If Trees Could Talk Modules

Trees in Your Own Backyard

Tree-lined city street.  Photo  courtesy of 
City of St. Louis Department of Parks and Recreation and Forestry.

OVERVIEW

Trees in Your Own Backyard has students survey trees in the schoolyard and itemize their various benefits. They will consider human impacts on trees in the city landscape and the responsibility of citizens for reserving the urban forest.

Image Caption: Tree-lined city street. Photo courtesy of 
City of St. Louis Department of Parks and Recreation and Forestry.

OBJECTIVE

History
  • The student will evaluate the effectiveness of domestic politics in addressing environmental issues.
    (Era 10, Contemporary United States: Standard 1A)
  • Social Studies
    • The student will practice forms of civic discussion and participation consistent with the ideals of citizens in a democratic republic.
      (Standard X, Civic Ideals and Practices, d)

    STATE STANDARDS

LESSON PLAN

OVERVIEW

Teacher Preparation:

Download and print: Module 7 Teacher and Student PDFs using Adobe Acrobat.

For Day 1 activity: Make copies of the "Trees in Your Own Backyard" essay for each student in your classroom. Next make copies of Worksheet 1 and Worksheet 2 for each student.

Day 2 activity: Obtain a map for the school yard (aerial photographs can usually be found at (Mapquest or Google Earth.) Obtain a clipboard for every pair of students. Next make copies of Worksheet 3 for each student.

Day 4 activity: Make copies of the Cooperative Forest Assistance Act of 1978 and Worksheet 4 for each student group.

DAY ONE
DAY TWO
DAY THREE
DAY FOUR
DAY FIVE