English week 39

Autumn leaves

The word Autumn comes from the French word, automne for the season stretching from September to November.

Here's a song with you that also has French origins - Autumn leaves.





This is a handout containing the lyrics and some related questions and exercises: Autumn leaves song and exercises

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Why do leaves change colour in Autumn and why do they fall?

In groups of 3-4, let's find out. Then we'll present our explanations in the form of a diagram or mindmap that we can present to the rest of the class.

Here are some useful sources of information that approach the question from 3 quite different angles:

Horton, Jennifer. (2008, September 23). "Why do leaves change color and turn red?". HowStuffWorks.com. Retrieved September 22, 2013, from http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/botany/leaves-turn-red.htm/printable

Oneida Indian Nation.(13 July 2009). "Autumn Color". Retrieved 22 Sept 2013, from http://www.oneidaindiannation.com/culture/legends/Autumn-Color.html 

NASA/NOAA. "Why does Earth have seasons?" Sci Jinks. Retrieved 22 Sept 2013 from http://scijinks.nasa.gov/earths-seasons 

Plus the following articles in Wikipedia:

Autumn leaf color. (2013, September 21). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:02, September 22, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Autumn_leaf_color&oldid=573958381

Axial tilt. (2013, September 17). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:10, September 22, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Axial_tilt&oldid=573393938

Deciduous. (2013, September 20). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:04, September 22, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Deciduous&oldid=573786903

Good luck!