Trees have different shapes depending not only on their species, but on their living conditions. This activity provides an opportunity for interdisciplinary learning applying scientific observation and language arts.
Bring a journal or field notebook while taking a walk in a nearby park or woods and look at the shapes of the trees growing in swampy areas, open areas, sloped areas, mountain tops.
Notice the shapes of the trees and the characteristics of their bark (smooth or rough), leaves (net veined or parallel veins), branches (alternate or opposite).
Upon return to the classroom, look up the identity of the tree in a field guide, and then write a poem so that the words form the shape of the tree and reflect something about one or more characteristics of the tree.
Here is an example:
I
Chop
White pine
Needles, steep them
In boiled water to make tea
That warms and nourishes my body
And my spirit when brutal northeast wind
Forces me to abandon my hike and seek shelter
Indoors