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Marvelous and Magnificent Maples

Provided by: Learning for a Sustainable Future|Published on: May 22, 2026

Lesson Plans

234

Synopsis

This two-period lesson plan takes students outdoors to observe and collect native maple leaves, then guides them through the creation of leaf art.
Students learn to identify maple species by branching patterns and leaf shape, and discuss the values of native maples.
Though the background information is specific to Ontario, Canada, this lesson can be implemented wherever there are native maple species.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Science, Visual and Performing Arts

Authors: Focus on Forests

Region: North America

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Classroom Implementation:

This is best completed in autumn when leaves are falling.

Preparation:

Gather materials:
- Sample leaves or printouts
- Enough 5-inch squares of paper for each student to do at least two leaf rubbings
- Crayons, paper removed
- Watercolors
- Paint brushes
- Masking tape
Before the outdoor activity, scout the school yard or local park to identify available maple species; if only one species is present, adapt to compare maple leaves with other broad-leaved trees such as oak or poplar.

Climate Change Connections:

Build students' understanding of native vs. invasive species, to eventually build towards the topic of how native species are impacted by climate change.

Scientist Notes

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Standards

Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

Learning for a Sustainable Future

Learning for a Sustainable Future is a Canadian charity founded in 1991 to integrate sustainability education into Canada’s K-12 school system. Learning for a Sustainable Future focuses on 4 priority areas including: Advancing Education Policy through research and knowledge mobilization; Supporting Educators through delivery of teacher workshops and provision of classroom resources; Youth Engagement through climate action youth leadership forums and climate action project funding; and Celebrating Bright Spots of Innovation through educator and youth awards and the Sustainable Future Schools whole school initiative.

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All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.

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Marvelous and Magnificent Maples

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

About the Partner Provider

Related Teaching Resources