Skip to main content
Natural Inquirer - Homepage

Free Science Materials for K-12 Students

  • Bookmarks
  • Account
  • USDA
  • USDA Forest Service logo.
Natural Inquirer - Homepage
  • About
    • About Natural Inquirer
    • Team
    • Partners
    • Press & Past Events
    • Contact Us
  • Resources
    • View All Resources
    • Grade Levels
      • PreK - 2nd Grade
      • Upper Elementary
      • Middle School
      • High School
      • All Grade Levels
    • Resource Types
      • Articles
      • Activities
      • Collector Cards
      • Coloring Pages
      • Videos
      • Lesson Plans
      • Scientists & Collaborators
      • Spotlights
      • Virtual Learning Adventures
      • All Types
    • Resource Topics
      • Wilderness
      • Wildlife
      • Water
      • Active Forest Management
      • Social Science
      • Fire
      • Agriculture
      • Recreation
      • Carbon
      • Insects
      • All Topics
    • Special Collections
      • Artemis Moon Trees
      • Career Exploration
      • Experimental Forests & Ranges
      • Project Learning Tree Connections
      • Globe Connections
      • Designing Your Own Study
      • Smokey Bear
      • Spanish Editions
      • Woodsy Owl
      • Virtual Learning Adventures
      • World's Forests
      • All Special Collections
  • Order Materials
    • View All Products
    • Journals & Monographs
    • Readers
    • Collector Card Packs
    • Coloring Books
  • Educators
    • For Educators
      • Educator Guide
      • Educator Blog
      • Newsletter
    • Classroom Ready Resources
      • Activities
      • Career Exploration
      • Lesson Plans
      • Learning Modules
      • GLOBE Connections
      • Project Learning Tree
    • Get Involved
      • Volunteer Your Classroom
  • Career Exploration
  • Bookmarks
  • Account
  • About
    • About Natural Inquirer
    • Team
    • Partners
    • Press & Past Events
    • Contact
  • Resources
        • View All Resources
        • By Grade
          • PreK - 2nd
          • Upper Elementary
          • Middle School
          • High School
        • By Type
          • Articles
          • Activities
          • Collector Cards
          • Coloring Pages
          • Videos
          • Lesson Plans
          • Learning Modules
          • Journals
          • Monographs
          • Readers
          • Scientists & Collaborators
          • Spotlights
          • Virtual Learning Adventures
          • All Types
        • By Topic
          • Agriculture
          • Active Forest Management
          • Carbon
          • Fire
          • Grasslands
          • Insects
          • Recreation
          • Social Science
          • Water
          • Wilderness
          • Wildlife
          • All Topics
        • Special Collections
          • Artemis Moon Trees
          • Career Exploration
          • Experimental Forests and Ranges
          • GLOBE Connections
          • Project Learning Tree Connections
          • Designing Your Own Study
          • Smokey Bear
          • Spanish Editions
          • Virtual Learning Adventures
          • Woodsy Owl
          • World's Forests
          • All Special Collections
  • Order Materials
        • Download all resources - FREE!

          We will be pausing our services beginning September 25, 2026. We are waiting on a new agreement to be put in a place and are hopeful this pause will be temporary. The website will be available during this time to download and use materials; however, we will not be able to mail hard copies of materials or provide customer support during this time. If you have any questions or concerns about the program, please email SM.FS.RDPublicWeb@usda.gov. We have enjoyed serving you and hope to be able to do so again in the near future.

          View All Products
        • Journals & Monographs

          Journals focus on a group of related articles, while monographs focus on one research article.

          Journals & Monographs
        • Collector Cards

          Learn about possible career opportunities in science!

          View All Card Packs
        • Readers

          For a PreK-2nd grade audience, each Reader focuses on one Forest Service scientist and their research.

          View All Readers
        • Coloring and Activity Books

          Learn more about science through our coloring and outdoor activity books!

          View All Coloring and Activity Books
  • Educators
        • Overview
          • General Educator Guide
          • PreK-2nd Grade Guide
          • Upper Elementary School Guide
          • Middle and High School Guide
          • Non-Formal Education Guide
        • Classroom Ready Resources
          • Career Exploration
          • Learning Modules
          • Lesson Plans
          • Explore All
        • Order Materials
          • View All Free Products
          • Contact Us
        • For Educators
          • Educator Blog
          • Newsletter
          • Project Learning Tree
        • Get Involved
          • Volunteer Your Classroom
  • Career Exploration

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • Resources
  • FACTivity – Which Wood You Choose?
Which Wood Would You Choose Factivity PDF
Bookmark
Please login to bookmark Close

Please login to bookmark


Lost your password?

