Rose Wagner

Lesson Plan
EDU 481/ Sharon Kelley
April 4, 2013
The Parts of a Tree
Objectives and Goals
Science Content Standard 1: Students, through the inquiry process, demonstrate the ability to
design, conduct, evaluate, and communicate the results and form reasonable conclusions of
scientific investigations.
1.4 Use models that illustrate simple concepts and compare those models to the actual
phenomenon.
Science Content Standard 3: Students, through the inquiry process, demonstrate knowledge of
characteristics, structures and function of living things, the process and diversity of life, and how
living organisms interact with each other and their environment.
3.5 Create and use a classification system to group a variety of plants and animals
according to their similarities and differences.
Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and
Technical Subjects
1. With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in text.

Writing Standards
8. With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather
information from provided sources to answer questions. Include sources by and about American
Indians.
Anticipatory Set

Write leaves, trunk, branches, and leaves on the board and ask the class to think about
what it means.

Ask if they can figure out what the words are all parts of.

Ask if they think trees are alive.

Ask if the parts have a job.

Write the objective on the board.

o Students will be able to correctly label the 4 parts of a tree.

Direct Instruction

Read and discuss Are Trees Alive? by Debbie S. Miller. Have students identify with the
parts in the book.

Label the four parts of a tree using Tree-Part Booklet page and labels.

We heard about the parts of the tree in our book, but trees have four main parts; the roots,
the trunk, the branches, and the leaves.
o The leaves make food for the tree and provide shade for the roots.
o The branches hold the leaves and spread them out so the leaves can get lots of
sunshine, and they also transport the food and water.

o The trunk holds the tree up and carries food and water from the roots and the
leaves back and forth for the tree.
o The roots get food and water from the soil, store energy, and provide support for
the tree. The roots of a tree grow underground.

Addressing learning modalities

o Audio learners will be able to listen to the story and participate in the discussion.
o Visual learner will see the pictures in the book and the diagrams in the Tree-Part
Booklet.
o Tactile/Kinesthetic learner will be up and moving throughout the reading of the
book to identify their body parts that represent the parts of the tree and they will
be using Velcro labels to identify the Tree-Parts Booklet worksheet.

Guided Practice

Give each student a chance to attach a Velcro label to the Tree-Part Booklet worksheet.

Have students create their own labeled diagram of a tree.

o Roots- unravel brown yarn and glue to the bottom of a piece of paper.
o Trunk and Branches- color the cutout brown and glue above the roots.
o Leaves- glue die cut leaves to the branches.
o Draw a line for the soil and grass to show the roots are below the ground.
o Have students label the four parts of a tree.

Addressing tiered learners

o Higher level learners can do the diagram without a word bank.
o Grade level learners will use the word bank to write the labels on the diagram.

o Low level learners can cut the words apart on the word bank and glue them to the
diagram.
o Provide support for individuals who need help reading the words.
Closure

Have students share their diagrams with the whole class as they finish.

Discuss the parts of the tree with students.

Clear up any misunderstandings.

Tell students we will be learning more about trees over the next couple of weeks.

Tell students Trees are important to humans.

Ask students if they can think of reasons why.

Independent Practice

Assessment worksheet on the four major parts of a tree.

Required Materials and Equipment

Are Trees Alive? by Debbie S. Miller

Four or Five laminated copies of the worksheet Tree-Part Booklet with Velcro to attach
the labels.

Construction paper

Pencil

Crayons or colored pencils

Glue

Word bank or labels of the four tree parts; roots, branches, leaves, trunk

Cut out of trunk and branches for each student.

Leaves

Assessment worksheet on the parts of a tree.

Assessment and Follow-up

Formative assessment
o Make sure students are engaged during direct instruction by participating.
o Make sure students put their label in the correct place during guided practice.
o Walk around during guided practice and make sure students are labeling the
diagram correctly. Make sure that students have labeled the diagram correctly
during the closure before moving on to the summative assessment.

Summative assessment
o Grade the assessment worksheet.

Name ___________________
Directions
Write the letter from the picture in the right column on the blank next to the corresponding word
in the left column that matches the blacked out section of each picture. Each question is worth 1
point.

1. _____ Roots

A.

2. _____ Branches

B.

3. _____ Trunk

C.

4. ______ Leaves

D.