Posted By Melissa on August 19, 2010
This week I have just begun a study of deciduous trees with my youngest daughter who’s in Kindergarten. My two oldest children are far beyond learning about the basics of trees. So it’s been a joy to just focus on getting to know the basics of a tree again with her.
Today we got outside to observe a smaller red maple tree that is growing in our front yard. I figure with her being so small it was just the right size for her to see all the parts of the tree. We will be regularly observing this same tree throughout the coming year to watch the changes, she’s very excited about that! We are calling it “her” tree.
We first talked about the tree from top to bottom, observing and naming the parts: leaves, branches, trunk, roots. We discussed further the color, shape, feel and size of the leaves and even went into the basics of photosynthesis (I used that big word but went on to explain that it is how the leaves make food for the tree). She was amazed that leaves can feed the tree! We picked a few leaves off to observe more closely and set them aside to make rubbings later.
We also talked about the branches and how the leaves grew off of them. Getting under the tree and looking up gave us a great view of how the branches spread out in different directions.
Then we moved on to the trunk, looking, feeling and discussing the trunk’s purpose (to give stability to the tree [make it strong] and bring water up from the roots). We notice there was a few damaged spots on the trunk and guessed what could have made them.
Last, but not least, we talked about what was beyond our view, underground…roots. Even though we cannot see them on this particular tree, they are certainly there, giving the tree an anchor and bringing water to the trunk to take up throughout the branches and leaves. Sometime soon I will take her down to the bigger trees by the creek to observe some uncovered tree roots.
We also discussed that the tree grew from a seed and that we would be seeing the seeds on the tree soon. And most importantly, we discussed who made the seed. She replied, “Daddy put the tree there.” To which I replied, “Yes, he did, but who made the seed which grew the tree.” Then the light came on for her as she shouted, “God!”
Then came the super fun part…making leaf rubbings! This was her first time doing this (on her own at least) and wow did she get into it!
She was ther
e for about an hour. And guess what? My almost 14 year old daughter just couldn’t resist joining her, for old time’s sake. Our refrigerator is now wallpapered with leaf rubbings!
All of the activities and observations I did can be found in the Delightful Deciduous Trees study. Activities for younger and older children can be found in the study.
Now is a GREAT time to start a year-long study on deciduous trees, right before the change of seasons begins.
Category: Delightful Deciduous Trees Activities |
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Tags: deciduous trees, leaf rubbings, parts of a tree
I recently had the wonderful opportunity to review the 
