Tree Factory

Have you ever heard of a photosynthesis lesson that your students will want to do again and again? PLT’s “Tree Factory” is a fun activity that allows students to act out parts of a tree while learning about its structure and function. Try one of these variations* after your students have done the activity once or twice.

Have more than 30 students, or want to do this activity during a school or grade outing? Incorporate animals that live on or use trees, such as ants, birds, raccoons, squirrels, deer, etc. The list is endless!

For older students, ask them to name some area factories. What do they produce? What do factories use to make their product? Do they release anything in the air? What do trees produce? (sugar for the tree) What do trees use to make their product? (carbon dioxide and water) What do trees release in the air? (oxygen) What are the similarities between a tree and a factory?

A fun way to end this activity is to pretend a strong wind blows the tree down.

*The activity lists eight additional variations. Don’t forget to try those as well!

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Dorres, A.1997. A Tree is Growing. Scholastic.
Goldish, M. 1990. How Plants Get Food. Steck-Vaughn.
Worth, B. 2001. Oh Say Can You Seed?: All About Flowering Plants. Random House, Incorporated.

Grades 3 – 5
Asimov, I. 1989. How Did We Find Out About Photosynthesis? Walker & Company.
Juettner, B. 2005. Photosynthesis. KidHaven Press.
Notkin, L. 1997. The Magic School Bus Gets Planted: A Book About Photosynthesis. Scholastic Paperbacks.

Grades 6-8
Juettner, B. 2005. Photosynethesis. Thomson Gale.
Massa, R. 1997. Breathing Earth. Steck-Vaughn.
Ross, B. 1995. Straight from the Bear's Mouth: The Story of Photosynthesis. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Silverstein, A. 1998. Photosynthesis. Lerner Publishing Group.
Staub, F.J. 2004. Photosynthesis. Creative Company.
Walker, Alan. 1999. A Leaf in Time. Portland Press.