leaf science gr2

Leaf Science!Leaf Science!

An Adventure & ExplorationAn Adventure & Exploration

By Mr. JarrettBy Mr. JarrettK-4 Computer LabK-4 Computer Lab


Leaves, leaves – most Leaves, leaves – most are still in the trees! are still in the trees! (But not for long…)(But not for long…)

Leaves give us SHADE Leaves give us SHADE in the summer.in the summer.

But that’s not WHY But that’s not WHY they exist!they exist!


Trees and plants need Trees and plants need leaves to survive.leaves to survive.

Trees and plants use Trees and plants use leaves to make their leaves to make their own food.own food.

When trees don’t When trees don’t need to make food need to make food any more, the leaves any more, the leaves fall off. fall off.


Leaves use water Leaves use water from the roots and from the roots and carbon dioxide from carbon dioxide from the air into food for the air into food for the tree using the tree using sunlight and sunlight and something called something called chlorophyllchlorophyll. .

This process is called This process is called PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis..


Leaves are Leaves are FOOD FOOD FACTORIESFACTORIES for trees and for trees and plants!plants!


Leaves get their Leaves get their GREENGREEN from from something called something called ChlorophyllChlorophyll..

When the When the ChlorophyllChlorophyll is all is all used up, the leaf used up, the leaf changes color, usually changes color, usually to red, yellow or to red, yellow or orange.orange.


Leaves come off the Leaves come off the trees in the fall and trees in the fall and need to be picked up.need to be picked up.

Did you ever wonder Did you ever wonder why trees drop their why trees drop their leaves?leaves?

It’s because the trees It’s because the trees are getting ready for are getting ready for winter – by closing winter – by closing their food factories!their food factories!


Winter days are short Winter days are short and dry. As the days and dry. As the days have less sunlight, have less sunlight, plants know to stop plants know to stop making food. making food.

The chlorophyll goes The chlorophyll goes away and leaves away and leaves change into the colors change into the colors that were in the that were in the leaves all along.leaves all along.


Leaves have these Leaves have these main parts:main parts: Petiole (stem)Petiole (stem) VeinsVeins BladeBlade

Today we’re going to Today we’re going to see leaves up CLOSE!see leaves up CLOSE!


You and your partner You and your partner will have a turn using will have a turn using the microscope.the microscope.

You will also get a You will also get a turn using the turn using the computer.computer.

You will get to explore You will get to explore a leaf and take a leaf and take snapshots.snapshots.

What will What will YOUYOU find?!? find?!?


Do all the leaves look Do all the leaves look the same? the same?

How are the leaves How are the leaves different? different?

Are there any Are there any features that all the features that all the leaves have in leaves have in common? common?

How many 'points' do How many 'points' do the leaves have?the leaves have?

Let’s find out!Let’s find out!

10x

60x

200x


An Adventure & ExplorationAn Adventure & Exploration

By Mr. JarrettBy Mr. JarrettK-4 Computer LabK-4 Computer Lab

leaf science gr2

Education