What Happens to Leaves?
LESSON 5
Children will observe how fallen leaves benefit the earth, document their discoveries, and discuss the importance of leaves in nature.
The book, “Summer Green, to Autumn Gold,” by Mia Posada
Paper or a notebook with blank pages for drawing
Crayons
Materials
Gather materials
Plan a nature walk to a location where children can observe fallen decaying leaves. This activity is best suited in a natural environment that is not disturbed or landscaped. Anywhere with a lot of deciduous trees. It is easy to find the dead decaying leaves from the previous year underneath and around these trees. If there are a lot of newly fallen leaves, you may have to uncover them by digging around a little.
Preparations
Provide children with notebooks and crayons for drawing during the nature walk.
Guide the nature walk, pausing to encourage observations and discussions about the insects and life.
Foster communication among children by prompting them to share their observations and ideas during the activity.
Lead a post-nature walk discussion, asking questions to help children explore the importance of fallen leaves in the ecosystem and encouraging critical thinking.
Objectives for Teachers
Children engage in a nature walk to observe insects and life among fallen leaves.
Children draw pictures of the insects and life they discover during the nature walk.
Children practice communicating their observations and ideas about insects and leaves.
Children explore the significance of fallen leaves in the ecosystem through guided questions.
Children explore the benefits of fallen leaves in the ecosystem.
Objectives for Children
Collect and Connect
Practice saying the poem with the actions below.
Hold one hand, five fingers spread, wiggle five fingers while swaying.
Thumb floats downward
Cup other hand as nest for leaf
Hold up hand, four fingers up
Tap forehead with four fingers
Other hand to lips, blow a kiss
Two fingers leave forehead, float away
Hold up hand, two fingers wiggle
Two fingers wiggle and sway
Other hand surround lips and blows
Last two fingers fall into lap.
Five Little Apple Leaves
Five little leaves on an apple tree,
Danced and pranced so merrily,
One leaf floated away from the rest.
Making its home in a wee bird’s nest.
Four little leaves in the apple tree,
Thought, “Oh where could one leaf be?”
Light brother breeze blew a kiss.
Two little leaves flew off in bliss.
Two little leaves danced together
On the apple tree in stormy weather.
Big brother wind, he blew so hard
Two little leaves flew down in my yard!
-Betsy Jones
Activity Flow
Begin this lesson at the nature walk location you've chosen to observe fallen and decaying leaves. Before heading on your nature walk, open the book, "Summer Green to Autumn Gold," to the page depicting fallen leaves with insects crawling through them. Read this page to your child and explore the illustration together, inviting your child to identify any of the insects or bugs in the illustration.
Explain to your child that you've brought along a notebook and crayons, and you thought it would be exciting to discover the types of insects and life hiding within the fallen leaves during your nature walk. Keep an eye out for other hidden treasures under the leaves. You'll draw pictures of these discoveries.
Begin your nature walk, stopping to observe the world beneath the fallen leaves. Remember to take things slow as you observe. Notice out loud the things you see, describing the movements of the bugs and their appearances. Encourage your child to share their observations as well. Record your findings in a notebook. For younger children, you may opt to do the drawing, allowing them to color in your depictions. For older children, they can create their own drawings. If you know the names of the insects, consider labeling your drawings.
4. Afterwards initiate a conversation about the importance of fallen leaves. Here are some questions you might ask:
Do you think fallen leaves are helpful for these tiny creatures?
How are the fallen leaves helpful for insects?
Can you think of any other ways fallen leaves might be helpful?
These questions encourage children to reflect on the importance of fallen leaves in the natural world and promote curiosity about their role in the ecosystem.
Here are some of the benefits of fallen leaves you might like to share with your child:
Nature's Blanket: Fallen leaves create a cozy, colorful blanket for the ground, like a comfy bed for tiny creatures.
Comfy Homes: Leaves make comfy homes for insects, like ladybugs and ants, and they provide hiding spots for animals like squirrels. Other animals collect leaves and tuck them into their nests or burrows, like we tuck ourselves into our cozy beds with blankets. These leaves keep them warm and toasty during the chilly winter months. It's like wearing a warm jacket but for their homes!
Color Explosion: Fallen leaves paint the ground with beautiful colors like red, orange, and yellow, making the world look like a magical playground.
Nutrient Food: As leaves break apart, they become yummy food for the soil, helping plants grow big and strong.
Jumping Fun: Piles of leaves are perfect for jumping and playing, like a big, soft trampoline.
Nature's Art: Leaves are like nature's art supplies – you can use them to make leaf crowns, leaf animals, and leaf art.
Compost Treasure: Grown-ups collect leaves to make special dirt called compost, which helps plants grow even better.
Secret Hiding Places: Leaves hide special treasures, like acorns and pinecones, which squirrels love to find.
Whispers in the Wind: When leaves rustle in the wind, it's like they're telling stories about the changing seasons.
Learning Fun: Exploring leaves helps us learn about nature and all the amazing things it can do.
Wildlife Forage: Some animals, like deer and rabbits, feed on fallen leaves for nourishment.
5. After discussing all the benefits of leaves, collect a few and make a nature crown. The only material you need is leaves. Here is a simple tutorial!
