Writing and sharing poems gives students an opportunity to express their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs in creative and artistic ways. You can do this activity in combination with Adopt a Tree, to allow students to explore their adopted tree through poetry. You may also adapt the activity to explore parts of the environment other than trees and forests, such as art or architecture.
For the complete activity and more like this, purchase the Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide or the Connecting for Health and Planet activity collection at Shop.PLT.org and/or attend a professional development training in your state.
Below are some supporting resources for this activity.
STUDENT PAGES 
Download the copyright-free student pages that are included with this activity:
Poet-Tree Forms
(PDF)
Spanish Student Page(s):
Formas de poseía con árboles
(PDF)
RECOMMENDED READING 
Expand your students’ learning and imaginations. Help students meet their reading goals, while building upon concepts learned in this activity, with the following children’s book recommendations:
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 
The following tools and resources may be used to enhance the activity.
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Video: The Tree – A poem for the future of NAAEE
The Tree – A poem for the future of NAAEE is a 3:22-minute whimsical reflection on the power of an idea, written and narrated by New York Times best-selling author Aimee Nezhukumatathil and directed by James Parker to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the North American Association for Environmental Education..
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Sound Map of the Forest
Listen to the sounds of the forest with this interactive map by Timber Festival. This open-source library maps recorded sounds of woodlands and forests from all around the world. Tune into the sounds of nature with your students, then go outside and create a sound map together of the schoolyard or write a poem about what you hear.
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Go Plant a Tree!
In this short video from PBS Plum Landing, see how students work with a local arborist to plant a tree in their community. Underneath the video, you’ll find some simple conversation starting questions and additional resources to inspire your students.
