Education

Welcome

Central Atlantic Coastal Plain Maritime forests covered the coastal areas of Virginia and shaped the economic and social history of this area. Seldom more than 2 miles from the ocean, these areas are influenced by salt spray, extreme disturbance events, and the distinctive climate of the immediate coast. Salt-tolerant evergreen tree species are most common, particularly wax-myrtle, loblolly pine and the iconic live oak. Shrubs or small trees, such as red maple, swamp tupelo, stiff dogwood, or swamp bay can also be found in this type of forest.

In early 2000s, people concerned about the loss live oaks and other maritime forests trees got together and formed The Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO). Located in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, this group of dedicated volunteers inspire the protection and planting of the live oak (Quercus Virginiana) and other Maritime Forest species. FOLO is a leader in education and advocacy for live oaks in the Hampton Roads area. In 2004, thanks in large part to the organization, the live oak was designated as the official city tree of Virginia Beach, VA.

We know that trees and specifically the unique live oak ecosystem can improve the health and quality of life in our neighborhoods and so much more. Thanks to a generous grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry, FOLO has been able to put together this on-line collection of amazing interdisciplinary activities for K-5 students to help them understand the importance of their city tree and the part these trees play in their everyday lives. We hope that these activities start your students down a lifelong path of understanding and protecting these amazing trees.

Thank you for helping to inspire the next generation of tree advocates. We could not do it without you.

A little about these activities…
When we look at a tree, we all view trees differently. These activities have been organized into six different views of trees: Trees as forests Living Things, Trees as Structures, Trees as Habitats, Trees as a Resource, Trees as Inspiration and Trees as a Window into History. Each part explores a different aspect of trees and contains:

A series of activities presented in standard lesson plan format.
One or more student reading selections that can be used to build reading
comprehension skills, teach the features of expository text, or simply be sent home as a supplementary reading assignment.
Journal/discussion questions designed to help students synthesize their learning and develop skills in written and oral language.
Extension activities to help differentiate instruction and engage every student.
A listing of extra resources that can be used along the way

At the beginning we have given you an index of all the activities, which grade levels they are recommended for and which disciplines they cover. We hope this will help you in choosing activities that compliment your lesson plans and are appropriate for your grade level.

Throughout the activities, we hope that you and your students will adopt a tree or trees, either on your property or in a nearby park. Many of the activities encourage the students to get out in the field observing, identifying and collecting data about live oak trees and/or any tree available. Before starting, identify suitable locations for the study of trees (referred to as “the study area” in the activities). Optimally, you’ll have all the trees you need in your immediate school community. Otherwise, you will need to locate a live oak tree; most parks in the area have at least one. See the resource page for field trip destination ideas. If you cannot find a live oak, look for another of the many oaks in this area.

Management Tips:

Students will need to have clipboards, writing and drawing
materials available while working in the field. Organize a box of these materials and keep it by the door.
Before leaving the classroom for the study area, discuss the
objectives of the fieldwork and appropriate and expected behaviors. In the field, the class should be respectful of the area and the creatures who inhabit it by being quiet and leaving no trace of their visit.
There are many good field guides available like the Common Native Trees of Virginia to help you and your students identify trees. See what’s available from your school and local public libraries and bookmark these sites on your classroom computers:
Arbor Day Foundation
Virginia Department of Forestry
Virginia Tech Tree ID

Download the Tree Journal and make a copy for each of your students. As they work their way through the activities, they will be using these pages to record observations and information. Students will maintain and add to a journal throughout the different activities. The journal will help them review and evaluate their own understanding of the concepts developed by the activities and will also serve as an assessment of student learning.

As part of the adventure, we encourage you to adopt a tree in your yard or neighborhood and use that tree to follow the seasons through a wonderful citizen science project called Project Budburst, recording observations and facts about your tree in Your Tree Journal. Check out their website for more information https://budburst.org/