Trees in the playground

Trees in the playground

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about how trees can be useful in the school playground.
Your class has been given this tree to plant in the school playground.
lemonwood / tarata tree sapling

Question 2Change answer

Write down three reasons why it is good to have large trees in the school playground.
1.
2.
3.
 
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Copyright: 
lemonwood / tarata tree sapling
Image: © J.Fisher | Photokete
All images copyright to PhotoKete are used under license and can be freely used for educational purposes in New Zealand Aotearoa.
Level:
2
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
Earth systems, trees
Description of task: 
Students explain their understandings of the benefits of having trees in the school playground.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Engage with science
This resource provides opportunities to recognise and explain a science issue in caring for the environment.
Science capabilities: 
Engage with science
Answers/responses: 

 

Y4 (08/2001)

For any 3 of:

  • provides shade/shelter
  • provides a place for children to climb/play around
  • to make the playground look good
  • provides oxygen/clean air
  • provides a place for (small) animals to live in/eat
  • prevents erosion


3 correct – difficult

2 correct – moderate

1 correct – very easy
Teaching and learning: 
Some answers involve science understandings, e.g.,
  • provides shade/shelter 
  • provides oxygen/clean air
  • provides a place for (small) animals to live in/eat prevents erosion.
Two answers were based on experiences, aesthetics, e.g., 
  • provides a place for children to climb/play around
  • to make the playground look good.
Diagnostic and formative information: 

Analysis of correct responses

Although students only needed to give 3 good reasons for having large trees, the frequency of each correct response was:

67% of students mentioned 'shade'.
35% of students mentioned 'place to play'.
36% of students mentioned 'to look good'.
20% of students mentioned 'oxygen/clean air'.
10% of students mentioned 'animal home'.
3% of students mentioned 'erosion'.

 

Next steps: 
Ask students to explain why their reasons are important.