Nature Study: Trees, Creativity, and Kids

I have always loved trees.  I also love creativity and of course, I love my kids.  Combining all three loves is what makes home education so much fun.

Now a long time ago, we made construction paper books of found leaves, ironed leaves between waxed paper for a collection, and made bark rubbings from the trees in our backyard.  After a couple years of that, though, we were ready to move on.  What to do?  Here are a few things we've tried over the last few years, books we've used, and things we may try yet.  Perhaps it can inspire you as well!

• Tree drawings:  Sketches of trees in our yard, the nature center, neighborhood, places we've visited.  I have had good success with the Trees drawing instruction book by Walter Foster.  In fact, I really like all his drawing books.  They are inexpensive and thorough and uncomplicated.
• Tree photography:  Taking pictures of trees makes you aware of light levels, which direction it is coming from, and its quality (bright sun, cloud-covered, setting sun with colors).  Take pictures of the same tree at different times or seasons, of funny or odd-shaped trees, or as many varieties as possible.  Be sure to make a note of where the tree is, date the picture is taken, and the time of day.
• Study tree shapes, makeup, and processes.  Try Trees by Maria Angeles Julivert for kids or a Peterson or Audobon field guide for older kids.
• Study historic trees and their part in legends and myths.  Find America's Famous and Historic Trees: From George Washington's Tulip Poplar To Elvis Presley's Pin Oak, Every Root an Anchor: Wisconsin's Famous and Historic Trees, or Historic Trees of Massachusetts.
• Study the place trees have in various cultures and their importance.  For instance, we in North America plant trees purposely for shade, beauty, tradition (Christmas trees), profit (lumbering), and protection (shelter belts).  Is this true also for Brazil?  West Africa?  Thailand?  Which county is the shelterbelt capital of the world?  (Grand Forks County, North Dakota!) 
• Tree in the Trail is essential for any study of trees.  This book by Holling C. Holling tells the story of a single tree and the events that surround or pass by it during its long life.  Great historical fiction and great as a read-aloud.

For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.  ~Martin Luther

Comments

[Carol J. Alexander]

Hi Robin,
Thanks for the ideas and resources. I love trees!
My boys will love this too.