Rocket dumps a pile of fallen leaves on the table.
"Let us sort them into families!" he says.
Raven asks, "What do you notice?"
Nova says, "Shape first, then size."
A seed grows into a plant like its parent.
Seed leaves come first. They hold food.
True leaves look like the grown plant's leaves.
Each kind of tree has its own leaf shape.
Plants of one kind are alike, but not exactly.
◇ PLAY LEAF MATCH
Walk outside with your grown-up. Your grown-up picks a few trees they know. Pick up fallen leaves from under those trees only. At home, lay the leaves on a table. Sort the leaves into groups by shape. In each group, line the leaves up by size. Find two leaves from one tree that look different. Tell each other how they are alike and different.
Safety first
Wear gloves to pick up leaves. Only pick up leaves your grown-up says are okay. Do not touch plants you do not know. Never put a leaf in your mouth. Wash your hands when you finish.
For a grown-up
Choose trees you know well, like an oak or maple. Ask: how can you tell these leaves are one kind? Ask: how are they different from each other?
LEAF MATCH CHECK
Read the question.
Tap your answer.
Two leaves have the same lobes but different sizes. Are they one kind?
What should you wear to pick up leaves?
Draw your leaf groups.
You sorted a whole leaf family!
Next week, you will plan your own windowsill garden.