The Overstory Lesson Plan

In Your Backyard

Kind of Activity:

Research

Objective:

Students will look for trees in their backyard/neighborhood, identify, and describe them.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.11-12.1

Structure:

Throughout Day 1 and 2's readings, we meet characters who were previously "tree-blind" until being shocked into awareness by one means or another. Many of us are likely in the same situation: surrounded by trees and nature, but often taking it for granted and not noticing it.

Today's activity will attempt to remedy that, at least briefly. Students will go into their backyards, a park in their neighborhood, or anywhere else nearby that...