Trees and Keys

Class Description:

Trees and Keys is an ecology class. Students will learn how to construct and use a simple dichotomus identification key. Given a map and a simplified tree and shrub key, students will travel between trees and attempt to identify them correctly. Temperate and tropical forests will be compared and students will learn about species diversity.Students will receive a tropical forest tree seed to plant to remind them of the value of maintaining biodiversity.

Total time: 3 hours (two hours outdoors)
Audience: 6-20 students, 4th grade through adult
Activity level: moderate
Travel: 1 1/4 mile
Total uphill travel: 200 feet

Outcomes

Upon completion of the Trees and Keys class students will be able to:

Construct, understand and use a simple dichotomous key to identify up to18 trees and shrubs around Wolf Ridge.

Evaluate their role in the stewardship of natural resources.

Appreciate the plant diversity found in the forests of Wolf Ridge.

Minnesota Graduation Standards

The Trees and Keys class will provide students with guided practice, in an authentic setting, to support the following Graduations Standards. We have chosen one to three “major focus” standards per grade level. Due to the holistic nature of environmental education, several other standards, not listed here, are addressed as well.

H.S. Read, View, Listen: Technical Reading, Demonstrate the ability to read and apply technical information to (A) operate a technical manual, (B2) interpret specialized vocabulary and (B4) apply step-by-step procedures.

H.S. Sciences: Biological Concepts, Demonstrate understanding that scientific inquiries are performed to learn about the natural world. (D) Conduct a field study.

• 6-8th Read, View, Listen: Non-fiction

(1) Demonstrate ability to comprehend information from a variety of nonfiction formats.

• 6-8th Read, View, Listen: Technical Reading, Demonstrate ability to comprehend technical information from documents by (1) knowing relevant technical vocabulary, (2) applying step-by-step directions.
• 6-8th Sciences: Living Systems, Demonstrate knowledge of plants.

4-5th Read, View, Listen: Literal Comprehension, Demonstrate comprehension of literal meaning by (2) reading and applying technical instructions to perform an action.

4-5th Science: Living and Non-living Systems, Demonstrate understanding of (A1) characteristics of plants. (B1) Measure and classify organisms on the basis of properties and relationships.

Wolf Ridge Curriculum Concepts

• Natural Resources -A growing human population is making increasing demands on natural resources.
• Ecosystems - Humans have a great ability to alter natural systems, and a responsibility to consider the effects of our actions.
• Biodiversity - A complex natural system is more stable than a simple one, and more able to absorb disturbances.

Classroom Connections*

• Journal page download
• Pre-visit activities
• Post-visit activities
• Links to tree identification and scientific key information and activities on the web

*requires Wolf Ridge password