So…
We know that trees have leaves, right? But have we every really looked closely and carefully at a leaf? Leaves are all different from each other. But all of the leaves on one tree have some things in common.
And we can tell a whole lot about a tree by looking at its leaves! So let’s do just that.
Start by looking at these leaves.
Look very very carefully.
These leaves are from different trees. They have some things in common, but they also have some important things that make them different. What is the same about them?? What is different??
Simple and Compound
Tree scientists (and that’s us now) say that there are two different kinds of flat leaves.
Some leaves, like the one up above, come off of a twig with just one, flat leaf. Scientists call these leaves simple. There might be lots and lots and lots of leaves on the tree, but if they come off of the twig one at a time, they’re simple.
Other leaves are compound.
Other leaves, like the one you just saw, come off of a twig with a whole bunch of leaflets. That’s still just one leaf up there. But it’s a special kind of leaf. It’s kind of like your hand. You have five fingers on it, but it’s still just one hand. Well some leaves are like that. Those leaves are called compound.
Let’s practice.
Start by folding a piece of paper just like in the video.
Next, get ready to write these two words a whole bunch of times:
simple
compound
Below, you will find pictures of 16 different leaves. Some of the leaves are simple. Some of the leaves are compound. For each leaf, write the word simple or compound in one box on your paper!
If your hand gets very tired, you can switch to writing s and c for some of the words. Just try your best!
And now for the leaves!
Start with the picture below. Simple or compound??? Then click the picture to see the rest of the leaves.
Let’s see!
Take a picture and send your work in here!