MD’s 5th Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest - Activity Guides
(5th grade teachers are notified of topic each September)

• Discover how trees conserve energy
• Discover what trees do for you and your community
• Discover how trees grow and function
• Discover the importance of diverse forest ecosystems
• Discover the importance of tree diversity in a community
• Discover what trees do for you and your community 
• Take a look at the mighty oak​
  
• Trees are Terrific... and Maryland Forests are Too!

At Home (backyard) Activities: Art/Language Arts/Social Studies

• Color at home, coloring pages; Arbor Day Foundation (all ages)
• Leaf prints on paper or fabric (all ages) and (basic)
• Journal what kids find outside (all ages)
• National Inquirer Science Journal; What Types of Wood Makes the Best Bats? (all ages)
• For Educators
  
• Printable activity and coloring sheets; Arbor Day Foundation (K - 3)
• Why Would Anyone Cut Down a Tree? by Roberta Burzynski (1-3)
• Help Wanted: Lumberjacks (3-5)
• Are Forests Important Today? (3-5)​

Science/Math

• Ecosystem extravaganza (K-4)
• What is Management? (K-4)
• Learn about pollinators that depend on trees
• Paper making; Project Learning Tree (1-8)
  • Video: Paper Recycles: Make your Own Paper
  • Video on the chemistry of paper, the making of pulp; Idaho Forest Products
  • A Video on how pulp becomes paper; Paper Recycles​​
• Saw Mill Lesson (Wood Magic Forest Fair): Board Cutting (Grade 4)​
• Video​​
  
• Trees Are Renewable and Biodegradable Lesson (Wood Magic Forest Fair) (Grade 5)
  • Video​​
• How Forests Are Managed (5-8)
  • Video on Wisconsin’s Forest Communities
  • Video​
• Forest Management Issues (5-8)
• Several different activities like mapping land use and using leaf packs to study stream life (which also means the study of trees); WikiWatershed (6 - 12)
• Trees and vegetations link to stream health; USU Water Quality Extension - Stream Side Science (6 - 12)
• The Forest Marketplace (9-12)
  • Video
• Forest Science and Technology (9-12)
  • Companion Map


Forest Products

• Where has all the Toilet Paper Gone?
• Forest Fast Break: Wood Product​
• Forest Fast Break: Urban Forest Wood Usage​


Math/Computer

• Use of grid to determine area; Mathwire (1 - 3)
• Use of leaf mat to model addition problems, Mathwire (1-3)
• Estimate tree height, phone app; GLOBE (6 - 12)
  • Get the app
• Computer program, iTree Design, that can calculate the dollar value of environmental benefits (stormwater, carbon, air quality and energy savings) of trees on private property (such as students homes), school grounds and other small scales to simulate how changes in the number and placement of trees can reduce utility bills, etc. (6-12)
• Teachers Resources


Smokey Bear

• The Story of Smokey (all ages)
  • Want a letter from Smokey Bear? Just write him a letter and “ZIP it” with 20252.
    Plus 2 videos: Smokey’s 70th Birthday: Wildfire Prevention and
    Smokey Says - Episode 1 “Extinguishing a Campfire
• The Official Smokey Bear home page (all ages) ​
  Games and Activities for Kids - Design a Coloring Book; Story Maker; Ask Smokey Learn about Preventing Wildfires Story of Smokey
• For Educators​



Other

• Digital games; Arbor Day Foundation (K-3)
• Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Activity Book
• Leaf Activities with links (prek -12)
• Conifer Quest
• Fall Scavenger Hunt​
• Winter Scavenger Hunt
​

Resources

• What tree is that? Tree Identification guide; Arbor Day Foundation
• Tree ID Guides
  
  • Broad Leaf
  • Conifer
• Maryland Native Plant Society
• Plant a tree at home! - Marylanders Plant Trees Coupon (Save $25)

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