Free Teacher Lesson Plan - "Autumn Leaf Project"

As fall has arrived to our school yard, here's a classroom activity to do with leaves. I find the maple and oak leaf(s) to work best, they leave the best impression!

Create a beautiful picture with tissue paper leaf rubbings!

Grade Level(s): Elementary level project.

Objectives: Students will develop the shape of texture of a leaf.

Materials:
* 5" squares of tissue paper in autumn colors
* fresh leaves with prominent veins
* pieces of brown crayons
* (1) 6"x18" white construction paper
* liquid starch in a small container
* paint brush and paper towel

Instructions:
Put a leaf on the table with the vein side up. Place a single piece of tissue paper on the top of the leaf and rub over the top of the leaf with the side of the crayon. This will pick up the vein pattern.

Repeat step one on different colors of tissue paper. Then tear out the leaf shape rubbing on each piece of paper.

Using the paintbrush, cover the 6"x18" white construction paper with liquid starch. One at a time, lay the tissue leaves on the paper, covering each piece with liquid starch before adding another.

Let dry and watch your students smile with glee! This is my favorite autumn art project, I hope it will be your favorite too!

Here's a fun fact:

What do autumn leaves and ripening bananas have in common?

The green color in unripe bananas comes from chlorophyll, the same pigment that gives green leaves their color. As bananas ripen, the chlorophyll breaks down and disappears, revealing the yellow color which has been there all along. The yellows and oranges of autumn leaves are also revealed as their chlorophyll breaks down. Of course, other changes also occur as bananas ripen: the starches change to sugar and the flesh softens as pectin (a carbohydrate) breaks down.