Help young scientists connect with nature and learn about trees with a fun life science activity. Heading out into the school yard, children choose a tree to adopt, taking measurements, writing descriptions, and drawing sketches of it in...

Help young conservationists appreciate the important role that trees play in ecosystems around the world with this collection of six engaging activities. From a shared reading and class discussion of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax,...

What will your class learn in a curious tale of a fungus, a virus, and a chestnut tree? Biology scholars discover the world of viral biocontrols through a DNA restriction lab. Groups research the decline of the American chestnut tree at...

In this trees lesson, 4th graders read the book, A Tree is Growing and complete a KWL chart on how trees grow and how they are used. Students research the symbiotic relationship of humans and trees, create tree collages, plant a...

In this water cycle instructional activity, 3rd graders conduct an experiment where they observe and calculate how water transpires in different types of trees.  Students engage in a class discussion and use Venn Diagrams to compare...

Young scholars study a shopping problem. They discuss strategies for determining the number of possible choices. They create a tree diagram and an organized list. Students analyze patterns and derive an equation for the multiplication...

Fourth graders explore the uses of trees, In this trees lesson, 4th graders discover the uses of trees and how we use them everyday. Students collect items and decide if they are made from trees, have a scavenger hunt for wood products...

Compare what shells look like on the outside with what makes that happen on the inside. Scholars begin by sorting an various seashells by their physical characteristics into phylogenetic trees. They then conduct a DNA comparison of...

Students identify trees based from their leaves. In this leaf lesson plan, students use The Rocky Mountain Tree Finder by Tom Watts in order to identify tree leaves. They look for leaf shapes, veins, and structure.

Students study the use of trees in art.  In this investigative lesson students create art using leaf rubbings and develop a classification method for trees. 

Fifth graders learn about hereditary traits and family trees. In this heredity lesson, 5th graders act out a family tree skit and complete a 'trait summary' worksheet. Students then complete the 'Paint's Family Tree' worksheet. Students...

Second graders examine the artwork of Robert Harris and discuss how trees are an important part of their lives. In groups, they discover how people's use of the environment has changed over time and describe the climate and vegetation...

Measure a tree? Yes, measure a tree! Students get outside and measure a tree's trunk, crown, and height. Each group compares their answers to determine if any re-measuring is necessary. Once back in the classroom, students make bar...

High schoolers work in pairs to determine the age of a tree using two different methods in this experiment. They collect data about how trees change over time.

Students participate in a service project in their own community to gain an understanding of stewardship. They learn about basic plant needs. Students brainstorm what a plant needs to survive. They write to government officials informing...

Students observe the two major developmental pathways (protostome and deuterostome). They analyze data regarding differences in nucleotide sequences and construct a phylogenetic tree. They observe the similar evolutionary history shared...

In this wood products lesson, students walk to a forest near their school where they sit by themselves for a few minutes and quietly observe their surroundings. Students brainstorm wood or wood by products, discuss everything we get from...

Kids observe, classify, and measure tree leaves with a scientific eye. They examine leaves, group them according their attributes, and use standard units of measurement as they compare their sizes. They access a web site to learn how...

Sixth graders investigate logging and the process of paper making.  In this forestry activity, 6th graders analyze pictures of trees being processed into the paper they use everyday.  Students solve and create math problems...

Students work together to measure tree heights. They make predictions on what they believe the calculations are and answer questions during the experiment. They share their results with the class.

Young scholars examine the role of trees in their lives. They identify products that come from trees and their uses. They are read a book about trees as well.

Students draw a picture of their favorite tree from memory, and then add detail as they learn more about leaf characteristics of Virginia trees. They will use their writing skills to nominate one or more of their favorite trees to the...

Students work together to complete an experiment calculating the amount of board footage in a tree. They record their data and answer questions at the end of the lesson plan. They create their own hypothesis as well.

Students work together to determine how fast trees go. They make predictions and complete simple measurements. They answer questions to end the lesson.