M2/2.2: Growing Trees near you!
Description
Module 2 'Reforestation' This module is designed to help students evaluate why we need to restore rainforests. Students may produce action projects that will help raise awareness of how issues such as palm oil production contribute to global warming, habitat loss, destruction of species and other global problems.
Learning Objectives
To explore the trees in your local community.
Learning Outcomes:
All students
Most students will be able to explain the importance of tree planting and the impact planting new trees will have on the environment.
Some students will reflect upon the importance of tree growth and it's impact on climate change.
ACTIVITIES
Notes:All resources and website links can be found under assignment documents and assignment links.
Task 1: Name that Tree
Identify three different types of trees that are growing near you. The leaves, the bark, and the shape of the crown or top of the tree are different for every species. Take detailed photos of each tree and create a three-dimensional model using Photosynth, Microsoft’s free software tool available to download (see assignment links below).
VIRTUAL CLASSROOM: A link to your tree photosynths can be posted to the classroom for learners to explore, identify and comment on. Label your file as ‘Tree Photosynths.’
Task 2: Tree Planting Challenge
Consider having your class challenge the rest of the school to help raise enough money to plant native trees in the school yard or the local park. Once the trees have been planted, use Bing Maps to mark the trees on an aerial map of the chosen location. Learners can deepen the detail of their map by adding notes about each type of tree and noting whether or not each tree is native to the local environment or not.
Task 3: Tree Banding Challenge
Join schools around the world and monitor the growth of trees. The Tree Banding challenge is a great way to contribute to vital information to a global database of student-generated findings, thereby collaborating on an important ecological study of how trees respond to climate! We require a minimum of two measurements per year: at the beginning and end of the growing season. You may, however, take as many measurements as you like. The more data we get, the better! For a tree banding kit, please complete the online tree banding kit request form (see assignment links below).
Continue to M2/2.3: Get involved in Conservation »