Tree+Rings+Assignment

 **Introduction:** We have been learning about trees in science for quite some time. We recently learned about tree rings and the information they can tell us about a tree.

**Assignment:** You will use the Eco Kids web site to complete a Tree Ring Analysis. Go to the web site. Read each page of the activity. At the bottom of each page is a link to the next page. As you read the pages, write down anything new that you have learned. On the final page you will use what you’ve learned to complete a tree ring analysis. Work on this page until you have everything correct. (Directions are at the bottom of the web page, if you need them.) Once you have finished, write a paragraph or two, telling what you learned from the activity and what you thought of it. (Remember to write your draft on paper to be turned in.) Then come to the discussion section of this page and post your paragraph.

Good luck and have fun!
 * [[image:vetsparkmcdonald/important.jpg width="152" height="84" align="left"]]Due Date:** Friday, December 2, 2011
 * Grading:** Your paragraphs will be graded on paragraph form and organization, sentence structure, capitalization and punctuation, proving what you learned, and content of your paragraphs.  **Additional website to review about tree rings: ** [|ArborDay.org/The Life of a Tree-] a great interactive activity that illustrates the life of a tree and how the rings of a tree are nature's way of marking the passage of time and the history of a tree.


 * [[image:vetsparkmcdonald/treeeee.jpg width="239" height="158" align="left"]]Additional Tree Websites **

The websites below will help to reinforce, enhance and challenge your study of trees [|A Walk in the Woods]- a fun interactive exploration of what you can find taking a walk in the woods. This site is maintained by the University of Illinois Extension. [|Exploring the Secret Life of Trees]- another fun interactive exploration about the life of a tree. This site is maintained by the University of Illinois Extension. [|The Tree Game]- an interactive, fun, informative game from Wonderville.ca that will challenge your knowledge about trees. See first-hand how environmental conditions such as drought, infestation, competition, slope and fire affect the growth of trees. [|Majestic Trees]- another wonderful interactive learning tool from the National Arbor Day Foundation that highlights some of the most majestic trees found in the United States. [|What Tree is That?-]put your tree idenitifcation skills to the test by launching this interactive animation. There also is a printed version of this activity available. This site is maintained by the National Arbor Day Foundation. [|What Tree Is It?-] a fun website that will help you identify trees by the leaf, fruit or name. This site is maintained by the Ohio Division of Forestry. [|Web Rangers-] see what scientists can learn by studying the rings inside a tree. [|Massachusetts State Tree-] learn about the state tree of Massachusetts. [|USNA-State Trees & Flowers]- a list of all the state trees and flowers in the United States. [|Forest Layers-] take an interactive walk though a forest to see the connection between the trees and other parts of nature. A great resource to remind us about the chain of life! [|Where is the Wood]?- a fun interactive acitivty that asks you to identify objects in a picture that are made from wood. Click on the tag and learn more about the origin of the item. [|The Lorax Game]- a fun game found on the Suessville website. I wonder how many trees you can save? [|What is a Tree]- an interactive book that shares basic information about trees.

[|The Wishing Tree]- a fun interactive book from the BBC.