Last updated: November 17, 2023
Lesson Plan
Pathways to Discovery – Getting to Know a Tree
- Grade Level:
- Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
- Subject:
- Science
- Lesson Duration:
- 30 Minutes
- State Standards:
- Alaska State Standards
Science: A12, 14, 15; B1, 2, 3; D1, 2;
Essential Question
What are the parts and functions of a tree?
Objective
Students will examine trees closely; they will “build” a tree to learn parts and functions. They will use a key to identify trees, play an active game to learn about growth.
Background
This Unit is designed to be a follow-up to the fifth grade Silver Burdett Ginn Science Discovery Works textbook, Unit A, “Plants”. It can be used at any grade level or at any time.
Preparation
Select a trail for this lesson that is appropriate for the age and ability of your students.
Procedure
Start the introduction when you reach the beginning of the trail you are using for this lesson.
- Sit down in a circle before going into the woods.
- Explain to the students that during this lesson as they are walking along the trail, they will be asked to be very observant, to think, and to really let their imaginations go wild sometimes.
- Ask the students for some ideas about why trees are important. How do we use trees?
- Ask students if they have ever experienced a situation where they have been at a place where they didn’t know anyone (i.e. moved to a new area, new class, etc.) How did they feel?
- Explain that for most people, walking into the forest is like entering a crowd of unknown people. During this lesson the students will be introduced to some of the members of this interesting community. Explain that just as people have characteristics that help us recognize individuals in a crowd, so do trees.
- Ask them for examples of characteristics trees have that could help us identify them.
- As they mention specific qualities, hold up the card that has that characteristic and read the description on the back concerning that attribute. • Go over the characteristics that they fail to mention
The following Characteristic Cards should be included: bark, leaves, shape & size, flowers & fruits or seeds, roots, location, twigs, conifer or deciduous
Assessment Materials
Tell the students that as they begin to walk into the forest they should keep these characteristics in mind and begin to notice how the trees are different.
Additional Resources
This lesson is part of our "Pathways to Discovery". The individual lessons can be done individually or as a larger unit of learning. They encourage the development of a student’s awareness and appreciation of the natural world and people’s relationship and role as a part of that natural world.
The lessons are a series of shorter activities that have been blended together under a specific theme with the intent that the activities will be coordinated with units in the existing school curriculum and texts. The materials are organized by grade level, but can actually be adapted for use at any grade level.