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This lesson is about the distribution and density of trees in urban areas and how that relates to environmental justice.
Step 1 - Inquire: Students explore a spreadsheet, map, and two graphs showing urban forest cover and its connection to wealth and race.
Step 2 - Investigate: Students watch two videos and take notes on the benefits of trees.
Step 3 - Inspire: Students complete a written reflection noticing the distribution of trees near their homes.
Students examine the spreadsheet linked on slide 7 of the slideshow.
Students write down noticings and wonderings on slide 7.
Select students share their noticings and wonderings with the entire class.
Teacher shows slide 8 and says, “Today we will look at where trees are in cities and what that does to the temperature.”
Teacher shows slide 9, pointing out the map in the bottom left. Teacher says, “You can see the little green dots in the inset map here in Los Angeles show that certain areas of Los Angeles have more trees than others. This area of dense green dots is up in the hills northwest of downtown LA in a richer neighborhood.”
Teacher shows slide 10 and explains that the richer areas of cities have more tree cover.
Teacher shows slide 11 and says, “Now this is a tough graph to interpret. But let’s look at it for a while.”
Students turn and talk to try to make sense of this graph.
Students will realize that richer areas of cities (from left to right on the graph) are less densely populated, more forested, older, and whiter.
Type: Scientific Report or Paper
Teacher says, “Now we know one major benefit of urban trees is that they lower the temperature. Remember that, in general, richer parts of cities are cooler than poorer areas of cities. We saw that in the Providence, RI-MA urbanized area there is a 5.4°C (9.7°F) difference in temperature between the poorest and richest census blocks.”
Teacher creates groups of 2-3 students.
In groups, students write down as many benefits of trees as possible while watching two videos.
Willing students share out their lists with the rest of the class.
UN FAO
Benefits of Urban Trees
Type: Video (1 minute, 15 seconds)
Types: Video (5 minutes, 25 seconds), Interactive Media, Article, Assessment
Students complete a written reflection.
Guiding questions on the assignment include noticing how many trees are near their homes and if they notice any connections between wealth, race, and age.
Positives
This is an engaging lesson because it is so personal. Students will think about tree cover where they live and how that relates to demographic data.
Additional Prerequisites
It is necessary to share the slideshow with your students before beginning the lesson. All students will be writing in the same slideshow.
Reduce nearby outside temperatures
Reduce amount of energy used for heating and cooling buildings
Absorb carbon dioxide, thus mitigating climate change
Filter urban pollutants and fine particulates
Provide habitat, food, and protection to plants and animals
Provide food for people
Increase biodiversity
Provide wood that can be used at the end of a tree’s life
Improve physical and mental health of people
Increase property values
Create oxygen
Provide shade for people and animals
Control stormwater runoff, protecting water quality and reducing the need for water treatment
Protect against mudslides
Help prevent floods
Improve air quality
Increase attention spans and decrease stress levels in people
Improve health outcomes in hospital patients
Differentiation
Teachers can use the glossary at the end of the slideshow at any point throughout the lesson to help students understand vocabulary.
The spreadsheet and the graph on slide 11 might be tricky. Encourage your students to turn and talk to one another for help.
