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Students exercise their abilities in estimating and calculating circumference and subtraction. Teachers number 10 trees within the schoolyard and students then go outside to find each tree (1-10). First the students estimate each circumference, measure each circumference, and then find the difference between their estimation and actual circumference. Wrap up: Compare numbers, discuss which students had the closest guesses, etc.
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Have students choose a tree or shrub and draw it including specifics like leaves, bark, flower, seeds, and fruit or cones. Have students switch their sheet with a partner, and have their partner try to guess the tree/shrub based on the pictures drawn. Wrap up: Discuss student answers. Correct/incorrect answers and what led them to their guess.
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Discuss shapes, leaves, leaf shape, animal diet, herbivores, trees, tree parts, evidence of eaten leaves and leaf shapes on the worksheet. Students hunt for different leaf shapes and look for signs that they have been eaten. Wrap-up: rare and common leaf shapes, number of eaten leaves, etc.
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Tree poetry is exactly what it sounds like – a poem about a tree! Students observe a tree in the natural area or at home, and create a poem about it. Encourage students to spend some time with their tree, learn its story and write down important points. Then have students create a poem of their choice (rhyme, haiku, etc.) to share its story. Wrap up: students share their poems, and revisit proper poem structure in class.
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Following discussion on plant parts, dichotomous keys/important terms and measurement techniques use this activity as reinforcement for all three topics. Have students choose and identify one tree or shrub in the natural area, answer each question on the handout in a journal, and include sketches for each. Wrap up: have students share one cool thing about their plant.
