Sorting Leaves Purpose To practice classification and discover that leaves have similar and different characteristics.. Process Skills Classify, Observe, Collect data, Communicate Backgr
Trang 1Sorting Leaves Purpose
To practice classification and discover that leaves have
similar and different characteristics
Process Skills
Classify, Observe, Collect data, Communicate
Background
Since plants adapt in various ways to live in different
places, their parts can look different, too Many plants
have leaves that look different from the leaves of other
plants But since most leaves do the same jobs for a
plant (gather sunlight, make food, give off oxygen),
most leaves have some similarities
Time – 30 minutes
Grouping – Individuals and small groups
Procedure
1 Have students exchange leaves with each
other until every student has four different
leaves (Surplus leaves can be saved for
art projects or class displays.) Ask: What
are leaves? Why do plants have leaves? If
necessary, refer to the nonfiction book
Plants for review and reinforcement
2 Hand out one data sheet and one hand
lens to each student Have each student
draw a color picture of each of their leaves
in one of the boxes provided They can
use the hand lenses to observe details
on the leaves
3 In the boxes at the bottom of the sheet,
have students write, dictate, or draw
ways that all four leaves are similar
and different
leaves (size, color, shape, type of edge, dry/moist, texture, vein pattern, etc.) Collect data sheets
5 Form groups of three students each Have the group members combine their leaves into a pile of 12 leaves Choose one method
of classification from the list made in Step
3 and have groups try to sort their leaves
by this characteristic Observe the groups
to verify their leaves are sorted properly
6 Repeat the classification process several
Materials
(for each student)
q data sheet
q various leaf samples (gathered by students from school and/or home)
q crayons and/or colored pencils
q hand lenses
Trang 2PROJECT Plants—Sorting Leaves
7 Have groups describe to the class one
way they sorted their leaves, including
how many piles they needed and how
many leaves wound up in each pile
Discussion Questions
Use these questions to guide a discussion
about the leaf sorting
1 Why do you think a leaf has veins?
The veins allow water and nutrients to be
transported within the leaf.
2 Start at the stem of a leaf and trace a line
with your finger along a vein to the edge
of the leaf How many ways can you find
to get to the edge? Is this different for
each leaf?
There are many ways to reach the edge of the
leaf The paths will differ for each leaf.
3 Does the back of each leaf look and feel
the same as the front? Why do you think
it does or does not?
Most leaves will look and feel differently on
the front than on the back Only one side of
the leaf generally faces the Sun and is hit by
falling water, leading to many of the differences
in texture, color, and other characteristics.
4 Is there any way you could have sorted
your leaves so they were each in their
own pile or all in one pile?
In order to sort leaves so they are each in their
own pile, students should select an attribute
that is different for each leaf, such as the
species of plant it comes from or possibly
where it was found To group all the leaves
together, students should cite something that
all the leaves have in common.
5 What other parts of a plant could you use to sort into piles?
Discuss ways one could sort flowers, fruits, roots, stems, or whole plants
6 What else besides plants could you sort into groups?
Any plant part could be sorted There is no limit to other items that can be sorted, such
as foods, shoes, writing utensils, pets, and people Classification is a key science process,
so allow as much practice as possible.
Conclusion
Use the following question to help students draw a conclusion
How are all leaves the same and how are they different?
Students may conclude that all leaves have veins, are generally thin, tend to be green when fresh, and have a stem attached at the base Students may conclude that the leaves have different shapes, colors, textures, edges, tips, and other characteristics.
Extensions and Variations
rubbing crayons or colored pencils on
a paper placed over a leaf Fresh leaves with strong features will produce the best rubbings
organizes the leaves by specific characteristics
Data Sheet: Students should provide detailed
drawings of four different leaves At the bottom, students should have accurately written or dictated ways that all four leaves are similar and different.
Trang 3My Leaves
Collect Data
Analyze Data
How are all 4 leaves similar?
How are all 4 leaves different?
Name Date _