Materials:
Assortment of fall leaves
Scissors
Construction paper
Stapler
Tape
Clear contact paper or wax paper
(if you use wax paper, you will also need liquid starch and an iron)
Newspaper or easel paper
Crayon shavings, optional
Instructions:
1. Take the children on a walk in the neighborhood to collect leaves, or ask them to bring fall leaves from home.2. Working in small groups, ask each child to select 3 to 5 leaves.
3. If you use contact paper, cut a sheet about 11" x 17" (27.5 cm x 42.5 cm). Help each child arrange the leaves on half of the contact paper, sticky side up.
4. Fold the contact paper in half, matching edges and enclosing the leaves.
5. If you use wax paper, give each child two pieces, about 8" x 10" (20 cm x 25 cm).
6. Let the children arrange their leaves on one piece of wax paper. Crayon shavings may be sprinkled on top for additional color.
7. Paint the other piece of wax paper with a coat of liquid starch. Place the wax paper starch side down on top of the leaves.
8. Cover the ironing surface with newspaper or easel paper.
9. Iron the two pieces of wax paper together, sandwiching the leaves between the two.
10. Help the children cut strips of the construction paper to make a frame for their leaf window.
11. Display the windows in a real window in the classroom.
More to do
Art: Use leftover leaves to make leaf rubbings. Cover some leaves with newsprint. Use the sides of crayons to gently rub the paper until an imprint is made.
Language: Brainstorm how the leaves are different from each other.
Math: Encourage the children to sort the leaves in their collections by shape, color, etc.
