Grade 4

Tree poetry is exactly what it sounds like – a poem about a tree! Students observe a tree in the natural area or at home, and create a poem about it. Encourage students to spend some time with their tree, learn its story and write down important points. Then have students create a poem of their choice (rhyme, haiku, etc.) to share its story. Wrap up: students share their poems, and revisit proper poem structure in class.

Discuss plant parts (twigs, buds, bud scars, bark, leaves, seeds, etc.) and species identification. Explain alternate and opposite branching. Students choose a plant and complete the worksheet by drawing, measuring and recording information about the plant. Use pictures and guide books to try to identify the plant. Wrap-up: what characteristics of plants can we use to identify them during winter?