Trees
Objective:
Create a visual representation of a tree
Key Words/concepts:
Persistence, trunk, roots, leaves,
Overview of Lesson:
Continuing the idea of persistence, I gave the kindergarten students another opportunity to try something they hadn’t done before. We began by talking about trees and what makes something a tree. I took pictures of trees around campus and of the flagpole and we discussed what made something a tree or not a tree. This is a discussion that became philosophical very quickly and the students were indeed stumped when we got to sugar cane. This would be a good extension and application of a classroom discussion about properties of trees or of anything. After discussing trees the students got to build their own tree using the makerspace materials. We had discussed how trees change during the seasons too so the students needed different supplies depending on what kind of tree they had in their mind. At the end the students got to take their creations home with them.
Differentiation by age groups:
I only did this activity with the kindergarten students. It could be scaled up conceptually but seems most appropriate for the younger students
Materials/Requirements:
Makerspace materials- anything that the students can think of that might help them represent a tree
Conclusions/Reflections for the future:
A good straightforward activity to reinforce a recent lesson in the classroom. I would like to be able to more of these extensions that teachers can’t do in their room and that are possible in the STEM Lab with the makerspace supplies. Students had a good general understanding of trees and were willing to give this problem a try.
