Evergreen Trees in the Winter Homeschool Unit Study

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Winter can feel quiet and still—but if you look closely, there’s so much life happening right outside your door. Evergreen trees stand tall when everything else has gone to sleep, making them the perfect starting point for a meaningful evergreen trees unit study. If you are looking for a gentle, nature-based homeschool unit study, this is a beautiful way to slow down, step outside, and learn together using what’s already around you.

We’ve been diving into some unit studies here during our homeschooling time lately, and I wanted to share a fun one that I recently put together. My children chose the topics, and I wasn’t sure at first about just learning about evergreen trees, but it ended up being a fun and simple study where we all learned a lot. Perfect for wintertime!

Table of Contents

About This Evergreen Trees Unit Study

This unit study is a 4-day study (although you can expand or lessen it to however many days you want!). It was meant to be very simple and a way to learn in a discussion-type setting. It’s made for various ages and abilities. All activities and books can be modified to be harder/easier depending on the ages you are teaching. It’s meant for the whole family to do together!

Why Study Evergreens in Winter

Evergreens are a perfect topic to study in the winter since they are one of the few things that still feel alive. It’s a great way to get out in nature during the darker winter months.
This is a nature-based evergreen trees unit study designed for real homeschool families because I made it for my own!
You can use this as a standalone homeschool unit study or as part of seasonal learning. You could add a few things to make it a full “curriculum” to encompass as subjects or use it in addition to what you are already using.

What This Evergreen Trees Unit Study Covers

What evergreen trees are and how they differ from deciduous trees.
How evergreen trees survive cold weather.
Common types of evergreen trees (pine, spruce, fir, etc.).
The role evergreens play in nature and wildlife habitats.
Evergreen trees in winter landscapes and traditions.

FAQs

How long does the unit take? I have this designed to last 4 days. It can be stretched or shortened depending on the resources you have or the interest your kids show.
Can I use this with multiple ages? Yes, this can be used with many ages and meant to be done together as a whole family.
Do I need special supplies? Only basic supplies are needed (notebooks, things for drawing, warm clothing for nature walks, etc). It’s meant to be a very simple study to go with your lifestyle.
Does this include worksheets? No. This unit study does not use busywork as a way to teach the topic. It uses hands-on and interesting learning methods instead.

Literature List for Evergreen Trees Unit Study

This is only a suggested reading list because you may find more or less books at your local library. Anything on trees or evergreen trees could work! You don’t need specific books to go with this study. I took the books I found at the library and put them in a special basket for the week.

Picture Books and NonFiction Books

The Lorax – Dr Suess
Who Will Plant a Tree – Jerry Palotta
Trout Are Made of Trees – April Sayre
Log Life – Amy Hevron
Night Tree – Eve Bunting
Forest Magic for Kids – Susie Spikol
Fighting for the Forest – P. O’Connell Pearson
Nature All Around: Trees – Pamela Hickman
A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk – Deborah Ruddell
Where Would I Be in an Evergreen Tree – Jennifer Blomgren
The Little Fir Tree – Christopher Corr
Someday a Tree – Eva Bunting
Curious George Plants a Tree – H.A. Rey
Christmas Farm – Mary Lyn Ray
From Cone to Pine Tree – Emma Carlson Berne
The Magic and Mystery of Trees – Jenn Green
The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grown Ups – Gina Ingoglia
Trees, Leaves, and Bark – Diana Burns

Complementary Chapter Books

I included these as well in our study for my older kids. We listened to them as audiobooks on the Libby app from our library. Sherwood Kids may also have them (use my code littlehouseliving). These are not necessarily about evergreen trees but are about nature survival.

My Side of the Mountain – Jean Craighead George
On the Far Side of the Mountain – Jean Craighead George
Island of the Blue Dolphins – Scott O’Dell
The Bears on Hemlock Mountain – Alice Dalgliesh

Printable Evergreen Trees Unit Study

To make this easier to read without the ads and other things on my website, I’m going to keep the unit study in printable form. To get the PDF file, just enter your email below, and I’ll send it to you. It’s free!

I hope that your family enjoys this slow and simple unit study! I’ve had more and more requests lately for my homeschooling plans and ideas so I will keep trying to post them here as I am able. If you have any other suggestions or ideas to go along with this evergreen trees unit study, please share them in the comments section below!

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Merissa Alink

Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple and frugal life on Little House Living since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to freedom on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.