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Apples, seeds (and a little bit of pears and other fruit trees.) These are the things that we are studying in our first preschool unit! As I’ve mentioned, the majority of our preschool approach is “books, hands on activities, and nature study.” While using apple and seed themed materials to work on reading, writing, and math, we are also learning about science, art, cooking, gardening, and handicrafts.
Picture Books for Apples and Seeds (And More)
- Apples, Apples Everywhere!: Learning About Apple Harvests (Autumn)
- How a Seed Grows (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1)
- How Do Apples Grow?
- Plant It! Grow It, Eat It
- We Are the Gardeners
- Johnny Appleseed by Jodie Shepherd
- One Red Apple
- Ten Apples Up On Top!
Apple Math Activities
Use a set of Mini Artificial Apples for sorting, counting, less/more/equal, adding, and subtracting. Use these along with my apple-themed flash cards or worksheets to make math tangible. Set up an invitation to play, with sticks and leaves as well, for making apple trees and counting their apples.
Use play dough to make apple slices and little black apple seeds for the slices. Count and add the seeds together.
Cut 2-3 real apples into wedges, count the wedges and the seeds. Divide the apples into groups onto plates for snack time along with raisins and nut butter.
Print and use these pattern strips in apple/fall themed colors to learn and practice patterns.
Preschool Apple Science
- Learning why apples turn brown.
- Experimenting to prevent apples from turning brown.
- Sprouting apple seeds to plant (this takes six weeks.)
- Direct-sowing (into the garden soil outside) late summer vegetable seeds like carrots, beans, and peas (these sprout quickly!)
- Virtual Field Trip to Apple Orchard with Caitie’s Classroom
Cooking and Baking with Apples
- Make homemade apple sauce.
- Make easy apple hand pies.
- Use one of these four ways to make apple butter.
Apple Crafts, Art, and Other Projects
I have a Pinterest board FULL of apple themed projects, crafts, recipes, snacks, activities, art, science, and more. Take your pick and find inspiration from over 39 pinned ideas. Some of my favorites are the sensory bin ideas and the apple pie scented cloud dough. You can also try your hand at making an apple scented dried flower potpourri by using apple essential oil and cinnamon essential oil.
Additionally, take the learning outside of the home by taking your child shopping for the apples and ingredients, weighing the apples, bagging them, etc. Take a trip to the library to look for books about apples, apple orchards, apple picking, and so on. If you live in an area with apple orchards – go visit! We do not, so we picked pears from a friend’s pear tree (it’s kind of the same, right?)
Have fun learning about apples! Stay tuned for the next unit, “On the Farm.”
