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Brief Description
Complete the chart to show the locations and sizes of
some of the biggest trees in the United States.
Objectives
Students will
- use the Internet (or printed sources) to locate information.
- fill in missing information on a graphic organizer (chart).
- use chart data to answer questions.
Keywords
Trees, biggest, size, chart, graphic organizer, circumferences,
height, measurement, Arbor Day, spring
Materials Needed
- computer with Internet access (or a printed copy of the
appropriate online resource)
- a copy of the Big
Trees work sheet
Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students use The National Register of Big
Trees to identify some of the largest trees of different species
in the United States. They then complete a chart by filling
in the blanks, and answer questions about the completed chart.
For more than 50 years, the organization American
Forests has documented the largest know specimens of U.S.
trees. The result is The
National Register of Big Trees. You can find the complete
register online; see the Register.
Provide each student with a copy of the Big
Trees work sheet and have them use the Register
of Big Trees to fill in missing information.
This activity can be completed in the computer
lab or in your classroom's computer center. If computer access
is a problem, you might create a booklet of pages for each
tree listed on the work sheet. Or: you might contact American
Forests and ask if they would provide a set for classroom
use.
After students have filled in missing information on the
chart, they should be able to answer the questions at the
bottom of the page. You can find an Answer Key for the student
work sheet in the Assessment section below.
Extension Activities
- Use the National
Register of Big Trees to determine which species produces
the tallest tree in the United States; which has the largest
circumference; and which has the widest spread?
- Use the chart on the student work sheet to make up additional
questions that involve students in solving word problems
and using math skills. For example, questions might include:
-- How much taller is the tallest Douglas Fir than the Giant
Sequoia? (20 feet taller)
-- What is the difference between the circumference of the
largest apple tree and the circumference of the largest
orange tree? (122 inches)
-- Which big tree is taller -- the Sugar Maple or the American
Mountain-ash? (Sugar Maple) How much taller is it?
(3 inches)
Assessment
ANSWER KEY:
Apple (Common) -- 40 feet
Douglas Fir (Coast) -- 512 inches
Magnolia (Southern) -- 92 feet
Maple (Red) -- 276 inches
Mountain-ash (American) -- Virginia (VA)
Oak (White) -- 312 inches, 116 feet
Orange (Orange) -- California (CA), 34 feet
Sequoia (Giant) -- 1020 inches, 274 feet
Sweetleaf -- 43 inches, 32 feet
Walnut (Black) -- Oregon (OR), 438 inches
QUESTIONS:
1. Douglas Fir; 2. Giant Sequoia; 3. Black Walnut
Lesson Plan Source
Education World
Submitted By
Gary Hopkins
National Standards
MATHEMATICS: Number and Operations
GRADES 3 - 5
NM-NUM.3-5.3
Compute Fluently and Make Reasonable Estimates
GRADES 6 - 8
NM-NUM.6-8.3
Compute Fluently and Make Reasonable Estimates
GRADES 9 - 12
NM-NUM.9-12.3
Compute Fluently and Make Reasonable Estimates
MATHEMATICS: Measurement
GRADES 3 - 5
NM-MEA.3-5.1
Understand Measurable Attributes of Objects and the Units,
Systems, and Processes of Measurement
GRADES 6 - 8
NM-MEA.6-8.1
Understand Measurable Attributes of Objects and the Units,
Systems, and Processes of Measurement
GRADES 9 - 12
NM-MEA.9-12.1
Understand Measurable Attributes of Objects and the Units,
Systems, and Processes of Measurement
MATHEMATICS: Problem Solving
GRADES Pre-K - 12
NM-PROB.PK-12.1
Build New Mathematical Knowledge Through Problem Solving
NM-PROB.PK-12.2
Solve Problems That Arise in Mathematics and in Other Contexts
NM-PROB.PK-12.3
Apply and Adapt a Variety of Appropriate Strategies to Solve
Problems
MATHEMATICS: Connections
GRADES Pre-K - 12
NM-CONN.PK-12.3
Recognize and Apply Mathematics in Contexts Outside of Mathematics
SCIENCE
GRADES K - 4
NS.K-4.3
Life Science
NS.K-4.4
Earth and Space Science
GRADES 5 - 8
NS.5-8.3
Life Science
NS.5-8.4
Earth and Space Science
GRADES 9 - 12
NS.9-12.3
Life Science
NS.9-12.4
Earth and Space Science
SOCIAL SCIENCES: Geography
GRADES K - 12
NSS-G.K-12.1
The World in Spatial Terms
TECHNOLOGY
GRADES K - 12
NT.K-12.1
Basic Operations and Concepts
NT.K-12.5
Technology Research Tools
Find more great springtime lessons on Education World's
Spring Lesson
Plans page.
Click to return to this week's Lesson Planning article, Trees
Sprout Classroom Lessons Throughout the Year.
Originally published 04/18/2003
Last updated 03/20/2009
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