Introduction

Kids often ask "why do leaves change colors in the fall?" Why not take advantage of their curiosity by teaching a unit about the fall leaf change? A unit that will allow you to teach several different science concepts at the same time. Food chains, photosynthesis, and the changing of the seasons (sun/earth relationships) are all topics that your students must learn to answer in order to answer this question. Below are some resources that will allow you to put together a unit on the fall leaf change.

Teaching about The Fall Leaf Change

• Kidszone Autumn Leaves - You'll find a couple activities here, but the fun facts section is the best part--it does a great job of explaining why leaves change color for younger students.
• EEK! - A Leave's True Color - The basics explained for intermediate level students.
• Science Made Simple - Autumn Leaf Color - Explains the process in great detail beginning with photosynthesis. Good for intermediate to middle level students.
• The Miracle of Fall - A collection of links to sites about the fall color change.
• Leaf animation - This cool animation shows a leaf change from green to yellow over the course of a month.
• Leaf Change Quiz - Print this true/false on the fall leaf change.

Teaching about Photosynthesis

• Illuminating Photosynthesis - This flash animation is interactive and teaches the cycle, what happens at the atomic level, and even has a few puzzles.
• Photosynthesis, Energy, and Life -
• University of Alberta - Photosynthesis - Interactive site showcases an animation of photosynthesis. Users will view carbon dioxide movement, oxygen gas movement as well as water flow in the cycle.
• Wonderville Photosynthesis - Explore the facts about plants and photosynthesis in this interactive lesson.
• Is Light Necessary for Photosynthesis? - A lesson plan.
• Proteacher Discussion - Several different methods for teaching about photosynthesis.
• Teaching Today - A lesson that teaches the roles of plant pigments in photosynthesis.
• Biology4Kids - A bit advanced, middle school and up.

Teaching about The Seasons (Sun/Earth Relationships)

• Geoscience Animations - Interactive animation that shows the earth revolve around the sun. Kids can see the tilt of the axis at different times of the year.
• Harvard University: The Earth's Orbit - Students perform many inquiry activities related to Earth's orbit.

More on Nature in the Classroom

Books

• Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv - This book "...has created a national conversation about the disconnection between children and nature."
• Childhood and Nature by David Sobel - The author makes the case that "...meaningful connections with the natural world don't begin in the rainforest or arctic, but in our own backyards and communities.

Websites

• Leave No Child Inside
• OutdoorEd.org
• Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education
• Outdoor Education for Behavior Disordered Students
• Project WILD
• Writings on nature from the misterteacher blog