Other Math Ideas
for
The Giving Tree
Integrating Math and Literature
The Giving Tree
~by Shel Silverstein
Remember when a tree house was used as a secret mansion in the woods; An apple picked right from a tree was the sweetest tasting treat in the middle of Autumn, and the biggest tree stump around a summer campfire was the envy of all the children at camp? Well for one young boy, the tree is much more than a childhood memory, it is his life.
In Shel Silversteins' The Giving Tree, a young boy sees the tree as more than just a tree house, a special treat, or even a stump. He sees the tree as a true friend, one who is always there and ready to give him everything she has. The boy, when really young, plays with the tree every day. He comes and spends hours just laughing, playing, and resting. The tree finds comfort in the boy's visits, and the two are very happy. But, as all people do, the boy gets older, and he does not come around as often as he once did. The tree seems to no longer be such a big priority in the boy's life, and she becomes sad.
As time goes on, the boy stays away longer and longer, and only comes back when he needs something. The boy needs money, so she lets the boy sell her apples; He needs a house, so she lets him take her branches, and he wants a boat, so she lets him cut down her trunk and make a boat. Eventually, the tree has nothing left to give the boy when he comes to her for the last time. Bit, that is only what the tree thinks. However, she is wrong. All the boy wants now, is a place to sit and rest. And so, she lets him do so upon her stump. And both the boy, and the tree are happy again (Silverstein, 1964).
As a child, I always loved this book. I enjoyed the fact the tree was always there to help the boy out, and he was able to live a good life because of this tree. However, as I got older, I read this book and looked at it more from an environmental aspect. I realized that people sometimes just use trees for their own benefit, and though it may seem like nothing to us at the time, the trees really do hurt. I began to characterize the tree as a person, and put myself in the position of the tree. I really began to look at the environment more as a gift than a privilege. Then, as I got even older, and I moved away from home, I read this book from the point of view of a parent, and how a parent feels throughout the life of his/her child. First, the child is always there, but then, as time goes on, the children are around less and less, and sometimes only come around when they need something. And now, reading this book for the purpose of a math lesson, I can think of many instances where math plays a roll in the boy's life with the tree.
Additionally, I feel children can relate their own personal experiences to this book, and at the same time, it allows children to look deeper in a book, instead of just reading the words. They will begin to see how other ideas, that may not be as obvious, can be found in a book, if they just use their imagination. This book encourages children to look and think abstractly!
Using this book in my classroom, I would apply it not only to a math lesson, but more so towards a unit on trees. I would have lessons in each subject relating to this book, allowing for a broader message to the children that books are more than just words, they are lessons. While, at the same time, having specific lessons in each subject, teaching the importance of trees through many aspects. And since the Fall is the perfect time of year to talk about trees, I would read this book aloud to my students in the early Autumn months. By reading it aloud, I am able to ask questions that will introduce the planned activity.
As for the age level of students, I feel this book can be read to any age. The lessons and thoughts they take from the book will obviously vary depending on age, as will the activities done, but it is a good story that everyone can relate to. The question is, "How do I relate this to math in my classroom?"
What math lessons can be taken from The Giving Tree? When I read this book, I immediately thought of different objects to measure: The apples, the branches, and the trunk. All of these parts of the tree can be measured, and they all use different units of measurement. The activities I have chosen measure weight (pounds), ingredients (Cups, teaspoons, Tablespoons, etc.), and height (inches, feet), all very important in the lesson of measurement. Below, are three brief descriptions of activities that can be used when teaching measurement and The Giving Tree.
Through these three activities, children will focus on different units of measurement, why it is important to measure, and how to measure certain objects. Through this, they will be introduced to various tools used for measuring, and learn how they are used.
The first activity I have planned, relating to the story, is in reference to page 34 of The Giving Tree. The boy is in need of money, so the tree offers the boy her apples to take to the city and sell (1964). In order to sell the apples, the boy would have to know how much they weigh, so he can attach a price to his apples. What a great way for children to learn how to measure weight-through the weighing of the apples!
