Trees in Winter: Conifers

Post Contributed by Ally Bernstein, Teaching Assistant

Theo hard at work

With winter holidays drawing near and deciduous trees empty of leaves, an afternoon dedicated to conifers was completely fitting. Ms. Bernstein taught a lesson on the ever-alluring evergreen trees, beginning with a discussion of the science behind the needles. We discussed why conifers, which often grow in acidic soil, expend more energy and nutrients to make needle-shaped leaves that don't fall in the winter. Students participated in a role-play activity to demonstrate this adaptation, as well as the process through which a tree sheds its leaves.

Joseph and Emily as a tree shedding its leaves

For our project, we used cuttings from conifers such as eastern pines and cedars to create rubbings and/or stamps. Ms. Bernstein demonstrated how to make the rubbings with crayons and how to construct stamps using foam and cardboard. Some students took the stamping a step further, and attached the actual needles straight to the cardboard for experimental stamping!

Ms. Bernstein with exemplars

Throughout the process, Beye Discovery students made wonderful use of repetition, shape, and color to create subdued pieces that were evocative of their source material while also taking on a new life.

Emily chose pastel hues to make a fanciful artwork

Emily's artwork, in progress

Joseph's rubbings echo the look of trees within a landscape

Ethan makes a rubbing

Joey creates a swirling rainbow conifer circle

Emily's completed artwork

Students who constructed foam stamps created artworks that were bold and crisp, in direct contrast to the mostly subdued rubbings.

Emory stamps with "needles" made from foam

Dexter cuts foam for stamping

Jordon's colorful rubbing