Exploring Leaves (Art)

Teacher Candidate

Sara Apple

Date/Time of Scheduled
Visit
Name/Address of School

Age/Grade level

Pre-K

Cooperating Teacher

Classroom Number

Name of Lesson

Exploring Leaves

Content
area(s)/developmental
domain(s) addressed

Students will utilize their creativity, observational, and fine motor skills.

Brief description of the

lesson

Students will each receive a handful of leaves. They will see, touch and smell
them. They will explore what they notice about all the leaves, how they are
similar and how they are different. They will have paper divided into 3 sections. In
one section, they will glue one leaf on. In the second section, they will place the
leaf under the paper and color over it to create the leaf on the paper. In the 3rd
section, they will draw their own version of a leaf!

This lesson is:

A new activity

A continuation of a previous lesson

Exploring Leaves (Art)

Rationale

This lesson allows students to explore leaves in the classroom. It allows them to touch, feel and smell a
leaf on their own. This is important because it reinforces the idea that it is always vital to physically
explore something on your own. Doing this will leaves and then creating the art project will help the
students gain knowledge about leaves while also utilizing their fine motor skills and creativity.

Timeframe

20-25 minutes

Objective(s) of the
activity

Students will explore leaves, identify what they observe and be able to glue,
trace, and draw leaves.

Connections to
standards

4. Exhibits curiosity, interest, and willingness in learning new things and having
new experiences.
. c) Actively explores how things in the world work.

Language Objectives

This lesson focuses on language discourse. The children will practice speaking
about what they notice and observe about leaves.

Resources/materials
needed:
(Include any worksheets or
sources of evidence for
childrens learning you will
use during the activity)

-Leaves
-Paper divided into three sections
-glue
-crayons

Exploring Leaves (Art)

Technology inclusion (if

applicable)
Procedures (step by
step)

I will start by gathering the children on the rug. I will give each child a leaf and I
will keep one for myself as well. I will instruct them to explore the leaf. Look at it,
touch it, smell it, etc. I will do the same thing. I will model talking about what I
observe as I do this. I will then instruct the children to turn and talk to their
partner about one thing they noticed about their leaf. I will then encourage them
to see if they can find any differences between their leaf and their partners leaf.
After this, I will gather the class back together as a whole. I will have a few
volunteers share what they discussed. After this, I will explain that today we are
going to be doing an art project with leaves. I will model how to complete the
project. I show the piece of construction paper each person will get. I will explain
that it is divided into three sections. In each section, we will do something
different. In the first section, they will glue their leaf on. I will model this as I give
the instructions. In the 2nd section, they will place the paper over the leaf and
color over it. In the 3rd section, they will draw their very own version of a leaf! I
will explain to the class that this project is meant to allow them to explore one
characteristic of fall, which is leaves!
The students will then make their way to their tables, where the supplies will be
set up for them. They will proceed to complete the project. As they are working
on this, I will walk around and monitor everyone to ensure they are on task and
doing the right thing.

Exploring Leaves (Art)

Method of assessing
childrens understanding
of
lesson/activity/objective(
s)
(Be sure to include any
tools, rubrics/checklists
and/or worksheets you will
use for assessment(s)

Pre-assessment
As I hand out the leaves, I will
take note of how each students
handles their leaf. This will help
inform me if they are
understanding the concept of
exploring and observing their
surroundings.

Assessment of Student
Learning
As the students are in partners, I
will walk around and monitor
what they are saying to one
another. This will help me
understand if they are actually
taking notice of their leaf and its
varying characteristics. I will also
monitor the students as they
complete the art project. I will
make sure they are on task.

Assessment of
Childrens Language
Learning
I will walk around and listen
as they are discussing their
observations with their
partners. If they use language
such as see, touch and smell, I
will know they understand
how they are supposed to state
their observations.

Exploring Leaves (Art)

Plans for differentiated

instruction/instructional
modifications

Supporting children
with identified delays
or disabilities

Supporting English Language Learners

Follow up/Extension
activities

As the year goes on, we will continue to explore different aspects of fall. We will have various
discussions and do many fun activities to reinforce the childrens knowledge about this season!

Instead of just stating the directions for the class, I will model
exactly what to do. This way, if a child is not proficient in English,
they will still understand the steps to complete the art project
For students who may have
difficulty with art projects, I will because they saw a visual.
make sure there is a teacher with
that student at all times. The
teacher will be there to support
and guide the student in any way
they need.

Any additional
information that would
be helpful for the
observer to know

Observer feedback on the lesson plan, including commendations and recommendations for improving aspects
of the learning activity

Exploring Leaves (Art)

Exploring Leaves (Art)

Exploring Leaves (Art)

Exploring Leaves (Art)