Materials
Plants collected on a nature walk Corrugated cardboard
Newsprint paper Phone books or other large books
Large clean paintbrushes Yarn or string
Construction paper Glue
Instructions
1. Go on a nature walk in search of beautiful plants. Allow each child to choose her own plant and bring it back to class.
2. In small groups, let the children gently clean their plants with the large brushes.
3. Give each child a piece of corrugated cardboard with a piece of newsprint on top. Let each child place her plant on the newsprint wherever she would like it.
4. Layer about five children's works on top of one another and place these between two phone books. Tie the phone books together with string or yarn to prevent movement.
5. Bring the phone book presses to circle time and use them as special chairs. Allow the helpers of the day to sit on them for added pressure.
6. After a day, untie the press and gently remove the paper. Take the top sheet off. This is the children's favorite part! Allow them to drizzle and drip glue all over the plants. It is okay to get some on the paper. Pick up the glue-covered plants and place them glue side down on a piece of construction paper.
7. Allow to dry.
8. Cover small pressed plants with clear contact paper and use them as book marks. These make fantastic Mother's or Father's Day presents. Alternatively, you could make a class book for the science corner of your classroom.More to doMore science: Compare the different plant sizes, colors, types and shapes.
