TITLE: TREE MEASUREMENT
AUTHOR: Jeanette Vratil, Lowell Elementary, KS
GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT: grades 4-6
OVERVIEW: This activity is used to help understand vertical
and horizontal measurement of large objects.
OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate measurement of the trunk, crown, and
height using vertical and horizontal measurement.
2. Compare results with other groups.
3. Create a graph of their findings for the trunk,
crown, and height of the tree.
4. Define horizontal, vertical, and circumference.
MATERIALS: String, ruler, paper pencil, meter stick,
Tree.
ACTIVITIES--
TRUNK:
1. Measure from the ground to 4 1/2 feet high on the
trunk.
2. At that height, measure the trunk's circumference. Use
a string around the trunk and measure the length of the
string.
3. Round to the nearest inch. Record the number and label
as circumference.
CROWN:
1. Find the tree's five longest branches.
2. Put markers on the ground beneath the tip of the
longest branch.
3. Find a branch that is opposite it and mark its tip on
the ground.
4. Measure along the ground from first marker to the
second marker.
5. Record the number and label as crown.
HEIGHT:
1. Have your partner stand at the base of the tree.
2. Back away from the tree, holding your ruler in front of
you in a vertical position. Keep your arm straight.
Stop when the tree and the ruler appear to be the same
size. (Close one eye to help you line it up.)
3. Turn your wrist so that the ruler looks level to the
ground and is in a horizontal position. Keep your arm
straight.
4. Have your partner walk to the spot that you see as the
top of the ruler. Be sure the base of the ruler is
kept at the base of the tree.
5. Measure how many feet he or she walked. That is the
tree's height. Round to the nearest foot and record
your answer as the height.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: Allow time for groups to compare
answers and then remeasure the tree is needed. Usually it
takes several measurements. Be sure and allow time for each
person to take several measurements since they will be
working with partners.
CLASSROOM: Have students make bar graphs using information
gathered outside. Have students locate the biggest tree,
smallest tree of the same species.
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