CBSE Book Class 8 Science Activity A Tree Study

 CONSERVATION OF PLANTS & ANIMALS

Last summer, Ankur visited his grand parents  in a small village near Dehradun. He loved to  go  for  walks  every  morning  with  his  grand  father  who  seemed  to  know  everything  about  the  flora  and  fauna  of  that  place.  Chasing  the  butterflies,  squirrels  and  listening  to  the  bird  calls  was  a  delightful  experience. He wished his city was as green  and closer to nature as that village. “But there is no space left for any trees in  my  colony.  With  so  many  concrete  houses  and roads there is no soil left” Ankur thought  to himself.

He  discussed  the  problem  of  vanishing  plants & trees in the city with his grandpa.  His grandpa suggested. “Why don't you start 'Nature  Club'  in  your  colony?  You  can  start  saving  existing  plants  and  also  plant  new  saplings”.  Ankur  is  already  an  active  member of the ECO Club of his school. He  loved the idea and planned to start nature  club in his colony.

Would  you  also  like  to  start  a  Nature  Club  with your friends?

Here is what you have to do:

Select a plant or a tree such as Peepal, Jamun, Mulberry, Mango, Neem, Tulsi.....etc.

1. Take its photograph or make a sketch.

2. Feel the trunk, and note whether the bark is smooth or rough.

3. Make an impression of its leaf by taking its leaf rubbing. (you have learnt it in your previous class,  do you recall?)

4. Collect the fallen leaves, flowers, fruits, bark & put them in separate packets with the related  table.

5. Note the type of insects, butterflies, birds & other animals that visit the tree.

6. Try to observe them. Why do they come to the tree? Do they rob the tree or benefit it?

7. Collect information about the uses of the trees such as they :

   1. Give us shelter. 

   2. Cool the air

   3. Have medicinal values 

   4. Have ornamental use (leaves/flowers)

   5. We get fruits

   6. We use their leaves / bark / twigs etc.

8. After about a week's time present your collected information to the whole class. Take the help of  your teacher in organising the presentation. Display it on the bulletin board.

9. This way with each member sharing the information about one plant (collected by him / or his  group) the class can build an information bank about the plants. Discuss the need to protect the  plants.

10. Let the activity continue with the help of your club.

Please refer to the link below - CBSE Class 8 Science Activity A Tree Study