Blog
Why Do Leaves Change Color? A Fall Comic for Curious Kids
Why do leaves change color in the fall?
As the autumn equinox, approaches, students can’t help but notice the changes occuring outside. The trees that were once bright green in summer start shifting into shades of red, orange, and yellow. But why do leaves change color every fall? And why do trees lose their leaves when the weather gets colder?
That’s exactly the question explored in my newest Cool School Comics lesson!
In this one-page comic, a silly maple leaf and a friendly ant guide readers through understanding fall colors. Together, they explain the role of chlorophyll and explain how the break-down of chlorophyll reveal the true color leaves are hiding, giving us the brilliant yearly beauty we love.
Inside the Comic Kit
This resource is designed for grades 5–8 and comes with everything you need to teach this autumn science favorite in a fun, visual way:
- Full-Color Comic – A ready-to-use classroom visual that doubles as a reading passage and an anchor chart poster.
- Black-Line Version – Perfect for a fall leaves drawing or coloring activity.
- Guided Notes – Help students capture key ideas in their own words.
- Doodle Notes – Ideal for interactive notebooks, these pages keep reluctant readers and visual learners engaged.
Why Teachers Love It
- Engages Reluctant Readers – Comics break down tricky science concepts into bite-sized, illustrated chunks.
- Cross-Curricular Appeal – Students build science vocabulary and literacy at the same time.
- No-Prep, Print-and-Go – Ideal for busy teachers who want meaningful lessons without hours of planning.
The Benefits of Comics in the Classroom
Research shows that visual storytelling helps students remember and understand tricky concepts. Comics combine images with short text, making them especially effective for English language learners (ESL, ELL), struggling readers, graphic novel lovers, and students with short attention spans. Instead of shutting down the instant a large paragraph is presented, learners can see science in action—whether it’s a comic about chlorophyll or Newton’s laws. Comics turn abstract science topics into something approachable, relatable, and fun.
Bring the Colors of Fall into Your Classroom
This Why Do Leaves Change Color comic isn’t just about pigments and solar panel analogies—it’s about sparking curiosity. Whether your students are fascinated by nature, love comics, or need extra support with science texts, this lesson is designed to make fall science come alive.