Home • Eco Learning Portal • Streamside Trees in the Classroom

Eco Learning Portal

Streamside Trees in the Classroom

In-Classroom Program (with Field Trip)

Grade Level: middle-school, elementary-school

About:  Streamside Trees in the Classroom is a hands-on learning project that allows students to root native black willow cuttings in their classroom, learn about the importance of riparian buffers and water quality, and then plant their trees along a stream in need of streambank restoration.

 

Download Lesson:  (Download All)

 

Time: 4-5 weeks; September - October

 

Grade Level/Curriculum Requirement:  Grade 4

 

Objective: 

  • Students will root Black Willow trees cuttings in the classroom
  • Students will investigate and understand the parts of a tree
  • Students will investigate and understand that humans impact the environment
  • Students will learn about the importance of streamside vegetation and water quality

 

Standards Correlation: 3.6, 3.8, 4.2, 4.8

 

Essential Standards: Ecosystems; Structures and Functions of Living Organisms

 

Materials: 

  • DRBA Youtube videos: How to Prep Black Willow Cuttings for in the Classroom and What is Streamside Trees in the Classroom?
  • To order trees for the classroom: Places to Order Black Willow Cuttings PDF
  • Streamside Trees in the Classroom Manual Final 2018 PDF
  • Glass jars
  • Plastic tubs to hold glass jars
  • Rooting hormone

 

Procedure: Sign up for DRBA’s Streamside Trees in the Classroom program in the late summer by completing the DRBA Environmental Education Request Application on our For Educators Page on our website. Download the Streamside Trees in the Classroom Manual to use along with your in-classroom lessons and activities. Decide if you want to cut and prep your own black willow cuttings for your classroom, or order them online (see our list of places to order from). To propagate your own cuttings, watch our All About Streamside Trees in the Classroom YouTube video. We recommend 1 tree per 3-4 students, depending on the size of your class. This creates a team experience for the students to care for the tree and discuss the changes.

 

Helpful Info & Links:
DRBA Youtube videos to go along with lesson:
All About Streamside Trees in the Classroom