A Letter to the "Giving Tree"

Name: Eva Herberger
Date: 4/22/2013
Lesson Name: A Letter to the "Giving Tree"

Subject that Inspired the Lesson: This lesson was inspired by the story the "Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein. The lesson incorporates the elements of language arts by reading and discussing the story the "Giving Tree," and teaching the different parts of a letter, and why they are important. This lesson also allows students to express their creativity through painting their own tree and expressing their thoughts and feelings to the tree by writing a letter to the tree. This lesson is very versatile for any grade level between first and third grade, and it may modified to fit the criteria for different needs of the students.

Novel that Inspired the Lesson:












Materials Used:

• Paper
• Paints (red, green, brown)
• Markers
• Cotton Balls

Step-By-Step Instructions:

1. Start by by giving each student a dollop of red, green, and brown paint that they will use for their own painting of the giving tree. Then, give them a few cotton balls for them to dip into the paint to create their tree. You may want to outline a shape of a tree if the students are young.

 
2. After, they complete the base of their tree, they can add personal touches. ( i.e. apples, giving tree)

3. Next, to incorporate the language arts aspect, the students will write a letter of empathy to the tree. Here is an outline that you can make the for the students and explain the parts of a letter.

4. Finally, the students will have a painting of the tree and letter for the tree. You can then, compose the letter into a book for all the students to share and read out loud. Their paintings can be displayed throughout the classroom.

Elements and Principles:

• Texture is used in this lesson by how the paint forms on the paper from the cotton ball. It creates an interesting, texturized look. It makes the tree come to life and look more 3 dimensional.
• Color is used in this lesson through the brightness the paint brings to the tree creating a nice contrast between the green and red.
• Shape is used in this lesson by the students creating the shape of the tree, and it making it their own by shaping the trunk and the leaves.