Overview: In this lesson, students learn to name the parts of trees and shrubs, describe their functions, and describe some of the ways they are adapted to survive fire and/or reproduce after it. Students first research ecological terms and concepts and make presentations about them to the class. Then the class breaks into teams to play an enjoyable Jeopardy-style game which reinforces the concepts.

Lesson Goal: Increase students’ understanding of how trees and shrubs function and how they may be affected by different kinds of wildland fires

Objectives:

• Students will make class presentations about tree/shrub structures and their functions, elements of the organism’s environment, and/or ways they are adapted to different types of fire.
• Students will prepare visual representations of concepts to aid in their presentations and reinforce their learning.
• Students will demonstrate understanding of important concepts in a Jeopardy-style game.
• Students will describe how specific tree/shrub characteristics enable them to better survive surface fires, crown fires, and/or ground fires.