Plants - EngageNY

Introducing the Read-Aloud
Deciduous Trees
8A
10 minutes
What Do We Know?
Show image 8A-1: Winter forest
Ask students to describe what they see in the picture. Tell students
that this is a picture of a forest. Forests are made up of many trees
and other plants. Ask students to describe the trees in the picture.
You may wish to prompt discussion with the following questions:
• What time of year is it?
• What living things do you see?
• How are these trees different from one another?
Explain that there are two types of trees in this picture: deciduous
(dih-SIJ-oo-uhs) and evergreen. Point to each type of tree as you
describe it. Tell students that the evergreen trees in this picture
still have their leaves, even in the winter. A good way to remember
these trees is by the word ever in their name. Ever means always.
So an evergreen tree is always green. Ask students if they can see
the green in the picture.
Explain that deciduous trees do not keep their leaves in the winter.
Deciduous means that the trees lose, or shed, their leaves in the
fall and grow them again in the spring. Have one volunteer point to
a deciduous tree and one volunteer point to an evergreen tree in
the picture.
Purpose for Listening
Tell students that the main topic, or main idea, of today’s lesson
is deciduous trees. Tell them to listen carefully to find out what
happens to deciduous trees throughout the year.
86 Plants: 8A | Deciduous Trees
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