This is an inquiry where students will be comparing and contrasting two different types of leaves with a partner.

This is an integration of science leaf observations with musical composition for early elementary students.

This online activity is part of the museum's Online Field Journal Web site, where young children can explore the wonders of nature with the help of an adult. The challenge here is to compare examples within categories of field evidence. On the opening page, the 11 comparison activities are listed: Seashells, Birds, Insects, Butterflies, Rocks, Leaves, Animal Tracks, Reptiles, Flowers, Fish, and Spiders. On the first page of each comparison activity, there are side-by-side photos of three different objects; students are asked to describe the differences between them. Clicking a photo takes students to a magnified view of the object; this subpage also has additional questions that hone students' observation skills. When students click on the magnified photo, they get a fun fact.

This online activity is part of the museum's Online Field Journal Web site, where young children can explore the wonders of nature with the help of an adult. Here, they get guidance about how to observe nature with printable field journal pages. On the opening page, the 11 field journals are listed: Seashells, Birds, Insects, Butterflies, Rocks, Leaves, Animal Tracks, Reptiles, Flowers, Fish, and Spiders. The first page of each field journal activity includes instructions designed to focus the exploration, along with questions to think about. The field journal, which is a printable page, has places to record a name, the date, weather conditions, and written and illustrated observations.

This activity is takes place in nature and in the classroom. Students are gathering different types of leaves and naming characteristics of each then sorting them by those characteristics. Students then make a picture with leaves and writes 2-3 sentences about their picture using the characteristic words.

This activity gives kindergartners the chance to get outside collect, observe and sort leaves. They will also try to differentiate between MN native leaves and non-native leaves to MN.

In this biology lab extension, student will have already collected leaves from the playground and surrounding school areas and sorted them into categories according to leaf properties. Students will use the leave classifications/ sorts to graph the properties of the leaves.

The purpose of this resource is to observe plant green-down and report greendown data to help validate estimates of the end of the plant growing season. Students monitor the change in color of selected leaves of trees, shrubs or grasses.

The purpose of this resource is to observe plant green-up and report data that will be used by scientists to validate satellite estimates of the beginning of the plant growing season. Students monitor budburst and growth of leaves of selected trees, shrubs, or grasses. Species chosen should be native, deciduous, and dominant in your area.

This activity is a field investigation where students will learn the importance of detail when nature journaling.

The purpose of this resource is to explore what pigments exist in leaves and their importance. Students will conduct an experiment using paper chromatography to separate pigments present in leaves.

This activity is a field investigation where students collect leaf samples to be observed and compared monthly.

This activity is a field investigation where students collect leaf samples to be observed and compared monthly.

During the leaf activities the students will compare, contrast, classify, categorize, identify attributes, learn art techniques and learn about the importance of trees.

This illustrated guide to leaf arrangement shows students how leaves attached at a stem node can be in alternate, opposite, or whorled arrangements. This single Web page can be easily printed for use at field sites.

This activity is a group activity where students investigate leaves and sort them based on established criteria.

This illustrated guide is designed to help students recognize and learn the difference between entire and toothed leaf margins. The single Web page can be easily printed for use at field sites. Both leaf margin illustrations identify the leaf blade and the petiole.

This illustrated guide is designed to help students recognize and learn the different types of leaf shapes. The single Web page, which can be easily printed for use at field sites, shows: heart-shaped oval lobed divided narrow leaf shapes

This illustrated guide to leaf types is designed to help students understand the differences between compound and simple leaves. This single Web page can be easily printed for use at field sites. Along with an explanation of both types, the guide includes a short description of these related terms: petiole, leaf blade, leaflet, and axillary buds.