Use fall foliage to teach your children about the many different trees in our area. If you need a refresher on the different types of leaves that are typical to the Chicago area, use a guide to trees based on leaf shapes such as Identify a Tree by Leaf Silhouette.
Instructions:
- Gather together a variety of leaves with the kids. Once youhave a good assortment assembled, place each leaf between twosheets of wax paper and cover with a thin towel.
- Iron until a wax paper seal forms (using the hot iron is anadults-only job).
- Trim around the seal in the shape of the leaf.
- Glue each leaf to a piece of construction or other heavy-weightpaper to make your book.
- Write the name of the tree of origin next to each leaf.Decorate a cover for your book and give it a title (we used “TheTrees in My Neighborhood”).
- Use a hole punch to make two holes along the left side of thepaper and secure with a ribbon or string. Add to your bookthroughout the season as you find new leaves.
Materials:
- Construction paper or card stock paper
- wax paper
- iron
- kitchen towel
- leaves
- hole punch
- string or ribbon
- scissors
- crayons
