Plant the Seed!
The seeds of information have been harvested.  It's time to plant those seeds. If each member contacts just one teacher in one school in one community, NCTA will reach thousands of schools! 

1. Are the children studying a topic that deals with the environment? If so, what specific component? If not, will they?

2. Is the class/group able to have guest speakers? If yes, volunteer and try to schedule a day and time.

3. Does the class/group participate in field trips? Would they be interested in visiting your farm or retail area? How long would the field trip last (morning, afternoon, day, early evening) and would the group need space for snack/lunch? Are there other logistics that need to be worked out?

4. Are there any other teachers/leaders who would be interested in participating?

5. Is it acceptable to use the term Christmas Tree during your presentation? If not, would it be appropriate to use the term Real Tree, pine or fir tree, or evergreen?

6. Is it OK to bring items to show and share? Is there appropriate space to have some hands-on experiment time with the students?

7. Is there anything else you should know about this group of children or the setup of the room?

Step 3: Be Prepared!
Go in with a plan! Children learn best when they are active and when what they are learning is relevant to their everyday lives. Be prepared to link what you do to what they do. Have all of the materials that you need ready to go. Ask questions! Get them involved!

Working with children is a unique (and fun) experience. Here are some tips that may come in handy!

• Set the tone of your visit and your expectations for/of students right away. Many times, the teacher/leader will do this for you. Listen. If the students are expected to raise a hand before speaking, don't allow them to call out. If things get too loud, tell them you can't go on until they quiet down. With younger students you can use phrases like, "I am looking for someone who is sitting quietly to answer this next question." They will almost always get the message!

• When it is question time for the students, tell them to be sure to listen to each other. Children will almost always ask questions that have already been answered. You will get better listeners if you respond to a repeat question with "That question has already been answered ... Sara, can you remind us what that answer was?" They will all listen so that if you call on them, they are ready to help out!

• When you ask a question, give a bit of wait time before you accept answers. You may want to count to 10 silently and then choose a child.

• When you pose a question be prepared to get an answer that is not on the topic. If a student answers off topic, acknowledge the attempt and remind them of the question that was asked. You might find the need to rephrase.

• You will need to speak differently to second graders than to fifth graders. The content that you present MUST be just as meaningful, but your vocabulary and mannerisms may need to be adjusted. Second graders are not too young to understand and fifth graders are not yet adults. Listen to them talk for a bit and you will get the idea!

For a sample plan, visit The Plan!

Step 4: Make Follow-up Easy!
End your visit by introducing an idea for teachers to use as a follow-up or extension activity. Children need to hear and work with topics over and over. Make sure that the information from your visit is not a one-time experience. 

The follow-up can be a variety of things. Here are four ideas:

• Show students and teachers how to find the resources that are available for them here (www.realtrees4kids.org). Take a look at the resources in advance so you can advertise them well!
  
  NOTE: Materials will be available on the REAL TREES 4 Kids! site or by calling Rick at NCTA (314-205-0944).

• If your visit is before a field trip to your operation, ask students to do a bit of research and compose 2 questions each.  Have them bring the questions with them so that you can provide answers!

• Ask students to complete a learning journal entry summarizing what they learned.

• Donate a sapling to the group.  Show them how to plant it correctly.

Step 5: Keeping the Connection!
Once your have visited students, hosted a field trip, or simply shared your resources with teachers/leaders, be sure to keep the lines of communication open! Send cards, newsletters, and other information that you think the school will find valuable.

The bottom line ... maintain relationships and build new ones ... expand your opportunities to share REAL TREE information!

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Plant the Seed | Follow the Plan | Get a Printable Version