Join a young adventurer on a quest for the perfect tree in A Tree for Me by Nancy Van Laan. The tale weaves together rhyme and rhythmic elements that
encourage collaborative reading. Adults will have the opportunity to learn the valuable skill of comparing and contrasting through the use of a Venn diagram.
Each of the lessons can be used alone or together to support family literacy programs:
Adult Education: Build compare and contrast skills by creating a graphic organizer to illustrate the similarities and difference in two texts about trees.
Parent/Caregiver Education: Discover the power of rhyme and rhythm in early reading through identifying patterns in A Tree for Me.
Interactive Literacy Activity: Experience the rhythm of A Tree for Me through a DIY shaker creation activity (in development).
Early Childhood Education: Children create a perfect tree with a variety of objects and materials!
Additional Activities:
Nature walks give children a chance to explore their local environment, observe the trees and plants around them, and learn how to identify different types of leaves. Collect leaves, acorns, and seed pods while walking to sort according to type, color, and size. Examine the color, texture, and shape of the leaves to determine which species of tree using the handout provided or take part in a nature scavenger hunt.
These collected natural materials can also be used to create found art inspired by the works British artist and environmentalist Andy Goldsworthy. Utilizing elements from nature to produce temporary works of art is a wonderful way to tap into the beauty of the natural world. It's important to check with a grown-up about what is okay to use and safe to touch. You don't need any tools for this activity, only your creativity and imagination.
Another great activity to do with collected leaves is to create leaf rubbings. Place a leaf on a flat surface with the vein side 
facing up. Put a piece of paper on top of the leaf. Using the long side of a crayon, with the paper removed, gently rub over the paper to reveal the texture and shape of the leaf.
Use pipe cleaners, beads, and buttons to build your own tree. Or make an edible tree from pretzels and grapes by arranging pretzels to look like the trunk and branches. Use cut grapes around the branches to look like leaves. This activity is not only delicious, but it also promotes creativity, fine motor skills, and healthy eating habits!
Teaching children about nature and the environment can even start in the kitchen! Regrow celery by cutting the stalks about 1-2 inches from the base and placing it in a shallow bowl with warm water. Set it in a sunny spot and change the water every 2-4 days. In a week, a new celery stalk will emerge from the center of the base. After about two weeks, the celery roots will develop and will be ready to be planted in soil. Romaine lettuce, potatoes, and onions can be regrown in a similar way.
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| Nature Scavenger Hunt | Tree Varieties | Counting Rhymes |