Provided by: The Nature Conservancy |Published on: May 22, 2023
Lesson Plans Grades 3-5, 6-8
Synopsis
This Nature Lab lesson centers on the importance of trees through a virtual field trip, supporting activities, games, and reflections that explore how incredibly important trees are to human health, ecosystems, and the climate.
Students will learn some of the many benefits trees provide, how trees sequester carbon from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, and what they can do to conserve, protect, and restore forests.
There are two extension activities in which students can feel a sense of agency in planting and caring for their own tree.
Students are able to test their knowledge after watching the video with the link to the provided Kahoot game!
Additional Prerequisites
The two Vimeo videos do not have closed captioning or subtitles (but they can be downloaded), while all of the included YouTube videos have CC and subtitles (but cannot be downloaded).
The tree identification key link will take you to a page that no longer exists on dec.ny.gov.
Prior to this lesson, it would be beneficial to teach students about greenhouse gases, their impact on the environment, and how they get into the atmosphere.
Differentiation
Students can extend this lesson by doing a study on different types of trees. Students can research how to care for that particular tree, and the unique benefits that type of tree can provide.
Science classes can connect this lesson to units about photosynthesis, the carbon cycle, the water cycle, air pollution, heat and radiation, or ecosystems.
English language arts classes can create persuasive writing to convince others to plant new or protect current trees.
Students can do a project for further research on the movement to plant a billion trees and related movements, creating a brochure with information on the movement.
This lesson can be used to supplement units in science classes on climate change, greenhouse gases, conservation, climate solutions, or habitats. Students can look at the importance of trees in all of these areas.
Students who struggle with auditory processing and/or multilingual students may benefit from slowing the video's playback speed and/or using the closed captioning/subtitles functions on the video.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
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Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. The Nature Conservancy has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world.
Related Teaching Library Resources
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