The Giving Tree

Description of Learning Unit: 

In this unit, you will be reading "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein with your child. You will discuss some of the emotions present in the story and your child will create a "Happiness is" book of his/her own. Your child will also learn more about what we get from trees by reading an online page and then applying what he/she has learned in some fun activities: tree drawing, leaf rubbings, a "Working Trees" coloring book. This unit will also introduce the concept of contractions by reading a page online with your child and then practicing with online games and an online quiz. In addition, your child will review all sight words learned so far. This unit is designed to last one week, depending on how often you teach language arts.

 List of Objectives:

• Read "The Giving Tree."
• Learn what trees give us.
• Learn about advanced contractions and practice using them.
• Review all sight words for the year.

   

List of Materials and Supplies Needed for This Pathway:

 Prior Knowledge Required for This Unit (if any):

Literature Activities:

Watch and listen to story "The Giving Tree" with your child and discuss it together.

Go to this page with your child and help him/her answer the comprehension questions for "The Giving Tree." When your child is done, click the "correct my answers" button at the bottom of the page to have the page corrected online.

In this activity, you will have your child cut a page into strips and put those strips in the correct sequence of events that occurred in the story.

In this story, the tree felt a variety of emotions at the different stages of the boys life. Discuss these emotions with your child and ask him or her to share when he/she may have felt the same way. Some of the emotions the tree felt were love, happiness, sadness and loneliness. Discuss what each emotion is and what makes you feel that way. Then, have your child make his or her own "Happiness Is . . ." book.

In the beginning of the story, the boy collected the tree's leaves and played with them. In this activity, your child will be able to collect leaves and do fun things with them as well.   

In the story, "The Giving Tree," the tree provided quite a few things for the boy. In this activity, your child will explore some of the many things that trees provide for all of us. You are going to help your child make his or her own tree and decorate it with pictures of things that trees provide or produce. Some examples are food, shelter for animals, shade, oxygen, and products for people.

Sight Words - Review:

In this lesson, you will review the sight words that your child has been working on this year. Gather the flashcards that you have printed or made in all previous units and review them with your child.

In this lesson, you can print out and test your child's memory of the 1st grade sight words.

In this activity, you will have your child pick apples with the sight words written on them.

Language Arts Concepts - Advanced Contractions:

Teach your child to identify and use contractions.

This online worksheet will give your child a chance to practice using and becoming familiar with contractions.

In this online game, your child will have a chance to practice his or her contraction recognition.

All About Me:

This week your child will be writing about the pets he or she has or would like to have.

Learning Tools (worksheets, drills, printables, online games, tests, etc.):

In this lesson, you will read to your child all of the amazing things that we get from trees.

This coloring book teaches the many important things trees do for us and our environment.

Free Online Video:

Free Online Audio:

Free E-Books (and classics available in most libraries):