The Tree Lady
by H Joseph Hopkins and Illustrated by Jill McElMurry
2nd - 5th
Kathryn Straub
Barbara Sixby
Materials:
Students will use recycled materials, regular school supplies.
Extras:
Standards:
ELA
RL2.6 Describe what the author wants to explain
RL2.3 Major Events and Challenges
RL 2.9 Compare and Contrast
RL 2.4 Repeated phrases
RI 2.9 Compare and Contrast
Science:
LS2.A, 2-LS2-1, 2-LS2, 2-LS4
Engineering Design:
K–2-ETS1-1, K–2-ETS1-2. K–2-ETS1-3
The Tree Lady is a true story about Kate Sessions. Kate loved science from the time she was a little girl. In 1881, she was the first woman to earn a science degree from the University of California. Known as the ‘Mother of Balboa Park,’ she went on to transform the dry San Diego landscape into the lush green sprawling city it is today. Kate sourced seeds from tree species from all over the globe. She coordinated and held tree planting parties to help beautify the Balboa park in time for the city’s 1915 Panama-California Exposition.
Tree Lady Video
ELA Activities
Discussion Questions:
Compare and Contrast
Mystery Science - Plant Adventures
What can you do? / Grow a tree or a plant
Reduce, reuse, recycle
S C A M P E R
Birch Tree Art Lesson
Science
History
Art / Music
Technology
Math
English
Copy and Paste Image of the Book
Link to Internet
Lesson Creator Grade Level
Directions: Materials:
Title:
Ambassador:
Play video then discuss imagery questions on slide #3
The Tree Lady
by H Joseph Hopkins and Illustrated by Jill McElMurry
Discuss imagery: Trees were like giant umbrellas that sheltered her and the animals and plants that lived in the forest.
Activity - each student gets a blank piece of paper to draw an image of where they feel most at home.
The Tree Lady
by H Joseph Hopkins and Illustrated by Jill McElMurry
Play video read aloud on slide 2
ELA - Imagery (RL2.6 Describe what the author wants to explain)
Discuss: What challenges did Kate have when she was growing up and as an adult?
Listen the story again and stop and jot each time you hear the author mentions, “But Kate did.”
Discuss:
Theme / Central Message - Students will discuss with partners or table groups the theme.
Formative Assessment: Students will fill out the exit ticket to determine is they have an understanding of the theme / central message.
The Tree Lady
by H Joseph Hopkins and Illustrated by Jill McElMurry
Play video read aloud on slide 2
ELA - Major Events and Challenges / Repeated Phrases
(RL2.3 Major Events and Challenges)
(2.4 Repeated phrases)
ELA - Compare and Contrast
Students will compare and contrast Kate Sessions to George Washington Carver or John Chapman.
The Tree Lady
by H Joseph Hopkins and Illustrated by Jill McElMurry
RI 2.9 Texts are literature based but have informational aspects suited for this activity
Mystery Science Links - Plant Adventures
NGSS Standards
LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
2-LS2-1. Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow. [Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to testing one variable at a time.]
2-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
2-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
Science
Mystery science videos and lessons should be taught in conjunction with growing plants on slide #9
What can you do to make your yard, community, or school more beautiful.
Order free native seed packets - https://altnps.org/seed-packs
Human Impacts on Earth Systems
Objective: Understand that natural resources are limited and it is our job to help protect the Earth’s resources by reducing, recycling, and reusing
See full lesson plans or watch videos and discuss key concepts from video on why it is important to reduce, reuse, and recycle
Key Concepts:
Time to S C A M P E R
What is S C A M P E R
The worksheets help you plan
Brainstorming worksheet - use this to introduce and plan a group SCAMPER
SCAMPER worksheet - Students plan their own SCAMPER activity. Use slides 10 & 11 for SCAMPER ideas.
Engineering Design
S C A M P E R different uses for a plastic pot
Put an X by each way you chose to SCAMPER | Ways to SCAMPER | Tell how the object changed |
| S ubstitute something | |
| C ombint things | |
| A dapt or Add things | |
| M inify, Magnify, or Modify | |
| P ut it to another use | |
| E liminate something | |
| R earrange or reverse | |
Engineering Design
K–2-ETS1-1 , K–2-ETS1-2. , K–2-ETS1-3
Time to S C A M P E R
Kate thought trees were like giant umbrellas - how can you S C A M P E R different uses for an umbrella
Put an X by each way you chose to SCAMPER | Ways to SCAMPER | Tell how the object changed |
| S ubstitute something | |
| C ombint things | |
| A dapt or Add things | |
| M inify, Magnify, or Modify | |
| P ut it to another use | |
| E liminate something | |
| R earrange or reverse | |
Engineering Design
K–2-ETS1-1. , K–2-ETS1-2. , K–2-ETS1-3.
Time to S C A M P E R
Art Supplies