This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My 4th grade students are not able to spend a lot of time outdoors because they live in a dangerous, high crime part of the city. Their opportunities to spend time observing nature first hand are extremely limited.
These tree samples (leaves and seeds) will help them become aware of the diversity of plant life in their community. It will then help them identify trees whenever they are out in the city, and strengthen their awareness of the plant life around them.
Most of my students are visual learners; and having real samples of seeds and leaves will help them connect names and information to tree names. When they see a seed or leaf or tree outdoors they will have the ability to connect to their learning in our class and know more about their world. It will make their science class learning more relevant to their life; and hold their interest in learning.
These preserved samples will help students of all learning styles; visual and kinesthetic in particular. The tree identification activity (sets of cards that will be laminated so they last for many class uses!!!) will then reinforce their learning as students learn to use a dichotomous key to identify a particular tree type.
I teach 120 4th graders; so the game materials need to be laminated to make it most efficient; no need to keep duplicating game pieces. These two activities: the seed/leaf samples (preserved, so reusable) and the dichotomous activity will work to move student learning of these life science concepts as it engages them in their learning, making it more meaningful and therefore worth remembering and understanding.
You help will ensure students have the opportunity to learn using real world samples of tree parts that they cannot collect for themselves. The second activity will help them learn how to analyze their observations to help them identify a specific plant type. The students will be engaged, excited learners. Thank you!
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Breitberg NBCT and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
