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Stump Sleuths

Elementary

Description

The death of a tree leaves behind a piece of decaying wood that is teeming with life and has tremendous ecological value. In this fascinating activity students become detectives who are assigned to investigate the mysterious world of a tree stump. As learners engage in this sensory experience they will deepen their understanding of the relationship between the living and non-living components of a healthy ecosystem by:

  • Observing and identifying living organisms inhabiting a stump.

  • Examining the site for the presence of plant seedlings, mosses, fungi and lichens.

  • Identifying wildlife signs to determine how animals may be using the stump for food or shelter.

  • Recording and describing their observations in a nature journal.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This activity reinforces Grade K-3 units exploring plants, animals, habitats and the local environment. Students also actively use science skills such as observation, investigation, questioning and using simple tools. The nature journals are used to support individual reflection and the expression of ideas about the learning experience.

 

Students could continue the outdoor learning by also examining the tree rings on their stump. This information could be used to develop a project in which pupils create stories about the events that shaped the history of the tree and predict how environmental influences such as climate change may change forest growth in the future.

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
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    • Kindergarten
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        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
    • Grade 1
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      • Science
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        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
    • Grade 2
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      • Science
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        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
    • Grade 3
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      • Science
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        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interaction
  • British Columbia
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    • Kindergarten
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        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
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        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
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      • Science
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        • Science 2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
    • Grade 3
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      • Science
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        • Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
    • Grade 4
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      • Science
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        • Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
  • Manitoba
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        • Trees
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        • Habitat and Communities
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        • Our Local Environment : :Scientific Literacy
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        • Exploring Our World: STSE and Knowledge
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  • Northwest Territories
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        • Life Systems: Senses & the Body
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        • Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
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        • Life Science: Growth and Changes in Animals
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        • Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
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        • Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
        • Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
  • Nova Scotia
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        • Primary Science: Living Things
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        • Science 4: Habitats
  • Nunavut
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    • Kindergarten
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        • Life Systems: Senses & the Body
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Science: Growth and Changes in Animals
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
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        • Exploring the World Using Our Senses
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        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Animal Growth and Changes:Investigating the Needs and Life Cycles of an Organism
    • Grade 3
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      • Science
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        • Plant Growth & Changes
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        • Habitats
  • Quebec
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        • Units & Outcomes
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Needs & Characteristics of Living Things
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Animal Growth and Changes
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitats and Communities
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their 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

Ecosystems (3)

  • Appreciating the Natural World
  • Biodiversity
  • Interdependence

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