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Trees at Work

Provided by: IL Department of Natural Resources

Lesson Plans

K12

Synopsis

This primary lesson from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources introduces students to the impact trees have on our everyday lives.
Students will learn about the role of trees in providing shelter, creating goods, and making our environment healthy.

Subjects: Science

Authors: IL Department of Natural Resources

Region: United States, Illinois

Languages: English

Positives

The lesson has built-in extension activities that are specifically geared towards younger grades and allow students to make a personal connection to the lesson.
This lesson is the perfect beginning lesson to introduce students to biodiversity and the impact the environment has on our lives.
The lesson has the background information, vocabulary, and visuals needed in order to meet the learning needs of younger students.

Prerequisites

Teachers may teach the vocabulary needed for the lesson ahead of time, including the terms carbon dioxide, environment, erosion, oxygen, and sap. Vocabulary cards with pictures may be important for young students to understand the vocabulary and make the connections needed for this lesson.
An anchor chart of what trees take in and give off (visual in lesson plan) can be created before the lesson, or during the lesson with students, in order for students to have a visual to refer back to.
In order to complete the "Trees at Work" project at the end of the lesson plan, teachers may consider prepping the 9 x 12 white construction paper ahead of time, folding or cutting the paper depending on students' abilities.

Differentiation & Implementation

Students can draw a picture of wooden objects found in the classroom and/or at home.
Students can bring in a small wooden toy to make a personal connection to how trees impact their lives on a daily basis.
Students can bring in a snack that has to have come from a tree and do a brief show-and-tell describing what type of tree it came from.
Teachers can highlight the sections that prompt others to imagine a world without trees and transition to a conversation about deforestation, using this writing activity as an extension. Teachers of older students can give a basic rundown of how trees keep our planet cool.
Teachers can use this STEM activity as a way to incorporate building and measurement into the learning segment.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.