Science Apple
Activities
I have listed some of the fun things
that we try to include in our Apple Unit for science.
1.
Use a paper bag (upside down) to show the parts of an apple
tree. Place apple tree (leaves, branches, apples and trunk) at the
top of the bag (upside down!) Use the bottom of the bag (flap
part) to put roots to show they are under the ground.
2. Investigate different kinds of
seeds. While doing one of the cooking, math or art activities,
include a study of seeds. Teacher and/or students can bring in
different kinds of seeds to study. We sort the different seeds into
an egg carton and use a magnifying glass to examine. We look
at the size, color, etc to sort different kinds of seeds.
3. Seasons of the Year.
This is a great time to show how an apple tree would look at different
times of the year. I read several books that are listed on the Apple
Activities page before doing this project. Students are given
a blank booklet with six pages. See example below for the text for
each page. I print this on a word processor using a half page
for each sentence.
Seasons of the Year |
This
is fall. |
This
is winter |
This
is spring. |
This
is summer. |
This
is my favorite season. |
Students can be given a simple tree
trunk pattern of brown construction paper or they could draw their
own tree trunk on each page. Each page is decorated as follows:
cover: Student draws an apple tree
with crayons
fall: After gluing brown tree
trunk on the page, small apples are stamped with a stamp. I use a
small apple stamp that shows the apples are ready for harvest.
winter: Glue brown tree trunk on
page and add small pieces of cotton to show the winter season.
spring: Glue tree trunk on page
and add small pieces of pink tissue paper (1 inch squares) that have been
wrapped around a pencil eraser to show the apple blossoms.
summer: Glue tree trunk on page
and use small stickers to add the red, green or yellow apples.
Staples carry these tiny 1/2 inch apple stickers.
last page: Glue another tree trunk
or have the student draw a picture of what their favorite season of the
year would look like.
4. Seasons of the Year--
Another activity that would reinforce the different seasons of the year
would be a simple art project shown below. This was given to me by
Paige Brown of Fairfield, California. She used a 1/2 sheet (6x18")
of red construction paper cut vertically. My example shows this in
two parts in order to fit it in the scanner! All four pictures would
be horizontal on the page side by side and starting with the fall season.
Hope this makes sense. A full sheet of drawing paper was cut in half
and two seasons were on each half sheet--as shown below.
Click on pictures to see an example.
5. Apple Investigation
Have the students investigate a cut apple
that has been left out for a few days. Observe the changes each day
and record the differences. This is a great opportunity to expand
their vocabularies.
6. Five Senses
Have a tasting session using different
kinds of apples. Make a list of describing words. Graph the
ones that they liked the best.
7. Trees
Discuss different kinds of trees and
which trees make fruit. Take a walk and look at different trees to
see which ones have fruit. Read books about trees.
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