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Educator Resources

Whether you’re a parent, educator or group leader, teaching students how trees and pollinators impact our ecosystem can be educational and fun!  Look below for free, engaging lessons plans and activities to help students discover and connect with the natural world around them. 

Here you can find everything you need to help your students plant the free tree seedlings and wildflower seed packets Project Plant It! provides to educators across the country. 

Missed the registration window this year? Don’t worry – the activities and plans on this page will help your students grow into nature lovers, with or without seedlings to sprout. 

Looking for some
online fun?

Try these games on a rainy day when students can’t be active outside.

Parts of a Tree (Grades K - 4)

Tree Terminology (Grades 5 - 8)

Tree Trivia (Grades 9 - 12)

Kick off your Project Plant It! experience with this helpful toolbox. You’ll discover a suggested timeline, best practices, a participation certificate for students to proudly display and much more. 

·       Caring For Your Redbud Seedling

·       Educator’s Letter

·       Educator’s Classroom Guide

·       Parent Letter

·       Classroom Poster

·       Participation Certificate

·       Participation Certificate (Spanish)

Check out these cool ways for students to explore the great outdoors. Using the unique blend of arts, science, math and physical activity, these activities will get students in the dirt and excited about Project Plant It!

·       Be a Scientist

·       Be an Artist

·       Create Class "Tree Treats"

·       Curtain Up!

·       Game Time

·       Music Stars

·       Recruit a Mentor

·       Save a Tree

·       Scavenger Hunt

·       Show Your Tree Stuff

·       Download All Activities!

The list below represents only a small sample of the available resources about trees. Library shelves are full of books concerning every facet of these woody wonders – including leaves, rainforests, plants and much more – so dig around here and then go exploring on your own!

For Elementary Students:

 A Tree is a Plant by Clyde Robert Bulla

A Tree is Growing by Arthur Dorron

Be a Friend to Trees by Patricia Lauber

Discovering Trees by Douglas Florian

Flowers and Trees by Time-Life Books

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry

Leaves by Rena Kirkpatrick

Leaves and Trees by Elaine Pascoe

Mighty Tree by Dick Gackenbach

Outside and Inside Trees by Sandra Markle

Sky Tree by Thomas Locker

Trees by Martyn Hamer

Trees by Andrew Langley

 

For Educators:

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv

Picture Guide to Tree Leaves by Raymond Wiggers

Science Project Ideas about Trees by Robert Gardner

State Trees by Sue Brandt

Tree by David Burnie (Eyewitness Book series)

Tree Almanac: A Year-Round Activity Guide by Monica Russo

Trees by Allen Coombes

Trees by Linda Gamlin

Want to do some research on your own and gain even more insight about our ecosystem? These websites concerning trees and the wonderful world around them will help your arbor knowledge take root.

Dominion Energy: https://www.dominionenergy.com/
American Forests: http://www.americanforests.org/
Arbor Day Activities: https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/celebration-ideas.cfm
Arbor Day Books: http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/A_Year_in_the_Wonderland_of_Trees_/
Arbor Day Crafts: https://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/arborday/
Arbor Day Foundation: https://www.arborday.org/
Arbor Day Teaching Tools: https://www.arborday.org/kids/teachingYouth.cfm
How to Plant a Tree: http://www.kidsface.org/pages/plant.html
The Great Plant Escape: http://extension.illinois.edu/gpe/gpe.html
Tree Resources: http://www.kidsface.org/pages/resource.html
Project Learning Tree: https://www.plt.org/
Virginia Department of Forestry: http://www.dof.virginia.gov/