Tree-rings and Forest Fire Ecology Lessons and Activities
Some workshop tools that could be handy when designing your own:
-Activity/Lesson/Unit Design Brainstorming worksheet - worksheet to process what kind of activity, lesson, or unit you (the teacher) are thinking of creating.
-Teacher Lesson Template - Template to use for final lesson to be shared with the Tree Ring laboratory for publication on their site.
Middle school Unit
-Introduction to Fire Ecology (Lesson 1 of 6) - Key concepts: Ponderosa Pine ecosystems, abiotic and biotic factors, and healthy v. unhealthy ponderosa pine ecosystems.
-Fire Triangle (Lesson 2 of 6) - Key concepts: 3 essential elements of flame, wildfire, and fire regime triangles.
-Matchstick Forest (Lesson 3 of 6) - Key concepts: Lab to help compare difference between historic forests and present-day forests.
-Types of Wildfire (Lesson 4 of 6) - Key concepts: Three types of wildfires - ground fire, surface fire, crown fire.
-Forest Fire Progression (Lesson 5 of 6) - Key concepts: Ponderosa Pine forest density, healthy Ponderosa Pine forest, results of forest fire suppression of the 20th century.
-Tree Cookie Lab (Lesson 6 of 6) - Key concepts: Analyzing fire scarred tree 'cookie'.
High School lesson -Matchstick Forest and Fire Progression - Key concepts: Ponderosa Pine forest density, healthy Ponderosa Pine forest, forest density today and in the past.
Elementary School lesson -Charcoal Forest Activity - Key concepts: Reading activity using the Charcoal Forest book by Beth Peluso.
-Fire Ecology Powerpoint (For use with Lessons 1, 2, and 4.)
-Fire Progression Powerpoint (For use with Lessons 5 and 6.)
-Fire Storm Video (For use with Lesson 1.)
-Pre-Post Survey (For use with Lessons 1 and 6.)
-Fire Scarred Tree Cookie Photo (For use with Lesson 6.)
-Example of Fire Triangle made of popsicle sticks (Lesson 2)
-Ponderosa Pine Forest Fire Simulation worksheet (To help think through and design a matchstick forest experiment.)
Matchstick Forest Photos and Videos below are for use with Lesson 3.
Historic Matchstick' Forests at 0, 20, and 40 degrees.
Modern Dense 'Matchstick' Forests at 0, 20, and 40 degrees.
