Plants Around Us Rootin' Around What's Holding You Up? Leaf Me Alone! Flower Power What's in the Bag?

Created by:
Lesli Harvath
Carol June
Debra Rockey
Jefferson Primary School
1098 Jefferson Street
Follansbee,WV 26037

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