Curricular Resources

While many of the resources listed here are geared to the elementary classroom, there are also links relevant for college level students. A separate section of links to online essays provides additional materials of interest for the older student. For more ideas, see also the commentaries accompanying the Featured Stories at this website.

Amazing Trees

www.highlands.vic.edu.au
(Global project out of Australia)
"Amazing Trees - The Great Tree Hunt" is an online collaborative project where groups of students research and investigate trees in their local environment. Their findings may be presented as stories, poems, drawings, descriptions, creative/imaginative/factual writing, measurements, digital/photographic images, observations etc. These may be submitted for posting at Amazing Trees website.

American Forests, National Registry of Historic Trees

www.historictrees.org
This is tied into a nursery which sells seedlings from these historic trees. It is also tied in with a 13 part PBS documentary series called "Tree Stories." Science and history curricula have been developed to accompany the series.

Animal Inn

www.fs.fed.us
"Animal Inn is an environmental education program designed to inform children and adults about the importance of dead and dying trees located in the forests, parks, and even in their own yards! Dead and dying trees support a wide variety of animals and plants."

Eco-Psychology and the Ecological Worldview

www.rmetzner-greenearth.org/biblio.html
From Ralph Mezner, PhD, a comprehensive listing of book titles in field of ecological studies. Includes sections on deep ecology, eco-psychology, bioregionalism, living systems theory, ecophilosophy, ecofeminism--and much more.

Edgecomb, Diane

www.livingmyth.com/myth/solstice/index.asp
"Tree Lore and Solstice Legends" shows photos of a performance at the Arnold Arboretum near Boston given by Diane Edgecomb, accompanied by harper, Margot Chamberlain. An inspiring model for storytelling in parks and gardens elsewhere.

Forests Where We Live

www.lpb.org/programs/forest/classroom.html
Geared toward building skills in urban forestry. Excellent curriculum materials for all grades, K-12. Includes an accompanying hour long documentary and and a six part series for use in grades 6-12 classrooms. More info available at
www.lpb.org/programs/forestseries

Fraser, Anna — "The Gift of Trees"

www.the-tree.org.uk
Essay discussing the myriad uses of trees throughout history

International Trees and Forests Project

from the Eleanora Heights Primary School, in California.
www.zip.com.au/~elanora/trees.html
Internet initiative from a California primary school encouraging schools worldwide to report on a particular tree on their schoolground, noting seasonal changes and creatures who live in or visit the tree Schools from twenty-six countries are participating in this project so far, their reports and photos now posted at the site.

National Arbor Day Foundation

www.arborday.org
Educational activites are one aspect of this national organization. Includes an annual poster contest around the theme of "Trees are Terrific, Inside and Out."

National Park Service

www.nps.gov
has some different programs on forest ecosystem preservation online.

National Tree Trust

www.nationaltreetrust.org
has a variety of programs listed at
www.middlebury.edu
Their materials for elementary school age kids are built around Judith Blau's cartoon-like "Treetures" re. which more can be learned at
www.treetures.com
NTT materials include various "Growing Together with Treetures" activity guides.

NHBS Ltd "For the Best Books on Earth, Worldwide"

www.nhbs.co.uk/envli/senvli.html
From UK-based mailorder business, a comprehensive listing of book titles on all aspects of environment and earth sciences, from Antrhopods to Zoology. Includes sections on plants, ecology, habitats. Links to purchasing information for the books.

Old Elm Speaks

www.kristinegeorge.com
Ideas for writing poems about trees, from children's book author, Kristine O'Connell George.

Riverbank Review

www.riverbankreview.com/trees.html
Riverbank Review of Books for Young Readers, Summer 2001 issue. "Ten Great Books About Trees"

Science of Dencrochronology Website

web.utk.edu/~grissino
Comprehensive collection of materials related to tree rings and their study. Links to other tree ring sites, too. Highschool/college.

Shelburne Farms/EPA

www.epa.gov
In connection with the Environmental Protection Agency, Shelburne Farms has developed some tree-related activities, including winter identification of twigs.

Songs for Environmental Education

www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/2400
From Yukon-based environmental educator, Remy Rodden. "Environmental songs! Environmental music! Nature songs! Earth songs! This page is dedicated to exploring the use of music and song in environmental education., and offers valuable links to related sites." Includes articles, papers and lesson plans.

Swope, Sam

www.middlebury.edu
"How 36 Middle-schoolers Learned to Appreciate Wallace Stevens, and How Their Teacher Learned to Appreciate them" Excellent essay on poetry writing project with NYC public school students, trees as focus.

Trees Forever

www.treesforever.org/index.htm
Iowa-based project whose motto is "Empowering People, Involving Communities, Improving the Enviornment." Has some educational suggestions at website. This organization has also produced several tree-related videos, in particular a six part video called "Spirit of the Trees" featuring interviews with dozens Native Americans about their attitudes and relationship with trees.

Trees for Life

www.treesforlife.org/treesforlife.html
A Kansas (USA) based organization the focus is on encouraging people to plant fruit trees in developing countries. Also offers "Trees for Life Adventure Classroom Kit" for classroom use.

Trees of Time and Place

www.totap.org.uk/people.htm
A British tree-planting iniative in 1999, had strong arts component and led to publication of a book of children's tree poetry. Some examples of the poetry are at:
www.poetrysociety.org.uk

Trees: Science and Literature Resources

nuevaschool.org
Excellent bibliography compiled by librarian, Debbie Abilock. Annotated listing of more than fifty childrens books on identification, cycles, environmental messages, etc

Wonderful World of Trees

www.domtar.com
Activities and glossary available at this engaging site were created by the Canadian company, Domtar. Lots of information on a year in the life of a tree, uses for trees, the importance of biodiversity, etc..

World Community of Old Trees

www.nyu.edu/projects/julian
June Julian's remarkable "Eco-art Project in Progress" focuses on tree-related art, with selections ranging from art history to contemporary selections. Includes a section for submissions from school children.