Shape: star-shaped, broader than long.
Lobes: usually five, often three; each lobe has usually two large teeth.
Base has a heart-shaped notch; petiole long and slender, usually red.
Veins are stiff and run out to the points of the teeth.
Distribute leaves of the red maple and ask the pupils to note the general resemblance. Next ask them to compare the leaves as to shape, texture, and teeth on the margin.
Ask the pupils to find red maple trees and also to find maples with leaves that are different from those of the red maple and those of the sugar maple.
Make a collection of maple leaves when they are in autumn colours. (See Collections, page 33, in General Method.)
To the teacher.—The leaves of the red maple are longer than broad, and are not so smooth and shiny as the leaves of the sugar maple. There are numerous "saw teeth" on the margins of the lobes. The silver maple, with leaves having silver-white under surfaces, is another common species.
A lesson similar to that on leaf studies may be based on the fruits (keys) of the maples.
The oak, ash, elm, beech, or birch may be taken up in lessons similar to those outlined for the study of the maple.