Orchard Learning

Welcome to our Educational Orchards Learning Page! Discover the benefits of fruit trees and explore resources to help students learn about orchard management, ecological impact, and nutritional value.

Fun and Ready-to-Use Lesson Plans for Students

Get Free Access to the Full 10-Module School Orchard Lesson Guide!

This new guide, created specifically for educators, includes 10 modules aligned with K–6 Next Generation Science Standards, along with cross-curricular connections to English, Math, and Social Studies. Each module includes background information, multiple lesson activities, student worksheets, and a companion slide presentation.

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This lesson guide was created in collaboration with our friends at KidsGardening, with support from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Onion Foundation.

Dig Into More Orchard Learning

Explore more engaging lesson plans and activities designed to spark curiosity and learning about orchards. Get ready to discover, learn, and grow with resources from our partners at the Giving Grove, National Agriculture in the Classroom, and KidsGardening.

Tree-Mendous Fruits (Grades 3-5) Classroom Lesson

Students investigate a variety of fruits, discover how they are grown, and explore nutritional benefits.

A is for Apple (Grades K-2)

Classroom Lesson

Students use their five senses to investigate apples, parts of an apple, and discover how they are grown.

Exploring Food Forests (Grades 6-12) Classroom Lesson

Discover how food forests support biodiversity while providing sustainable food sources.

Apple Genetics (Grades 6-8) Classroom Lesson

Students learn how new varieties of apples are developed and propagated.

Primary (Grades K-6) Classroom Activities from the Giving Grove

Educational curriculum that focuses on nutritional, environmental, and biological aspects of trees from our friends at the Giving Grove.

Secondary (Grades 7-12) Classroom Activities from the Giving Grove

Educational curriculum that focuses on nutritional, environmental, and biological aspects of trees from our friends at the Giving Grove.

Part 1: The Power of Pollination (Grades 5 -6) Classroom Lesson

Students explore how the complex anatomy of flowers allows pollinators to play a hand in the creation of fruit.

Part 2: Secrets and Signals(Grades 5-6) Classroom and Outdoor Lesson

Students learn to decode the messages flowers send to pollinators and why that ensures their ability to reproduce.

Looking for more?

Check out the Curriculum Matrix search tool from National Agriculture in the Classroom for more ready-to-use lesson plans!

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