HUMAN IMPACT ON TREES
Lesson Objectives:
At the end of the workshop, students will be able to:
Identify and demonstrate the stages of tree growth
Distinguish between different types of trees
Recognize the importance of trees to the survival of humans
Engage in a collaborative discussion about what they can do to protect trees
Connect their daily actions with the impact it has on the planet
Essential Questions:
How does the growth timeline of trees relate to the impact of deforestation?
In what ways does deforestation relate to human and environmental health?
What factors contribute to the rate of deforestation?
How can we help conserve trees?
Explore our resources
Click on the images to access each resource (available as a PDF or webpage)
Take-Home Guide
Information for parents & legal guardians (available in English and Spanish).
Información para padres de familia y tutores legales (disponible en Inglés y Español).
Standards Alignments
Explore the ways our program aligns with CCSS + NGSS standards.
Vocabulary
Explore relevant vocabulary related to the CiS workshop.
A Walk Among Trees
Go on a nature walk and observe the trees around your school!
Tree Rings Coloring Page
Color the tree rings and figure out which tree is the oldest!
Social Emotional Learning
“The Giving Tree” story and open circle discussion!
Reading Resources
Explore our staff picks for your students!
Additional Video Resources
Explore relevant videos here!
Read-Along
Read-Along with CiS Educator
Challenge Teacher Guide
Completing this challenge will help your school become a CiS Certified Sustainable School!
Challenge Student Guide
Print this worksheet for your students to complete!
Lesson Reflection
Print and send home this reflection activity to show families what their student learned.
Background Information
Do you know what the largest living thing on earth is? It’s not a whale, a giraffe, or even an elephant. It is TREES! Trees are one of the most valuable, important, and impressive things on Earth. While they eventually can grow to be extremely large, they all start out as a tiny seed.
TYPES OF TREES
Some common trees we see here in New England, are oak, pine, maple, birch, beech, elm, and cherry trees. The seeds, leaf shape, size, and bark texture are all great tools to use to help identify them. One very recognizable seed shape is the maple tree seed that looks like helicopter spinning around when it falls. Another is the acorn from an oak tree. Lastly of course is the pinecone with lots of little seeds located in the middle of the cone.
trees as a natural resource
Trees are considered one of the most important natural resources on Earth. Their value to the earth is demonstrated in many different ways. Tons of different kinds of animals rely on trees for their habitat like squirrels, many different kinds of birds, sloths, monkeys, bats, frogs, many different kinds of insects, and so many more. We also get different kinds foods from trees. Apples, oranges, lemons, nuts, peaches, plums, bananas, coconuts, and so many other foods are grown on trees. Trees also provide us with clean oxygen to breathe and are an excellent carbon sink, taking in excess harmful carbon dioxide that is causing climate change. Lastly, trees provide humans with valuable resources like wood and paper for various items and objects we need.
How to help
Unfortunately, humans are cutting down trees at an alarmingly fast rate mostly for creating space for farmland. Humans demand for meat and dairy continues to rise, which increases the need for cattle farms. Something to help this issue is to reduce your own personal meat consumption- even just one day a week! Another thing we can do to help, is recycle our paper, and purchase recycled wood and paper products whenever possible. This helps ensure that the paper and wood products we use are not cutting down new trees for these products.
