This set of 44 beautiful leaf images encourages all ages to observe leaves and see their special features. Examples from the five major leaf shapes – elliptic, ovate, obovate, oblong, and linear – are included. Younger children can enjoy the images and find features such as lobes, teeth, and venation patterns. Older children can measure the images and learn to determine the leaf shape mathematically. They can also measure the angles of the leaf apex and base, and describe the shape of those parts of the leaf. Along the way they can marvel at the sheer beauty of leaves.

Each card has a single leaf along with its common and scientific names. The species vary from common trees and houseplants to tropical plants that show unique features. 

This is a print-it-yourself file. Printed cards are available -- see "Leaf Shapes & Margins -- Printed cards."

When printed full size, the cards are half-page size, 5.5 X 8.5 inches. There are 22 pages of leaf images to be printed in color (two cards per page), and 10 pages of information to be printed in black and white. 

For lessons that use this learning material and information for integrating it into biology study, see Life Science Lessons for the Montessori Elementary Classroom by Cynthia Brunold-Conesa. https://georgeconesa.wixsite.com/lifesciencemont and lunalearningpress@gmail.com