Preschool Science Tree for Interactive Learning
Children Learn About Growth, Seasons, and More
Oct 17, 2008
The science tree was designed by Trisha Lynn Reed, a teacher at Reynoldsburg United Methodist Preschool in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. The tree can be a visual aid for explanations about growth and changing seasons during group times. It can also be used for exploration and discovery when used as a classroom learning center.
Several content areas, ranging from word recognition and vocabulary acquisition, to sequencing and measurement of time, to recognizing ways environments support life, are presented in a way that children enjoy.
Constructing the Science Tree Uses Simple Materials Plus Creativity
The learning materials are based around a simple tree pattern. The tree is drawn on heavy brown paper, with bark texture and other details added with marker, then cut out and laminated for durability. The size of the tree will be determined by the size of the magnetic board available in the classroom.
Homeschoolers can use this idea on the refrigerator door. All the pieces are backed with magnet tape.
Additional pieces will include leaves and flowers, which may be cut from fabric or paper or purchased from a craft store, cut out and laminated shapes of apples, pears, nuts, or other tree fruit, insects such as bees and ladybugs, which may be paper cut-outs or small toys, and pictures of birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other tree-dwelling animals. Raindrops, a bright yellow sun, and snowflakes demonstrate environmental changes. All thin paper pictures should be backed with heavier paper and laminated. A decorated box or basket holds the pieces in use.
Incorporating Word Recognition and Vocabulary Acquisition
Cards with appropriate words, such as tree, branches, flowers, roots, apples, etc. are printed on sturdy paper and laminated. When the tree is used to demonstrate changing seasons, cards with the names of months and seasons are used as well. Literature extensions include The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree,by Gail Gibbons, [Voyager Books, 1988] and Apples, Apples,Apples, by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace, [Winslow Press, 2000] .
Teaching Sequencing and Measurement of Time
In addition to using the word cards to identify the current month and season, the pieces for decorating the tree should be changed seasonally. Teachers use the tree to help preschool children to understand the sequence as the year progresses. Questions that arise naturally, such as how long it takes for an apple blossom to become a ripe apple, offer perfect opportunities to discuss units of time.
Learning How Environments Support Life
The sun, raindrops, and snowflakes are used to demonstrate how nature provides water and energy to the growing tree. Teachers change the materials in the basket as the year progresses, so the tree is ever-changing and new lessons are often suggested. In autumn, the leaves can be changed from green to red and yellow. Ripe fruit can be added. On rainy days, teachers add the raindrops to the basket. As winter approaches, fewer leaves are available to put on the branches. Snowflakes appear. A white snow cover could be added to the bottom of the board, with cut-out animal tracks and animals to match. Spring brings new, green leaves, more animals, raindrops, and flowers. Vocabulary cards are switched to match the changes. Possibilities are as limitless as the teachers’ creativity.
Science Tree Ideas Will Grow
These lessons featuring concepts in language arts, math, and science are just the beginning. Many other additions and extensions will be discovered by teachers and students alike when the science tree becomes a part of the classroom.
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