Why Save The Trees?
Grades 6-9 SOL OBJECTIVES: LA 6.1,6.2,6.3d,6.5,6.6 MA 6.18,6.20,6.7,6.8,6.9
SCI 6.9, 6.1 a-k, 6.2d SS USII.5 a-d, USII.7, USII.8
Purpose
To understand that trees are a valuable natural resource, and without their survival, technology and life as we know it can change drastically.
Context
Until the fifth grade, most students understand that trees are a natural resource and that they supply us with everything from paper to the homes which we live. Transferring the concept on a higher level thinking realm is one of the most difficult challenges we face teaching, and the most difficult concept children face learning. If you were to do a K-W-L with students in the younger years, all trees are the same, and there is no concept of how it is pureed into mash for paper, cut into lumber to build yet alone used for energy.
By the time they get to 5th grade student interest increases and it becomes harder to find a method to
keep their interest. For kids, finding out that there are over 20,000 types of trees, pulls in their attention. For the teacher it gives plenty of room to expand and direct the curriculum and instruction to higher level thinking skills and knowledge.
This lesson introduces the history of trees, not just the type of trees. It discusses why they must be saved in order to keep benefit humans, animals and our Earth. Students will learn by about the history of plants and that they have been around on the earth longer then any other organism. This lesson will focus on the past use of our natural resource and the options we have in saving trees to continue providing some of the groundwork for the things we need to survive in the next century.
Students will be introduced to the "Tree Doctor" and learn what they can do to help save the trees. The will also be made aware of occupations that are focused in the area of forestry.
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Planning Ahead
Materials
1 Black and white notebook (or similar) to keep your research and data
Your Online Web quest Sheet - QUESTO
Computers- bookmarked portal or pages
Printed information in case the electricity goes out and computers don't work.
Websites can be downloaded to a CD in case the internet is down, you can work off line
Worksheets-graphic organizers
VCR/DVD players, video and computer projectors
Software- Inspiration, National Geographic, WINDOWS on Science
Motivation
In the morning have small saplings around the room and the lab set for experiment.
Show United Streaming Video -The Biggest and Oldest Living Things. Found on unitedstreaming.com
o An Introduction to Trees
o Learning About The Past
o Appreciating Trees
Have students preview their QUESTO sheet. This sheet will direct them to websites and activities that will help them transfer what they know, what they need to learn and how they can compile data to determine what they can do.
By using the computer lab and a main computer, show the students a tabbed version of the websites they will visit today. Leave a tile version on the screen so that navigating will be easier.
This web quest is intended to lead students to understand that our natural resources are more and more limited. That the tree has been around longer than any other organism and in our life time we may see it become extinct. Students will also be motivated to support the things we need to do to save the trees for a better future.
Development
Discussion:Where do trees get the nutrients they need to grow?
What do trees release into the atmosphere that humans need?
What do we know about tree growth and age?
Objectives
o Students will understand how humans, animals, and the earth benefit from trees
o Students will learn about the history of the oldest living thing, and their future
o Students will work through team activities and web quest online and learn how to look for specific information.
Ask students to tell you how we benefit from trees.
Have the students look through the QUESTO and ask individual teams to connect the information from what they think the articles will be about with something they have learned before.
As a class, between web pages, brainstorm things that will help keep healthier plants.
Have poster paper up to create a mapping of ideas.
Have a poster board for words and definitions students may request information about.
The following web pages are used in the web quest:
Found at dsc.discovery.com- The age and size of trees around the world
This article will reveal the of age and size of trees around the world.
Found at dsc.discovery.com/news - Types of organisms can kill trees
This article will give students a sense of what types of organisms can kill trees.
On the freenetwork.umn.edu/kids/ site you will find activities and information.
United Streaming Video online -Trees: The Biggest and Oldest Living Things
Found at domtar.com/ARBRE/english/
The Tree World. This site will provide a ton of activities. Students can use the dictionary to identify vocabulary words. Play games and take quizzes, this site also includes experiments. Crossword puzzle-uses for trees. How to protect trees.
Wesavetrees.com website has a great article called:What Can We Do to Save Trees?
Found at epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/kids/pdfs/k-3.pdf
Excellent site for extended activities
Lab Project: Create a terrarium to grow and take home.
