Make Friends with a Tree (Project #38)
Provided by: OK You|Published on: February 20, 2026
Grades: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Type: Activity - Outdoors
Subjects: Science, Health
Authors: OK You
Region: Global
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this activity from OK You, students will select a tree to journal about as their best tree friend.
- Students will visit their tree, record where to find it, write journal entries to it, press its leaves and flowers, and more!
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This activity helps students connect with nature in a positive and meaningful way.
- The concept of having a special tree friend is fun, and students will like this framing.
Prerequisites
- Teachers may want to plan to bring students to an accessible area with enough trees for each student to have their own special tree.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Teachers can make connections to climate change by explaining how trees clean our air, building towards an eventual understanding of trees as carbon sinks.
- As a writing extension, students can write stories or poems about their best friend trees.
- Older students can use a field guide to identify what kind of tree they have chosen for their friend.
This resource encourages students to choose a best friend tree that they will observe and visit over time. It includes activities that students can do with the tree, such as tree bark rubbing and writing letters to the tree. These activities allow students to learn about the environment around them and how nature can be a tool to support their emotional wellness. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
