Curiosity Creek

Getting to Know a Tree

Materials :

The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein

Paper, pencils, crayons or markers

Camera

Magnifying glass

Measuring tools

Marble notebook (your Tree Log)

Bag or backpack

Directions :

Read Shel Silverstein’s story, The Giving Tree and stop at the part when the little boy begins to grow up.

Go back to the beginning and examine each illustration. Ask your child to describe the tree on each page: its size, shape, number of leaves, location of the branches, etc.

Gather your tools (camera, Tree Log & pencil, measuring tools, and hand lens) and put them in a bag or backpack. Take your child’s hand and set out for a walk.

Walk in your yard, your neighborhood, or through a local park.

Find a tree you both like.

Take a picture of your child and the tree.

Ask your child the same questions about this tree as you did about the tree in the story: its size, shape, number of leaves, location of branches, etc.

Collect a leaf to bring home and save in your Tree Log.

Once you get home, sit down with your child and open your Tree Log. Label the first page: Visit #1 and the date and time. Write or draw the answers to the questions you asked about your tree using all the details you remember!

Go back to visit your tree as often as you like. Each time remember to record your observations in your Tree Log. Try to take a picture of your child and the tree at least once each season.

Follow Up :

This extension activity will not only document how your tree changes, it will also record how your child grows from visit to visit! Point out the differences you see comparing the photo from your first visit with one later in the year. Encourage your child to do the same. Just as the tree is growing and changing, as the year goes on, their observations and the ways they record their data will become more detailed and sophisticated. You are both in for a treat!

Creator :

This activity was created by teacher-librarian Angela De Silva.

Printables :

Coming soon!