Down Comes A Tree

Down Comes A Tree

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about finding information and making inferences.
Read the article "Down Comes a Tree", pages 17-23 of Junior Journal 10.
 
a) The chart below shows some equipment the tree cutters used and what the equipment was used for. Fill in the gaps in the chart. 

Equipment What it is used for?
i) Ear-muffs   
ii)     Protecting the eyes from dust and sticks.
iii) Helmet  
iv)     Cutting off branches.
v)  Chipper   
vi)    Chewing up the stump.
 
b)
 
The writer says the grinder is like "a dog chewing on a big bone." In what way is the grinder like a dog chewing a bone?
 
 
 
 
 
c) 
Describe how a part of the chopped down tree will be used for something else.
 
 
 
 
 
d) 
How does the end of the article link with the beginning of the article?
 
 
 
 
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
 
Equipment: Down Comes a Tree, from pages 17-23 of Junior Journal 10. 
Copyright: 
Down Comes a Tree - Text and images were first published by Learning Media Limited for the Ministry of Education. © John Parker, 1993.
 
Source: Junior Journal 10, 1993.
Level:
2
Curriculum info: 
English, Making meaning, Reading
Key Competencies: 
Thinking
Keywords: 
comprehension, retrieval chart, figurative language, inference, junior journal
Description of task: 
Students read a Junior Journal article about tree cutting. From their comprehension of the story they complete a retrieval chart and explain the figurative language used.
Curriculum Links: 
Links to the Literacy Learning Progressions for Reading:
This resource helps to identify students’ ability to:
  • use comprehension strategies
  • recognise and unpack figurative language
as described in the Literacy Learning Progressions for Reading at: http://www.literacyprogressions.tki.org.nz/The-Structure-of-the-Progressions.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Making sense of text: processing system, set 3
within the Reading Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
 

Y4 (09/2000)
a)
  Equipment What is it used for?
i) Ear-muffs Protecting the ears from the noise (of the chainsaw).
ii) Safety-visor/goggles/ safetyglasses. Protecting the eyes from dust and sticks.
iii) Helmet Protecting the head (from fallingbranches).
iv) Chainsaw Cutting off branches.
v) Chipper Chopping the leaves and wood in tosmall pieces.
vi) Grinder Chewing up the stump.

easy

moderate

very easy

easy

moderate

moderate
b)

Accept any 1 of:

  • It has "teeth" (like a dog).
  • It "chews"/eats/chops up the stump/tree (like a dog does with a bone).
  • There is little left of the tree stump when the grinder stops like when a dog chews a bone.
 difficult
c) Accept any 1 of:

  • The leaves and branches (chopped up in the chipper) will go on the garden to keep the weeds down.
  • (The sawdust will be used for) compost.
  • (The wood will be used for) firewood.
  • The ashes from the firewood will be put back into the soil.
 moderate
d) The article starts with a tree being cut down and it ends talking about another tree growing. moderate