Count the Trees
Grades: 3, 4, 5
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Science, Mathematics
Authors: ClimateScience
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This math activity introduces students to the concept of greenhouse gas emissions and engages students in multiplication, division, and rounding.
- Students will answer questions related to emissions from electricity use, food production, transportation, plastic production, and clothing.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This resource is a fun way to apply mathematical concepts that could appear abstract to the students.
- The teacher's guide includes an answer key.
- It contains some suggestions of climate-friendly activities.
Additional Prerequisites
- To provide additional context before this exercise, consider these resources about solutions to climate change, an interactive data table, this Foodprint Calculator, and carbon calculators like Carbon Check.
Differentiation
- With the climate-friendly activities listed on the handout as a guide, ask the students to make lists of other climate-friendly activities.
- Advanced students could consider drawing graphs using the data to compare the emissions of each activity and to calculate how many times they do each activity in a given period of time to get an accurate comparison.
- Other related resources include this video on how trees could cool down Phoenix, Arizona and this StC lesson plan on urban trees and inequality.
The resource provides a baseline for students to gain practical knowledge in calculation of carbon footprints. Although trees are good sequesters of CO2, educators should note that 22kg/per tree for CO2 being sequestered is relative. It could be more or less depending on the age of the tree, leaf structure, bark, and root structure. This is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