No account yet? Register

FACTivity – Which Wood You Choose?

  • Activity
  • High School
  • Middle School
  • 1 Classroom Period
  • Carbon
  • Engineering and Forest Products
  • Wildlife
  • Carbon pricing
  • Carbon Sequestration
  • Climate Change
  • Conifers
  • Forest Landowners
  • Habitat
  • Hardwoods
  • Pros and Cons
  • Species of conservation concern
Which Wood Would You Choose Factivity PDF
SHARE
  • Copy Link
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Google Classroom

In this FACTivity, your class will consider the tradeoffs discussed in "Which Wood You Choose?" and work toward a solution. A tradeoff is any situation where making one choice to gain something means losing something else. All of the available choices involve gaining or losing a benefit.

The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How can we address the tradeoffs between planting trees to address climate change and protecting current wildlife habitat?

Materials:

  • Graphic organizer (included)
  • Writing utensil

FACTivity – Which Wood You Choose?

The cover for 'Which Wood You Choose' article. The main image is a photo of a canopy of bright green and yellow leafed tree branches.

Part Of

Which Wood You Choose? - Forest Landowners’ Selection of Trees for Planting Forests Can Have Different Outcomes

Explore Full Article
SHARE
  • Copy Link
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Google Classroom
Download PDF

Standards addressed in this Activity:

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are a set of K-12 science education standards emphasizing inquiry-based learning, real-world applications, and integrating engineering practices, aiming to deepen understanding of science while promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • HS-ESS3-3
    Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.
  • HS-ESS3-4
    Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
  • HS-LS2-6
    Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.
  • HS-LS2-7
    Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
  • HS-LS4-5
    Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in: (1) increases in the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other species.
  • MS-ESS3-4
    Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earths systems.
  • MS-LS2-4
    Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
  • MS-LS2-5
    Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The Common Core Standards are educational benchmarks in the United States that outline clear expectations for what students should know and be able to do in English language arts and mathematics from kindergarten through 12th grade, aiming to ensure consistency and coherence in education nationwide.
  • Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks; analyze the specific results based on explanations in the text.
  • Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
  • Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks, attending to special cases or exceptions defined in the text.
  • Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11-12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
  • Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks.
  • Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating a command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grades 11-12 Language standards 1 and 3 here for specific expectations.)
  • Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
  • Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
  • Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grade 6 Language standards 1 and 3 for specific expectations.)
  • Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
  • Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
  • Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grade 7 Language standards 1 and 3 here for specific expectations.)
  • Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
  • Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
  • Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grade 8 Language standards 1 and 3 here for specific expectations.)
  • Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
  • Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.
  • Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grades 9-10 Language standards 1 and 3 here for specific expectations.)
Social Studies Standards are educational guidelines outlining the essential knowledge, skills, and concepts students should learn in subjects such as history, geography, civics, and economics, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of societal structures, historical events, and global perspectives.
  • People, Places, and Environments
  • Science, Technology, and Society
  • Time, Continuity, and Change

Lend a Hand, Care for the Land

One way you can lend a hand and care for the land is by reducing your carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is the carbon dioxide emissions from the actions associated with a person. For example, when someone drives a car, the car creates carbon dioxide emissions. The carbon dioxide emissions create greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and climate change. Here are some simple things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint:
Shop and buy locally when you can.
Walk or bike to places instead of using a car.
Turn off lights and unplug devices when you are not using them.
Use cold water for washing your clothes.
Keep stuff out of the landfill by recycling and reusing when you can. You can even recycle clothing by donating gently used clothing and shopping at thrift stores.

Environmental Protection Agency: Carbon Footprint Calculator

Visit Website

To learn more about greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide, check out this video from NASA’s Earth Minute.

Back to Top
  • Natural Inquirer - Homepage
  • USDA
  • USDA Forest Service logo.

The Natural Inquirer program produces a variety of science education materials for PreK through grade 12. Natural Inquirer products are produced by the USDA Forest Service and other cooperators and partners.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
* denotes mandatory fields
Loading
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • X, formerly Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About Natural Inquirer
  • Team
  • Partners
  • Press & Past Events
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shipping Policy
© 2026 - Natural Inquirer | Website Credit