Grade level: Grade 3 and 4.
Provincial curriculum links: Ontario.
Subject: Science and Technology - Life Systems; English Language - Oral and Written Communication.
Keywords: Leaf.
Students observe a chosen tree throughout the spring, watching for signs of "leaf-out" - the time when new leaves reach the size of a quarter. Reports are sent to "Journey North" a web-site for students which tracks migration patterns and the arrival of spring in North America.
Topic: Growth and Changes in Plants
Strand: Life Systems 3s5 3s7 4s4
Specific Lesson Goals:
Students will observe a select tree in their neighbourhood, gathering and recording data on a regular basis throughout the early spring.
Topic: Language
Strand: Oral and Visual Communication 3e55 3e27 4e2 4e67
Specific Lesson Goals:
Students will contact Journey North and provide updates of their observations, keeping track of the arrival of spring in North America on maps which are available through the Journey North Web site.
Students will share their work with the school and community.
maple tree or trembling aspen (poplar) tree near the school that students can visit on a regular basis
paper
pencils
digital camera
internet connection to Journey North
Visit the Journey North website (http://www.learner.org/jnorth) and find the Leaf-Out page. The website introduces students to a global study of seasonal change and migration patterns. Each spring, one of the signs of spring that has been identified is the leafing out of several tree species. In Ontario, students can adopt either a sugar maple tree or a trembling aspen (poplar) tree.
Students visit their adopted tree on a regular basis. Students may wish to measure their tree - circumference, height, bark rubbing, etc.
Students watch for signs that the new leaves are beginning to open. When the leaves reach the size of a quarter, students send a message to Journey North indicating their tree has leafed out. This sign of spring will be recorded on the official Journey North map, which is updated on a regular basis.
Students make a map of North America and follow the arrival of spring using the data provided by Journey North.
Students prepare a media release for the local newspaper when their tree has leafed out, and invite the media to attend for an "official" spring photo shoot.
What are some local factors that might affect the leafing out of your tree? (i.e.close to a building; growing on a hill; winter snow and temperature)
What other signs of spring can you find to report upon to Journey North?
With the students, develop a rating scale for student participation. Use the rating scale as a self-evaluation tool.
Journey North schools throughout North America track several signs of spring. Choose one or more of the following and report to Journey North - ice out on your local lake, river, or pond; first frog singing; return of red-winged blackbirds; red emperor tulips blooming; maple syrup run. Check out the web site and send in your data.
Searching for signs of spring can only be done outside - being outside helps us become more in tune with our surroundings. Raising our awareness of seasonal changes helps us become more connected with those changes and more intent in keeping our environment healthy.
There are many activity adventures available on the Journey North website, which will interest students from Kindergarten to OAC. All adventures are geared to outdoor explorations.
This exercise is adapted from: Journey North Web Site. http://www.learner.org/jnorth
Submitted by: Evergreen <wheron@evergreen.ca>