Analysing Past Climate Conditions Using Trees
Lesson Plans
Grades9, 10, 11, 12Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
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Provided by ClimateScience
What it is
- This lesson has students determine the age and growing conditions of different trees by looking at representations of tree rings on a worksheet to help them estimate what the climate was like in the past.
- Students will learn about historic climate and environmental conditions by analyzing the patterns of the tree rings.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The resource can be downloaded and used offline or printed.
- This activity could be implemented with real tree cores or disks as well.
Additional Prerequisites
- Ensure that students read the background information provided in the worksheet, as it will guide them in finishing the work.
- To have students cut the strips out, you will need to print out the worksheet and provide scissors.
Differentiation
- Consider an excursion to a location where trees have been felled to actually count the rings of the tree trunks.
- This activity can help engage students and provide a hands-on activity for learning about weather and climate.
- Similar resources include CO2 in the Ice Core Record and Paleoclimate: A History of Change.
From the scientist review
This activity introduces students to the topic of dendrochronology, the study of tree rings, to recreate past climate information. Dendrochronology is an important tool when studying past climates. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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