The Wonderful World Of Trees
Learning Sequence
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Introduction
In this lesson, we’ll take our students on an exciting adventure to explore the wonders of trees from all seven continents. We’ll learn fascinating facts about trees, their importance in supporting each other and the ecosystem, and the connections they create in nature.
The focus is on global citizenship, encouraging students to see themselves as part of a larger world community. By understanding the significance of trees worldwide, we’ll foster a sense of connectivity with others in our school community, promoting environmental awareness and appreciation for the natural world.
Get ready for an exciting adventure as we embark on a journey to discover the wonders of trees from all seven continents of the world. Throughout this expedition, we will be exploring the fascinating facts about trees, their significance in supporting each other and the ecosystem, and the vital connection they create in nature.
So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready to tour the globe, learning about these magnificent beings that shape our planet’s beauty and life! Let’s set off on our expedition to unravel the mysteries of trees together!
By the end of this course we will not only understand trees in more detail but we will also learn more about ourselves.
Course Keywords
Introduce the spelling word list and choose from this list of tasks that can be repeated and expanded upon if necessary.
Copy the words into a spelling list/vocabulary book for later reference.
Put each of the new words into a sentence and underline the new vocabulary in red pencil
Place the words in alphabetical order in a list.
Use a dictionary to define each of the words and place them into a vocabulary book.
Try to represent each of the words using a picture or a symbol and play the guessing game. (which image is matched to which word)
Write a paragraph containing all of the new vocabulary.
Make a vocabulary wall containing all of the new words.
Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for the words and create a synonym list.
These words will help you during this course. You may already know some of these words however practice makes perfect!
First, read the words and then try to define them as simply as possible.
An example has been completed for you. You can write these into your books, and draw a picture to match or simply complete the task card.
Comprehension Activity - Trees and Forests
Allow the students to use the video and the information on the task card to discuss and answer the questions, define the worlds and discuss the topics on the task card opposite.
This session should involve lots of verbal interactions and allow children to consolidate their knowledge through healthy discussion and sharing of ideas and concepts.
Take a look at the comprehension task card opposite.
First, read the discussion questions and spend a few minutes talking about these before you start the task.
Once your discussion is over, it is time to define the keywords within the vocabulary list. Take a look at these words and attempt to define them with your partner.
Once this is done, try to answer the two sets of questions associated with the video you have just watched. You may want to watch the video again whilst you answer the questions.
Once complete, share your answers with your partner or the rest of the class and see if everyone else agrees with your answers.
Finally – take a look at the follow-up activity and end the session with a healthy chat and discussion about what you have just learned.
Tree Research - Treesearch!
In this lesson, students will explore the fascinating world of trees, emphasizing teamwork and research skills. Working collaboratively in groups, they will investigate various aspects of trees, unveiling their hidden secrets.
Through thorough research, students will discover amazing facts about different tree parts, encouraging them to develop strong teamwork and communication skills. They will present their findings to the class, fostering a collaborative learning environment that enhances their research abilities and appreciation for the natural world.
Trees are often portrayed as boring, woody giants that stand still among other trees, seemingly doing nothing special. However, during this activity, we want you to discover the hidden secrets of these amazing organisms.
Together with a group of research friends, your task is to use the task card provided and uncover the most fascinating facts about the different parts of a tree (I have listed them for you).
Once you have gathered these intriguing facts, it’s time to record them on the task card opposite and share them with the people in your class, enlightening them about just how amazing these organisms truly are.
The Importance of Trees - Poster
In this engaging lesson, students will explore the remarkable benefits of trees while focusing on graphic design and research skills. They will gain a deeper understanding of the value trees bring to our lives.
Through research, students will identify ten ways trees help humanity and use this information to create visually appealing posters. By employing graphic design techniques, they will communicate their findings effectively. The posters will be displayed in prominent locations, promoting awareness and appreciation for trees within the school and local community.
Now that you understand how amazing trees are, it’s time to spread the word to others. Many people take trees for granted, walking past them in the street or the local park without realising how much they do for us.
This activity empowers you to use your newfound knowledge and share it with the world. Create a poster, similar to mine, listing ten ways you believe trees help all of humanity. Once complete, your job is to display it somewhere noticeable, such as the local shop, post office, or even in the school newsletter.
Let’s tell the world about the incredible wonders of trees and raise awareness of their importance!
Making Connections - Let's Learn From the Banyan
In this independent activity, students explore the importance of independence and community engagement. Through the story of Ravi, who finds hope and connection at the banyan tree, they learn about building meaningful relationships within the community. The 7-day connection challenge task card encourages students to take proactive steps towards fostering harmony and peace in the community. By achieving simple goals independently, they realize the power of their actions in uniting the community, just like the interconnected roots of the banyan tree.
During the introductory video, we learned the story of Ravi, who found connection and hope at the base of the banyan tree.
Connections are crucial in a community to foster harmony and peace among its residents.
On the opposite side, you will find a 7-day connection challenge task card. Your objective is to download it and try to complete all nine tasks within 7 days. By attempting to achieve these simple goals, we can witness our community coming together, much like the trees in a forest with the roots beneath the mighty banyan tree.
Connection is key!
Save a Local Tree - Tree Health Checklist
In this activity, students will investigate the health of trees in the school community. They’ll form groups and conduct a tree health survey, spotting potential issues through a quick survey. Emphasize the importance of safety by ensuring an adult accompanies them during the process.
