Teaching Guide

 
TheExtraordinaryColor of Leaves

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produced by

Charlene Bradley

Web Institute for Teachers, Summer, 2001

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Introduction

Aim

Rationale

Audience

Prerequisites

Subject-Matter

Goals and Objectives

Instructional Plan

Materials

Assessment and Evaluation

Appendices

Resources

Glossary

Introduction-  Children have a natural curiosity for learning. Leaves changing colors is a spectacular event in the fall. The scientific explanation of this process is our quest. The lesson is designed to explain "Why do leaves change their colors in the fall?"

Aim -  The aim is to familiarize students with observations and scientific reasons why leaves change their colors in the fall and to access this information on the internet.

 

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Rationale  - Children should be cognizant of their natural surroundings .They should be able to identify at least 4 deciduous trees and explain why they change their colors in the fall. They can find this information faster on th World Wide Web and they are exposed to a wealth of knowledge.Learning through computer technology is exciting!

 

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Goals and Objectives

State Goal 11:  Have a working knowledge ofthe processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments, and solve  problems. CAS B. Design and conduct scientific investigations to answer questions and test the validity of predictions:making observations, describing procedures, organizing data, drawing reasonable conclusions, and interpreting results. CFS  (4) Demonstrate skill in using scientific instruments and technology.

Objectives: The students will be able to explain why leaves change their colors in the fall. The students will be able to use the internet technology to access their answers. The students will be able to identify the elm, maple, oak and gingko leaves.

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Audience - Fourth Grade Students

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Prerequisites The students will be introduced to 4 deciduous trees, the oak,the maple,the elm and the gingko. The students will be introduced to the internet web sites.

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Subject-Matter  -The subject matter is Science. Computer technology, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Math will be incorporated into this lesson.

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Instructional Plan - The educational  plan is to familiarize the students with trees that are a part of their natural surroundings. The students will be allowed to discover "why" the leaves change their colors in the fall. The students will search  the internet to acquiesce the information needed to answer the guiding question "Why do leaves change their colors during fall"? The students will be able to write about their discoveries   on the computer that will support their findings. The students will be introduced to four deciduous trees that are found in the neighborhood. The elm, oak, maple, and the gingko will be located on the Web and this  information will be used so that the students can compare the leaf size, shape, texture, and color.The student will measure the individual leaves and use a Venn diagram to compare things they have in common, their likenesses and differences.

Length of the Lesson ( 2 Weeks):

Day 1- Introduction to the Elm, Oak, Maple, and Gingko.
Day 2- Instruction on how to obtain information on the website.
Day 3 & 4- Searching the internet for information on the leaves.
Day 5- Finding the answer "Why do leaves change colors in
            the Fall" on the web.  Measurement of leaves.
Day 6- A science experiment from the internet that explains
            that colors exist in the leaves while they are green.
Day 7- Write an expository composition explaining the
            scientific reasons for the change of color.
Day 8- Discuss a variety of web sites and the information on
            "Why leaves change their colors in the Fall."
Day 9- Final Draft of the composition. Leaf comparison (Venn)
Day 10- Give an oral report on your discoveries about the Elm,
               Oak, Maple, and Gingko. Explain the reason leaves
               change their colors in the Fall.
 

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Materials - Real leaves of the elm, oak, maple, and gingko. Cubic centimeter graph paper, a computer for each child, writing paper, an art paper. I CAN READ http://photoscience.la.asu.edu/photosyn/education/colorchange.htmlhttp://www.sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html Click here to return to Menu


Assessment and Evaluation  -The students will give an oral  presentation on the information they obtained from the internet. The students will be given a rubric prior to their presentation  as a criteria for grading.

Rubric for Oral Presentations

   3 
  • The oral presentation indicates a very good understanding of the subject.
  • The information is presented in a clear, straightforward way.
  • The child looks at the audience and speaks clearly.
 2
  • The oral presentation indicates a fairly good uderstanding of the subject but may omit important facts or include an inaccurate comment.
  • The information can be understood but the order may not be always be logical or sequential.
  • The child makes some eye contact with the audience.
   1
  • The oral presentation provides a few facts about the subject. Some statements may be inaccurate.
  • The information presented may be confusing.
  • The child rarely looks at he audience while speaking.

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Appendices (optional, if needed)

  • Resources

    • Glossary