📋 Direction Card — How to Do Your Leaf Wax Rubbing

Materials you will need: collected leaves, white paper, a white or light-coloured candle (unscented), coloured pencils or crayons, this worksheet.

Step-by-step directions:

1. Choose one leaf and place it vein-side up on your work mat.

2. Lay a piece of white paper gently on top of the leaf.

3. Rub the side of a candle firmly over the paper above the leaf. Press evenly.

4. Watch the leaf's shape and veins appear through the wax!

5. Label your rubbing: write the leaf's name (if you know it) and the date.

6. Repeat with 2 more different leaves in the boxes below.

7. When finished, return all materials to their place on the shelf.

💡 Why does this work? The wax from the candle sticks more to the raised veins and edges of the leaf, showing us its structure!

🍃 My Leaf Rubbings

Complete your wax rubbing in each box, then label it below.

Rubbing 1

Leaf name or description: _______________________________

Rubbing 2

Leaf name or description: _______________________________

Rubbing 3

Leaf name or description: _______________________________

🔍 Observation Questions

✅ Control of Error Card

Use this card after you have completed your work to check yourself. Turn it over or keep it face-down until you are ready!

Check your rubbing — did you:

Answer guide for Question 1: The veins — because the veins are raised on the underside of the leaf, they press against the paper and pick up more wax.

🌟 Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

Try one or more of these challenges:

⭐ Classify your leaves: Use a botany reference book or card set to identify whether each leaf has pinnate, palmate, or parallel venation. Label your rubbings with the correct term.

⭐ Measure and record: Using a ruler, measure the length and width of each leaf in centimetres. Record your measurements in a small table.

⭐ Compare wax types: Try your rubbing with a white candle and then with a coloured crayon. Describe how the results are different and why.

⭐ Scientific drawing: Choose your favourite rubbing and create a detailed labelled diagram beside it, naming the midrib, lateral veins, margin, apex, and petiole.

🤝 Differentiation Strategies

For learners who need extra support:

• Provide pre-selected leaves that are large and have bold, clear veins (e.g., maple or oak).

• Offer a word bank for observation questions (veins, edges, shape, smooth, rough).

• Allow verbal responses recorded by a peer or teacher.

For learners who need enrichment:

• Encourage the extension activities above.

• Invite the child to create their own "leaf identification booklet" using their rubbings as illustrations.