📖

Leaf Printing

Fall Colors

Day 62of 180
Week 13of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Recognize different leaf shapes and textures

2

Create artwork using natural objects

3

Appreciate God's creativity in nature

📖 Scripture Connection

Genesis 1:31

“God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.”

— Genesis 1:31 (WEB)

Just as God creates beautiful things in nature, children will create art using natural leaves

📦 Materials Needed

  • Fall leaves
  • Tempera paint
  • Paint brushes
  • Construction paper
  • Newspaper or plastic tablecloth
  • Paper towels
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

Gather around and look at the leaves collected yesterday during 'God's Autumn Palette' lesson

💭 Review Question: What colors did we see in the leaves yesterday?
2Teaching (10 min)

Introduce leaf printing as a way to capture nature's beautiful designs

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Look at the different shapes of leaves
  • Notice the veins and textures
  • Explore how we can use leaves to make art
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What makes each leaf special?
  • How are leaves different from each other?
3Activity: Nature's Printing Press (12 min)
hands-on

Create leaf prints using paint and collected leaves

📝 Instructions:
  1. Spread newspaper on work surface
  2. Choose 2-3 leaves with interesting shapes
  3. Paint the back side of the leaf with tempera paint
  4. Carefully press painted leaf onto construction paper
  5. Lift leaf to reveal the print
  6. Let artwork dry
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use one color of paint and fewer leaves

Challenge: Create a leaf print collage with multiple colors

4Closing (3 min)

Clean up and discuss artwork

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did we learn about leaves today?
  • How are our leaf prints special?

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll paint fall trees using the colors we've learned about

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Leaf printing is a wonderful sensory art experience that connects children with nature

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Protect work surfaces with newspaper
  • Have wet wipes ready for quick clean-up
  • Encourage exploration, not perfection
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might get frustrated if prints aren't perfect

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Excitement about creating, ability to follow basic instructions

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a nature journal page with leaf prints
  • Collect and press leaves to save as keepsakes
  • Use BibleMouse Printables Library for additional leaf-themed coloring pages

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 63 →Back to Art