Lesson 3: Nature's Treasure Chest

Objective

1. To understand and appreciate the variety of forest products that we all use in our everyday lives
2. To appreciate wood as earth's only renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable resource
3. To learn how paper is made

Skills

1. Association
2. Consumer Awareness
3. Science
4. Reading
5. Language
6. Math
7. Art

Vocabulary

Renewable

Having the capability of replenishing itself

Recyclable

Being able to be utilized again, often by being restructured into something else

Biodegradable

Being able to be broken down or decomposed by natural means

Cells

The basic building blocks of living things

Cellulose

The material that makes up plant cell walls

Fiber

Thin threads that bind together to form animal and plant matter

Lignin

The sticky substance that bind plant cells together

Pulp

The mash that forms when wood chips are cooked

Focus

1. Establish the concept of the word "paper" by identifying the Latin word "papyrus" which was the Egyptian reed from which paper was first made. Ask the students if they can guess how paper is made today. Ask them to think of some of the things they know are made from wood. Make a list of their answers on the board.

2. Establish the value and variety of forest products by having the students read the story "Nature's Treasure Chest". After they have finished reading it, have the students circle or highlight all the wood products they can find in the story. Review with the class the explanations for many of the surprising products derived from wood.

Enrichment Activity

1. Make recycled paper as a class project. Instructions linked to this pages below. the students may take home the instruction sheet and work the project at home with their families.

2. Make a greeting card out of recycled paper. Students can draw designs on their finished paper. Use a glue pen to write a message or design a horder and then sprinkle with glitter. Punch a hole in the corner and run curly ribbon through it to form a gift tag, if preferred.

Other Materials Needed:

Student Vocabulary List

"Nature's Treasure Chest"

Nature's Treasure Chest Key

Explanation Guide

Making Paper Handout