Appreciating Trees
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Provided by: Green Schoolyards America|Published on: March 4, 2026
Activity - ClassroomScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This resource from Green Schoolyards America outlines a structured activity in which students explore their understanding of trees and their benefits.
- The activity includes three components: students first create a mind map of what they know about trees, then research the benefits trees provide, and finally participate in an activity that highlights several of those benefits.
Subjects: Biology
Authors: Green Schoolyards America
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This activity will help students gain an appreciation and understanding of the nature around them.
- Many of the steps in this activity are adaptable and open-ended, giving students a lot of potential to make their own meaning out of the activity.
Prerequisites
- If teachers will be using a template for the mind map activity, they will need to be prepared ahead of time.
Differentiation & Implementation
- After completing this activity, older students can work with teachers to propose a tree-planting initiative at their school or a school forest management initiative.
- For students needing help with their tree research or finding tree benefits, this lesson is great for introducing or wrapping up the research segment, as it discusses many of the benefits of trees.
- Before participating in an activity like the one mentioned in Step 3, students may benefit from a mini-lesson on the urban heat island effect.
- To help students connect with trees, teachers can have students create their mind maps outside in an area with a few trees to sit by.
This resource guides students in researching ecosystem services provided by trees. The activity is self-directed, but the collection of external resources directs students in understanding trees’ role in combating climate change. Notably, the linked ‘How Cool is Your Schoolyard?’ activity shows students how trees impact local microclimates as well as the global climate system. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
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Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Green Schoolyards America
Green Schoolyards America partners with school districts and public agencies across the U.S. to establish large-scale living schoolyard programs that transform school grounds into ecologically-rich, park-like green spaces. Our goal is to improve children’s health, learning, and happiness while contributing to communities’ ecological and climate resilience.
We are working to change the paradigm for school ground design, use, and management so all children will have access to the natural world in the places they already visit on a daily basis. We center equity in our work and collaborate with communities that have the greatest need for educational, environmental, health, and open space improvements.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
