By making a tree costume, your students will gain an awareness of a tree’s structure and functions.
This is one of 96 activities that can be found in PLT’s PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide. To get the activity, attend a training either in person or online and receive PLT’s PreK-8 Guide. Below are some supporting resources for this activity.
STUDENT PAGES ![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/student_icon_green.png)
Download the copyright-free student pages that are included with this activity:
Living Labels
(PDF)
Spanish Student Page(s):
Eqiquetas Vivientes
(PDF)
RECOMMENDED READING ![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/books_icon_green.png)
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:
FAMILY ACTIVITY ![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/leaf_icon_green.png)
Try a simple variation of this activity to engage children in the outdoors at home. Download this fun and easy-to-do family activity.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/magnifying_icon_green.png)
The following tools and resources may be used to enhance the activity.
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Forests at Work: Video from a Science Teacher in Indiana
Go on an adventure with Rick Crosslin, a science teacher in Indiana, to investigate forest management in this video Forests at Work: An Indiana Expeditions Special. Students will learn how the genetic traits of seedlings can turn result in a tree farm full of magnificent hardwoods—similar to how our DNA can determine athletic ability, height, and muscle growth. Students will *virtually* follow foresters into the woodlands to learn about management practices and how these practices are changing the state’s forest composition, health, and overall recovery.
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Woodlands Siesta Activity
Shared by Sandy Greene, an environmental educator in Virginia, this Woodlands Siesta activity helps connect students to the outdoors as they create a sound map and see the forest from a different perspective (while lying in a hammock!). Greene suggests this activity be enjoyed as part of a summer afterschool program or day-time camp. It does require some funding to purchase hammocks or you could use blankets or a tarp instead so students feel comfortable lying on the ground.
Greene was named a National PLT Outstanding Educator in 2006.
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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.
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Inner Parts of A Tree Model
Help students visualize the inner layers of a tree trunk and better understand the function of its different parts by creating this easy-to-make visual aid – a cross-section of a tree trunk.
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The Secret Life of Trees
This animated presentation for students in grades 3-5 explains in detail how an acorn becomes a tree. The audio is available in English and Spanish.