As you are hiking through the woods you can ask students if they could help locate a rotting log along the trail. Try to look for a log that can be turned over either by one person or the group. When one is found ask some leading questions and add others as you see fit:
“How do you think the tree died? How long do you think it's been dead?”
“What kinds of things do you think would like to live in a rotting log?”
“Is there anything alive in the log now? Let's see!”
“Now, first, how should we turn over the log so we don't harm any living creature?”
Have the students carefully turn over the log to look and see what life is there. Demonstrate how to view creatures with your magnifying glass. Then show how you sketch a few of the critters in your journal carefully labeling it with the date, time, outdoor temperature and the name of the creature. Invite the students to open their journals do a simple sketch of the log and find a creature of interest to sketch.
Notice also if there are plants around or in the log. Discuss how they are interconnected. Finally brainstorm together about how the log benefits the ecosystem of the forest.
Bark rubbings
Materials
cardstock and paper
different colored crayons with paper removed; some students may like to do their rubbings in natural tones, others in brighter colors
several trees in the backyard to choose for rubbings
Procedure
hold the cardstock on the tree bark
unwrap the paper from the crayon
lay the crayon flat and rub vigorously (careful to not put a hole in paper) until you get a clear image of the bark
variation: draw a line down the middle of a new page do one bark rubbing on one side and a different tree's bark on the other side of the line for comparison
students can size and cut the rubbings to fit in their journals or glue onto colored paper or construction paper to be mounted on a wall or made into a card or stationary or any other creative means of displaying their work
Adopt a tree activity and journal weekly about trees
Materials
nature journal
colored pencils and a pencil with a sharpener
magnifying glass
optional printout per interested child of the below questions or write them in your journal ahead of time to read off to students in the field to give them the option of what activities they may be interested in trying. Can model any of these activities in your teacher journal
Date: Time:
Location:
Suggested activities to go in their journal:
Name your tree
hug your tree
Look at your tree's bark with a magnifying glass. Describe it's pattern in your journal.
Describe your tree.
How big do you think it is?
How old do you think it is?
Why did you choose this tree?
Using a field guide can you find out what kind of tree it is?
Leading Questions How do you identify trees without their leaves? What does a maple bud look like? What about the twig of an oak tree?
Procedure
Gather different tree and shrub twigs
Lay them out in an open area either outdoors (on a blanket) or indoors (on a table).
See if you can guess which kind of tree each one belongs to and why you think it belongs to which type of tree.
Notice each twig's different characteristics and compare different twigs with each other. How are they different, alike, thickness, weight, how do they feel?
Purpose: to learn more subtle ways of identifying the plants that live around us. After possible ID or at least a descriptive attempt, we test the twigs' density and elasticity to see if they would make good quality bow woods. For example, Vine maples are heavy and very resilient when being bent, which make them good quality for a potential bow.
Additional Notes:
Pay attention to your descriptive language as you describe the tree twigs. Our language reflects our level of connection and, in turn, our level of awareness of the objects around us.
Are all needled trees "pine trees"?
Is any shrub with thorns a "sticker bush"? In a sense, yes they are. It is a way to categorize many different species together.
By taking a look at different twigs, that revealed that there was more than one "pine tree". You may find the Eastern Hemlock, Ponderosa Pine, Spruce and more!
Next time you are at your sit spot, or on a walk outside, take a closer look at the twigs of some nearby trees. It matters not if you have a proper name for them, but really look at the details. What stands out to you? How does it smell? How does it feel?
You'll certainly learn something. Make a drawing, take a photograph and share it with us on your student blog!