Activation Activity #2

Exploring Trees in Our Local Greenspaces

(due date: Monday September 23, 2024)

 

Let’s get out and explore our place! This activity will focus on finding trees that are significant or native to our area in the Metro Vancouver Area, including Hume Park.

Watch this video that tells about a culturally significant tree in another area. After watching, it’s your turn to explore our trees, and learn about tree characteristics, medicinal and cultural uses, and why these trees are important to people and nature.

The story of Nanaboozhoo and the birch tree

Here are a few online resources you may choose to explore:

You may want to use other online sources and online or print field guides.

We would like families to modify the amount of writing depending on the age of your child/children. You can scribe/print for your child if needed.

 

Grades K/1/2/3/4

  • Explore your local green spaces and complete the worksheet Trees of the Lower Mainland
  • While you are exploring the trees in your neighbourhood, make bark and leaf rubbings for two or three different trees to compare
    • Lightly rub a crayon horizontally over paper placed over the bark or leaf, rubbing just hard enough to have the texture appear on the paper
    • Write one or two sentences telling what similarities or differences you noticed.
  • Choose one tree to focus on and answer the following questions using pictures, words, and sentences.
    1. Where did you find the tree?
    2. What is something you noticed?
    3. What other plants or animals did you notice near the tree?
    4. What is something you wonder?
    5. How is this tree used by Indigenous peoples or by you?

Items to Hand-In (due Monday, September 23):

  1. Worksheet grid with observations/samples
  2. Bark/Leaf rubbings and written comparison
  3. Response to questions

 

Grades 5/6/7/8

  • Explore your local green spaces and complete the worksheet Trees of the Lower Mainland
  • Choose one tree to focus on and answer the following questions in one or two complete sentences.
    1. Where did you find the tree?
    2. What did you notice growing or living near the tree?
    3. How is this tree connected to the other living and non-living things in the environment?
    4. What question do you have about this tree? What would you look for next time you visit this tree?
  • Choose two trees to research. Try to find several information sources about the tree including information about its economic importance, importance in the biome, cultural significance, and uses as medicine or food. Keep a list of sources. Write 1 to 2 paragraphs.
  • Using a Venn Diagram, compare and contrast the two trees you have chosen to research. Add a title.

Items to Hand-In (due Monday, September 23):

  1. Worksheet grid with observations/samples
  2. Response to questions
  3. Research about two trees and their importance and uses (list sources, 1-2 paragraphs)
  4. Venn Diagram – Comparison of two trees