Career · Lesson Plan
Becoming an Arborist
A career-exploration lesson on arborists — sometimes called tree doctors — who care for trees and woody plants. Students learn what arborists do, where they work, key terms like arboretum and arboriculture, and how someone becomes an arborist.
For Teachers
Lesson at a glance
- Topic
- Career
- Grade Level
- Grades 5–8
- Resource Type
- Lesson + Worksheet
- Estimated Time
- 30–45 minutes
- Format
- Reading + worksheet
- Materials
- Printable lesson, worksheet, whiteboard
What Students Learn
Learning objectives
- Explain what an arborist is and the activities they do
- List several places where an arborist might work
- Define arboretum, botanical gardens, and arboriculture
- Explain how caring for trees benefits the environment
- Explain how a person can become an arborist
Materials
What you’ll need
- Printed copies of the lesson reading and worksheet (one per student)
- Whiteboard or projector for discussion
- Optional: internet access for career research
Key Terms
Vocabulary
- Arborist
- A professional who cares for trees and woody plants.
- Arboriculture
- The cultivation and care of trees and shrubs.
- Arboretum
- A place where trees are grown for study and display.
- Botanical garden
- A garden dedicated to growing and displaying plants.
- Pruning
- Trimming a tree to keep it healthy and safe.
- Infestation
- An invasion of harmful insects or pests.
For Teachers
Lesson plan
Estimated time: one 30–45 minute class period.
Lesson sequence
- Introduction (5 min). Ask who takes care of the trees on a street or in a park. Introduce the arborist, or ‘tree doctor.’
- Read the lesson (12 min). Students read about what arborists do and where they work.
- Discussion (10 min). Cover key terms (arboriculture, arboretum) and how tree care helps the environment.
- Worksheet (10 min). Students complete the worksheet; the answer key is included for teacher use.
- Wrap-up (3 min). Students name one task an arborist does and why it matters.
Assessment
Assess participation and the completed worksheet.
Discussion
Discussion questions
- What does an arborist do, and why are they called tree doctors?
- Where might an arborist work?
- What do the terms arboriculture and arboretum mean?
- How does caring for trees help the environment?
- How can a person become an arborist?
Printable Lesson & Worksheet
Becoming an Arborist — Lesson & Worksheet
Printable lesson reading plus a student worksheet, with an answer key for teacher use.
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