Module 2: The Function of Plant Parts

Designing a Plant Part

Howard Elementary School

Designing a Plant Part 

From Module 2: The Function of Plant Parts

For the last few weeks we have been learning about plant parts: root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit and seed. 

Last week we collected leaves from trees on school grounds for a Leaf Exploration. We discussed the function photosynthesis and examined parts of the leaf up close, using a magnifying glass to see the stomata where the leaves breathe, and wiggling the stem as we all said "petiole", to demonstrate how a leaf could move to follow and collect sunlight. We then pressed the leaves in a plant press. 

This week we reviewed a leaf's function before Designing a Plant Part. I supplied plain and colored paper, crayons and colored pencils, pipe cleaners, and tape as well as their dried leaves. I asked the students to design a leaf or multiple leaves in whatever shape and color that they wanted, and suggested they use their dried leaves as examples of form and vein spacing. 

The students were immersed in this activity for at least 40 minutes and everyone was excited to share their creation. After one student made her stem stand up on a piece of paper, many more followed and we had an interesting mix of standing stems, intricately veined leaves, and a few dried leaves mixed in. 

I was excited at the students attention to detail and their creativity, using engineering and design to take a simple leaf making activity to the next level, creating standing stems with multiple leaves attached.