Educator Handbook: Trees and Flowers
TREES AND FLOWERS
GRADE LEVEL: 4 - 8
OBJECTIVE:
Students will be able to identify common trees and flowers found at the Fall of the Ohio and recognize the ecological niche that supports their existence.
MATERIALS:
Paper suitable for rubbings of leaves and bark Charcoal pencils or large crayons Overheads or charts of leaf characteristics Overheads or charts of flower characteristics Hand lenses (magnifying glasses) Tree and flower identification books
PROCEDURE:
1. Individually or in small groups, have students “adopt” a tree for this project. Keep the group in a relatively small area so that everyone is not out of site.
2. Make rubbings of the bark and leaves.
3. Have children use the tree books to identify the leaf samples.
4. Discuss how leaves are identified by their shape, color, size, margins, and venation. Have students describe the bark pattern of their “adopted” tree.
5. Hike the Woodland Loop Trail, identifying the trees along the way. What differences are observed between the trees in the upper woodland and those in the lower woods along the riverbank.
EXTENSIONS / EVALUATIONS:
6. Have students use the flower books to identify the samples of flowers and weeds.
7. When exploring the riverbank area, note how the roots anchor the tree to the ground.
8. Display the rubbings of bark and leaves at school. Make sure they are correctly labeled.
9. Have the students write a poem or a story about nature at the Falls.
10. Have students draw a picture of one of the trees or flowers in the park.
Maple leaves Aster 33
Created January 26, 2010 |
