Language Arts

Engage the children in a discussion about the different types of trees in your community. Are there any sugar maple trees? Describe your favorite tree to the children. Ask them to think about their favorite tree. It could be a tree they have actually come in contact with or a tree they wish they had. Provide the children with paper and drawing materials and ask them to draw a picture of their favorite tree. Invite them to write or dictate stories about their drawing.

Math

Take children on a walk to collect different types of leaves. When you return ask the children to work in small groups to sort the leaves. Encourage the children to develop their own characteristics for sorting. Provide each group with a large sheet of paper divided into a grid pattern. Ask the children to glue their leaf groupings vertically onto the chart paper. Offer assistance if needed. When the children have finished invite them to share their reasons for choosing their leaf groupings.

Science

A. Talk about the importance of trees in our environment. Trees help us to have fresh air, provide us with food and important products, and provide shelter and food to many animals, birds, and insects. Identify one or two nearby trees for the children to "adopt" and care for. Ask the children to give the tree a name and think of ways they can help to care for it. Develop a consistent schedule to visit and care for their tree.

B. Make a salad with the children using parts of a plant that can be eaten. Ask the children to think of the different parts of a plant (leaves, stems, roots, seeds, and flowers). What parts of plants can we eat? Record the children's answers. Explain to the children that they will make a salad using parts of plants that we can eat: flowers-broccoli, stem-celery, roots-carrots, leaves- lettuce, fruit- tomato, seeds- sunflower seeds, legumes- garbanzo beans. Invite everyone to help prepare the salad. Enjoy this tasty learning experience.