Old Elm Speaks by Kristine O'Connell George

Old Elm Speaks by Kristine O'Connell George
Parent-Child Book Discussion
Grades 2-3
April 2008

Snack ideas: Broccoli and dip, snacks that grow on trees or fruit salad-- apple, nectarines, oranges, etc.

1. Tell us about your favorite tree. What is so special about it? If you could tell this tree something, what would it be?

2. Have you ever planted a tree before? What kind was it? How did it grow and change?

3. Thinking about the poems in this book, what kinds of animals live in or near trees in your neighborhood. (squirrels, birds, beavers, deer, insects)

4. Read "Tree Traffic"
website with interesting squirrel facts: http://www.squirrels.org/index.html
--Squirrels are solitary animals but will occasionally group together during the winter to stay warm in their nests (those bundles of twigs and leaves high in the trees) called dreys.
--The highest population of squirrels is in Washington DC in Lafayette Park (across from the White House).
--Squirrels that live in cities often have darker fur than the same kind of squirrel that lives in rural areas.

5. Read "Knot holes." Uses homonyms (words that sound alike but are spelled differently and have different meanings). What are other homonyms do you know? (EX: ant/aunt, ate/eight, beat/beet, buy/bye). Bring some books about homonyms.

6. What things do we use that are made of wood. Talk about recycling paper
-- Oberlin College Recycle facts (cited sources used): http://www.oberlin.edu/recycle/facts.html#paper
--Bring Recycling Site: http://www.bringrecycling.org/benefits.html

7. Read "Maple Shoot in a Pumpkin Patch." Make paper helicopters. Talk about other ways tree seeds spread. (Acorns, pods, buckeyes, walnuts, fruits, etc).


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Activity ideas:

Find a tree bud and try to find the little leaf inside.

Make maple "helicopters" out of paper.

Get Seedlings for students to plant.

Teacher Guide and Activities from Kristine O'Connell George: http://www.kristinegeorge.com/teachers_guide_old_elm_speaks.html