Beacon Unit Plan Library
Wanted Dead or Alive
Jacqueline Roberts
A. D. Harris High School (Bay District Schools)
Description
This is a real-world, problem solving activity of math. In the occupation of forestry land management, decisions that are not based on accurate resource measurements may lead to serious errors, misjudgments or financial losses to the parties involved. This unit will show students how to measure the diameter, height, and volume of a tree in order to predict the merchantability of the tree. Though the focus is math, correlation of science standards dealing with ecology can provide excellent, hands-on, real world activities for high school or middle school students in the life sciences. Please note that only the measurements of length, height, volume, and diameter are taught and assessed in this unit.
Questions
How can we determine the value of the timber in a forest?
How can we measure a pine tree, or for that matter, any item that is longer, taller, broader, or deeper than our measuring tools?
Duration
The planned duration of this activity is 15 days.
Associated Files
Unit Plan Overview (PDF) File Extension: pdf Diagnotic Assessment (PDF) File Extension: pdf Summative #1 (PDF) File Extension: pdf Summative #2 (PDF) File Extension: pdf Vocabulary (PDF) File Extension: pdf
Lesson Plans
Wanted Dead or Alive...How Big Is it?Students learn to approximate the measurement of a tree using unconventional methods. Pacing a Gunther ChainIn this activity, students learn to pace a Gunther Chain, which is a unit of measurement used by foresters to determine distance and area. Measuring the Merchantable Height of a TreeIn this activity, students learn techniques that determine the merchantable height of a tree and the number of logs a tree provides. Determining Mercantile Volume of a Pine Tree Students determine timber volumes as sawtimber or pulpwood like a forester would for market purposes.
Web Links
This site includes information about using a hypsometer. Indirect Measurement with a HypsometerThis site includes information about the Biltmore Stick.
The Amazing Biltmore Stick
This site details how to make a stick to use in measuring tree height.
Making and Using a Tree Measuring Stick
This site contains valuable information and background in determining the value of a tree for lumber purposes.
How much lumber is in that tree?
This site contains excellent information on measuring trees.
Measurement of a Standing Tree
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