The forest is beautiful and awe inspiring. We noticed that our four kids appreciate the beauty as much as we do. We decided to take the appreciation a step further and turn it into a science lesson. Luckily, Grandpa, a retired college science professor, was on hand to teach them the differences between coniferous and deciduous trees. This would be easy to duplicate in a classroom setting with or without real leaves and cones.
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| Coniferous and Deciduous Trees
Learning About Trees in the Forest: Coniferous and Deciduous
You will need:
Explain that coniferous trees have cones that contain seeds to grow new trees. These trees stay green all year and do not lose their leaves. Deciduous trees, are the picture of fall, with leaves that change colors and fall to the ground leaving the branches barren until the new leaves emerge in warmer weather. If you have at least two pictures of each type of tree, have the children guess which type of tree each picture represents. Allow the children to explore the leaves and needles with their senses. you could have one basket with fallen leaves and another with small branches from coniferous trees. How do they feel, dry vs. fresh? Do they look different? What are some adjectives to describe them? How do they sound when they touch them close to their ears? How do they smell?
Have them compare the two types of trees by exploring their needles and leaves.
Coniferous Tree
Leaves in the creek from deciduous trees
If you have been using fresh leaves and needles, have the children use them in a nature collage by gluing them on to paper. Small cones can be used to make simple necklaces with a little string. Larger cones could turn into bird feeders with peanut butter and seeds. They could painted instead to be transformed into an art piece. You could even allow the children to make the leaves and cones sparkle with glitter if you dare. Or, create a group art piece with clear contact paper (sticky side up) on the wall where children can add the leaves and needles.
Here are some more Forest Themed Activities from the Early Childhood Education Team. #TeachECE
Forest Habitat Diorama by
Tiny Tots Adventures
Forest Animal Rhyming Treasure Hunt by Growing Book by Book
Forest Animals Beginning Sounds Activity by Mom Inspired Life
Roll a Story Woodland Animals: An Early Writing Activity by The Educators’ Spin On It
Forest Animal Play Dough Small World by Fun-A-Day Forest Animals Preschool Theme Movable Scene by Learning 2 Walk 3 Free Printable Forest Animal Matching Activities by Life Over C’s
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We had fun learning about coniferous and deciduous trees this time. My girls are going to like this as we use to live right in front of a forest entrance. We will be revisiting that area for this exercise.
What a fabulous science adventure.
Hi Natasha.
It must have been wonderful to live near the forest entrance. It will be so much fun to return. What a great place for a nature walk.
: 0 ) Theresa
Hi Amanda.
We had a lot of fun. It helped to have a retired science professor share his wisdom.
: 0 ) Theresa
Such a fun fall activity! I love being able to teach my kids about nature… so thanks for teaching me so I can teach them!
This looks like so much fun. Definitely something I will do with my girls as they get older. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you Meredith.
: 0 ) Theresa
Thank you Kimberly. I hope your girls enjoy it in the future.
: 0 ) Theresa
What a great fall lesson. I'm going to take my daughter out and do this with her. So much fun!
My son has been very interested about leaves lately since they had a project on leaves at school. Just last night, I found leaves in our fridge. I asked him about it and he told me he wanted to see how long the leaves will stay alive in the fridge. LOL
Thank you Deanna.
I hope you and your daughter have a great time with this activity.
: 0 ) Theresa
Hi Jhanis.
That story about your son really made me smile. You have a budding scientist in your family! That is wonderful that he planned and implemented his own science experiment. I love it!
: 0 ) Theresa
I love this hands-on exploration of leaves!
I love that you had an expert grandpa guest to help with this exploration. Learning and memory making in the works!
Thank you Mary Catherine.
: 0 ) Theresa
Thank you Growing Book by Book.
It was nice to have an expert Grandpa to help with this lesson. They had a lot of fun.
: 0 ) Theresa
This is an awesome hands on learning experience! We are scheduling a nature walk to do this very thing. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Alecia.
I hope you have a wonderful time on your nature walk!
: 0 ) Theresa