School and Group Programs

Earth Sciences and Writing

 

 

Students will participate in a service project in their own community to gain an understanding of stewardship and will learn about basic plant needs.

In addition to the beauty, shade and habitat trees provide, they create oxygen and contribute to clean air. Many Washington communities encourage volunteers to help plant and care for trees.
It's important to select trees native to where you live. Native trees occur naturally in a particular area. They provide food and shelter for native animals. Invasive tree species originate elsewhere and are brought to an area by people, often accidentally. Invasive species have survival and reproductive characteristics that out-compete native plant species, so they can take over habitats formerly occupied by native plants.

  1. Tree saplings
  2. Soil
  3. Shovels
  4. Hoses or watering cans and a water source
  5. Hand lenses
  6. Bug boxes (optional)
  1.     Research which native trees grow best in your local park, neighborhood, or schoolyard. 
  2.     Contact plant  nurseries for advice about where, when and how to plant and care for trees. Ask them to donate saplings.    
  3. Obtain necessary permission to plant trees.    
  4. Contact local utility companies to avoid planting where there are hidden pipes or cables. Inquire at local nurseries, park agencies, or rental companies about whether they can donate an auger (a machine that digs holes quickly) and someone to operate it.    
  5. Brainstorm with students what a plant needs to survive. Introduce what's needed for planting: water, soil, and tools.
  6. Teach students how to use tools safely.    
  7. Divide students into planting teams.    
  8. Go to the planting site. If you haven't obtained the use of an auger, have students dig holes slightly larger and deeper than the pots holding the saplings.
  9.  While one student from each team digs, other students examine the soil with hand lenses. They can examine any worms, insects or other creatures they find.
  10. Students remove the trees and all attached soil from the pots and place them in the holes.
  11. Students pat down the soil to eliminate air gaps, which can damage roots.
  12. Place the bugs and worms on the soil to allow them to burrow back in.
  13. Water the trees.
  14. Take photos of the students with the trees.
  15. Designate students to take care of the trees afterward according to the instructions received from staff at the plant nurseries.

 

  1. Create interpretive signs about the tree species and the value of tree-planting.
  2. Learn about the underground animals observed, drawing them and writing about life underground from the animals' perspective.
  3. Write to government officials informing them of their project. Post any responses.
  4. Write a letter to the local newspaper, accompanied by photos of their activities. 
  5. Chart the growth and changes observed in the trees throughout the school year



 


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