Peace Corps

• Subject(s): Language Arts & Literature, Social Studies & Geography, Environment & Health
• Grade Level(s): 6–8

Overview

Enhance the experiences from the agroforestry challenge of the Peace Corps Challenge game with additional resources from World Wise Schools.

Background Information

Factoids from the Game:

• Did you know that Peace Corps Volunteers around the world work with their community to develop projects that involve trees? For example, Volunteers work on production of fruit trees, natural fences for wind protection, and raising trees in small nurseries. Source: Peace Corps: Agroforestry
• The United States consumes and produces about a quarter of the world's forest products, making it the world leader. Source: EPA: Forestry
• Forests cover about 30 percent of the land on Earth. Source: The UN Environmental Programme
• Trees play a critical role in our environment. They help to protect coastal areas and soil. Trees also aid in preventing desertification, which is the expansion of deserts due to various factors including grazing and the collection of firewood. Source: The UN Environmental Programme; USGS: Desertification

Procedures

Play the agroforestry challenge.

Suggested lesson:

• National Trees (Grades 3–5 and 6–8)
  Trees are found all over the world, in every country. Although trees are common to all parts of the world, there are different trees species found in different places. In America our national tree is the Oak. It is a familiar tree, known for its large size, hard wood, and many uses. Oaks are not found everywhere. Each country has its own climate, soil, and trees that have adapted to living in that particular part of the world. Even in the Peace Corps Challenge there was a drought, lack of firewood, and soil erosion. The Mango tree is also a part of the farmer's garden. Trees are important to not only the villagers in Wanzuzu but also each of us. In this teaching suggestion, students will have the opportunity to explore the national trees of several countries as well as compare them to some of the native trees in their own community.

Watch the slide show When Success Is Truly Sweet and see how Peace Corps Volunteer Kristina Owens helped farmers to protect and improve their harvest of the cherimoya fruit. She interviews, observes, and even employs techniques of DNA analysis.

Additional Resources

• United States Department of Agriculture: Agroforestry
• United States Department of Agriculture: Forest Service
• United States Forest Service, Department of Agriculture: International Programs
• Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations: Wood for Energy
• Environmental Literacy Council: Forests

Framework and Standards

Standards

National Content Standards:

• English Language Arts Standards
  • Standard 1
• National Science Education Standards
  • Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
• Social Studies:
  • Theme I: Culture and Cultural Diversity
  • Theme III : People, Places, and Environments
  • Theme IX: Global Connections