Paper Collages
Discuss with the children how paper is made from trees. Help them think of all the different kinds of paper they use. Let the children each draw a picture of a tree in the center of a large piece of construction paper. Then set out different kinds of paper for them to tear into pieces and glue around their trees in collage form. Use wrapping paper, tissue paper, wallpaper, newspaper, waxed paper, food wrappers, paper bags, facial tissues, envelopes, etc.
Four Seasons
A deciduous tree looks different in each season. Help the children to understand this by having them make trees, one for every season. For each child, you will need four empty toilet tissue tubes and two paper plates. Cut two slits, directly opposite each other, in one end of each of the toilet tissue tubes. Cut the paper plates in half. Have the children each paint their four toilet tissue tubes brown. Then have them use crayons or felt-tip markers to decorate one of teir paper plate halves with blossoms, one with green leaves, one with red and orange leaves, and one with bare tree branches. When they have finished, help them insert their paper plate halves in the slits in their toilet tissue tubes to complete their trees.
Plant-A-Forest Game
Paint a shoebox brown and cut six slits in the lid of the box. Number the slits from 1 to 6. Cut six tree shapes out of green construction paper and attach them to popsicle sticks. Number the trees from 1 to 6. To play the game, have the children identify the numbers on the trees and insert them into the matching numbered slits in the shoebox lid.
Tree Game
Cut a bare tree shape out of brown felt. Mount the tree on cardboard or place it on a flannelboard. Then cut out ten to twenty small felt leaf shapes. Have the children take turns putting different numbers of leaves on the tree. Count the leaves each time as you remove them.
Variation: Use a felt-tip marker to color a long white glove brown. Attach loops of masking tape (sticky side out) to the backs of the felt leaf shapes. Slip on the glove to turn your hand and arm into a "tree" and let the children attach the leaves to the finger "branches".
Wood Sort
In a box put a variety of small items made from wood and a variety of small items made from other materials. Have the children sort the items into two groups.
Trees in a Row
Let the children use their trees from the "Four Seasons" activity to play a sequencing game. Have them try lining up their trees in the order of the seasons, starting with a different season each time.
Trees
Sung to : "The Farmer in the Dell"
The trees are growing high,
(Raise arms overhead, fingers touching.)
The trees are growing high.
With soil and rain and sunny days,
The trees are growing high.
The trees are growing roots,
(Bend over and touch floor.)
The trees are growing roots.
With soil and rain and sunny days,
The trees are growing roots.
The trees are growing bark,
(Run hands up and down sides.)
The trees are growing bark.
With soil and rain and sunny days,
The trees are growing bark.
Additional versus: "The trees are growing branches. The trees are growing leaves."
Tree Charades
On index cards, draw pictures of things you can do in a tree (climb, pick apples, etc.); under a tree (rake leaves, pick up pinecones, etc.); and with a tree (decorate it, chop it up for firewood, etc.). Have one child choose a card and show it to the others. Then have all the children act out the activity pictured on the card.
Tree Treats
Let the children taste a variety of foods that grow on trees. Set out foods such as apples, pears, bananas, oranges, or other fruits; walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans or other nuts; olives; and chocolate (which is made from the seeds of the cacao tree).