Apples!

September 22, 2009

Theme- Apples!

Choosing Time- Hi-Ho "Apple"-Oh!, Apple Number Game, Magnets, Ponies

Art- Apple Prints: I demonstrated how to find the hidden star inside of an apple. We used the apples as stamps to make apple star prints.
Snack- Thank you Leo for bringing such a nice snack! We ate animal crackers, cheese sticks, & grapes. Super yummy! We continue to practice saying, "Yes, please or No, Thank you."
Lesson- We learned about the TRUE story of John Chapman (AKA Johnny Appleseed). We read the book, Johnny Appleseed by Jane Yolen. This month marks the 235th year since his birth. He planted more than one million apple trees during his life. Each year in the spring he would go to Massachusetts to the Cider Mills to collect apple seeds. He would then head West to clear land, plant, prune, and sell his trees. His efforts blessed many families settling in Ohio, Pennsylvania, & Indiana. He knew that people would need trees for shade & shelter as well as food to eat. There is still one of his apple trees living today in Ohio. Johnny was a silly man who always walked barefoot even in the winter. He usually wore a pan on his head and his shirt was made from Coffee Bean Sacks. In his 70th year he was walking through a snowstorm and took ill. It was the first time in his life he'd been sick. He passed away the next morning. Perhaps the phrase "An apple a day keeps the DR away" stems from Johnny's legacy? As you can tell I was most excited about what I'd learned :) and have a greater appreciation for apples.
Another Book- Johnny Appleseed: A Tall Tale by Steven Kellog

Games- We played Musical Apple. All the children wanted to sit in the "applesauce" pot. We also had fun sticking apple seeds to our cheeks to see how long they'd stick.
...or on a finger :)

Music & Movement- We practiced our memory & counting skills as I gave instructions to do a variety of movements. For example: I would say, "We will run for 5 counts, jump for 4, do 3 jumping jacks, 2 twirls, and 1 pop. This was a lot of fun.

Science- We had a taste test to see if we prefer Apple Juice or Apple Cider. We then graphed our results.
I showed the children 6 different varieties of apples. We talked about their differences and similarities. We tasted 3 varieties. Ask the children if they prefer Pink Lady, Granny Smith, or Red Delicious. I did not intentionally choose the female varieties to taste :) We collected the seeds from each of the apples and put them in zip-lock bags with wet paper towels. I taped the bags to the window and we will watch to see if any will sprout.

Rilla thought she was pretty hot stuff when she snuck an apple & started nibbling!