KATE

Apples Across the Curriculum

Core Connections

http://pics.tech4learning.com

By:  Ashley Durbin, Jesse Stuart Elementary, Hopkins County Kentucky

When teaching first graders the hardest thing to do is keep their attention. In order to do so, one must incorporate fun and interactive activities that spark their curiosity. Teachers for years have used apples as a means of teaching students across the curriculum. They have done so because there are so many possibilities in the wonderful world of apples and students can apply apples to just about every single subject.

School districts throughout the state are pushing for the use of multiple intelligences, specifically the hands-on, kinesthetic component. What better way to teach across the curriculum and reach those kinesthetic learners by incorporating apples! For students who struggle in math, one can go as basic as counting apples. As students progress they can estimate seeds and count fractional parts. One activity that increases graphing skills is getting to taste test different types of apples and graphing the results. To go even deeper, students can then make bar graphs and picture graphs to display their findings.

Here is an example of one taste test: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BChsMamaof3/412671/

With science, students first need to understand that apples do not grow all year long. This is where the life cycle of apple trees should be incorporated into the curriculum. One way to include technology into the life cycle of an apple tree is for students to get on Microsoft Paint and to draw and label what an apple tree looks like during each season. Students can also learn about the senses, another science concept, by using apples. How does the apple taste? Sweet? Sour? How does it smell? Feel? Look?

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, right? Well, even though that may not be entirely the case, we do know that apples and all fruits and vegetables for that matter are important in keeping our children healthy and combating an alarming epidemic, childhood obesity. Including the healthy aspects of apples into an apple unit is essential for teaching students about health and wellness. Why not get a child hooked on apples early? It will provide him or her with a foundation for making healthy eating choices. To extend upon that, have students encourage family members to also eat apples as a healthy food source. Students can play games online such as this one, on the Department of Agriculture's website, that encourages healthy food choices and physical activity: http://www.mypyramid.gov/kids/kids_game.html

Finding a topic that goes across so many aspects of curriculum is rare. Even though apples have been a tried and true unit used by teachers for years, it is still beneficial for students and easy to adapt for all learners. Not only that, you can bring science to life by going on a virtual (or real) field trip to an apple orchard. With apples, the possibilities are endless!

Recommended Popular Reading
• The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
• How Do Apples Grow? by Betty Maestro
• Up, Up, Up! It's Apple Picking Time by Jody Fickes Shapiro
• Apple Fractions by Jerry Pallotta

Related Links

• All About Apples Health - Students can read and learn all about apples and how healthy they can be.
• All About Apples Powerpoint - PowerPoint presentation that covers key points about apples. It covers how an apple tree begins, apple trees throughout the seasons, the senses, and apple classification.

Related Lesson Plans, Activities, and Classroom Resources

• Apple Unit
• Apple Commercials