Red Oak Life Cycle: Science Lesson
Lesson Plan
40 minutesGrades3Science
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Written by Tina Ezzo, Sustainable Jersey for Schools
About this lesson
This lesson explores New Jersey’s state tree’s adaptations, life cycle, and role in fighting climate change.
Inquire: Students read Joyce Kilmer’s poem, “Trees,” and learn that New Jersey named the red oak the state tree.
Investigate: Students learn about the adaptations and life cycle of the red oak.
Inspire: Students create a triorama (an artistic informative display) about why trees are important and how they impact people and climate.
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Everything you need to teach it
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Suggestions
- There are different species of red oak trees. New Jersey’s state tree is identified specifically as the northern red oak. For the sake of ease, the term red oak is used throughout the lesson and unit, especially on student-facing materials.
- This lesson focuses on the life cycle of oak trees from acorn to mature oak tree, using the appropriate terminology for trees. Additionally, the lesson does not explicitly mention the eventual death of oaks as a part of their natural life cycle, in part because they are a long-living species, capable of exceeding a human lifespan. In Lesson 3 of the unit, the impact of climate change on the survival of red oak’s in New Jersey is discussed.
- This lesson can be taught at any time of year, but if you have access to red oaks in the fall, you can collect acorns and plant them as a class project to observe the life cycle of oak trees. This video shows one way to do so.
- Red oaks have a vibrant red color in the fall. If there are any on school grounds, students can observe the trees at various times in the school year to see how they change during the different seasons, as these changes are also part of the red oak’s life cycle and adaptations.
- This lesson highlights the importance of trees to humans and the ways trees can help slow climate change and encourages students to appreciate and protect trees.
- Teachers can use the triorama as a formative assessment, to determine if students need further review or discussion about the importance of trees to humans or to prevent climate change.
Teachers can reference the Unit Plan Overview for further guidance on implementation.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 1 of 3 in our 3rd grade Habitats and Changing Climate unit that introduces students to the benefits of trees and how human action and climate change can impact trees.
- Students should have a basic understanding that trees are plants.
- Teachers are encouraged to use the Vocabulary Cards with students to introduce the terms that are new to their students.
- Disclaimer of a possibly sensitive issue: The poem “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer references “God.” While it is believed that Kilmer was referencing the Christian God when he wrote the poem, the sentiment is much more about the wonder, beauty, and majesty of trees as part of the natural world.
Differentiation
- There are four versions of the fill-in worksheets to identify the life cycle of oak trees. Teacher can choose to use the version that best supports the needs of the students.
- The New Jersey Forest Service has educational programs for grades K-5 at their educational center in Jackson, NJ. Visit this website for more information.
- The triorama can be made using blank copy paper or paper that contains a black line drawing of a red oak to support students who may be reluctant to attempt art projects.
- In addition to the triorama, fluent writers could create their own poem about trees similar to Joyce Kilmer’s poem. This could be used as an extension or additional assessment.
From the scientist review
This lesson demonstrates the significance of trees in storing carbon emissions from the atmosphere and protecting the Earth from excessive heat. Students will study tree protection strategies and adaptations for New Jersey's red oaks. The lesson passed our credibility criteria for science when we evaluated it.
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About the teacher writers
Tina Ezzo
Tina's Story
When New Jersey mandated climate education, my supervisor introduced our department to SubjectToClimate. I could have treated it as a mandate and moved on. But as I explored those resources, I realized this was not only a mandate - it was a responsibility I had to my students.... Read More
Tina Ezzo holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Psychology from The College of New Jersey. She has been teaching science for grades 7–8 since 1993.
Tina is the first SubjectToClimate Teacher Fellow. A SubjectToClimate Fellow is an educator who has demonstrated that climate belongs in every learning space and proven it in their own. Selection is based on depth of practice, evidence of student impact, and the power of their story to inspire other educators.
Tina is the first SubjectToClimate Teacher Fellow. A SubjectToClimate Fellow is an educator who has demonstrated that climate belongs in every learning space and proven it in their own. Selection is based on depth of practice, evidence of student impact, and the power of their story to inspire other educators.
Tina's Story
When New Jersey mandated climate education, my supervisor introduced our department to SubjectToClimate. I could have treated it as a mandate and moved on. But as I explored those resources, I realized this was not only a mandate - it was a responsibility I had to my students.... Read More
Sustainable Jersey for Schools
Sustainable Jersey is a network and movement of municipalities, schools and school districts working collectively to bring about a sustainable New Jersey. Acting with state agencies, non-profit organizations, foundations, academia and industry, Sustainable Jersey researches best practices for what communities could and should do to contribute to a sustainable future.
