Lesson Plan by Janice Sullivan

Grade: 5

Subject: Science

Topic: Why do leaves change colors?

 

NYS Learning Standards:

1-Analysis, Inquiry, and Design: Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.

 

2-Information Systems: Students will access, generate, process and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

 

4-Science: Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

 

6-Interconnectedness: Common Themes: Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply the themes to these other areas of learning.

 

Focus and Review: The students have previously learned about the process of photosynthesis.  The season of Fall is near its end.  The students have already visually seen the color changes in the leaves. 

 

Statement of Objectives: 

By the end of the lesson the students will be able to:

  1. Identify how leaves change color.
  2. Explain why leaves on different trees change into different colors.
  3. Answer questions using a graph.

 

Instructional Procedures:

 

Anticipatory Set: The teacher will talk to the class about the season of Fall.  The teacher will ask, “What changes occur during the Fall?”  After receiving responses, the teacher will show the class some leaves.  The teacher will ask what they are and why they are different colors.  The teacher will read a Native American legend that explains why leaves change in the Fall.    

 

Teacher Input:

1.      The teacher will give the students the PowerPoint presentation dittos.

2.      The teacher will show a PowerPoint presentation entitled, Why do leaves change colors?

3.      The teacher will discuss the material with the students during the presentation.

4.      The teacher will provide the students with different colored construction paper leaves.

5.      The students will be instructed to take two leaves: one must be green; the other can be red, yellow, or orange.

6.      The students will have to make a leaf diagram with the green paper symbolizing the pigment chlorophyll, and the other paper symbolizing the pigment of the color they chose.  The leaf diagram will symbolize the color change of leaves in the Fall.  They will place the green leaf on top of the red, yellow, or orange leaf, and staple together.  They must label the green leaf (chlorophyll) and the red, yellow, or orange leaf (Anthocyanin, Xanthophyl, Carotene).

7.      The students must also draw a separation layer at the base of the red, yellow, or orange leaf stem.

8.      The students will then be given a worksheet to complete.

  

Guided Practice: The teacher will walk around the room and assist the students as they complete their leaf diagram. 

 

Independent Practice: The students will be given a worksheet that will be completed in class.

 

Closure: The teacher will ask the students questions about photosynthesis and the changing of colors during the fall.  The teacher will also go over the worksheets that were handed out.

 

Evaluation Procedures: The students will be evaluated based on their completion of the leaf diagram as well as on class discussions.  The worksheet that was given to the students will be evaluated.

 

Materials & Aids: leaves, computer, television connection to computer, PowerPoint presentation, PowerPoint handout, Native American legend, worksheet, construction paper, pen/pencils
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