The Oldest Tree on Earth
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Alexandra Siy is a science writer who really appreciates the beauty - the ART - in nature. She brings that to the page in her text and her amazing photographs for the rest of us to enjoy and learn. This Minute made me want to travel to see a tree with this kind of grace and majesty, and this Minute will get your students dreaming too. |
English/Language Arts
Explore using the five senses to evoke imagery
STEM
Explore the process of determining age in nature
Art
Explore art in nature and nature in art
Research Skills
Explore image searches
Explore using the five senses to evoke imagery
- In the fourth paragraph, Author Siy describes what she sees using her five senses, as well as making some word choices that really make the reader experience the tree. Have your students try to describe an object in terms of their five senses, then partner them up to get some peer feedback. Can you smell it? Taste it? Hear it? Feel it? Maybe think about changing out some words with better descriptors [“wind sculpted and sun bleached?”).
- Author Siy tells us the trees “looked like dancers” and when we get to the photograph at the bottom, you can see the troupe spinning through the wood. Have your students extend their writing by adding a simile to help their readers visualize. Scaffold with some group exercises and collaborative creativity as table groups or partners can compete to come up with the “best” comparisons.
- What’s in a name? Sometimes, a lot! The name of this old tree definitely has some symbolic meaning as it alludes to something that is part of societal common knowledge - at least for many adults. Highlight the significance of the choice of name for the tree as you define allusions, and challenge students to start searching for other examples of allusions in their reading and viewing. Post examples on the classroom wall to encourage ongoing sharing.
STEM
Explore the process of determining age in nature
- Use this Minute as an opportunity to let students explore the science of determining age in nature. How exactly does that work? We are not only talking about trees here - think about the age of rocks, fossils and even the universe. Taking some time to look at the history of age determination will expose budding scientists to some strong foundational concepts. And don’t forget to have them figure out why it matters!
Art
Explore art in nature and nature in art
- Time for a library catalog search! Take a look at some of Author Siy’s other titles to see how great photography is in exploring the natural world.
- How do you photograph a tree? Think it is easy? Have students give it a try, then look for some tips and tricks for taking good photographs in nature!
Research Skills
Explore image searches
- A single photograph is included with this Minute. Take this opportunity to get students to explore other images to fill in their learning with visual information. Teach them how to Google image search. Have them explore advanced features by clicking on the Tools button when they are in an image search. Look at the usage rights options. If you have access to subscription image searches like Britannica Image Quest, now is the time to explore. Check out the advanced search capabilities of other databases - most of them allow you to limit your search by type, and one of those types is image.
© Karen Sterling, 2017 - May be used for educational purposes without written permission
