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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES: Tod and the Natural World
ACTIVITY TWO: Making a Plant Press
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Materials Needed: |
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30–60 craft Popsicle sticks |
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Glue gun or carpenter’s glue |
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Newspaper/scissors |
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Piece of rope |
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2 15-cm x 15-cm (6-inch) squares of plywood |
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heavy rock |
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plant parts |
When Tod and other pioneers from the Old World arrived in North America, they were astounded at the diversity of plant species thriving in abundance. Many specimens had never been seen before in Europe, so many explorers diligently recorded their observations of the local flora.
One way of doing this that is still in practice by botanists today is by taking plant pressings. Parts of a plant are gathered and pressed in such a way as to remove all moisture and press it flat.
The plant specimen would be recorded with notes on what kind of habitat the plant grows in, what the First Nations people might have used it for, and other research clues. Plant pressings for scientific use are stored in herbarium collections of dried plants that can be used by researchers for hundreds of years after the plants are preserved.
Here is a simple plant press you can make to help you explore the plant communities in your neighbourhood. Dried flowers and leaves can also be used in lots of fun craft projects.
Remember to always make sure before you pick any plant that it is a safe plant (won't be poison to the touch or taste) and that the plant is not an endangered native plant. Native plants are plants that grow naturally in the area (not brought in from somewhere else). The law protects many native plants, so always check with an adult and a plant book before you pick anything.
1. Lay 10 Popsicle sticks in a row with approximately 1–2 mm of space between them. Glue another 10 crosswise in a row to make a lattice.
Make at least one more lattice.2.
Cut the newspaper into squares about the same size as the lattices you've made. You'll need 60–90 squares (tip: cut whole sections at a time).
3. Gather together the plant parts you want to use. It's best to start with something from a garden you're allowed to take cuttings from, so you know what is safe and not endangered.
4. Build the
press: Lay the piece of rope on the table, and put one of the plywood squares over it in the middle. Put 6 cut newspaper squares down on the plywood, and place one plant part on top. Then lay 6 more squares of newspaper down, followed by the next plant part. After every four layers of newspaper and plants, put a Popsicle stick lattice in-between. After all the plant parts are done, put the second square of plywood on top. Pull the rope tight around your plant press.
5. Put a heavy rock or other object on top of the press to weigh it down, and put it somewhere dry for about 2 weeks. If you change the newspaper frequently—every two days or so, the plants will dry faster and
their colours will be more vibrant.
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Pressed plant parts can also be used to decorate bookmarks, candles, cards and many other creative uses!
Curriculum Objectives for Grade Five Social Studies
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