Open Oregon Educational Resources
Forest Measurements: An Applied Approach
Geometry—it's not just for the math classroom! Learners explore the field of forestry through a mathematical lens. An instructional resource explains how forest workers collect data about trees such as height, diameter, and age using...
Curated OER
Forest Measurements
Students analyze timber and use measuring techniques to figure board feet. In this investigative instructional activity students learn why accurate measurements are important and how to convert standing timber to board feet.
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Introduction to Measuring the Forest
Students investigate how much wood is in a forest. In this forestry lesson, students calculate how much usable wood comes from the forest. They will read, Sizing Things Up from Trees + Me = Forestry, measure firewood piles, and create a...
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What's a Tree Worth?
High schoolers calculate the board footage of a tree. In this forestry lesson, students use a Biltmore tree scale stick to calculate the number of board feet that would be produced. They quantify the economic value of a tree from this...
Curated OER
What Role Do Forest Play in Continuing or Renewing Our Planet's Resources?
High schoolers explore the interaction between the forest and wildlife. In this forestry lesson, students collect data about forest ecosystems, species of trees, photosynthesis, and interaction of organisms. They prepare a lab activity...
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From Trees to Paper
Sixth graders investigate logging and the process of paper making. In this forestry lesson, 6th graders analyze pictures of trees being processed into the paper they use everyday. Students solve and create math problems based on...
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Practical GPS Applications in Forestry & Agriculture
An explanation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Geographic Information System (GIS) is given in this presentation. Uses and applications are considered. How it works and sources of error are also touched upon. A large...
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Bringing Forestry into the Classroom
Here are ways to incorporate science, math, and language arts while learning more about the forests that sustain us.
K20 LEARN
Transpiring Trees: Plant Transpiration and the Water Cycle
Looking for a tree-rific addition to your water cycle unit? Teams of young foresters examine the role of transpiration in the water cycle through a week's worth of activities. Pupils analyze how trees take in and transport water during...
Curated OER
Soil Slope
High schoolers study how to measure the soil slope of an area. In this soil instructional activity students work in groups and complete an activity that allows them to find the slope of a given area.
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Optional Laboratory: Measuring Tree Heights
Students work together to measure tree heights. They make predictions on what they believe the calculations are and answer questions during the experiment. They share their results with the class.
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Pacing a Gunther Chain
Students pace a Gunther Chain, a measurement used by foresters to determine distance and area. They discuss that pacing is individualized depending on age, gender, etc. They practice to find an average pace. Teams estimate, pace and...
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A Tree-mendous Project
Seventh graders use their observation and measurement skills to identify trees. Using a tree diagram, they label the parts and discuss the functions of the tree. They practice using a dichotomous key to identify trees as well.
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Warming by Freezing
Ninth graders discover the reasoning behind spraying water on fruit and seedlings in preparation for hard freezes. In this conceptual physics lesson, 9th graders conduct an experiment to measure the heat released when water goes from a...
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Finding the Basal Area of a Forest Plot to Determine Stocking Levels
Students use graphs and plots to measure the basal area and stocking levels. For this graphing instructional activity students work in the field the use their data to help them complete a lab activity.
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How to weigh a tree
Students pick a tree they see everyday. They measure the tree's circumference and estimate its height using similar triangles. Students are introduced to Computational Science. They use computers and calculators to compute values...
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How to Figure Board Feet and Cost of a Board
Students investigate woodworking and converting lengths to cubic measurements. In this math conversions instructional activity, students examine the length of a piece of board, and its total area by using the formula for finding cubic...
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Trees and Their Parts
Learners research trees and their parts. In this forestry lesson, students participate in various learning stations to identify trees by matching the photographs of the tree to the correct name.
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Wood Identification Based on Density
Eighth graders measure irregular and regular shaped solids. For this investigative lesson students calculator volume, mass and density of wood and blocks.
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Rain Forests: Sustainable Use
Students discuss their opinion on a teacher given scenario. In this chemistry lesson plan, students research the value of rainforests. They relate these ideas to current forestry practices.
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Wanted Dead or Alive...How Big Is it?
Fourth graders estimate the measurements of trees using unconventional techniques.
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Nature's Air Conditioner
Students observe the process of transpiration in leaves. They measure how much water a leaf gives off in a 24-hour period, calculate the volume, and answer discussion questions.
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How Big Is A Tree?
Students estimate the height of trees on the school campus, and measure their circumferences. They develop a map of trees on the school site, conduct their measurements, and record the results on a data table.
Curated OER
How Fast Does This Tree Grow?
Young scholars work together to determine how fast trees go. They make predictions and complete simple measurements. They answer questions to end the lesson.