Leaf identification

This activity encourages learners to look closely and start to identify the similarities and differences of trees found in their outdoor space. They will ask questions and ‘really look’ to try and find the tree the leaf came from. This also introduces the concept of identifying plants in their site, by exploring the space and making observations.

Learners will be given a leaf from their site, and they will need to look closely at the size, colour, texture, and smell to help them find their ‘leaf partner’, who has the same leaf as them. Encourage them to also take close notice of the edges of the leaves – are they smooth or spiky? They will need to use nature vocabulary to describe their leaf.

Once they have found their ‘leaf partner’, the learners will then explore the space to try and find the tree that their leaf came from.

Getting to know your space

< 30 minutes

EYFS

KS1

KS2

Preparation

What you need

Leaves from trees on your site

Location

Outdoors

Useful guidance

What to try next

Design a plant Anatomy of a tree

Resources

Leaf ID Activity Guide.pdf 762.59 KB

Step by step

To prepare before the activity, collect two or more leaves from trees in your outdoor area, or from the ground. Each learner will need one leaf. Try to collect pairs from a variety of tree species – pine needles, big leaves, different shapes and colours, etc.
Distribute the leaf pairs you have collected to the group, so that everyone has one leaf each.
Ask learners to talk to each other and compare their leaves, discussing the shape, size, edge and colour. They will need to find the person with the same leaf as them.
Note: Remember that some learners may have a leaf from the same tree, but one might be bigger/smaller due to the age of the leaf – can they still find their leaf partner?
Once they have found their ‘leaf partner’, ask the learners to walk around the outdoor space and try to find the tree that their leaf came from.

Reflection

Facilitate a discussion to further understand the trees in your learning site: “How many different species of tree does our site have?” “If we did this activity in another season, what would be different?”

Curriculum links

This activity can be used to support curriculum knowledge and skill development in understanding the world, communication and language and science, alongside enhancing nature education, with age appropriate adaptations.