This unit of work is based on the article ‘The Lungs Of The Earth’ from issue 13 of Animal Planet magazine (included). Pupils will learn why trees are a vital for humans and other wildlife and will explore how deciduous trees change throughout the seasons.
The article is also used to develop comprehension skills to check pupils’ understanding of the text and to encourage them to retrieve and record information from non-fiction. It is also used to inspire writing, with the opportunity to write a description of how a tree changes throughout the seasons, using descriptive language.
During the unit the pupils will also learn the names and functions of parts of a plant and will identify trees using the identification cards provided.
Teachers’ notes are included for each of the activities, with suggested activities to develop the unit further.
This resource pack includes:
- Copy of the Animal Planet article ‘Lungs Of The Earth’
- Comprehension question cards (with answer sheet)
- British tree identification sheet
- Parts of a tree poster
- Parts of a tree matching cards
- A tree through the seasons images
- Descriptive writing planning sheet
- Themed writing paper
What is Animal Planet Magazine?
This pack has been created in association with Animal Planet magazine, which fuels curious minds, helps children make sense of the world and sparks joy on every page.
To find out more, and register your interest in a school subscription, visit https://www.animalplanetmagazine.com/schools
National Curriculum Programme of Study Links
Reading
Pupils should develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by listening to and discussing a wide range of … non-fiction
Pupils should understand what they read by
- checking that the text makes sense to them, discussing their understanding and explaining the meaning of words in context.
- asking questions to improve their understanding of the text.
Pupils should be taught how to retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction.
Writing
Year 3 / 4
Pupils should plan their writing by
- discussing and recording ideas
Pupils should draft and write by
- organising paragraphs around a theme
Year 5/6
Pupils should plan their writing by
- noting and developing initial ideas, drawing on reading research where necessary
Pupils should draft and write by
- composing and rehearsing sentences orally (including dialogue) progressively building a varied and rich vocabulary and an increasing range of sentence structures
- selecting appropriate grammar and vocabulary, understanding how such changes can change and enhance meaning.
Science
Year 3
Pupils should be taught to identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants: roots, stem/trunk, leaves and flowers.
Year 4
Pupils should be taught to explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment.