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A Tree's Water Cycle

Elementary, Middle

Description

This activity is perfect for an outdoor learning experience where a class can explore and move while developing their understanding of the water cycle. As students simulate water molecules travelling as precipitation into the tree and back into the atmosphere through transpiration they also learn about the essential water storage capabilities of the soil, roots, trunk and limbs.

Forests are vital to the health of our planet and this resource recognizes the value of every individual tree while encouraging curiosity about the natural world.

 

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This activity supports life science outcomes related to plant growth and changes, characteristics of living things and water in the environment. Students will also renew connections with nature as they interact with a tree and become inquisitive about seasonal changes, tree types and animals that need these woody plants for food and shelter.

 

The learning experience could easily extend into an action project where students participate in tree conservation. A community awareness campaign could inform others about alternatives to paper products to promote reduced need to cut down trees. A class could also examine city regulations about tree removal and campaign local government to incorporate tree protection into municipal planning. Students could even work with a local gardening organization to plant a small “food forest” of fruit-bearing trees and shrubs on school property.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

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  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
        • Investigating change and the diversity of Earth’s systems helps us to develop understandings of the conditions necessary to sustain life.
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Weather Watch
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Trees and Forests
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Water is essential to all living things and it cycles through the environment
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
  • Manitoba
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    • Grade 2
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Air and Water in the Environment
    • Grade 3
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Growth and Changes in Plants
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      • Science
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        • Habitat and Communities
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      • Science
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        • Weather
    • Grade 6
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Diversity of Living Things
  • New Brunswick
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    • Grade 2
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      • Health Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
      • Science
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        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
      • Social Studies
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        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
    • Grade 3
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Our Local Environment : :Scientific Literacy
        • Our Local Environment : Learning and Living Sustainably
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
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    • Grade 2
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Air and Water in the Environment
    • Grade 3
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      • Science
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        • Plant Growth & Changes
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      • Science
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        • Habitats
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      • Science
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        • Weather
    • Grade 6
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Diversity of Life
  • Northwest Territories
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    • Grade 2
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Air and Water in the Environment
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
        • Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
    • Grade 5
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Weather
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 2
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Air and Water in the Environment
    • Grade 3
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Plants
    • Grade 4
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      • Science
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        • Science 4: Habitats
    • Grade 5
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      • Science
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        • Science 5: Weather
    • Grade 6
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 6: Diversity of Life
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 2
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Air and Water in the Environment
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Weather
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Air & Water in the Environment
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Plant Growth & Changes
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitats
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Weather
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Diversity of Life
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Air and Water in the Environment
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Plant Growth and Changes
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitats and Communities
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Weather
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 6: Life Science: Diversity of Living Things
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Water is essential to all living things and it cycles through the environment
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment

Themes Addressed

Land Use & Natural Resources (1)

  • Forests

Water (1)

  • Water Cycle