This is an activity I did with my forestry class to illustrate forest growth and forest layers, tree types and tree growth. We went outside with a paper plate and set up a "forest" and competed for resources. Just a fun way to get outside and illustrate how a tree grows. Could be used in Intro to Ag or in a Forestry class.
**Update: The powerpoint used for this unit can be found as a google doc at the following address:
I've had a couple comments about this activity, so a couple notes of clarification:
In order to distribute resources (candy bars) for the trees, I made it "rain" by throwing candy bars up in the air and having students catch them. Some 'years' i threw a lot of candy, and some years I only threw a little. Each time, they had to hand the candy back after marking their growth rings on their paper plate "tree." If they got a certain number of candy bars, they got to mark a certain sized ring on their tree.
We arranged our "forest" in an area about the size of 2 or 3 parking spaces for about 20 students.
If there are any more questions, suggestions, or modifications to this activity, feel free to post!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I can't wait to try it!
Hey Amber-
Love your activity! I was wondering if you could share your google docs ppt it is exactly what we were discussing and would work well for me! I have google docs: My email is denise.reeser@isd181.org. thanks hope you are doing well down south!
I'm confused--I clicked on it and it pulled up for me. let me know if you can't make it work again and I'll email you. I'm surviving, but its definitely been interesting trying to figure out all this stuff!!
Did you identify a certain location in which the students had to stay within?
How did you distribute the resources for the trees?
How did you conduct the activity from the beginning til the end?
I think that this is a great idea to incorporate into my environmental & natual resources class when we are talking about Forestry. Thanks for the great idea!