Create a Tree Rubbing

Monthly Challenge
January
Introduction:
Tree Rubbings
From the top of the branches to the bottom of the trunk, trees are covered in bark.
Under the bark, a tree has many more layers vital to its survival but it’s the bark that
keeps it protected. Bark helps to keep a tree warm in the cold, dry from the rain, and
even keep insects away that may cause damage to the tree. Depending on the kind of
tree, its bark can come in different textures and shades.
Challenge:
Find three different kinds of tree bark and make
a tree rubbing. Bring some crayons and the Tree
Rubbing worksheet with you. When you find a tree
that interests you, place your worksheet over the bark
and lay your crayon flat against the paper. Rub your
crayon up and down and watch the texture of the bark
appear on your paper. Can you find a tree with thick
bark, thin bark, smooth bark, or peeling bark? On your
Tree Rubbing worksheet, work with a grown up to
write down three adjectives that describe the bark. If
you can find a tree with a low hanging branch make a
rubbing from the trunk and the branch. How are they
similar? How are they different?
Extensions:
1. Trees grow in different shapes. Some grow straight
like a column; others grow their branches outward
making a big circle around the trunk. As you walk
around your neighborhood see if you can identify
different tree shapes. When you do a tree rubbing
write down the tree shape on your worksheet too.
2. Look down and around! What other materials
can you find on your tree or on the ground near
your tree? Do you see fallen leaves, pieces of
bark, branches, pine cones, acorns, buds, etc…
Is your tree completely bare? Record some of the
other tree materials you find on the Tree Rubbing
worksheet.
Three adjectives describing your tree rubbing: