Investigation Purpose
Students explore the ubiquitous phenomenon of trees as living plants. They discover that trees are similar in a host of ways --they have leaves, branches, a trunk, and usually invisible roots--but they are variable in many ways--shape, size, location, leaf pattern, and bark.
Content
Trees are living plants. Trees have basic needs: light, air, nutrients, water, and space.
Trees have structures: branches, leaves, trunk, and roots.
Trees differ in size and shape.
Trees provide resources for animals, including people.
Practices
Observe trees in the yard using their senses.
Compare trees for similarities and differences.
Communicate observations made about different kids of trees, orally and through drawings.
Identify trees as resources in everyday life.
Investigation Pacing Guide - October
Equity Practices for PBL
Place-Based (Possible Field Trips)
...or any local park near your school with trees!
Family Engagement & Connection
If you are planning on hosting a tree planting event or would like trees to share with your students, consider partnering with these organizations:
Additional Books for Investigation 1
Take a look in your class, school, or local library for books about trees and nature. Here are some examples of high-quality trade books for this investigation:
A Tree is Nice - Janice May Udry
Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees for Kids - Gail Gibbons
Trees (A Compare and Contrast Book) - Katharine Hall
What's in a Tree? - Martha E.H. Rustad
A Tree in the Ancient Forest - Carol Reed-Jones
Branching Out: How Trees Are Part of Our World - Joan Marie Galat
Call Me Tree/Llámame Arbol - Maya Christina Gonzalez
A Grand Old Tree - Mary Newell DePalma
Who Will Plant a Tree? - Jerry Pallota
Tree Lady - H. Joseph Hopkins
When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree - Jamie L.B. Deenihan
The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng - Sophia Gholz