Tree Identification Lab
Objective:
The purpose of this lesson plan is to learn how to
recognize and identify some of the different types of plants and trees
in the southeastern U.S.
Introduction:
The tree is one of
the most beautiful and useful products of nature. We use trees for
many of the things we need to survive. The oxygen we breathe is produced by trees. Trees
provide the wood we use to build shelter. Some trees produce syrup for the
pancakes and waffles we eat for breakfast. Trees provide shelter and food for animals.
In this lesson you will learn about the characteristics used to identify trees.
You can identify a plant in several ways: by its type (shrub, vine or tree), leaves, flowers, bark, shape and fruit.
Materials
- Book on Trees and Plants of the Southeast
- Notebook with list of assigned trees
- Pens and Pencils for drawing and writing notes
- Magnifying Glass
Activity:
- In groups of four, go on a Nature Trail or just out in the
woods. Your teacher will assign each group 20 trees to find and identify.
- Choose a role for each person in the group:
- One person will collect one leaf for each tree.
- Two people will write notes on each tree.
- One person will trace the leaf on a separate sheet of paper for each tree.
- Use the book if you need any help. After your group is done, turn in one project with all the work completed.
All the notes and drawings should be in the order of the list of assigned trees.
Write the questions and answers on a separate sheet of paper, and staple it to the list, notes, and drawings.
Questions
- Describe the trees that you observed. Include observations like
the size and shape of the tree, and type of leaves.
If the tree was flowering or bearing fruit, note that also. What color flowers? What kind of fruit?
- Name any fruit type trees that you observed in the activity. Did you know they were fruit trees? How?
- Identify the trees with flowers, the flower type trees.
- Name two deciduous trees.
- Name two coniferous trees.
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