Reading and Writing Lesson: Importance of Trees
Lesson Plan
55 minutesGrades2English Language Arts
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Written by Kristen Conroy, Sustainable Jersey for Schools
About this lesson
Students explore their school grounds and learn about the importance of trees and the impact deforestation has on the environment.
Inquire: Students observe trees in their school community and learn why trees are important.
Investigate: Students learn the term deforestation, listen to The Lorax read aloud, and discuss key ideas about trees.
Inspire: Students brainstorm how they can be a spokesperson for the trees or environment, write a response, and draw an accompanying picture.
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Everything you need to teach it
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Suggestions
- This lesson can be taught during a unit on the Earth, in April for Earth Day, or in conjunction with science.
- This lesson can reinforce the skills of making real-world connections.
- The Investigate and Inspire sections can be completed on different days or in separate reading and writing blocks.
- This lesson highlights the importance of conservation.
- Students can work in groups to discuss the different actions they can take to protect the environment.
- Teacher can emphasize the importance of individual actions in combating climate change, using the characters in The Lorax as an example.
- Additional activities include planting a class tree or exploring how the school takes care of the trees on the property.
- Encourage students to take their drawings home and share them with their families and discuss ways they can work together to protect the environment.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 2 of 3 in our 2nd grade ELA Unit: Impacts on Biomes but can be taught as a standalone lesson.
- If the class is unable to take a tour of the trees on school grounds, teacher can take photos of the trees to show the students and bring in examples of leaves, branches, seeds, and/or flowers.
- Teachers can discuss the concept of climate change in simple terms for students, or use one of the kid-friendly resources listed below:
- Introduction to Climate Change (video 2:55)
- Climate Change According to a Kid (video 2:01)
Differentiation
- The Vocabulary Cards slideshow includes parts of a tree and can be used for additional support.
- Students can engage in an optional kinesthetic brain break: Seed To Tree: Yoga
- Sentence starters and frames are included in the Teacher Slideshow and the Student Document.
- Students can write or dictate a story about the trees on the school campus to explain why those trees in particular are important.
From the scientist review
In this lesson, students will identify common trees in New Jersey, gain an understanding of their significance, and come up with solutions to curb deforestation and also restore the environment. This lesson passed our science credibility review.
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About the teacher writers
Kristen Conroy
Kristen Conroy holds a Bachelor of Arts from Montclair State University. She has been teaching since 2004 and has 22 years of experience in elementary education, specializing in science and gifted education for grades K–5. Kristen currently serves as a District Science Specialist for grades K–4 and as a Gifted and Talented teacher, and holds P–3 and K–8 teaching certifications.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools
Sustainable Jersey is a network and movement of municipalities, schools and school districts working collectively to bring about a sustainable New Jersey. Acting with state agencies, non-profit organizations, foundations, academia and industry, Sustainable Jersey researches best practices for what communities could and should do to contribute to a sustainable future.
