Lesson Plan: The Secret Life of Trees🌳

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.