Leaf Rubbing

Leaf Rubbing

Grade Level: ELE- 1st
Author: Lindsey at Filth Wizardry and adapted by: E. Luna

Goal: students will increase understanding of pattern, texture and color as well as the different types of leaves.

Time needed: two 30 minute class period (it can be modified).

Objectives:

· students will recognize the textures and patterns of different objects.

· Students will identify the veins of a leaf

Interdisciplinary connections: fine motor, science and pre-math

Materials:

· The leaf man by

· Leaves

· White paper and tissue paper

· Crayons

· Glue

· Scissors

Procedures:

Reading The Leaf Man will set the mood for students to get engaged on the project. The book has exactly the motion of leaves been blown by the wind during fall season. Then students will be taken outside to the playground to collect leaves.

Back in the classroom students can observe their leaves and discuss by comparing their size, texture and color. Ask the students what might be revealed if they made rubbings of leaves. Next set a piece of paper on table or floor, allow students to arrange the leaves on the paper, cover the leaves with another piece of paper and rub gently with the side of a crayon that has the paper peeled off. The crayons are fall colors; green, yellow, orange, red and brown.

When done students can talk about differences between the rubbings and the actual leaf. Discuss leaf revelations. Ask the students what they were able to see and record by making the leaf rubbings. They should mention shape, leaf outline or edging, and patterns of lines on the leaf. Ask the students to point to the flat, thin part of the leaf, the leaf blade. Have them point out the lines on the blade and tell the student that the lines are called veins. The pattern that the veins make on the leaf is called a venation pattern. Describe leaf Venation patterns. Tell the students that botanists, scientists who study plants, have looked at all kinds of leaves and have identified three basic types of leaf venation patterns. Parallel leaves have veins that look like many straight lines all running in the same direction from the base to the tip. Palmate leaves have several main veins that all start from one point near the base. The veins resemble the palm of the hand with fingers extending in different directions. Pinnate leaves have one main vein with many large veins that branch off sideways all along the main vein. The veins look like a feather. Discuss what veins do. Ask the students what they think the veins do in the leaf. Listen to their ideas. Reinforce the ideas that the veins provide structure for the leaf and carry water and other substances needed by the leaf for growth. Ask the students to think of ways that leaf veins are like the veins in their own bodies.