Materials
8" x 10" piece of wood carpet scrap tacks or nails leaf shoe brush or hairbrush with animal bristles plastic wrap newspaper iron (adult only)
Instructions
1. Five-year-olds are fascinated by science and nature, and enjoy doing experiments. Making a leaf skeleton helps the curious five-year-old investigate and study the structure of a leaf.
2. Tack a scrap of carpet to the flat piece of wood.
3. Place a leaf on the carpet, top side up.
4. Holding the leaf with one hand, gently tap the leaf with the bristle end of the brush held with the other hand. Do this until the fleshy parts of the leaf are worn away.
5. Turn the leaf over, and tap the other side of the leaf. A lacy skeleton of the leaf will remain.
6. To save the skeletons for study and investigation (and to enjoy), place it between two sheets of plastic wrap. Cover with a sheet of newspaper and iron over the leaf quickly with a warm iron. The plastic will melt slightly and stick to the leaf, forming a clear holder great for viewing and display.
