The quality of the world around us, the air, soil and water, depends on the roles trees play in our environment. Trees clean the air we breathe because they take in carbon dioxide through their leaves and give off the oxygen we need to breathe. If trees didn't breathe, neither could we. Tree roots hold soil in place to prevent erosion which not only saves soil, but also helps keep our streams and lakes cleaner. Water is much cleaner when there are lots of trees around.
Trees provide shade in the summer to help keep our homes cool.
They block the wind in the winter which makes it easier to warm our homes. Have students draw or collect from magazines pictures of animals that live in or around trees, along with corresponding pictures of food they might eat. Older students could compile two matching lists of animals and tree foods. Lists could be combined on the chalkboard as the basis for a participatory classroom matching exercise. Have each student bring in or draw in class a picture of his or her favorite product that comes from a tree.