Assessment
Students will present their data in their notebooks.
Students will be able to discuss the objective of the lesson and finish the K-W-L sheet
Students will make a terrarium and experiment with different soils/ document data.
Students will complete a final project of their choice for a graded assignment using at least three software applications WORD, PUBLISHER, DIGITAL, VIDEO EQUIPMENT, POWER POINT, INSPIRATION SOFTWARE, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINES OR WINDOWS ON SCIENCE
At the end of the week a Q&A sheet on Save the Water will be passed out and will ask similar questions
Where does it come from?
How much did we have?
What do we have now, why less?
What is water used for?
What will happen without it?
What can we do to save it?
Students may use any resources to complete the sheet.
There is a saying: "Ancestors plant trees so that their offspring can have shade."
Extensions
Language: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Math: Measure the age of a tree by it's rings
Science: Visit a paper mill or newspaper plant
Social Science: Join and environmental club
USING THE NEWSPAPER- Current articles/events about trees
Additional Resources
The Wonderful World of Trees on the freenetwork.umn.edu/kids/ website
The National Arbor Day Foundation: Benefits of Trees at arborday.org
USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory found at fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu website
Products Made From Wood found at uky.edu/Agriculture/Forestry/conners/WoodUses.pdf website
American Forest & Paper Association: Pulp & Paper, Fun Facts
afandpa.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Pulp_and_Paper/Fun_Facts/Fun_Facts.htm
How Trees Work for Us at borealforest.org/school/trees.htm
The History of Maple Syrup in America :members.iquest.net/~childers/maple/hist.html
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Vocabulary
Adaptation
Adjustment to environmental conditions. Young people adapt well to change. The black spruce is well adapted to Quebec's cold climate
Biological control
The use of natural predators and parasites to reduce the populations of insects that ravage forests. The use of natural agents, such as fungi, bacteria, or viruses, to control or fight against undesirable species.
Bush
Dense shrubs and stands of small trees of normally unmerchantable species.
Compost (noun)
A mixture of organic matter used as fertilizer. An increasing number of people are making compost at home to fertilize their gardens.
Cut with soil and regeneration protection
Harvesting carried out taking specific measures to prevent damage to young trees and to the soil.
Domestic waste
The waste or garbage produced by the members of a family and which would be thrown out.
Ecosystem
A system formed by the interaction of a community of animals and plants with its environment.
Forest ecology
The study of forests and their ecology, including the application of soil science, botany, zoology, and the like to forestry.
Hardwood
A tree whose leaves drop in the fall, as opposed to evergreens or conifers, which have needles (fir, spruce) or scales (cedar). The maple, lilac, and oak are examples of hardwood trees
Insecticide
A substance that destroys insects.
Mulch
A layer of straw, bark, or other plant matter used to conserve moisture in the soil, to protect certain fruits from rotting through contact with the soil, and to inhibit the growth of other plants, such as weeds.
Pesticide
A substance used to fight against harmful animals or plants.
Regeneration
The renewal of a forest. Trees begin to grow again.
Selection method
A method of regenerating a forest stand and maintaining an uneven-aged structure by removing some trees in all size classes either singly or in small groups or strips. The selection method is carried out in sugarbushes
Tree breeding
The application of genetic principles to the improvement of trees, such as to solve a specific problem or in order to obtain a given product.
Virus
An ultramicroscopic infectious (capable of infecting with disease) agent.
AUTHOR BIO
• Successfully built a progressive career with the school system as a key team player in developing, integrating and supporting technology-driven solutions, safety and security directives, curriculum testing support, and exceptional education leadership.
• Developed a series of templates for standardized testing, discipline, attendance, lesson planning and databases to effectively disaggregate information.
• Strategically mapped web based instruction and resources to the Standards of Learning and Instructional Plans for the School System providing hundreds of resources for teachers, students, and parents.
• Currently assigned to the Richmond Education Alternative Learning Schools for Seriously Emotionally Disturbed Children. Oversee all operations. We are fully accredited.
• Educational expertise in NCLB, Exceptional Education Law, Charting the Course, Virginia Grade Level Assessments, Virginia Alternative Assessments, SOL Accreditation Requirements, Balanced Scorecard, School Improvement Plans, Department of Education audits, Exceptional Education audits State level.
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