Trees Study

Exploring The Topic

WHY INVESTIGATE TREES?

Trees fascinate children and spark their curiosity and wonder.  Close your eyes and think of your childhood memories that involved trees.  Did you ever climb a tree?  Did you play chase and hide behind a tree?  Did you lie down under a tree and wonder whether it touched the sky?  Did you ever try to wrap your arms all the way around a tree?  Did you wonder why there are holes in trees and what's inside them?  Di you every imagine what the world would be like without trees.

This study builds upon children's interest in trees to help them explore science and social studies.  Rather than emphasize naming different trees, this study focuses on helping children develop an understanding of the characteristics of trees and their role in our natural and man-made worlds.  During the study, children use skills I literacy, math, technology, and the arts to investigate and represent their knowledge about trees.

FOCUS QUESTIONS

1.  What are the characteristics of the trees in our community?

2.  Who lives in tress?

3.  What food comes from trees?

4.  Who takes care of trees?

5.  How do trees change?

6.  What can we do with parts of trees?