Easy as Can Be to
Pick the Perfect Tree
a WebQuest for
Grade 1 and Primary M.H.
by Michele Polchak
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Introduction
An important decision must be made. You are on
a committee to find the perfect tree for our school to plant. Your job is to research
trees. You must choose a tree that will be easy to care for, will live well in our
climate, will not be too expensive, and will make our school more beautiful. Make the
decision carefully because this tree will probably be here for many, many years.
The Task
At the end of this project, your team will have a poster illustrating your chosen tree.
The poster will have a picture of where the tree will be planted in relation to the
school. You will write a paragraph in "Write Along" about your tree. Along
with your poster and paragraph, your team will make a 3-5 minute oral presentation to
another first grade class. In the presentation, you will describe reasons for your choice.
On-Line Resources
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/chf/pub/tree_kit/student/index.html
http://www.oplin.lib.oh.us/products/tree/
http://slisweb.lis.wisc.edu/heather/fall.html
http://www.domtar.com/arbre/english/
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/odnr/color/
http://www.arborday.org/planting/planting.asp?event=
http://www.mobot.org/MBGnet/sets/temp/index.htm
http://www.treemusketeers.org/tm/index.htm
http://www.sciam.com/askexpert/
Other Resources
Apple Tree Through the Year by Claudia Schnieper
The Life and Times of the Apple by Charles Micucci
How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro
The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
Backyard Explorer Kit by Rona Beame
The Blossom on the Bough by Anne Dowden
Learn About Trees by Peter Mellett, Chris Oxlade
Eyewitness Explorers: Trees by Linda Gamlin
Pine Trees by Marcia S. Freeman
My Favorite Tree: Trees of N. America by Diane Iverson
Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing the Trees by Jim Arnosky
Trees by Peggy Gavan
Trees by Karen Bryant-Mole
Trees by Kate Walters
Trees and Leaves by Althea, et al
Trees Are Terrific by Sandra Stotksy
Trees, Leaves, and Bark by Diane L. Burns
Day 1
- You will be divided into groups of four.
- You will be assigned a role to play.
- The custodian will be investing which tree will be the easiest to maintain. He or she will want to choose a tree that is easy to care for.
- The principal will investigate the importance of planting trees and the materials that must be purchased to plant the tree. The principal will also research the cost and size of the trees.
- The science teacher will research the best location to plant the tree. The science teacher will find the type of climate needed to keep the tree healthy and the durability of the tree.
- The president of the student council will investigate the beauty of the tree throughout the seasons.
- Individually, you will use the books and websites
listed to investigate four trees.
- pine tree
- flowering dogwood tree
- buckeye tree
- apple tree
- You will make notes in your journal about each tree according to your role.
- You will have three hours in class to gather information. Time will be divided in the library, on the computer, and with classroom materials.
Day 2
- You will meet with your groups, each member will discuss his or her notes on the four trees.
- After discussing all the trees, your group will pick the best tree for our school.
- You will design a poster showing your tree planted on our schoolyard. Be as creative as you can.
- You will also write a paragraph using "Write Along" explaining your choice.
- You will prepare an oral report about your tree that you present to another first grade.
Day 3
- You will present your poster and oral report to the other class.
- After each group presents their tree, the two
classes will vote which tree we should buy.
You will be given two separate grades both will be based on the rubric.
Rubric for Individual Work- Journals
Conclusion
Now that a decision has been made about the best tree
for our school, we will buy and plant that tree. We are going to investigate how to plant
a tree. We are also going to learn about how important trees are to us. Do you think it
was as easy as can be to pick the perfect tree?