Did you know there are 2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States? 7,500 varieties of apples are grown throughout the world? 100 varieties of apples are grown commercially in the United States?* I didn’t either, but that explains why when I go to the store there is another type of apple I haven’t heard of that is available for me to try. Since September will be scurrying away so quickly and apples will soon be past picking, why not take advantage of the varieties that are available and teach an Interest Unit? If you live in Ohio, you can count this for your study of Ohio history. 🙂
Make Applesauce
Most children love applesauce and it’s such an easy project that your children can help you make it. Start it in your crockpot in the morning and enjoy in the afternoon as a snack.
Materials needed:
8-10 apples- peeled, cored, and cubed
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar (If you buy a sweet variety, you don’t even need this!)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional- add to the apples or wait until after it has cooked)
One large crockpot
Place all ingredients in the crockpot and turn on high. Allow apples to cook for 4-5 hours. Depending upon how chunky you want your applesauce to be, you can either take a wooden spoon or potato masher and break up the cooked apples into smaller pieces, or place in a blender and process until you have the desired consistency. Doesn’t this look good?
As the delicious smell of applesauce fills your house you can do some apple inspired school activities.
Free Apple Math Pack has a variety of preschool activities in a sampler. If you like, you can purchase the entire packet.
Thanks to John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, apple orchards were begun across the midwest and were valuable to families who were traveling west during the westward expansion.
Here are some stories of his life to read. With older students, you can pick out the information that is true and that which is fabricated. Create tall tales about Johnny Appleseed.
Here are some comprehension questions for the story.
What was Johnny Appleseed’s name?
When did he live?
What was his purpose in growing apple trees? Do you think this was a good idea? Explain why you think it was or was not a good idea.
Write one detail from your reading that is not true.
Why did people make up details about him that were not true?
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A documentary for children to watch about the life of Johnny Appleseed would be great for children to take notes. The Story of Liberty
Watch the Disney version of Johnny Appleseed
Compare and contrast the two videos. You could use a T-Chart or a Venn Diagram (Boy! it was hard to find a printable of this, but I found one. yay!)
Have a great day! ~Lisa~
* (urbanext.illinois.edu/apples/facts.cfm)
Schoolmarm Ohio 