Trees of the Forest Preserve

Positives

• The visual representations provide an easy way for students to recognize various tree species.
• Since the one-page handout is brief, teachers can utilize the information as a stand-alone lesson.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Teachers will need access to a color printer if they want a physical copy of the resource.
• Vocabulary is somewhat rigorous, so teachers may wish to include a definition list or graphic organizer.
• Students should know the features used to categorize and identify trees.

Differentiation

• Art teachers can have students study the graphic and then create their own artistic studies of leaves.
• English teachers can have students create personal narratives about their memories of trees and how trees contribute to natural settings in stories.
• Science students can research and discuss how climate change affects native tree species.
• Students can go on a nature hike and use a field guide like this one to identify trees in their area.
• The class can work together to create diagrams showing the written identifiers visually. This activity may also help ELL students access the information.