Connect students directly to the concept in a personal way. Capture students' attention by initiating a group problem-solving activity before delivery of instruction. Begin with a situation that is familiar to students and builds on what they already know. Construct a learning experience that allows diverse and personal student responses. Facilitate the work of cooperative teams of students.

"Tree Wafers" in groups of four

Objective: To examine a cross section of a tree trunk.

Activity: Teacher assigns students to groups of four and gives each group a tree wafer (cross section of a tree trunk), straight pins, small paper labels, and a pen. Students examine the rings closely to identify which year each ring was made. Students then pretend they are the tree from which the cross section was taken. By placing pins with labels in several of the rings, they indicate important events in their (the tree’s) life. They may mark years when there was a dry spell, drought, injury form a moving vehicle, or removal of surrounding trees. Students then add pins with labels at appropriate years for significant events in their own lives as human friends of this tree.

Assessment: Group participation and quality of time line on tree trunk cross section.