A Little Bit More
© Box-elder seeds (samaras) in winter
I realize that the cycling information on our unit poster is basic to most of us, but too often we just don’t take the time to really “see” these cycles each year. How many years have you realized that you missed seeing the flowers on a given tree, for instance? Don’t get the impression that ALL trees produce flowers and seeds – they don’t! Young trees do not begin flowering until they reach maturity. Maturity doesn’t imply size (small members of a species may flower) but it does imply a certain age before this occurs.
American Hornbeam flowers
As noted in the poster, trees do vary in their yearly cycles but have patterns that are similar. The oak used in the diagram is one of the deciduous trees so they typically lose all of their leaves each year (some oaks may hold their leaves through winter though) and have bare branches for a time. The conifers, on the other hand, retain their leaves (conversely, there are some that lose their leaves) all year and although they do replace leaves, are never without some on the tree. But in general, the yearly cycle is repeated in much the same way for all trees. Just being aware of these cycles can help you take note as the year progresses and makes trees all the more enjoyable to observe.
Activities
Science & Art – Changes
Objectives: See firsthand how trees change over time
Materials: Mature tree nearby, notebook and pencil, (camera optional)
No doubt the most obvious activity with this unit is to choose a tree and observe its changes through the seasons. Select a mature tree (old enough to produce flowers/fruit) and have your students observe specific branches from time to time. Have the students document in a notebook (with words and sketches) the date, weather conditions, and appearance of the branch(es) they’ve singled out. They should note bud swelling, leafing out, flowers, seeds, changing leaf color, and leaf drop.
If you want to get really “fancy” you can have them take some digital photos so the changes can be saved for comparison. At certain times of the year, change will be slow but at other times, change will happen quickly – this should be an eye-opener for everyone! Even with trees all around us, we rarely take a good look at what’s happening – this is your chance.
Key Concepts
Structures and Functions, Scientific Method/Approach, Life Cycles, Growth and Development, Environmental Issues, Behavior and Regulation, Adaptations and Diversity
Questions
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