First Grade Designs a Model Tree To Shade The Earth.

Working together in teams, the first grade students got a wire "winter tree."  They had to shine a light on it from one foot above, and then trace the shadow it made.

Then came the arduous task of adding leaves (made of recycled packing paper and tape).  

Creating a tree - leaf by leaf!

The final step was to shine the light again from above, outline their summer shadow, and compare the two. 

Students learned about the properties of shading materials, and how effective a tree is at providing shade.