Teaching Children Colors, Identifying Numbers And Plants Through Leaves
Teaching Children about colors, numbers, and
plant identification can be a fun project for everyone.
I believe in hands on learning.
Children love to
touch and see different objects when they are at
school or home. This can be done as a science project,
introducing children to nature, or just a great
family time.
Plant leaves come in such a variety of colors, shapes,
and textures. Using these three aspects of leaves can
can give a child a great visual as well as a touch and
feel approach. You can do this type of project for many
different ages: young children just beginning to learn
colors and numbers, or Biology classes and teaching
plant specimen identification. Throughout this article
are ten different photos of leaves. Take any variety of
leaves you have in your local area.
Being the expert
as a teacher, parent, or any other community leader,
and think about what you your main objective in the lesson plan.
Take a look at the first two photos of an Oak
leaf and a Maple leaf.
These two trees are very popular in so many areas
of the world. The Oak and Maple leaf have similarities
but also have their own unique traits. Look at the
edges and the leaf structure. Think about the many
varieties of Maples and Oaks. The changes in autumn
color of a Red or Sugar Maple.
How can you incorporate these two trees in your lesson plan?
- Go on a field trip to a nursery or grower
- Making a collage, journal, or create a story
- planting a tree
- plant seeds, plugs, and learn different stages to
about each plants growth pattern.
These are just a couple of ideas depending on your
particular age group. The next two pictures are a
group of Emerald Green Arborvitae and False Cypress
leaves.
These two plant leaves are a great teaching tool
for texture and an assortment of colors and shapes.
The anatomy of each these plant families are a great
lesson in itself. The variegated leaves bring a different
perspective in landscape design and projects as well.
Count the needle like leaves of each plant and experience the soft texture of each leaf.
Using senses with this project is a fantastic learning tool.
Here are a few more ideas
in the article
Create A Children's Garden - Teaching Them About Plants, Nature, And Having Fun.
Hopefully this article will give you some additional ideas and suggestions.
Two totally different colors and styles. The Golden
Euonymus is an ever green and has two toned
leaves. The Burning Bush is deciduous and is green
in spring and summer. In fall the leaves turn a bright
sea of red. Think about the difference between these
two alone, as well as comparing to the others above.
As you can see the Burning Bush in this picture is
beginning to change color. Notice the small berries
that begin to show in the fall season. Have a child
follow one specific plant throughout the entire
growing season. This is a great motivational project
for children to experience the beginning to end process.
Take a deciduous leaf as well as an evergreen and have
the children observe the changes of the leaves that go
along with the changes in seasons.
One plant family with two totally unique colors
and appearance. This is a great teaching tool
for any age group. The Blue or Gray Owl Juniper
with the blue tones and long needle like leaves.
The Variegated Juniper with its shorter leaves
and deep yellow and green color. Have the children
create comparison charts. This will show the students
or your children the different trees and shrubs in this
family. A great place to go is a Botanical Garden, nature
trail or even around your school or home property. Staying
on the property, you might be amazed at how many different
leaves are around.
The final two plants represent a flower specimen
and shrub.
The Purple Heart flower is deciduous and the shrub
is an ever green. The purple color leaf in the flower
is unique as well as the small two tone color of the
Boxwood. Two plants with totally different shapes,
colors, textures and appearances.
The world of plant leaves can open up a brand new
area of teaching children about the beauty of the
outside world. It doesn't matter what age you work
with. You can use the leaves for plant identification,
learn basic skills in color and numbers, or just create
a small garden for your home or for a school project.
These ten examples alone could be incorporated into
a wonderful teaching tool for each child to gain
knowledge of the plant world. Do you have have
a favorite school project or family adventure you
would like to share with others? Take a look at this article and
and go ahead and share your project.
Describe Your Favorite Outdoor School Project Or Family Adventure.
Spend a few minutes and have your child or children share their
experiences with other children from around the world.
What a
great way to learn about other cultures, and their school, or family projects and adventures!
I would love to hear your feedback on the information provided for you in this article.
Feel free to make some comments on the comment form on this Web site.
I look forward to hearing from you.