Build a Tree
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Provided by: Green Schoolyards America|Published on: July 23, 2026
Activity - ClassroomScientist Reviewed
K12
Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this collaborative role-play activity, students act out the different parts of a tree, so the whole class becomes a living model of a tree.
- As students take each position with its own movement and sound, such as roots slurping up water and leaves soaking up sunshine, they learn what each part does and how the parts work together to help a tree survive.
Subjects: Science, Visual and Performing Arts
Authors: Green Schoolyards America
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Classroom Implementation:
- This activity works best outdoors or in a classroom-sized space where students can move and be loud.
- The role-play activity requires no materials and engages students' body movements, making it a good launch or break to a calmer lesson.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
- Science:
- After modeling the tree with their bodies, have students draw and label the parts of a tree.
- Find a tree outside and have students point and touch the different parts of it.
- Performing Arts:
- Treat the activity as a guided drama experience in which students use body, gesture, and voice to represent a character or role.
- Have students audition to be different parts of the tree by silently acting with just body movements.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Green Schoolyards America
Green Schoolyards America partners with school districts and public agencies across the U.S. to establish large-scale living schoolyard programs that transform school grounds into ecologically-rich, park-like green spaces. Our goal is to improve children’s health, learning, and happiness while contributing to communities’ ecological and climate resilience.
We are working to change the paradigm for school ground design, use, and management so all children will have access to the natural world in the places they already visit on a daily basis. We center equity in our work and collaborate with communities that have the greatest need for educational, environmental, health, and open space improvements.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
