Monday, September 20, 2010

Identifying Our Mystery Tree

We had enough of a sun break today, for me to send the older kids out, on a mission to identify our mystery tree.

Actually, I was pretty excited, because I found a printable, tree identification guide, and worksheet, for 4th - 12th graders, from the Arbor Day Association, entitled "Mystery Tree Challenge".


It's a very simple guide, full of clear illustrations, to explain the questions.


The answer to each question leads you to an additional question (sort of like a Choose Your Own Adventure book). The children recorded the answers they chose, on the worksheet, so it was easy to track back, in case one of them got it wrong.

At first, they were a little uncertain, but after some group discussion, they all agreed on the identity of our tree. Which, matched what I had found on the weekend, using the Arbor Day Association's computerized guide, and this Suite 101 guide to identifying trees by their bark.

I'll let you know what the tree is, and whether we were right in our fall foliage predictions, when the leaves actually change (Lord willing). But, just in case you're really curious you can use the guides above, and pictures below, to figure it out for yourself.



It's great to be a homeschooler.

6 comments:

Christy Killoran said...

The suspense is killing me! Your children are learning so much through this tree mystery. Fantastic!

Brimful Curiosities said...

Your mystery is very intriguing. I'm not sure what kind of tree that is but I'm interested to find out.

Debbie said...

I love the way you are walking your kids through this. I am curious to see if what you find out is what I am guessing the tree type is. I will let you know when you reveal your answer.

Ticia said...

It's a palm tree!

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

Ticia cracks me up. I want to say dogwood, but not sure. Can't wait to see the answer!

Elise said...

I would be super excited too if I had stumbled upon that resource. What a fun, user friendly resource to have on hand.