TREE TOPS and Kindergarteners' Rock

We are going to "adopt a tree" on our playground for the month of September (Sept 17 week). We will measure it with links and we will observe it's properties. Is it big, small? What kind of tree is it? What are we going to name it? We will add photos and a video of the children observing the tree and will make a digital book for our smartboard.

This project will last throughout the year, as we observe our adopted tree in the Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring.

We will write the changes in our booklets and will also
document the changes with the class as they interact with nature and the outside tree.

We will have a digital creation that will remain in the classroom, but the teacher will make copies of the digital book as a keepsake for parents and their kindergarten childrens' first year of school.

Just as the tree grows, so do they! How exciting to
show this on videotape...the growth of the children as well as the growth of the tree.

Sept.17: Observe, adopt and measure the tree. Record
with audio/video cameras and teacher's olympus digital camera. Add to a powerpoint slide. (smartboard)

November 26: Repeat the same lesson. Students will watch the recording and put the information in the computer with the teacher and add to the powerpoint slide.


January 14: Repeat the same lesson. Students go outside
and record the changes through video/audio/booklets of illustration. Teacher will put audio/video into a powerpoint that has continued throughout the year.

April or May(teacher will decide): Final observation and recording of the tree. Add to the powerpoint and view on
the smartboard. Use audio/video. Students will share with our book buddies.

May:
Make copies of the powerpoint/digital book for the parents.
Package it and send home at the end of the year.
Keepsake: Tree Tops and Kindergarteners' Rock

Teacher plans to learn how to use podcasting in order to
add the video/audio clips to the class website. Phew..
wish me luck!!
Patricia Hintz

Materials needed: Olympus camera/ memory card/ microphone for the computer/ cds/
Would like to have a camcorder (will use the one at school)
Pre-made booklets for illustrations/ colored links for measuring