Teachers must be vigilant about safety throughout the investigation. Once identified, students will create plans to assist distressed trees, fostering a sense of responsibility and environmental awareness while prioritizing their well-being.
Your objective is to gather a group of people in your school community and take a walk around your local area or playground to assess the trees’ health.
We’ve created a quick survey to help you spot trees that may need assistance. Trees can’t speak, but they show distress through changes in their leaves’ color.
Your job is to find a tree that needs help and create a plan to ensure its survival and well-being. Always follow guidelines and have an adult with you when conducting the ‘tree health survey.’ Your next challenge awaits below!
Making a Plan
In this final activity, students will learn the importance of teamwork, critical thinking skills, and time management through a tree-saving project. After identifying a tree that needs help, they will collaborate in groups to create a well-organized action plan. This process will require critical thinking to assess the tree’s needs and devise effective solutions.
Students will learn to manage their time effectively to accomplish tasks within a designated timeframe. By working together, applying critical thinking, and managing time efficiently, students will develop valuable life skills while making a positive impact on their environment.
Once you have found a tree that may need your help, your job is to create a plan for its rescue. A task as significant as this requires teamwork, just like following a complicated recipe for a delicious cake. The recipe for success here is all about organisation.
We have prepared a ten-point action plan to guide you in saving that tree, and we can’t wait to see the results of your hard work.
Take a look at the plan, follow the steps, and feel free to make any revisions you think are necessary.
You are doing a TREEmendous job! Keep up the great work!
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Before and After (Photo)
Throughout this course, students have worked hard to learn about trees, their significance, and special features. The final activity encourages reflection on their journey. By comparing “before and after” collages, students witness the tangible results of their efforts in saving a tree.
This reflective exercise allows them to grasp the impact of their actions and feel a sense of accomplishment. It reinforces the lesson that success goes beyond grades and percentages, emphasizing the importance of learning, growth, and making a positive difference in the world around them.
The success of your hard work during this course has nothing to do with grades, points, scores, or percentages. Throughout this course, you’ve learned about trees, their importance, and their special features, but you’ve also saved a tree in the process. Now, during this final activity, you get to witness the results of your efforts.
Take a look at the “before and after” collage of an unhealthy tree compared to a healthy one. With your tree in mind, create your unique photo collage using the provided template. It’s a chance to be amazed at what your community has achieved in saving a distressed tree, proving to the world that anything is possible.
Helping a Struggling Tree – Your Mission!
Your students have completed their tree health survey and identified a struggling tree. Now, in small groups or pairs, they will follow a structured checklist to help restore the tree’s health. They must work carefully, seek teacher approval before making changes, and document their progress with before-and-after photos. This hands-on project fosters teamwork, environmental responsibility, and real-world learning. Encourage reflection and observation as they track the tree’s recovery and witness the impact of their actions.
Great job, Tree Rescuers! You’ve already found a tree that needs help, and now it’s time to bring it back to life.
Work in pairs or small groups to follow your Tree Rescue Checklist and make a real difference. But remember:
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Be careful – some trees have weak branches or delicate roots. Work gently and respectfully.
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Get teacher approval – before adding mulch, compost, or water, check with your teacher to make sure it’s safe and suitable for your tree.
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Take before-and-after photos – this will help track the tree’s progress and show the amazing impact of your work.
By working together, you’re helping nature, fighting climate change, and making your community greener. Keep checking on your tree over time and celebrate the changes you see. Let’s bring this tree back to life – one step at a time.
Trees Around the World
In this lesson, students will embark on a global adventure to research and discover the world’s most incredible trees. Working collaboratively, they’ll conduct research on various trees from each continent to complete a captivating slide deck.
Encouraging creativity, they’ll redesign the presentation to make it truly unique, with captivating images, intriguing facts, and fascinating statistics. The lesson emphasizes research, creativity, and presentation skills, as students craft well-crafted paragraphs to describe each tree. The grand finale will be sharing their slide deck with the class, sparking wonder and excitement as they explore the wonders of our amazing world!
It is now time to take a trip around the world and research some of the world’s most amazing trees.
Take a look at the presentation opposite which is incomplete, and with a group of other biologists, conduct your own research on different tress of the the world to complete the seven continent slide deck.
Get creative and redesign the slide deck to give it a unique touch. Remember, every continent deserves a spotlight showcasing a tree that’ll leave everyone in awe. Don’t forget to add captivating images, intriguing facts, fascinating statistics, and a well-crafted paragraph to describe each tree in detail.
Once we’ve finished, we’ll have the chance to present our slide deck to the rest of our class. Who knows, maybe someone in the class has already encountered one of these magnificent trees in real life! So, get ready for an unforgettable journey as we explore the wonders of our amazing world!
Create a Story
Students will create a picture book that brings a tree to life, helping them understand the importance of trees while sharing a meaningful message. They will first explore The Happiest Tree for inspiration, then use a Canva template to design their own illustrated story. Completed books can be uploaded to the Upschool library for others to read, and students have the option to purchase a hardback copy of their work. This project encourages creativity, storytelling, and environmental awareness.
Now that you have a deeper understanding of the importance of trees, you will create a picture book that brings a tree to life and shares a valuable message with children.
Take a look at the example opposite, The Happiest Tree, a book about a tree and her two animal friends. Then, use the Canva template to create your own story about a tree that comes to life.
Remember, your story should have a strong message and beautiful illustrations. Once it’s finished, you can upload it to the Upschool library for the world to read. You can also purchase your own copy and hold your very own hardback book in your hands!
Be creative and let your imagination run wild!
