Twenty Questions

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.

    Water?  In an Apple?

"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

Johnny Appleseed

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

Do you know the apple man, the apple man,

the apple man, the apple man?

Do you know the apple man?

He planted apple seeds.

 

He wore a pot upon his head,

upon his head, upon his head.

He wore a pot upon his head.

His name was Johnny Appleseed.

 

John Chapman was his real name,

his real name, his real name.

John Chapman was his real name.

But, we call him Johnny Appleseed!

                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                Author Unknown

Good Old Applesauce!

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.

                                    4       medium-sized apples, pared, cored, and sliced

                                    1       cup water

                                    1/2    cup brown sugar (packed)

                                    1/4    teaspoon cinnamon

                                    1/8    teaspoon nutmeg

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.

Apple Pizza

Ingredients: Pizza dough, apples, flour, sugar, cinnamon, shredded cheddar cheese.
1. Roll pizza dough out onto tray.
2. Sprinkle cheese on dough.
3. Put cut apples (pre sliced thin by you - although you can do a few with them to show them) on dough.
4. Mix equal amounts of flour, sugar, cinnamon in a bowl (enough to cover pizza).
5. Sprinkle mixture on pizza.
6. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
7. Enjoy!!!

Individual Apple Pies

Ready-made pie crust (the kind that comes packaged flat in the dairy case)
Canned apple pie filling
Have each child cut out two large circles of pie crust (using a large, round cookie cutter or a large plastic drinking cup). Put a spoonful of pie filling in the middle of one circle. Place the second dough circle on top. Use a fork to crimp the edges and pierce a few holes in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake in a toaster oven 10-15 minutes or until brown.

Apple Honey Grahams

Apples
Graham crackers
Peanut butter
Optional: honey
Give each child a slice of apple and a table knife for dicing the apple. Spread a graham cracker slice with peanut butter. Add honey, if you like. Sprinkle diced apples on top.

Apple Sandwiches

Apples
Peanut butter
Slice apples the "round way" so that a star is formed in the center. Spread a slice with peanut butter and top with a second slice to form a sandwich. (You don't need to core the apples if the slices are thin.) You can use the leftover end pieces for making applesauce or for dicing on the apple grahams described above.

Apple Ring Sandwiches

Peel, core, and cut apples into rings. Spread with:
peanut butter and bananas slices
cream cheese and raisins
granola mixed with honey
cheese spread or a slice of cheese
Cover the first apple ring with another apple ring to make a sandwich.

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Ask AJ!  The Story of Johnny Appleseed

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Apples

Some of the most asked questions about apples.

An Apple Site Just for Kids

This interactive site includes Apple Trivia, Recipes for Kids,a Coloring Book, Apple Postcards, and a Kid's Eye View.

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Web Sites for Teachers

Apple Math Activities

A variety of math activity ideas including estimation, observation and measurement.

    The New York Apple Association

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.

    Biography of John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed)

Did you know that John Chapman owned 1,200 acres of orchards?  This biography sheds some light on the true character of this famous folk hero.  It's worth reading!

Science and Math Lessons Using Apples

This website has a good variety of science and math lessons using apples. Included are "Life Science"(parts of the flower, stem and root growth, cells, etc.), "Invertebrates" (insect body parts), "Earth Science", and "Art".

    Great Apple Activity Ideas

Playdough apples, apple printing, torn paper apples, and lacing an apple are just some of the art activities included in this website. 

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