Deciduous and evergreen trees
I can compare deciduous and evergreen trees and name some examples of each.
Deciduous and evergreen trees
I can compare deciduous and evergreen trees and name some examples of each.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Evergreen trees keep their green leaves all year round.
- Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the autumn.
- Trees can be compared throughout the year using observation skills.
- In autumn and winter, trees can be identified as evergreen or deciduous.
Keywords
Tree - A tree is a plant which has a trunk, supporting leaves and branches.
Leaves - The leaves are the part of a plant where the plant makes its food.
Evergreen - Trees and bushes that do not lose their leaves in autumn or winter are evergreen.
Deciduous - Trees that lose their leaves once a year are deciduous.
Observe - To observe is to look closely, and use other senses too.
Common misconception
All trees have leaves that they lose every year.
Show a range of examples of different types of trees including evergreen.
To help you plan your year 1 science lesson on: Deciduous and evergreen trees, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 science lesson on: Deciduous and evergreen trees, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 science lessons from the Identifying plants and their basic parts unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Holly leaves and pine needles; access to trees at different times of the year to observe/compare.
Content guidance
- Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions








Exit quiz
6 Questions









deciduous
evergreen
deciduous
evergreen