Leaf Sorting Activity

This Leaf Sorting lesson pack can help you to deliver the National Curriculum (or other Science curriculum for ages 5 to 6) for Science in Year 1.

It is best carried out in autumn as the leaves fall, but can also be done in spring as new leaves emerge and children's interest in them can be excited.

The Leaf Sorting Activity includes

References to the relevant parts of the National Curriculum (but the activity does not have to be used in conjunction with the UK National Curriculum).

* 12 pictures of varying leaves, suitable for sorting according to vein pattern, formation and leaf properties (e.g. prickly/rounded edges, deep cut edges etc..) - in two sizes for whole class/group use or display.

* a My Leaf recording worksheet

* a sheet of 12 small pictures to sort, cut out and stick.

How to sort leaves

Leaves can be sorted according to several different factors. Sort by one property at a time.

Edge - wavy, prickly, jagged, sharp etc… (let the children suggest ideas)

Veins: One ‘spine’ vein with branches (many leaves)

            Like umbrella spokes (Nasturtium)

            Several main veins coming from base of leaf, with branches

            from each (Sycamore)

Feel/look:    soft, hairy, sharp, prickly, smooth, rough, tough, shiny

                      etc…

Colour: shade of green in spring/summer, or autumn colours (red, 

              orange, brown, yellow etc…)

Can the children find:

 All the prickly leaves?

All the deeply notched leaves?

All the leaves with leaflets?

All the soft leaves?

Etc…

Children may dispute whether a leaf falls into a category or not. Use this as valuable discussion, always securing a good reason for their thinking.

How to use the activity

Class sorting:

Let individual children hold up to 5 large leaf pictures. Can the children see two leaves that might match and say how they match?

Now can they see if any other leaves fit that group - hold up the other leaf pictures one by one and see if they fit, passing the picture to another child to join the group, if that leaf fits. Does this leaf have …?

Try sorting by various properties before letting the children take a leaf to sketch and describe on the ‘My leaf’ sheet.

Group sorting:

A small group of children can be challenged to find a way of sorting the leaves so that as many of them as possible are in a group.

Or, more simply:

Can you find the leaves that are pointed/sharp/have leaflets, are soft etc…

Children can then be given the sheet of small leaves to sort in the way the teacher outlines.

More!

See our Autumn Leaves PowerPoint

and

All about Autumn PowerPoint

1 PDF with:

12 small leaf pictures

12 large matching leaf pictures

A sheet of 12 small pictures to sort, cut out and stick.

A 'My Leaf' recording sheet