Materials
inflatable rubber globe or a 10" to 12" ball
nontoxic paints (blue, green, brown)
paintbrush
magazines
tagboard
Instructions
1. Show the children an apple, a piece of writing paper, a wooden classroom
chair, and a pencil. Ask them what those things have in common. Lead them
to the conclusion that all four came from trees.
2. Ask the children what other things we get from trees or ask them to name
some things that trees do for us (maple syrup, pears, pecans, and bananas all
come from trees; trees provide shade for us on hot summer days).
3. Ask the children to write a thank-you note to the trees on the playground or
around your center. Help the children compose and print a simple message
using a variety of writing instruments on the note paper.
4. Take your notes outside and place them at the foot of the trees for which they
are intended (weighted with rocks to protect them from the wind) or hang the
note on a branch by spearing the paper on a small twig.
Note: After a day or two, thank the tree one more time by recycling the note.
Assessment
Consider the following:
* Are the children able to describe the trees and say what the trees do for
them?
* While helping children print their thank-you cards to the trees, observe
whether anyone attempts to sound out the words.
