Sketching Trees
Sketch the outline of every different tree shape you can find near the school, or on a field trip. Draw the whole tree, not the leaves. Get real variety: something broad, something narrow, something twisted, something that has clearly been cut back to keep it off the wires. Label each sketch with the shape of its crown and, where you can, the name of the species. If you find a tree that has been uprooted, or one whose roots are exposed by erosion or a broken footpath, draw the roots as well. They are usually a surprise.
How it runs
The manual gives this session no step list. What it does give is below.
Talking about it
Discussion points, worked examples and the handouts the manual prints with this session.
Points for discussion
Which of the trees you drew has the advantage in each of these? Answer from the shape you drew, not from memory.
- heavy snow, on a hillside in the Himalaya.
- strong pre-monsoon wind, and then a long summer drought.
- deep shade, under a bigger tree.
Where this comes from
Bridge the Gap is a compilation. This is what the manual records for this session.
The manual prints no source for this session. It is published here as Swechha has used it, adapted over years of classroom work; if you recognise its origin, tell us and we will credit it.
Before you start sets out where the compendium as a whole comes from.
Next
Where to go from here.
Next session
Exposure WalksTrees and Forests, 4 of 4The theme
Trees and Forests4 sessions and the background readingAll eight themes
Teach43 sessions across 8 themesUnderstand the data
- Forest cover or tree cover?Two official classes with two different definitions — and neither of them means "forest".
- Is India losing forest?India's own report says the forest grew. The satellites say it went. Both are right.
- What does tree-cover loss mean?A satellite measurement of canopy disappearing — which is not the same as deforestation.