Objective:
1. The students will identify the parts of a leaf: stem, veins, and epidermis.
2. The students will observe many different shapes and sizes of leaves.
3. The students will be involved in leaf rubbings that are made by wax crayons.
4. The students will use observing skills.
5. The students will be comparing leaf structures.
6. The students will be using language skills.

Resources:
* Collection of leaves (18 bags with 4 different leaves inside each one)
* Crayons
* 18 leaves of the same kind
* visual aids
* 20 worksheets

Teacher Preparation:
Get the Resources ready before lesson is taught.

Procedure:
1. Ask the students to close their eyes and to imagine they are looking at a leaf. Have them provide detailed description by asking questions such as: * What color is your leaf you imagine? * What shape is it? * Long or short? * Fat or thin?

2. Tell the students that you are going to give each of them a real leaf to examine very carefully. They should try to notice as much as they can about it's structure. Remind students that the part of the leaf forms its structure.

3. Distribute the same kind of leaf so that every student has one. Allow time for investigation. (Using a dictation chart is very helpful for review at the end of the lesson.) The following questions are useful in guiding the observation: * How can we describe the shape of this leaf? * What color is the leaf? * What does the leaf feel like? * Does the bottom feel the same as the top? (Pointing out the veins on the bottom) * What kind of leaf is this? * What kind of lines can you see on the leaf?

4. Have the students share their observations, and list these on the chart.

5. Explain that the surface of the leaf is called the epidermis. The stem helps support the leaf and attaches it to the plant or tree. The lines are called veins. They help to carry water and nutrients through the leaf.

6. Have children do the investigating worksheet. This will be explained to the students before they start.

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