Grade 6 Science

Topic E: Trees and Forests Performance Task

General Learner Expectation

6–10 Describe characteristics of trees and the interaction of trees with other living things in the
local environment

Specific Learner Expectations

2. Describe kinds of plants and animals found living on, under and among trees; and identify
how trees affect and are affected by those living things
5. Identify characteristics of at least four trees found in the local environment. Students should
be familiar with at least two deciduous trees and two coniferous trees. Examples should include
native species, such as spruce, birch, poplar, and pine and cultivated species, such as elm and
crab apple.
6. Describe and classify leaf shapes, leaf arrangements, branching patterns and the overall form
of a tree.
 Welcome to Ms. Woods’ Garden Center

Congratulations! You have just received your first summer job at the local garden center! Your
job is to maintain the tree farm and encourage buyers to purchase local trees from the Garden
Center! First, you must research trees that are local to our area, Calgary, AB, so that we can
purchase the trees and begin growing them! Next, you must design an information sheet to
provide buyers with relevant, but also interesting, facts about the tree. Your information sheet
must include:

 The name of the tree.

 An accurate picture of the tree.
 Whether the tree is coniferous or deciduous.
 The leaf shape, leaf arrangement, and branching pattern of the tree.
 The types of plants and animals the are most commonly found living on, around, or in
this tree.
o Describe the relationship the tree and these plants and animals have. Are they
beneficial to the tree? Harmful to the tree?
 2 other interesting facts about the tree.