My Tree and Me
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In this activity, children compare trees and identify distinguishing features.
Objectives
Provide opportunities and materials for children to:
- Compare the bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, seeds, and twigs of different trees.
- Choose a favorite tree.
- Assemble a group scrapbook featuring favorite trees.
- Express feelings about trees through music, movement, and art.
- Incorporate the knowledge they gain into their everyday world.
- Play outside in a natural setting.
This is one of 12 activities that can be found in PLT’s Trees & Me activity guide for exploring nature with young children. For the complete activity and more like it, purchase Trees & Me at Shop.PLT.org and/or attend a professional development training in your state.
K-2 Early Learning Standards: NGSS, Common Core, and C3 Framework
To help educators link instruction to academic requirements, each Trees & Me activity includes an Early Learning Standards graphic, which lists practices and concepts addressed in the activity for four subject areas: Science, English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies.
The Early Learning Standards Connections in this guide are based on the following national standards:
- Science, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
- English Language Arts, Common Core State Standards-ELA
- Math, Common Core State Standards-Mathematics
- Social Studies, C3 Framework for Social Studies
Correlations to NAEYC Accreditation Standards
Along with academic correlations, Trees & Me activities align with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 10 standards system for early childhood programs.
Based on research on the development and education of young children, the standards define what NAEYC believes all early childhood programs should provide. This document identifies correlations between Trees & Me activities and NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items.
Correlations to the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
PLT identifies correlations between Trees & Me activities and Head Start’s Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), which outlines what early learners should be able to do in each of five essential learning domains.
Correlations identify which Trees & Me activities provide learners with opportunities to develop skills and knowledge in ELOF’s five domains.
Seed School
Seed School Grades K-2 Written by: Joan Holub Illustrated by: Sakshi Mangal Published by: Quarto Publishing Group USA, 2018 ISBN-13: 978-1633223745 Recommended Reading Spend a day at seed school and meet student seeds of all different shapes and sizes. Colorful illustrations showcase the biodiversity of the garden, while the story’s verse helps young readers... Read more »
Tall Tall Tree
Tall Tall Tree Grades K to Grade 4 ISBN-13: 978-1584696018 Dawn Publications, 2017 Recommended Reading Teachers and parents alike can use this book, Tall Tall Tree written by Anthony Fredericks and illustrated by Chad Wallace, to take children on a virtual fieldtrip into the dense redwood forest. Not only will readers experience the grandiose... Read more »
Over and Under the Snow
Over and Under the Snow Grades K to Grade 4 ISBN-13: 978-0811867849 Chronicle Books LLC, 2011 Recommended Reading Even if children do not live in an area that experiences seasonal change, videos and books about snow can help students imagine and understand something they have never experienced first-hand. In this book, a young girl... Read more »
Flashlight
Flashlight Grades PreK to Grade 2 ISBN-10: 1452118949 Chronicle Books, 2014 Recommended Reading What happens when a little boy leaves the comfort and security of his tent to explore the unfamiliar and unpredictable environment that surrounds his camp… in the dark? Armed with only his flashlight, the main character of this book takes readers... Read more »
Hi, Koo!
Hi, Koo! Grades PreK to Grade 3 ISBN-10: 0545166683 Scholastic Press, 2014 Recommended Reading Join a panda bear named Koo and two human siblings as they challenge readers to stretch their minds with twenty-six haikus about the four seasons. Starting with fall, readers of all ages can enjoy not only the fun and frivolous... Read more »
Mud
Mud Ages 3 and up. ISBN: 0152024611 Published by Sandpiper, 2001 Authored by Mary Lyn Ray Illustrated by Lauren Stringer Recommended Reading What happens in spring? What happens before the fruit blossoms, before the daffodils flower, before the grass even grows? Why, mud, of course. In this book, the earth seems to secretly thaw... Read more »
Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?
Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? Ages 3 and up. ISBN: 0873588282 Published by Cooper Square Publishing LLC, 2003 Authored by Carmela LaVigna Coyle Illustrated by Mike Gordon Recommended Reading Do you ever wonder if princesses… climb trees? eat vegetables? play in the dirt? wear torn jeans and a messy old shirt? At the... Read more »
Autumnblings
Autumnblings Ages 4-8. ISBN: 0060092785 Published by Greenwillow Books, 2003 Authored by Douglas Florian Recommended Reading What do you like about Autumn? Flying kites? Apple picking? Trick or treat? Frisbee flicking? This children’s book explores the colors, events, and emotions that the fall season brings, and it serves as a special treat for those... Read more »
When Sophie Gets Angry
When Sophie Gets Angry Ages 2-6. ISBN 0590189794 Published by Scholastic, Inc. June 2004 Authored by Molly Bang Recommended Reading This book, appropriate for ages 2-6, is an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book and winner of the Caldecott Honor (awarded annually to artists for the most distinguished American picture books for children.) It... Read more »
Around One Log
Around One Log: Chipmunks, Spiders, and Creepy Insiders Grades PreK-3 By Anthony D. Fredericks Illustrated by Jennifer DiRubbio ISBN: 1584691379 Recommended Reading Years after a great oak tree tumbles to the ground, a whole community of animals have made it their home. Upon close inspection, the fallen tree is seething with life! Question: Is... Read more »
Pablo’s Tree
Pablo’s Tree Grades PreK-3 By Pat Mora Illustrated by Cecily Lang ISBN: 0027674010 Recommended Reading Each year on his birthday, a young Mexican-American boy looks forward to seeing how his grandfather decorated the tree planted the day the boy was adopted. Authored by Pat Mora, this book embraces new traditions and values, as well... Read more »
Bee My Friend
Poppy is afraid of bees until she begins to learn about all the essential ecosystem services that pollinators—and bees, in particular—provide.
EE Resources
Tree Art
Inspire children to express their appreciation of trees through PLT’s collection of 21 Tree Art Projects for Young Learners.
Find Nearby Trails and Parks
AllTrails is a free app that helps users discover the outdoors. Use it to find a hiking path suitable for children, to search for local places to bike or fish, or to plan a national park visit.
Early Childhood Education
Are you looking for information on the field of childhood education? All Education Schools offers a clearinghouse of resources to explore professional organizations, licensing and credentials, teaching strategies, research, and more – all related to early childhood.
Login to download supporting materials such as appendices and teaching tips.
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