Web of Respect

Contents
Lesson Plans
Anti-Bias Books
Resources
Web links
Evaluation
Student Work

Bringing People Together

Nature Binds Us

Grade Level : 1

Objectives

  • To understand several universal human needs.
  • To understand the interconnectedness of life.
  • To learn about three unusual trees in three very different parts of the world.

Vocabulary

These are terms the children should understand and be comfortable using throughout the lesson. In addition to the vocabulary words, one needs to generate a list of synonyms for the word "big." For example: large, huge, humongous, giant, gigantic, gargantuan. These words will be used to describe the size of the trees. 

aerial root - roots that live in the air rather than underground.

gnarled - knotty, rugged in appearance.

wooden pillars - vertical supports made from wood.

canopy - an overhead roof like structure.

Pre-assessment

Using the THINK - PAIR - SHARE model, children exchange knowledge about trees. Children select partners to share their knowledge of how trees help people, and how trees help animals, insects, and birds. The teacher records all ideas on a chart for easy reference as the lesson progresses.

Reading  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Books by Barbara Bash

 

Desert Giant: the World of the Saguaro Cactus
Provides a unique way to look at the interconnectedness of life in the desert of the United States.

 

In the Heart of the Village: the World of the Indian Banyan Tree
The Banyan tree sustains life in a rural village in Indian.

 

 

 Tree of Life: The World of the African Baobab
Documents the life cycle of the amazing Baobab tree of the African savannah, and portrays the animals and people it helps to support.

Activities

 

 

#1 Locating countries on the map/globe
Using a world map or globe, mark the three areas of the world where the trees identified in the books grow: the African savannah, the Arizona desert, and central India. Note: the Banyan Tree also grows in Bali, Florida, the Caribbean and Hawaii.

Materials:

  • world map or globe
  • three small colored stickers 

Procedure:

  1. This activity can be used as an introduction to the reading of each book, or all three areas may be discussed before reading.
  2. A small colored sticker is placed on the map/globe to denote the area of the world where the tree grows.

#2 Filling in chart
After reading each book the children will provide the information requested to complete the chart.

Materials:

  • large comparison chart (see Sample ).
  • colored markers
  • writing paper and pencils 

Procedure:

  1. Have the whole class fill in information under the name of the country where the tree grows, the climate, the tree's physical appearance, and life span.
  2. Divide the class into four small groups.
  3. Select a recorder for each group, or each child can record information individually.
  4. Give each group writing paper and pencils to record information.
  5. One group makes a list or drawing of ways the tree helped people; one group records ways the tree helped animals; another group records information about ways the tree helped insects; and the fourth group records ways the tree helped birds.
  6. The whole class fills in the large class size chart with the information generated in the small groups.
  7. Add to the chart any other information that contributes to the uniqueness of the tree.
  8. After reading the second and third books, have the class compare and contrast the information recorded.

#3 Home Link
Observation of a tree in the neighborhood or in the child's backyard.

Materials:

  • blank chart (for each child to take home)
  • pencil
  • sheet or light colored cloth (provided by parent) 

Procedure:

  1. Observe a tree in his/her backyard or neighborhood for one week.
  2. Record information requested on the chart.
  3. Spread out the sheet or cloth under the tree at the beginning of the observation week.
  4. Observe anything that falls from the tree and anything seen in the tree on the chart. Also record any observation of what was in the tree.
  5. Bring completed charts to school to share.
  6. Compare and contrast his/her tree to the three trees studied. 
Websites

Sierra Club Books, publisher of the Tree Tales Series

A World Community of Trees: An Eco-Art Project in Progress. Students from communities around the world have documented their favorite local trees. Your class might wish to submit a favorite tree.[ by June Julian, New York University]

Saguaro Cactus (Desert USA) Text and plant photos
Kaleidoscope Silhouette of Boabab Tree, Zimbabwe
Poem: The Baobab Tree written by a 13 year old from southern Africa [Curriculum Safari Earth]
A Punjabi Banyan Tree Printable photo of a large banyan tree [Sustainable Arid Development Project, Pakistan]

Books

Desert Giant: the World of the Saguaro Cactus by Barbara Bash. Provides a unique way to look at the interconnectedness of life in the desert of the United States. Sierra Club Books/Little Brown, 1994. (583.47) 

In the Heart of the Village: the World of the Indian Banyan Tree by Barbara Bash. The Banyan tree sustains life in a rural village in Indian. Sierra Club Books/ Little Brown, 1996 (583.96)

Tree of Life: The World of the African Baobab by Barbara Bash. Document the life cycle of this amazing tree of the African savannah, and portrays the animals and people it helps to support. Sierra Club Books/ Little Brown, 1989 (583.19)