Leaf Hunt (Engage)

Our natural environment is full of vegetation that is oftentimes ignored. Leaf hunt allows students to practice sorting and classifying leaves based on the trees that they grow on and their characteristics.

Type: Lesson Plan

Grade Level: 3-5 (correlates with 5th grade Ga standards)

Subjects: Life Science

Duration: 45-60 min

Standard(s): S5L1b Classify plants into sorted groups

Tags: plants, trees, leaves, vegetation, seeds

Overview: Our natural environment is full of vegetation that is oftentimes ignored. Leaf hunt allows students to practice sorting and classifying leaves based on the trees that they grow on and their characteristics.

Objective

Compare and contrast leaves Sort leaves into groups based of characteristics Identify source of leaf

Background

We rarely take the time to fully examine leaves, their characteristics, and their purpose. This activity allows students to search for fallen leaves on the Ocmulgee grounds and study them closely.

Materials

Paper (Recording Sheet) Pencil Crayon Reference sheet

Procedure

Leaf Hunt

(Students will need background knowledge on types of leaves)

Directions

Discuss the types of trees/leaves and leaf patterns- give students reference sheets

Tell the students they are going on a nature walk and divide them into 3 teams

Give each team 10 minutes to find a fallen leaf from as many different kinds of trees as they can (STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT PICKING LEAVES FROM TREES)

Have students spread their leaves out and use reference sheet to try and identify which trees the leaves came from

On their recording sheet, have students either draw their leaves or do a leaf rubbing and label them with their trees

The team that has the most correct tree and leaf matches wins!

Students can then discuss with their teams how they would group the leaves and why. Gives teams time to share

Assessment

Completed recording sheet (tree/leaf match) Discussion about sorting the leaves

How did you sort your leaves and why?

Leaf Hunt Reference SheetA B C

D E F

G H I

Sorting Organisms (Explore)

Type: Lesson Plan (www.education.com)

Grade Level: 5th

Subject: Life Science

Duration: 60-90 min

Standard: S5L1 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to group organisms using scientific classification procedures.

Tag: animals, mammals, vertebrate, invertebrate

Overview: All animals are different and this lesson will show students how they can be grouped based on their characteristics.

Objective:

Distinguish between invertebrate and vertebrate Give examples of vertebrate and invertebrate Create examples of invertebrate and vertebrate

Background: All animals are different and this lesson will show students how they can be grouped based on their characteristics.

Materials:

Different types of candy and snacks (junior mints, gummy lifesavers, Twizzlers, marshmallows, frosting, shredded coconut, pretzel sticks)

Toothpicks Index cards (Labeled- vertebrates, invertebrates, worms, insects, spiders, mammals, birds,

fish, reptiles, amphibians)Procedure:

Look at all the cards and decide which 2 will be the heading for the groups. (Invertebrate and vertebrate) Explain why.

Sort the remaining cards into the 2 groups Choose one card and use the treats to create a version of the animal that is written on the

card. (Snacks chosen should match the characteristics. Write the name of the animal, the snacks they chose and why they chose their snacks. Steps 3 and 4 can be repeated with other cards.

Assessment:

Assessment: Sorting of the cards and justification to the treats being chosen.

Vocabulary: vertebrate, invertebrate, animal, mammal, insect

Sorting Cards

vertebrate invertebrate

worms insects

spiders mammals

birds fish

reptiles amphibians

Sorting Organisms (Explain)Type: Lesson Plan

Grade Level: 5th

Subject: Life Science

Duration: 60 minutes

Standard: S5L1 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to group organisms using scientific classification procedures.

Tag: animals, mammals, vertebrate, invertebrate, plants

Overview: All animals are different and this lesson will show students how they can be grouped based on their characteristics.

Objective: Students will show understanding of information by created a picture vocabulary book.

Background: All animals are different and this lesson will show students how they can be grouped based on their characteristics.

Materials: Construction paper, white paper, pencil, crayons, colored pencils

Procedure:

Create a cover using construction paper Use white paper to draw a picture with a caption and a definition for each vocabulary word

Assessment:

Completed picture vocabulary bookVocabulary: animals, vertebrate, invertebrate, fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, mammal, plants

Sorting Organisms (Extend)GOAL Students are informed about how to classify organisms that they will see at the

center

ROLE Owner of a wildlife center

AUDIENCE Elementary aged children

SITUATION You are opening a new wildlife center and some of the workers have suggested that you put our brochures showing how organisms are classified.

PRODUCT Create an informative brochure showing the classification of organism.

STANDARDS S5L1 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to group organisms using scientific classification procedures.