Explorers have been learning how to identify the genus and species of a tree by the distinctive characteristics of its leaves. But, what about when autumn comes and the leaves fall? Evergreens are still easy to spot, but the deciduous trees are trickier to tell apart to the untrained eye. We recently learned about how to distinguish different trees by their bark and by other clues: seed pods, berries, nuts, growth patterns, size and shape.
We made bark and leaf rubbings of our adopted trees and compared the results for different species. We recorded observations about the changing season and how sunlight hours and temperature are affecting our individual trees. We also looked for signs that our trees are offering a habitat for other living creatures.
We each had a chance to spend some time visiting our special trees, sketching them and writing stories and poems in their honor.
We demonstrated our trust for one another by partnering up to be blindfolded and led in a lesson on identifying trees by the sense of touch. We learned that our other senses were heightened and more powerful when our sense of sight was taken away. It was pretty amazing that we could find and recognize a tree we had been introduced to, but not seen, by the texture, shape, and surface of its bark.
Janaka displayed Ninja-like powers of observation and reflex when Lily had to go back to get her forgotten field journal.... Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long until she came back to lead the way to more trees.
Joseph and Lily really got to know their Black Walnut tree.
Watch out for that picnic table, Sovah! Some Explorers demonstrated an extraordinary sense of trust for one another.
Emma wrote a poem to her beloved "Munson's Plum" Tree, which we have been told is a national champion in longevity for this species. It is so old and tired that it is sitting on the stump of another tree.
Lily made a beautifully detailed sketch of her adopted tree.
We also measured the circumference around each tree and made a chart, back in the classroom, to record the circumference, genus, species, and other data about each Explorer's adopted tree Each Explorer used this data to find the difference between the circumference of our tree to the circumference of his or her head! (A few Explorers had heads with a larger measurement in circumference than their trees.)
5th Grade Explorers have also been studying Eratosthenes, a Greek librarian, mathematician and geologist who figured out how to measure the circumference of the Earth over 2000 years ago. They learned about Archimedes, who "discovered" Pi. 5th Graders taught a lesson about circumference to the 4th graders and helped them measure the circumference of the discus that each team designed for our upcoming Olympics (the week after Thanksgiving Break).
