Preserving Plants

Procedure

1. Place four or five sheets of newspaper on a table where they will not be disturbed.
2. Lay one sheet of construction paper in the center of the newspaper sheets.
3. Arrange the leaves on the construction paper with their veiny sides down. (see Figure A4.1). Note: Small plants with thin stems and roots can be arranged on the paper.
4. Place the second sheet of construction paper on top of the leaves or plants.
5. Cover the construction paper with four or five sheets of newspaper to help absorb moisture from the leaves or plants.
6. Stack five heavy books on top of the papers, making sure the books are centered over the leaves or plants.
7. After two weeks, remove the books and uncover the flat, dried leaves or plants. Note: For display purposes, label each leaf or plant and place the sheet of construction paper with the arranged leaves or plants in a picture frame. Or, use rubber cement to glue the leaves to construction paper and label each leaf.

Leaf Prints

Materials

3 or 4 sheets of newspaper
2 sheets of typing paper
leaves
crayon

Procedure

1. Place three or four sheets of newspaper on a table to protect the table's surface.
2. Lay one sheet of typing paper on top of the newspaper sheets.
3. Arrange the leaves on the typing paper with their rough, veiny sides up.
4. Cover the leaves with the second sheet of typing paper.
5. With firm pressure, rub the crayon across the paper over the area of the leaves so that a colored imprint of each leaf is formed (see FigureA4.2).