The Sappiness of an "Old" Tree...

I know it's probably my age but the older I get the more attached I am to history.  I never listened in school myself, I think I was otherwise occupied with the boys in my classroom, haha, but I think it might have something to do with the lack of excitement there was in history class.  I didn't have anyone to "reel me in" and get me excited about what happened years ago; after all, that was a long, long time ago and who cares?  Well, now that I'm older I realize that I really do care.  One of the things I've done outside my classroom in the hall recently is make a timeline from the 1800's to the 1900's.  It surprises me how many interesting things happened in 100 years!  I'm prouder still of my third graders and their ability to remember those things that we have studied because I think they were truly interested.  So what does this have to do with the sappiness of a tree?  Well, recently I learned about a 150 year old tree that will be taken down in my area because of the expansion of the highway it's located by.  It's got me thinking about the history that old tree has seen...wondered if perhaps the tree saw things that I only wished to see.  This tree was planted back in 1863, during the time of the Civil War!  I could include this beauty in my timeline!  So...the third graders are going to be doing some creative writing about this tree.  I made a sheet that includes two pictures of this very great, stately oak.   Tomorrow I'll set the stage for the writing from the perspective of the tree; what it saw in it's 150 years, who made a home in it, how it felt in the winter or the summer.  If you would like a FREE copy just head to my store and snag it.  The link is below.  May your days be filled with miracles, love, happiness, and may you make a lil' history of your own!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dear-Mr-Beautiful-Tree-A-Creative-Writing-Treet