Over the past few weeks, the students have been exploring seeds, mud, ants, worms, beetles and noticing the new greenery and buds on our AFS campus trees. Students have garnered new information as they work to be stewards of our amazing planet! We have observed trees closely, read books, and looked at many ways that trees are important to us and the Earth. The students have been gleefully sharing to anyone that will stop to listen, that trees give us oxygen to breath, provide shade, and can be shelter for animals.
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Planting a perennial to take home
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The excitement was in the air in the kindergarten classrooms and on the bus as we prepared to learn even more about trees at the Morris Arboretum. Once there the students planted a perennial plant to take home, tested their knowledge with a Jeopardy game, matched tree bark and learned about the parts of the tree and the importance of the root system.
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| Matching Tree Bark |
Some new concepts learned on our trip included the parts of a tree, the function of the roots of a tree, things that damage the root system, and different foods that come from trees. .
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| Demonstrating the importance of a tree's wide roots |
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| Visualizing how far tree roots extend- to the end of the tree canopy |
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| One of the many beautiful Morris Arboretum views |
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| Exploring a decomposing log |
What a beautiful day to be outside exploring and learning more about trees! After lunch, we continued to explore the grounds by visiting a temporary art installation called "Loop de Loop" and by running and climbing on the "Out on a Limb" permanent structure.
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| "Loop de Loop" art installation on the arboretum grounds |
Link for "Loop de Loop" Stick Sculpture and artist Patrick Dougherty https://vimeo.com/329649484
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| Exploring "Out on a Limb" |
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| Balancing on the "Out on a Limb" net |
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| Morris Arboretum kid writing |
Back at school, the students put their new knowledge down on paper with words and illustrations during a kid writing activity. Be sure to ask your kindergarten steward the newest facts that they have learned about trees!
The Morris Arboretum is a beautiful space to enjoy throughout the year. Many of the students asked if we could come back! Maybe the Morris Arboretum would be an exciting weekend adventure to look into with your family. For more information, please see the following link:
https://www.morrisarboretum.org/
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