This virtual guide book helps students identify and research trees from the database of 158 species that are found in Canada and the United States.
Students can explore and read about different trees from the list or use the "Identify a Tree" function from the menu and answer questions about their tree, narrowing their search results.
There are geographic references to Ontario in a number of tree descriptions.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The question-and-answer format of the "Identify a Tree" feature makes it easy for students to use independently.
Students can easily search for a tree by name, if the name is known.
Additional Prerequisites
The trees are categorized and identified based on physical characteristics, such as leaf type and position.
Students should know the terms coniferous, deciduous, symmetrical, and asymmetrical.
Creating an account isn't necessary to use this tool, but if students want to save and track their identification, creating an account will allow them to do so.
The trees in the database are primarily those native to Canada, however, many of the trees can also be found in parts of the United States.
Differentiation
Language arts or science students can use this resource to create a field guide for trees native to a specific area.
Students can go on a walk in a local forest (if these trees are present locally) and use this resource to identify the trees they observe.
After exploring this resource, students can participate in discussions about what effect deforestation may have on the abundance of these and other tree species.
Students can play a guessing game where each student picks one of the trees and two students take turns asking each other yes or no questions to help them identify the tree.
It may be helpful to do one tree identification with students first so they know how to use the resource.
Scientist Notes
This resource is provided by the Tree Bee. This website provides a resource for classrooms to identify trees (mostly located in Ontario) based on characteristics that can be determined by young scientists in the classroom. Through a simple series of this or that questions, students can determine the type of tree they are looking at. This resource would be a great addition to a classroom discussion or outside activity that looks to use the skills of a scientist to determine the type of trees found around them.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
MS-LS1-4 Use argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively.
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
MS-LS2-5 Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Informational Text (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.
Reading: Science & Technical Subjects (6-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3 Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6-8 texts and topics.
