Introduction to: “Do You See the Trees?” (Activity 1)

The purpose of this activity is to introduce children to the tree curriculum, and to engage Teachers will use this activity to identify children’s current knowledge about trees by asking direct and indirect questions such as:

           

“What do you know about trees?”

“Why do we have trees?”

“Where do you think trees come from?”

“What if there were no trees?”

“Do we need trees?”

“Does everybody need trees? What about animals?”

“What do trees look like?”

Use student’s responses to prompt and extend group and one-on-one discussion. Record student responses and ideas for future reflection and lesson plan building. 

By participating in this exchange you are supporting the following Common Core Standard(s) for Kindergarten and Grade 3 (See http://www.corestandards.org for additional standards, including Grades 1 &2):

SL.K.1. Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

• Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
• Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges.

SL.K.4. Describe familiar people, places, things, and events and, with prompting and support, provide additional detail.

SL.3.1. Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

• Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion.
• Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion).
• Ask questions to check understanding of information presented, stay on topic, and link their comments to the remarks of others.
• Explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion.

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

• SL.3.4. Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.