A Leaf 3 Ways

A student’s first page of a nature journal.

A blank nature journal can be daunting. A fun way to get started is to represent a leaf in three different ways.

Materials:

1. A journal of piece of paper.

2. A red pencil.

3. A blue pencil.

4. A leaf

5. Tape

Process:

1. Trace the leaf with the red pencil. Trace it again with the darker blue pencil. Notice the unique shape of your leaf.

2. Make a rubbing of the leaf with the red and blue pencils by placing the leaf under the paper. Make sure the journal is resting on a hard, flat surface. Notice the leaf’s texture and the pattern of its veins.

3. Draw the leaf (even if you think you’re not good at drawing). Draw it first in red. When you have a draft you are happy with, go over the parts you like with the blue pencil.

4. Optional: Tape the leaf into your journal.

5. Bonus: Repeat, comparing and contrasting new leaves.