Apples Review

We had so much fun doing these apple activities/songs/stories this week. I really encourage you to do something like this with your young children. Don't think that you child is too young to start. I started reading to my daughter when she was only weeks old...and I haven't stopped! 

Most elementary schools recommend 20 minutes a day of reading (that's often kindergarten and first grade homework). Make it a goal to read with your child every day and I guarantee...you won't regret it! My daughter loved the books that I chose for this unit.  She also liked playing with the apples.  

I think the biggest thing I was reminded of (thanks to 1st grade) was that my expectations need to come down to reality!  We had lots of fun, but really had to do it on her terms.  When she lost interest, the activity was over for the time being and we had to regroup and do more of it later in the day.  I re-learned how important it is to tailor all of your activities to the needs of your individual children.  

I really like having 3 activities a week.  It's not too many and not too few...just right.  I also loved that we read the books for the entire week.  I consider it a success that my daughter now knows what an "apple" is now.  It's so rewarding to watch your child learn.

And she loved playing with the apples in the bath.  One day we'll be able to talk about "sink and float" but right now, she just enjoyed taking a few big bites :)

At the end of this unit, all of my apples had bite marks in them.  What am going to do with them now?  I'm thinking of dehydrating them to snack on later.


What are some fun apple activities you did with your child?  How have you modified activities to meet their personal needs?

Apples Unit Outline

Here are some suggestions for filling out your lesson plan. What other ideas do you have of fun things to do with apples?

Books:
I Eat Fruit, Hannah Tofts (this is a great flap book for littler children)
Let's Look at Fruit, Nicola Tuxworth (more in depth, great pictures)
Apples Here!, Will Hubbell (great illustrations, not much text)
Apples, Jacqueline Farmer (lots of text and pictures, informative)
Ten Apples Up on Top!, Theo LeSieg (great illustrations, Dr. Seuss, fun for all kids)

Music/Rhymes:

Apple Tree:Author unknown
Way up high in the apple tree (make tree with fingers)
Two red apples smiled at me (show 2 fingers, smile)
I shook that tree as hard as I could (shake tree)
Down came the apples (fingers coming down)
Mmmm - were they good! (rub tummy)
(can also be sung to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)


Ten Little Apples Copyright © 2000 Barbara Pratt. All rights reserved.
Tune of: "Ten Little Indian Boys"

One little, two little, three little apples.
Four little, five little, six little apples.
Seven little, eight little, nine little apples.
Ten little apples on the tree.

Ten little, nine little, eight little apples.
Seven little, six little, five little apples.
Four little, three little, two little apples.
One little apple on the tree.


Apples
Apples here (point to yourself)
Apples there (point away)
Apples are growing everywhere (hands form a circle...the world)
Some are high (point up)
Some are low (point down)
You will see apples wherever you go (point to eyes)
Apples on the left (extend left arm)
Apples on the right (extend right arm)
You will see (point to eyes again)
Both day and night (Hands together and head down on them)


Apples (sung to tune of "Are you Sleeping?")
Picking apples
picking apples
one by one
one by one
Put them in a basket
Put them in a basket
Oh what fun!
Oh what fun!

Activities: (I will only use one of these a day)

Math: Use a 6 muffin, muffin tin and 7 apples (or you could use a 12 muffin tin and 13 apples). Put your apples in a bowl and have your child put the apples into the muffin tin. You can talk about the one that is left over and where it should go. Work with your child to put the apples into the bowl and muffin tin until they loose interest. This builds 1-1 correspondence.

Arts/Crafts: Cut an apple in half. Mix up a package of instant pudding. Dip the apple in the pudding "paint" and stamp it onto butcher paper or any paper you have. Finger paint apples and let your artwork dry. (you might want to do this outside)

Game: Bobbing for apples. Put some apples in water and let your child see how they float. Let them put them in and out of the water and if they are old enough, try to pick them up with their teeth. You could also bring some apples into the bath with them if you wanted.

Spiritual: Look at the nursery manual lesson: Jesus Created the World for Me and choose some of those ideas to share with your child. Sing a song, share pictures, bear your testimony that Jesus created the world, including apples for us to be strong and healthy and because he loves us.

Extras: This might be a great week to make applesauce, apple pie or anything with apples. Eat apples at lunch and dinner or for a snack. Visit an apple orchard and pick your own apples. Have fun with apples this week and your child will too!

Many of the ideas came from this site, so be sure to check it out for more apple ideas : http://www.amug.org/~jbpratt/education/theme/food/apples.html

Remember: My plans are geared toward a 13-month-old toddler. You might need to modify your own plans based on the ages of your child/children.