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Late in September is a perfect time to choose a mini-unit on apples for a classroom weekly theme. Everyone loves apples in one way or another - its bright cheerful color, the smell of a freshly-baked pie, or the taste of a delicious red apple! With the apple harvest in progress there will be lots of extras around the house. And ... don't forget ... September 26th (1774) is Johnny Appleseed's birthday! What could be better than to celebrate with a week of apple activities?
Introductory Ideas | Web Sites for Students | Web Sites for Teachers
Place an apple inside a paper sack to use at the beginning of the class period. Explain to the students they are allowed to ask twenty questions to decide what is inside the sack. If someone guesses what the object is, that guess will count as one of the twenty questions. Record the number of questions asked by placing tally marks on a chalkboard or whiteboard. It also increases the students' critical thinking skills if a 2-column chart with the labels "YES" and "NO" is drawn on the board. Keywords can be recorded as students ask their questions. When all twenty questions have been asked, record responses children have to the question, "What's do you think is in my sack?" As a group, compare their knowledge of each response to the recorded data collected earlier. Hopefully, by the process of elimination, the children will have selected the correct item. If not, follow-up with a discussion of what questions would have given them more helpful information.
"We always say that an apple is juicy. Why?" As children explain what "juicy" means and why it is true, you are setting the stage for a science experiment. "Do you suppose that the water in an apple could equal the same amount as the water in glass?" Ask children how we could prove their answers. Gradually facilitate the discussion to setting up the following experiment or a similar one determined by your students. Select a large apple. Cut it into eight sections and place the sections in a clear plastic cup. Weigh the cup of apple slices using a balance and some color tiles. Fill a clear plastic cup with enough water to equal the same number of color tiles. Observe the changes taking place and record the weight of both cups daily. As the week progresses, discuss the importance of the apple's skin in relationship to this experiment. Would a whole apple lose its water weight as quickly? This question and its discussion leads into a second discovery experiment! Number of Color Tiles Each Weighed
Students will be intrigued with the story of John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. After sharing your favorite Johnny Appleseed books with your students, they will enjoy learning this song about him that is sung to the tune of "The Muffin Man." The Johnny Appleseed Song
This cooking activity not only provides the opportunity to include standard measurement and fractions in your apple mini-unit, but it is a perfect opportunity for students to scientifically observe the chemical reaction taking place as raw apples are being cooked in their classroom! This recipe is a simple one to fix and was greatly enjoyed by the students who made it! It is also easy to prepare in an electric skillet.
Heat apples and water over medium heat until boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes or until tender. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Heat to boiling.
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This is Mrs. Silverman's web page showcasing apple poetry written by second graders. The students wrote their poems following eight different formats. Browse this page to get some great ideas of your own!
Have you heard the story of Johnny Appleseed? Read this webpage to discover what his big dream for America was. Learn about his unusual hat and how it was important to him in his travels.
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Searching for a copy of Johnny Appleseed's story? Check out this link for the story and a companion crossword puzzle. You will also find some online research questions and some math related activities.
Download a copy of this great resource for teachers to use with students of all ages. Classroom materials and answer keys are ready to use students develop an understanding of the science concepts involved in the growth and production of apples. If you haven't heard the story, "The Little Red House With No Doors and No Windows and a Star Inside," it's a must! Be sure to have an apple nearby! Students will be amazed to see the star if they haven't heard to story before.
This web site has a lesson plan guide with lots of ideas! Be sure to see the one-page play of the story about the house with no windows. Students will enjoy acting out this short play and sharing the star in the apple with others! The "Consumer Info" section has great information about each variety of apples grown in the state of New York. Students may want to compare this chart with the one listed above from the state of Washington.
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Copyright © 1999, 2002, 2009 Judy M.
Christiansen |
Apples,
Apples!
Twenty Questions
