Biology Extensions in Sensorial

Leaf Cabinet
Materials A three drawer cabinet with 14 leaf forms (Neinhuis: aciculate,
elliptic, chordate, linear, ovate, obchordate, lanceolate, obovate,
reniform, spatulate, deltoid, orbiculate, hastate, sagittate. (stylized
representations of classifications of leaves)
Tray, or one drawer covered with black paper, real leaves in a basket.
3 series of matching cards, as in the Geometry Cabinet
An orange stick or stylus

Purposes  Visual Discrimination of Form

 Indirect preparation for Botany

Age 4 and up

Preparation  The child is working with the drawers of the geometry cabinet

Presentation: 1. Gather the materials needed for the presentation, including a three-
One Drawer drawer cabinet containing 14 leaf forms representing different
 Biology Extensions in Sensorial
Leaf Cabinet

classifications of leaves (aciculate, elliptic, chordate, linear, ovate,

obchordate, lanceolate, obovate, reniform, spatulate, deltoid,
orbiculate, hastate, sagittate) in stylized representations.
2. Prepare a tray or cover one drawer with black paper, and have real
leaves available in a basket. Additionally, gather three series of
matching cards, similar to the ones used in the Geometry Cabinet,
and an orange stick or stylus.
3. Invite the child to join you at a table or work area.
4. Begin by introducing the purpose of the Leaf Cabinet, explaining
that it is a tool used to explore and identify different types of
leaves found in nature.
5. Show the child the three-drawer cabinet, emphasizing that you will
be focusing on one drawer during this presentation.
6. Carefully open the chosen drawer, revealing the leaf forms neatly
arranged inside. Point out the stylized representations and explain
that they represent different classifications of leaves.
7. Encourage the child to observe the stylized representations,
discussing their shapes and unique characteristics. Use the
matching cards to reinforce the connection between the stylized
representations and real leaves.
8. Present the tray or black-covered drawer and place it on the table.
Explain that it is an invitation for the child to explore the leaf
forms using their senses.
9. Take orange stick or stylus and demonstrate how to trace lines of
stylized leaf forms, encouraging child to do same. Discuss names
of each leaf form as they explore/trace them on tray/black paper.
10. Invite the child to choose a stylized representation from the
cabinet and place it on the tray or black paper. Encourage them to
trace form with stick/stylus and observe its unique features.

Presentation: 11. After exploring the stylized representations, introduce the basket
Real Leaves of real leaves. Explain that they correspond to the leaf forms in the
cabinet and provide an opportunity to compare and match the
stylized representations with real leaves.
12. Demonstrate how to select a real leaf from the basket, observe its
shape and characteristics, and match it with the appropriate
stylized representation on the tray or black paper.
13. Encourage the child to independently select and match real leaves
with their corresponding stylized representations, promoting
sensorial exploration and visual discrimination.
14. Engage the child in a discussion about the different leaf forms they
have explored, encouraging them to describe the shapes, names,
and any unique features they have observed.
15. Provide opportunities for the child to create their own
compositions with the stylized representations and real leaves,
fostering creativity and aesthetic appreciation.
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Leaf Cabinet

16. Conclude presentation by guiding the child to return the leaf forms
to their designated spots in the drawer and tidy the work area.
17. Remark at child's efforts and engagement, highlighting the
importance of recognizing and appreciating the diverse forms and
classifications of leaves found in nature.

Control of Matching in Presentation 1: Mechanical, last piece won’t fit.

Error In tracing, if the orange stick flies off
Matching in Presentation 2: Visual

Following 1. Show a child how to find a leaf shape if there is an incised margin.
Exercises Put the leaf under a piece of paper. Put two dots at petiole. At
each leaf point add a dot. Take paper off the leaf, connect the dots
using rounded lines.

Language Aciculate, elliptic, chordate, linear, ovate, obchordate, lanceolate,

obovate, reniform, spatulate, deltoid, orbiculate, hastate, sagittate

Sensorial 1,2,4
Games

Pedagogical *All the language is given with the cabinet in the language lesson.
Notes There are no language or distance grading games.
*Make sure to have varieties of plants and leaves in the environment.
*Check knobs often to assure security.
*Given leaf shapes are intentionally general; shapes and names of the
particular trees and plants may be given as language enrichment
materials or extensions of the botany work.
Biology Extensions in Sensorial
Leaf Cabinet