This lesson teaches students the benefits urban trees provide, including stormwater capture, pollution absorption, wildlife habitat, noise reduction, cooler temperatures, and mental and physical health benefits.
Students hear a story about differing points of view on a street tree, do a mindfulness and micro-observation activity in a green space, and use thermometers to find local heat and cool islands on the school grounds.
Students connect what they find to Wisconsin's warming climate and consider how a healthy urban forest can reduce urban heat island effects on hot days and warm nights.
Infrared thermometers or other means of measuring outdoor temperature (one per group of 2-4 students)
One mini magnifying glass per student
Blank sheets of paper
Printouts of activity resources
Classroom Implementation:
Use this lesson on its own or as a sequence with the rest of the urban guide unit (Lesson 1, Lesson 3, and Lesson 4).
This lesson runs 65-90 minutes and includes one story-based activity plus two outdoor components, so plan for outdoor time and weather-appropriate clothing.
Emphasize the safety rule that students must never point an infrared thermometer's laser at anyone's eyes.
The mindfulness activity uses a five-senses countdown and before-and-after mood check-ins, which can support social-emotional learning alongside the science content and can be made into a classroom routine.
Differentiation:
Adapt this lesson to your context by switching the background information in the "Urban Heat & Climate Change" section relevant data about your state.
Follow age-based recommendations provided by the lesson authors to target the lesson to your students' grade level.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
