• Views 29
  • Favorites
Photo via Pexels

Author

Paleontological Research Institution

Grades

3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th

Subjects

Science, Biology, Earth and Space Sciences

Resource Types

  • Worksheet
  • Activity - Classroom

Regional Focus

Global

Format

PDF

Climate in a Tree Stump

|
Ask a Question

Synopsis
  • This student activity teaches students about dendrochronology, the study of tree rings.
  • Students will discover what scientists can learn from a tree stump, including the age of a tree, the climate when the tree was growing, how trees grow in differing conditions, and how extraordinary circumstances can impact the tree's rings.
  • Students will evaluate the tree rings provided, answer questions, and make a timeline for the events.
Teaching Tips

Positives

  • This worksheet delivers meaningful information succinctly, and is extremely engaging. 
  • The activities included are buildable and can be very hands-on, which is excellent for visual and kinesthetic learners. 

Additional Prerequisites

  • The resource does a great job delivering information, but students would benefit from prior knowledge on the parts of trees and how they grow. 

Differentiation

  • This resource lends itself well to a gradual release delivery, where the teacher guides students through the first activity and questions on page one and then students work individually or in groups to complete the activity on page two. 
  • The tree timeline activity can be completed on a nature walk, using pre-cut pieces of wood, or using printed pictures of wood rings. 
  • As an extension, consider having students seek out and photograph a tree ring on their own. This could be accomplished in their yards or neighborhoods, or by searching images online to evaluate.
Scientist Notes
The resource underscores the techniques in estimating the climate of a place using a tree ring. The activity is appropriate and recommended for teaching.
Standards

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.

  • Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
    • LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
      • MS-LS1-5 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
      • 4-LS1-1 Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
      • 5-LS1-1 Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water.
  • Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
    • Reading: Science & Technical Subjects (6-12)
      • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
      • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.10 By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
  • College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
    • Dimension 3: Developing Claims and Using Evidence
      • D3.4.3-5 Use evidence to develop claims in response to compelling questions.
    • Dimension 4: Communicating and Critiquing Conclusions
      • D4.2.3-5 Construct explanations using reasoning, correct sequence, examples, and details with relevant information and data.
  • Related Resources

    Reviews

    Login to leave a review