Grade Levels

K - 4

Objectives

• List characteristics that make some plants "trees".
• Identify parts of the tree and their basic functions.
• Describe how trees grow.
• Recognize products we get from trees and the environmental importance of trees.

Standards of Learning

Science
K.4, K.6, 1.1, 2.8, 3.10, 4.4

English
1.12, 2.9, 3.2, 3.8, 4.1, 4.2, 4.7, 5.1, 5.7

Description:

Procedure

1. Adopt a tree on or near your school grounds.

2. Record today's date, describe how your tree appears today.
   Look at some of the characteristics of your tree.
   Note:
   
   • Bark texture and color
   • Leaf shape and color
   • Tree size and shape
     • How tall is your tree?
     • What is the tree's diameter?
     • Is this a young tree or an old tree? Explain your answer.
     • Does your tree have flowers, seeds, or friut?
   
   Can you identify this tree? Find the common name and the scientific name.

3. Using a tree identification guide, identify your tree.

4. What makes your tree different from other plants? Record the student's answers, use student responses to develop a poster or bulletin board.
   • Trees are woody. Trees have a trunk that is made up of strong hard cells that are surrounded by bark.
   • Trees have one main trunk (or stem) in comparison with shrubs which may have many stems.
   • Trees are usually more than 20 feet tall when they are full grown. Trees are the largest plants on earth.
   • Trees live for a long time. Trees live from 25-5,000 years.

5. Plan to visit your tree 2 - 3 times throughout the year (preferably in different seasons).
   Make similar observations as noted in #2. Compare differences in the tree at different times of the year.

6. Identify parts of your tree and their basic functions. Start at the top and work your way down.

   Leaves are the food factories for the tree. Trees make their own food, unlike animals which have to find food. Plants manufacture their own food using sunlight, water and chlorophyll.

   Branches spread the leaves out to allow more sunlight to reach the leaves. The leaves need to absorb the sun's rays in order for photosynthesis to occur.

   The tree's Trunk holds the tree up and holds the leaves up to the sunlight. The trunk contains a system through which food and water are transported throughout the tree.

   Bark makes a strong covering which protects the tree like tough scales or fur on animals.

   Roots hold the tree in place and prevent erosion of soil. Roots absorb water, oxygen and dissolved minerals from the soil.

7. How do trees grow?
   Trees grow at the tips of branches and at the tip of the roots.

   Look at the end of a branch on your tree, do you see the past season's growth? Can students find roots extending away from the tree?

   Trees also grow bigger around. Looking at a tree "cookie" (cross section) count the rings. Ask students how old they think their tree is. How did they come to their answer?

   Measure the diameter of your tree. Record your measurement for future classes to compare.

8. Trees are important to people and to our environment. Ask students to list some benefits of trees. Students can find examples of tree products or make collages of magazine pictures showing tree products.

   Trees:
   

   • produce oxygen
   • clean our air
   • protect shorelines from erosion
   • absorb heat and provide shade
   • provide habitats for animals

   Some things we can make from Trees:
   

   • houses
   • furniture
   • paper
   • food (seeds and fruit)
   • turpentine
   • glue
   • chewing gum
   • cork
   • rubber
   • cinnamon

Take a closer look:

Sitting under your adopted tree allow students to draw pictures of the tree. Look for things like leaf shape, different colors, bark pattern and fruits or flowers. Do animals live in or around the tree, are other plants living on the tree?

As you observe your tree, have students write down 10-15 adjectives to describe it. When you get back to your classroom have the class write a paragraph, a poem or a short story about your tree.

If you share your stories and drawings with another class can they find your tree in the school yard?

Extensions:

Web Sites:

Molly Headden
Norfolk Botanical Garden
6700 Azalea Garden Road
Norfolk, VA 23518-5337

(757)441-5838
garden@norfolk.infi.net