Tu B'Shvat

"I said to the almond tree, 'friend, speak to me of God', and the almond tree blossomed" (Nikos Kazantzakis).

Tu B’Shvat is the New Year for trees.

In Israel, Jews plant trees on Tu B’Shvat.

Traditions include: eating nuts and fruits, donating funds to plant trees in Israel, focusing on environmental issues, and holding a Tu B'Shvat seder.

Tu B'Shvat literally means the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shvat.

Tu B'Shvat began as a tax day of sorts, when Jews determined which fruits would be included in the tithe brought to the Temple.

Tu B'Shvat has taken on the character of a Jewish Earth Day or Arbor Day.

Grades and main subjects in curriculum

Grade
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Activities

Amazing Trees in Israel

An Israeli specialist in ancient trees shares his top ten list of the most outstanding trees to visit, from north to south. In groups, pupils can research these ten trees and report to the rest of the class

Tu Bishvat Quiz

Questions and answers about Tu Bishvat

Ten Famous Trees

Pupils read a text about ten famous trees

Ten Famous Trees - Jigsaw

Jigsaw Activity. Each group of pupils learns about a different tree and then tells the other groups about that tree

Nature Bingo

Play a game of Bingo using adjectives and nouns connected to nature

The Generous Tree

A discussion activity about a story adapted from "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein

Haiku

Have students write poetry about nature

Tree Quotes

Pupils choose one of the quotes and explain what they like about it

Trees in Movies

Pupils explore how trees are depicted in various movies

Trees in Various Cultures

Pupils explore the relationship between humans and trees in various cultures

Resources from the movie "The Lorax"

The movie "The Lorax" perfectly mirrors the story of Tu B'Shvat, and gives it a relevant, modern twist.
Here you can find fun, free printables, Lorax lesson plans, a link to an interactive Save the Trees game, and The Lorax Project - through which you can learn about actual forests, animals, and actions you can take (such as recycling) to help save our trees!

Resources from the movie "The Lorax"

Videos

Tu B'Shvat - The Nice Time Traveller

A prompt for the environmental side of the holiday. (HT Amanda Caplan)

The Lorax

Dr. Seuss' Original Lorax animated TV special from 1972. Follows the actual story line of the book

I Am The Earth

Sing a song about our environment

The Queen of Trees

The fig tree and fig wasp differ in size a billion times over, but neither could exist without the other. Pupils can list the ways in which the fig tree supplies life to animals and insects

Time Traveler

Pupils learn how the holiday of Tu B'Shvat will be celebrated in the future and discuss possible solutions

The Garden Song

"Inch by inch, row by row. Gonna make this garden grow" - Pupils sing "The Garden Song."

Change the World in 5 Minutes

Pupils watch a video clip and discuss how they can improve the world - from recycling to planting fruit and vegetables