Treetures

Autumn is a time for nature to get ready for the upcoming winter. After listening to the book Time to Sleep about the changes of deciduous trees in the fall, learners monitor a tree on a daily basis and view photos of fall foliage online.

Young scholars identify different leaf types. They examine their patterns, shapes and colors. They complete a worksheet to end the lesson.

Pupils examine the animals that live in trees. They identify their sounds, footprints and droppings. They draw pictures of the animals as well.

Students complete experiments in which they test the amount of humus in soil samples. They record their data and discuss the results. They write a story about soils to end the instructional activity.

Students investigate the basic parts of tree flowers and their role in pollination. They study the process of pollination and fertilization of flowers and trees.

Learners investigate the growth of plants in soil with oxygen and soil without oxygen. They discuss what roots need to survive, and chart the growth of two plants to analyze the difference between plain soil and soil with two earthworms.

Young scholars discuss the positives and negatives of composting. They plant their own plant using composting material and record results. They create a poster for the classroom.

Students identify the parts of tree flowers. They examine the role they have in pollination. They discuss trees that do not flower as well.

Students examine the various things trees give us. They read the book, "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein, cook a food using a tree fruit, create notepads using unused paper, construct a picture frame with twigs, and write a poem.

Students discover the benefits of composting. They identify the steps of decomposition as well. They are read a book and discuss what items decompose.