Grade Level: 3rd–7th
Subject Areas: Science, Nature Studies, Literacy
Duration: 1–2 class periods (or a week-long nature unit)
Objective: Students will understand how trees communicate, support one another, and function as part of a living forest network.
🔍 Learning Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students will:
- Describe how trees communicate through roots and fungi.
- Identify parts of a tree and their functions.
- Recognize the importance of biodiversity and interdependence in a forest.
- Reflect on nature’s cooperation and how it relates to human communities.
📖 Materials:
- Excerpt or summary of The Hidden Life of Trees (child-friendly version)
- Tree diagrams or leaf samples
- Paper, crayons/colored pencils
- Yarn, index cards
- Magnifying glasses (optional)
- Nature journal or notebook
📚 Lesson Flow:
Warm-Up Discussion (10–15 min)
Ask:
- What do you think trees do all day?
- Can trees talk or help each other?
Introduce the concept of the “Wood Wide Web.”
Storytime or Read-Aloud (15 min)
Read an excerpt from a child-friendly version of The Hidden Life of Trees, or summarize key points:
- Trees “talk” through underground fungi.
- They share food, warn of danger, and care for the sick.
Science Activity: Root Network Simulation (20 min)
Materials: Yarn, index cards, markers
- Write tree needs (water, nutrients, sunlight, danger alert) on cards.
- Have students sit in a circle as “trees” and use yarn to connect their roots.
- Pass the cards along the yarn to demonstrate communication.
Discussion Prompt:
How does this help the forest survive?
Outdoor Exploration (Optional, 30+ min)
Take students outside to:
- Observe tree bark, leaves, and roots.
- Look for signs of tree “families” (saplings near large trees).
- Sketch what they see and write notes in a nature journal.
Creative Writing or Drawing (20–30 min)
Prompt:
Imagine you are a tree. What do you feel when a storm comes? How do you help your tree friends?
Students can write a short story or draw a scene of trees helping one another.
🧠 Extension Activities:
- Fungi & Mycelium Study: Use mushroom kits or photos to explore the fungal network.
- Compare Tree Species: Which ones grow together or share nutrients?
- Tree Rings Art Project: Study tree age, then create painted tree rings to show growth.
🧩 Optional Take-Home Activity:
Family Forest Walk: Ask students to take their family for a walk and observe how trees grow together. Write down or draw what they notice.
