Students in Junior Kindergarten classes have been discussing the importance of trees, what they provide for us and why we are so thankful for them. All three of the classes went outside to look at the trees outside of our school along Grace Street. Each class chose a tree and gave the tree a hug to show their love and appreciation for it! 

Some of the classes decided to decorate the trees as well. The children chose to make portraits of the trees, as they made a connection to the recent self-portraits they made, where they focused on their growth. They also wrote a “thank you” note to the tree, and included what they love about trees and what they provide for them. 

Some of the responses included: 

“Thank you trees, for giving me paper so I can draw.”

“Thank you trees, for giving me air.”

“Thank you trees, for giving me fruit.”

We are looking forward to hanging these up and displaying them on the trees. This will serve as a reminder of why trees are so important to us each time we walk past our tree! 

Other children are going to animate pictures of themselves hugging the trees on Grace Street. Using the app, Chatterpix, the children will be able to make their mouths move and add sound to their photo. They will add a sound clip of themselves making a promise to the trees! Teachers plan on compiling these little animations and using a QR code to make them accessible for others to see. Below are some of their promises:

“To give the trees a hug and a birthday.”

“To do everything.”

“To make them a picture and give them rainbows.” 

“To plant more trees.”