Leaf Anatomy Prints
In this fun fall activity, you can use various finishes of paper and coloring mediums to explore the anatomy of a leaf.
Fun Facts/Information
- Leaves look green because they are filled with a substance called chlorophyll.
- Chlorophyll is vital for photosynthesis, which allows plants to absorb energy from light.
- Before the leaves change color and fall, trees absorb the nutrients from the chlorophyll in the leaves and store it in their branches and trunks for the winter.
- With shorter days (less sunlight), the leaves can't make as much food and the chlorophyll begins to disappear.
- Chlorophyll breaks down into smaller molecules, and other pigments like carotenoids (the yellow, orange, brown in bananas, corn, carrots) and anthocyanins (the red in cherries) start to show their colors.
Materials:
The recommended coloring medium for each type of paper is listed below, but you can experiment with different combinations to create textures or layers.
- Assorted falI leaves from different trees
- Clipboard
- Tracing paper (colored pencils)
- Parchment paper (crayons)
- Wax paper (oil pastels)
- Aluminum foil* (pencil or craft stick) - Use to make a "leaf relief," an embossed (raised) leaf print
Procedure:
Nature Walk & Leaf Collection
Take a leisurely walk outdoors to observe the changing colors of leaves during Fall. Collect leaves from various types of trees such as maple, oak, sycamore, birch, dogwood, and elm. You may also notice trees that don’t change color, such as pine or hemlock, which are known as coniferous trees. These trees have cones and needle-like leaves that stay green year-round. In contrast, trees that lose their leaves and change color are known as deciduous trees.
Organize and Prepare the Leaves
After gathering an assortment of leaves, secure them onto a clipboard with a sheet of paper on top. This setup will keep the leaves in place as you trace and color them.
Experiment with Materials
Try out different types of paper finishes, such as matte or glossy, to see which works best for leaf rubbing. Experiment with various coloring mediums, including colored pencils, crayons, and oil pastels. Note that oil pastels can smear easily due to their moist texture, creating interesting effects.
Leaf Rubbing and Anatomy Review
As you create leaf rubbings, discuss or review the parts of a leaf: petiole (the stalk), midrib, veins, venules, blade, margin, base, and tip. Explain that leaves appear green in Spring and Summer due to chlorophyll, a pigment that enables photosynthesis. During Fall, reduced sunlight causes trees to absorb chlorophyll into their branches and trunks, revealing other pigments like carotenoids and anthocyanins, and leading to the beautiful colors we see. This marks a dormant phase for trees, in which they conserve nutrients and water until Spring.
Optional Diagram Creation
If you like, draw a diagram of a leaf’s anatomy directly onto your leaf print to reinforce the learning experience.
Special Technique with Aluminum Foil (Optional)
When using aluminum foil, note that colors will not show. Instead, use the side of a pencil or a craft stick to rub and reveal the texture of the leaf, creating a raised, corrugated effect. This provides a unique tactile experience.
Follow-Up/Extension:
- You can create a collage by tracing various leaves in various colors, mediums, and layers onto a single sheet of paper.
- Use chromatography paper to see what color the leaf will be when chlorophyll is no longer made.
- Turn leaf prints into art by painting one side of the leaf in bright colors and "stamping" it down onto paper (bottom left).
- Create "pressed leaf art" by flattening and drying out the leaves then displaying them in a picture frame (bottom right).
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