Re-leaf map
Investigating different types of leaves.
It should not be necessary to climb up to reach the leaves you need - there should be plenty within reach.
Do not taste the leaves - as some leaves can be poisonous!
Remember to wash your hands afterwards.
PLAN
Collect lots of different leaves.
Observe and compare them.
Apart from observation (to note shape and colour of leaves), what other ways could you investigate them?
Could you measure length and breadth and thickness?
What about texture? (Is the leaf smooth? rough? hairy? prickly?)
What else could you investigate about the leaves?
I WILL NEED
Leaves.
Coloured pencils and paper.
Ruler.
I MAY NEED
A way to measure thickness of leaves.
A magnifying glass.
A microscope.
FAIR TEST
How can you make sure that the leaves you collect are all "fully-grown"?
PREDICTION
Do all leaves have certain similarities?
Are all leaves entirely different?
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY
What kind of tree or plant did the leaves come from?
How could you find this out if you don't already know?
COLLECT
DATA
How will you record the colour of the leaves?
How can you measure the thickness of the leaves?
Devise a simple system for collecting your data - perhaps a simple table.
ANALYSE
DATA
Are there any similarities between the characteristics of larger leaves compared to smaller leaves (apart from their size)?
Are there any similarities between leaves of a similar colour (as well as the colour)?
PRESENT
FINDINGS
You could make a display to show what you discovered.
Could you include drawings - or diagrams - or photographs?
EVALUATE
INVESTIGATION
If you have carried out this investigation, click the icon to send in your results to Brainboxx and we may publish your work on the website. It is best to e-mail the results of your investigation or you may need to send them by post. Make sure you get permission from a teacher, parent or other adult before you get in touch.
A WALK IN THE WOODS
TREES ARE TERRIFIC
THE SECRET LIFE OF TREES
PLANT PARTS
FLOWER PARTS