Leaf shapes

Find as many different kinds of leaves that have fallen on the ground as you can. Make a collection for the classroom. You may wish to paste them onto a large piece of card for display or stick them to the window. Use the mini field guide below to find the names of some of them.

Sorting leaves

Try sorting your leaf collection by shape, colour and size. Use the leaf mini field guide below the help you name some of the leaves.

Chewed Leaves

Look at the leaves of trees. Do any of the leaves seem to have been chewed or eaten? Look carefully and try to discover what is eating them.

Leaves need water

Cut two small twigs with leaves from a tree or bush in your school ground. Put one twig in a jar of water as if it were a flower and leave the other on the table.
What happens?
Why?

Leaves need light

Obtain two similar pot-plants. Place one pot-plant in a dark cupboard for two weeks and leave the other on the window sill.
What happens to the colour?
What happens to the growth?

Leaves have veins

Search for skeletonised leaves. See who can find the best one Discuss with the class what the veins might be for.