To introduce the activity, the children will be asked to remember times they have gone to the grocery store with their parents, and they were buying fruits and vegetables. Then, ask the students how many times they have seen their parents use a type of scale to measure how much their fruits and vegetables weighed. Explain to the students this is how they find out how much the food is going to cost, because the store charges x amount of money for y pounds of food.
The students can then be broken up into small groups, and each group will be given a varying amount of apples to weigh. There will also be a scale at each group for the students to do the actual measuring with. The students will then be asked to place different amounts of apples in their scale, and record their data. Depending on the age, some students may need help reading the scale. To make it easier for young children, they can round the weight to the nearest whole number on the scale.
For older children, this lesson can be taken a step further, and they can set an amount of money per pound to sell the apples for. The students will then weight their apples and apply that information to the information set about price. They will be able to find out approximately how many apples equal x number of pounds, therefore, establishing how much y pounds of apples would end up costing.
A second activity that can be useful and enjoyable in math class is the use of measuring ingredients. Relating back to The Giving Tree, the teacher can ask, "What are some possible items that can be used as ingredients in this book? What can they be used to make?" Hopefully, the children will mention the apples, and different products that can be made using the apples. After a brief discussion, inform the children that they are going to use measuring in order to make an apple pie. After all, this could be one of the things the boy used the apples for in The Giving Tree.
The teacher proceeds to split the class up into small groups, and they are all given the necessary supplies to make an apple pie. Each group will have a copy of the recipe, and different measuring devices for the ingredients. Each child will take a turn measuring an ingredient and mixing it into the filling. It is the responsibility, and somewhat of a challenge, for each student to measure the right amount of the ingredient. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 and 1/4 Cups of sugar, and the measuring device that group has is only ½ Cup, they will need to know how to use the ½ Cup for 1 1/4 Cups. Granted, this lesson will be applied to older children, but there are certain ways to adapt this lesson so younger children can do it as well.
Aside form measurement, students will be required to add and subtract as well. This lesson is a good review of addition and subtraction, especially with fractions. In addition to the obvious math concepts, this lesson introduces students to the units of measurement of Cup, Tablespoon, teaspoon, and so on.
When all of the ingredients have been successfully measured and mixed, the teacher can put the pies in one of the ovens in the cafeteria, and wait for them to bake. The students can also measure the time they take to bake, and learn how important it is for food to be cooked a certain amount of time! When the pies are done, all the students can enjoy a slice of homemade dessert! However, it is important to ask parents about food allergies before performing this lesson!
Finally, a third activity related to The Giving Tree, is a lesson explained in greater detail in a lesson plan I have attached. The teacher can start off by asking his/her students, "What are some things, besides apples, the boy receives from the tree that he would need to know measurements for? Why is it important he know the measurements of these objects? Can you think of ways he can measure them?" Wait for a few minutes for discussion, making sure the tree branches and trunk are mentioned as some objects to be measured.
Then, the children can be paired up with a partner and taken outside. Here, they will be given different materials to measure the height and circumference of a specified tree. Each student will have a chance to measure various parts of the tree, and then record their information. A group discussion on materials and units involved in this measuring process can be started, and then the students will discuss why it is important for the boy to measure the branches and trunk of the tree. Perhaps, the teacher can even ask for some consequences of the branches and trunk being measured too short. This also depends on the age of the students though.
For all of the above activities, it is important for the teacher to emphasize the differences in units of measurement, different tools used for measuring, and also reasons why it is important to measure. Then, questions can be asked relating measurement to everyday life. Do the students understand measurement is all around them? When they go shopping, make dinner, plant flowers, and even drive a car, what is it that is being measured? Discuss the importance of measuring with the children, and make sure they can apply measurement to their daily lives.
In conclusion, The
Giving Tree, incorporates measurement
into the life of a boy, which can then be related to the lives of the students.
Though these lessons come from this book indirectly, that is one of the
broader goals I hope my students would see. I would like them to
think abstractly, and then use their imagination to apply what they have
learned to their studies.
References
"Project Learning Tree." (1998). Project learning tree-environmental education activity guide. Washington: American Forest Foundation.
Silverstein, S. (1964). The
giving tree. New York: Harper & Row.
to
The
Giving Tree Lesson Plan