THIS UNIT WILL HELP CHILDREN GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF DIFFERENT APPLES, WHERE THEY ARE GROWN, AND WHAT CAN BE MADE FROM THEM.  THIS UNIT ALSO TEACHES THE SKI LLS OF: LISTENING, FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS, COUNTING, SORTING, MEASURING, COLOR RECOGNITION, COMPARING/CONTRASTING, IDENTIFYING DIRECTIONS, OBSERVATION/PREDICTION, AND MAKING CHOICES

THE TEACHER NEEDS TO HAVE A BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF DIFFERENT APPLES, WHERE THEY ARE GROWN, AND WHAT CAN BE MADE FROM THEM.  SHE ALSO NEEDS TO HAVE RESEARCHED AND READ BOOKS ABOUT APPLES AND TEACHING AN APPLE UNIT.

THE GOALS FOR THIS UNIT ARE TO: DEMONSTRATE THE USE OF EACH OF THE FIVE SENSES, IDENTIFY AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS, INTERPRET VARIOUS PIECES OF LITERATURE, AND APPLY MATH READINESS AND SCIENCE SKILLS

Activities:
*Sorting Apples By Color: On a table have one basket of apples (different colors--red, yellow, green).  On the same table have three other baskets, each having a picture of one of the colors of apples on it.  The children sort the apples by color into the three baskets.
*Counting Apples: After having sorted the apples by color, the children will count the number of apples in each basket.
*Comparing Apple Patterns: Cut one apple down from the stem and cut another one going across.  Show the children the star and oval patterns inside both apples and ask them to compare the two patterns by telling what they see.
*Let children weigh apples on a scale and compare them.
*Estimation: Have the children estimate how many seeds are in an apple.  Cut the apple and have the students count the apple seeds and compare the amount with their estimations.
*Apple Pre-Math: Draw a line on paper plates to divide them in half.  Place various numbers of apple stickers on the halves.  Then have children count the number of apples on the halves and on the whole apples (pre-addition/subtraction).
*Apple Basket: Materials: Apple ornaments (or red pom-poms) and four small baskets with varying numbers of construction paper worms on the outside.  Children match the number of apples to a given number of worms on the baskets then fill the baskets with the correct number of apples.
*Comparison/Contrasting Peeled Apple and Potato: Peel an apple and a potato.  Have the children use their senses to describe what they feel, see, smell, hear, and taste.
*Apple Taste Test: At snack time, have Red Delicious apples and Granny Smith apples out for the children to taste.  Have them tell you which ones are sweet and which ones are tart (sour).  Take a poll and see which one was the class favorite.  Make a simple graph of the results and a simple chart to record the majority opinion about each of the apples.
*Map Observation: Have the children gather in a circle and show them a map of the United States.  Point out states where apples are grown. Have children repeat the state names.
*Creative Art: Have children draw or construct their own interpretation of an apple.  During group time, have them share their apple creations.
*Letter A Collage: Have children bring pictures from home that begin with the letter A.  On an apple cutout, have them make a collage with their pictures.  Record children's comments on their collages.
*Apple Sponge Prints: Provide apple-shaped sponges and tempera paints (red, yellow, green) in the Art Center for the children.  Have the children dip the sponges into the paint and make apple prints.
*Class Cookbook: After the children bring in recipes from home, help them make a "Class Cookbook" of healthy recipes. Listen to children’s comments of their recipes.  Use clasps or rings to bind the recipe cards together.
Extension from Stormie: What a great idea to start in the beginning of the year and continue to the end of the year at which time you would have several recipes.  You could record children's comments on the pages too.
*Make Applesauce: Peel, core, and slice apples, allowing the children to assist as much as possible.  They can also help measure out the amounts of water, honey, and cinnamon.  Cook the apples until tender.
Note from Stormie: An electric skillet is great for cooking in the classroom when you don't have access to a children's kitchen.
*Fingerplay:

Thanks Lisa!  You're a gem!