Read Aloud Picks - How To Draw A Tree (and many others)
- hvgreenspan
- Apr 12
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Hello Lovely Educators! It's that time of the year... spring fever is here, and we're counting down the days even harder than the students!
Why not spruce up your lesson plans with an engaging and educational science-themed read-aloud?
I'm feeling myself drawn to the growing, budding, blooming trees this spring, so here are a few STEAMy tree books to get you outside...
How to Draw a Tree written by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Colleen Muske
Use this book for:
a delightful read aloud
teaching the 5 senses
teaching strong adjectives
teaching about different types of trees
"Would you like to draw a tree?
Here’s how. First you’ll need to make friends with your tree. Feel it. Smell it. Listen to it...
There are so many words that could describe a tree:
prickly, shimmery, scraggly, squat,
ancient, graceful, crooked, proud.
What words would you choose?
The more you look, the more you see.
Beyond an art or science lesson, this book encourages young artists to go outside and spend time in nature, exploring firsthand what they plan to draw." ~ Minnesota Historical Society Press
The writing in this book is so inviting and fun, and the illustrations are gorgeous. Here's how I would use this book in my classroom:
On Day 1, I would read the book simply for the joy of reading.
On Day 2, I'd use this book to teach strong adjectives. I would have my students make a list of fun, unusual adjectives that we could use to describe things with each of our five senses. (My list includes taste... but we will not be tasting any trees!). The lists could include adjectives from the book... or not. Whatever you decide :)
On Day 3, I would take my students outside, paper and crayons in hand, and we would... draw a tree! Depending on your school's tree situation, every kid could choose a tree, all the whole class could draw the same tree and see how everyone's drawings differ in beautiful ways.
On Day 4, my students would write a poem about their tree.
Of course, you can choose any combination of these activities.
This link includes resources for each of the above activities:
Another pick for this spring is One Day This Tree Will Fall written by Leslie Barnard Booth and illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman.
"One day, after standing tall for centuries, this tree will fall. But even then, is its story over? Or will it continue to nurture the forest and its creatures for many years to come? Complete with additional information about the role trees play in a forest ecosystem, this sweeping story invites readers of all ages to celebrate the incredible life cycle and afterlife of trees." ~Simon and Schuster Website
The writing is lyrical and inviting, and the illustrations are vibrant and engaging. Plus, the opportunities to connect this book to your curriculum are abundant!
Want to teach science vocabulary? Find drought, crevice, roost, den, moss, mold, and sprout in this story (among other gems!). Use this free resource to pre-teach vocabulary!
Want to teach strong verbs? wounded, gobbled, nibbled, crackled, clawed, fluttered, eroded, crouched, slithered. Think of the charades game you could play with these verbs! (Here are your ready-to-print charades cards!)
Are you teaching cycles in nature (who is Elementary school isn't?) This story is great for teaching about the life cycle of trees... and the afterlife of trees!
This Is the Tree We Planted written by Kate McMullen, illustrated by Alison Friend
"A class plants a tree in the playground, and together, they watch it grow. There is no shortage of action to observe in its branches: a robin protecting her eggs from a squirrel and her kits, a lizard stalking a spider, and a hawk swirling around overhead. Within this tree is an entire ecosystem, all created by the class who planted it." ~Penguin Random House website
As an ESL teacher, I LOVE this story for teaching vocabulary because:
It includes both basic vocabulary and advanced vocabulary. My newcomer students could focus on learning vocabulary like tree, nest, eggs, squirrel, spider, etc. My more advanced students could focus on strong verbs like thrash, wail, zoom, race.
The vocabulary repeats throughout the book, giving students multiple opportunities to hear and process the words.
While we're at it, let's find some other STEAM books that your students can get into this spring!
With Artemis II recently bringing us rocket-loads of moon joy, try out these picture books:
Hannah, your students are so lucky to have you as a teacher!! Your lesson plans are outstanding!