Before going outdoors we read aloud the section on pines and the boys were very interested in the "evil insect" laying its eggs in the "leader" of the pine. They were eager to see whether or not the trees next door (that we were planning to observe) had only the central stem or if it was divided near the top. The easiest way to determine this was to stand right beneath the tree looking up the trunk all the way to the top. We found that one of the trees was divided into two segments near the top. The others had only one central stem all the way up.
Next we gathered up pine cones and fallen needles. The lowest branches were too high for us to gather any green needles. The boys quickly discovered the sheath at the bottom of the three- needled bundles. Our needles measured between 9 and 10 inches. We also noticed that the foliage was toward the end of the branches and on the upper side with the pine cones hanging down. The bark was light and dark gray and it was in scales.
After we got home we examined the cones and even found a seed with its wing. Our cones did have a little spine and the closed cones were very painful to carry. We drew the scale and the seed.
We did both a needle rubbing and a bark rubbing along with our nature journal enty.
This was a very fascinating study and was enjoyed by all! (Special thanks to our kind neighbors for letting us roam their yard gathering up needles and cones.)
Before going outdoors we read aloud the section on pines and the boys were very interested in the "evil insect" laying its eggs in the "leader" of the pine. They were eager to see whether or not the trees next door (that we were planning to observe) had only the central stem or if it was divided near the top. The easiest way to determine this was to stand right beneath the tree looking up the trunk all the way to the top. We found that one of the trees was divided into two segments near the top. The others had only one central stem all the way up.
Next we gathered up pine cones and fallen needles. The lowest branches were too high for us to gather any green needles. The boys quickly discovered the sheath at the bottom of the three- needled bundles. Our needles measured between 9 and 10 inches. We also noticed that the foliage was toward the end of the branches and on the upper side with the pine cones hanging down. The bark was light and dark gray and it was in scales.
After we got home we examined the cones and even found a seed with its wing. Our cones did have a little spine and the closed cones were very painful to carry. We drew the scale and the seed.
We did both a needle rubbing and a bark rubbing along with our nature journal enty.
This was a very fascinating study and was enjoyed by all! (Special thanks to our kind neighbors for letting us roam their yard gathering up needles and cones.)
4 comments:
What a great pine tree study. I love how the book makes things interesting and simple at the same time.
We were out last night looking at a pine in our neighbor's yard and I never realized how long the needles are before. I have lived here 22 years.
Your journals are fantastic and it sounds like you all learned a lot.
Thanks for the link,
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
I forgot to ask if I can use the photo of your son looking at the pine cone for the Outdoor Hour Photo of the week. I might even add the image of his journal as an example if that is okay with you.
Let me know,
Barb
Great study! Looks like we have the same kind of pines.
Great nature study. I love the photo of your son studying the pinecone! We meant to do rubbings today, but forgot...
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