How a Tree's Structures Help It Survive
Melissa J. Stewart, Nancy Chesley · 2023
Students learn how a tree’s internal and external structures help it live, grow, and reproduce. Take the students outdoors, and invite them to observe an oak or other deciduous tree closely and draw a picture of it in their Wonder Journals. The children may also wish to draw seeds, fruits, or flowers that appear to have fallen off the tree. Encourage students to label at least three of the tree’s parts, or structures. It’s best to skip over the double-page spread that discusses a tree’s crown, which is a group of structures and doesn’t have a distinct function that contributes to a tree’s survival. The children should feel free to respectfully disagree with one another. They may also ask questions or offer their own insights.