This document provides instructions for a 7th grade science lab on exploring leaves. It outlines 6 steps for the lab: 1) Review the lab requirements; 2) Assign jobs to group members such as primary investigator, safety inspector, and materials manager; 3) Have students make 5 observations about their leaf; 4) Diagram the whole leaf and label parts; 5) Observe and diagram a cross section of the leaf; 6) Clean up and have the recorder turn in the group's work. Students are directed to use observation cards, diagrams, and job descriptions to complete the lab.

1. Exploring
Leaves
7th Grade Science
Mrs. Weeks & Mrs. Mitchell

2. First Things First
 Turn to page 6 in
your journal and look
over the General
Requirements for
Labs.
 This is how labs are
graded!!!!!

3. Second - Jobs
 Primary Investigator –
 Work netbook, read directions to group, ask
teacher questions if necessary.
 Safety Inspector/Time –
 Nobody should put leaves in their mouth or hands in
their mouth after touching leaves. Make sure
leaves are disposed of in the trash. Make sure
everyone washes their hands with soap after this
lab.
 Material Manager –
 Gather supplies (leaf, hand lenses)
 RR–
 Fill out Planning Sheet & Group Work Grade Sheet,
turn in group’s work CORRECTLY!!!

4. Third – Observations
 Good observations are well
thought out NOT rushed.
 Use your observation cards to
make 5 observations about your
leaf.
 Your observations should make
sense!
**** Observation cards are in the
lab supplies desk by your table. For
Tiger table they are located on the
counter by your table!

5. Fourth – Whole Leaf Diagram
 Take your time to diagram your whole leaf
and label the appropriate parts.
 Use Mrs. Weeks’s drawing as a guide.
 Your leaf may not look exactly like hers!

6. Fifth – Cross Section Diagram
 Tear your leaf in half as shown
and observe it closely with a hand lens.
 After you have observed your torn
leaf, use Mrs. Week’s drawing as a guide
to do a cross section diagram.

7. Sixth – Turn in Work/Clean Up
 Clean up your lab table disposing of the leaves in the
trash can.
 Refer to the job descriptions on your table to see who
does what!
 Recorder Reporter turn in everyone’s work CORRECTLY!