Share what things in nature you are thankful for with us during the month of November at info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or on social media with #ORKthanks.
You an also get crafty and make a “thankfulness tree” using any materials or mediums. Make individual leaves and write what in nature you are thankful for on each leaf; you can include what your friends and family are thankful for also.
Send us a photo of your Thankfulness Tree!
Activity is open to all ages. This activity can be combined with Project Learning Tree activity “We All Need Trees” which can be adapted for grades PreK-6 in Science, Social Studies, Visual Arts and Language Arts.
Pinus longifolia. Public domain. Aylmer Bourke Lambert. 1803.
Vocabulary:
Adaptation – How a species changes over time to help it survive in its environment Canopy – Tallest trees in a forest; also includes animals living in that level Decomposition – The breakdown process of organic matter through decay, rotting, animal feces Ecology – The study of relationships between organisms and their environment Habitat – The environment in which a species typically lives and eats Pioneer Species – The first species to enter a new habitat Succession – Change in different species and their community over time Symbiosis – A biological relationship between two species Understory – Trees and plants that live below the main canopy level of a forest
Bald cypress samples
Activity:
Go outside and find a tree in your backyard, school playground, community park, etc. Once you pick your tree, look at the different characteristics (leaf shape, size, color; bark; height, trunk width; etc.) and identify your tree.
Once you identify your tree, take note of its habitat. Does it like shade or sun? Does it grow near the water? Is it the tallest tree around or is it in the understory? Do you notice any animals or insects on, or around, your tree? Write down as many details about your tree’s habitat as you can. Take some photos or make a drawing / painting / collage of your tree.
Bald cypress botanical drawing. Louisiana Digital Library.
Next, do some research (computer or library) to find out more about your tree. Write a short story about your tree and include everything you saw and read about it. Include a picture of your tree or your artistic representation and send it to us: info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org
One submission will be chosen to be featured on our social media!
If you need help with identifying your tree for this activity:
Activity can be done in combination with Project Learning Tree activity “We All Need Trees,” which can be adapted for PreK-6 grade in Science, Visual Arts & Language Arts.
Activity is open to all ages and was adapted from Rock Eagle 4-H Center Education Program Curriculum. It meets the needs or can be combined with other activities for the following Georgia Standards of Excellence in Science.
S3L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the similarities and differences between plants, animals, and habitats found within geographic regions (Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plains, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau) of Georgia.
S4L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the roles of organisms and the flow of energy within an ecosystem.
SBO1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to analyze the nature of the relationships between plant morphological structures and anatomical structures, functions, and processes.
SBO2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to delineate the plant divisions based on current plant phylogenetic and taxonomic principles.
Share your photos with Ogeechee Riverkeeper. Send in your sprout pictures to info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or tag us on social media.
Thank you to Peyton and Whitley for demonstrating!
Materials needed: – Empty egg cartons (preferably paper/cardboard cartons) – Spray water bottle – Seed packets: tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, watermelons, okra, sweet peppers, and/or marigold seeds & potting soil (can be ordered online or any other ag/garden supply store) -OR- old potato(es), if you are not able to get seeds and potting soil
For seed packets:
Poke small holes in the bottom of each “egg” for water to drain out.
Fill each “egg” with soil, push a finger in the middle of the dirt up to the first or second knuckle (kids with small fingers)
Drop in seeds (check package for amount of seeds per “egg”).
Use a water spray bottle and spritz each “egg”.
Check seed sunlight/shade preferences. Since egg cartons are light, you can move them around the yard for sun/shade needs!
Once the seeds sprout and start to outgrow the cartons, you can replant them in a garden bed, large pot, etc. You can plant them directly into the ground in their paper/cardboard “egg” because they will decompose; if you used styrofoam cartons, you will need to transplant them.
Make sure to separate each egg either by tearing or cutting.
Let a few potatoes grow sprouts, also known as “eyes”. These cannot be eaten so instead of throwing them away, you can plant them and they need very little care.
Cut the potato in half or leave whole in most soil types, leaving the eyes exposed. They will sprout in sun or shade.
Water right after you plant them and then let them do the rest of the work.
Water 1-2 times per week if it has not rained.
After potatoes stems have finished flowering, you can go on a scavenger hunt for the fresh, new potatoes in the soil!
Remember to share your photos with Ogeechee Riverkeeper. Send in your gardening pictures to info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or tag us on social media with #ORKoutside.
Activity is open to all ages and meets the needs or can be combined with other activities for the following Georgia Standards of Excellence in science, earth systems and meteorology, depending on how in depth your activity is.
S1L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the basic needs of plants and animals.
S2L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the life cycles of different living organisms.
SBO4.C. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to analyze the impact of plant diseases and pests on plant defense systems and agriculture.
H.E1.5: Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision making skills to enhance health.
Need to know what will grow best in our watershed? Visit the