Martin & Sylvia's: Saturdays! Printable Project Page: The Tree Key
In the Martin & Sylvia: Saturdays! story “The Tree Key,” Momma teaches Martin and Sylvia how to identify a tree without using its leaves. Trees, like people, have lots of different characteristics.
You can try it too by studying a tree's branches. Does it have branches that are opposite each other or alternating? Now look at the bark - does it have deep up and down grooves, shallow crisscross cracks, thin lines that go back and forth - or some other kind of bark? How about the twigs? Are there any horseshoe shaped ‘leaf scars’ or gatherings of buds at the end?
No matter what you see, you can notice all the differences and later, when you have a tree key from the library or bookstore, you can quickly figure out what kind of tree you were studying!
About the Authors
David Sewell McCann
David Sewell McCann fell in love with spinning stories in first grade – the day a storyteller came to his class and captured his mind and imagination. He has been engaged in storytelling all of his adult life through painting, film-making, teaching and performing. Out of his experience as a Waldorf elementary class teacher and parent, he has developed a four step method of intuitive storytelling, which he now shares through workshops and through this website.
Jenny Barandich
Jenny Barandich is the graphic designer who brings color and magic to all of Sparkle’s graphics.
With more than 20 years of experience, Jenny works with clients both locally and worldwide. She believes in unique yet practical designs that suit her clients’ needs, covering a wide range of industries including publishing, high-tech, nonprofit, medical, communications, and marketing. Jenny received a B.A. in Visual Communication from the Avni Institute of Art and Design in Tel Aviv. She now lives in Toronto with her husband and three children.
