Count the Trees

Lesson Plans

Grades3, 4, 5Science, Mathematics

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by ClimateScience

Open Resource

What it is

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 tips

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.

From the scientist review

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.

How we review resources

Ready to use it?

Hosted on climatescience.org

Open Resource

Want this to fit your class?

Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.

At a glance

Grades: 3, 4, 5
Subjects: Science, Mathematics
Other types: Worksheets
Format: PDF
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: ClimateScience
Authors: ClimateScience
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.OA.A.2 + 3 more

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Common Core Math Standards (CCSS.MATH)

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.OA.A.2Multiply or divide to solve word problems involving multiplicative comparison, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem, distinguishing multiplicative comparison from additive comparison.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.NF.B.3Interpret a fraction as division of the numerator by the denominator (a/b = a ÷ b). Solve word problems involving division of whole numbers leading to answers in the form of fractions or mixed numbers, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem. For example, interpret 3/4 as the result of dividing 3 by 4, noting that 3/4 multiplied by 4 equals 3, and that when 3 wholes are shared equally among 4 people each person has a share of size 3/4. If 9 people want to share a 50-pound sack of rice equally by weight, how many pounds of rice should each person get? Between what two whole numbers does your answer lie?
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.NF.B.5Interpret multiplication as scaling (resizing).

Core

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

D4.7.3-5Explain different strategies and approaches students and others could take in working alone and together to address local, regional, and global problems, and predict possible results of their actions.

Cookie Preferences

What it is

Teaching tips

From the scientist review

Ready to use it?

Want this to fit your class?

Related Teaching Resources