Ancient Forest Facilitation Guide
Ancient Forest Expedition
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Unit: Ecosystem Explorers
Book: The Tree in the Ancient Forest
Expedition Goal
To develop oral language and observation skills by using the Notice and Wonder strategy during a shared reading of Carol Reed-Jones' cumulative tale about the ancient forest ecosystem.
Target Skill
Oral Language Sharing
Strategy
Notice & Wonder
Grade
Kindergarten
Gear Needed
- "The Tree in the Ancient Forest" book
- "Nature Notes" Worksheet
- Chart Paper & Markers
- Crayons/Pencils
The "Notice & Wonder" Strategy
I Notice... (Observations)
Looking with our eyes at the pictures and listening with our ears to the words.
- • "I see a tiny seed..."
- • "I see the roots reaching down..."
- • "I see the owl in the hollow..."
I Wonder... (Questions)
Using our brains to ask questions about why things are happening.
- • "I wonder why the tree is so big?"
- • "I wonder who else lives in the forest?"
- • "I wonder how the rain helps?"
Expedition Timeline
1
Hook & First Look (5 mins)
Show the cover. Ask: "What do you notice about this forest?" Allow 2-3 students to share. Explain that today we are Forest Detectives using our 'Notice and Wonder' powers.
2
Interactive Read-Aloud (15 mins)
Read the book slowly. Pause at key points (the roots, the truffles, the squirrels) to practice oral language:
Stop Point: The Roots
"Look at these roots! What do you notice about where they are going?"
Stop Point: The Owl
"The owl is watching... I wonder what he sees from up there?"
3
Think-Pair-Share (5 mins)
Ask: "What was the most interesting part of the forest you noticed?" Have students turn to a knee-partner and share. Listen for complete sentences: "I noticed the..."
4
Nature Notes Recording (10 mins)
Send students to tables. They will draw one thing they noticed and one thing they wondered. Circulate and scribe their words for them to help bridge drawing to oral language.
Supporting All Explorers
For students needing support:
Provide sentence starters: "I see a..." or "Why is..." Use picture cards from the book to help them choose a topic.
For students needing a challenge:
Encourage them to use 'because' in their sentences. "I wonder why the roots are deep because the tree is so heavy."