Monday and Tuesday have been some of the busiest days we have had in room 109. Apples are everywhere! They are in the books that we read, the food that we eat (thank you parents for adding such yummy treats in lunch bags this week: added bonus is the reinforcement of concepts), the math lessons, the writing lessons, and apples have even found their way into our art. I'm telling you, I'm going to be dreaming about balancing apples on my head tonight.
I have many exciting moments to share with you, that's why I thought I would break up the week and add an extra posting. To begin our apple week we talked about describing words (adjectives).We talked about how an apple is a noun and adjectives are used to describe nouns. We then came up with many terrific words to describe an apple and continued to add more to our chart throughout the day.
As the day progressed, I read the children a story called "The Apple Orchard Riddle." This story provided rich detail about the process involved in making apple cider at an orchard. Before the story came to the climax, I stopped and asked the children if they had any answer to the riddle. Let's see if you can figure it out.
What is a little red house, with no windows and no doors, but has a star inside?
Hmm....
Are you thinking?
Hmm....
Want a hint?
What are we studying this week?
If you guessed an apple, you are correct!!
Sorry, no prize, however, how about a tasty apple?
Anyways, the children guessed the right answer (brilliant, I tell you) and then I proceeded to show them the inside of an apple. I explained that only adults should do this (very important rule) and that the apple should be cut across the middle portion. When I held up the apple to show the class, there were gasps and astonished faces galore. I had to chuckle to myself because I have never had such a reaction from a class before. Clapping and cheering was heard down the halls of Bellwood at that moment in time I'm sure. The star inside the apple was truly at the "core" of our learning today!
To fully have the children connect with our story, who doesn't enjoy making prints? With the wonderful help of a parent assistant (ahem...not mentioning any names...Mrs.Granados), she delightfully pulled each child aside and had them make an apple print.
Testing the apple print to make sure the star is visible.
A very excited Mrs.Granados!! Don't you love when things work out? Do you notice that lovely smile, children? That's from eating all of those crunchy, sweet, healthy apples (had to get the adjectives in there). Yummy!!
After our apple prints we delved into the world of patterning. We discussed colour patterns and number patterns. The children created "people patterns", by using themselves as the pattern objects (boy, girl, boy, girl or boy, boy, girl, girl). After we charted our ideas, the children were asked to create their own apple patterns. It was wonderful to see such great colour patterns (AB, ABBA, ABC, AABB).
Tuesday was our next "HUGE" apple day! We made predictions of how we thought apple juice was made, then we guessed how many apples we would need to make enough juice for everyone in our class. The answers varied from 2, 40, to an astounding 100!! Wow!! We will continue working on our estimation ha ha.
We began by talking about the juicing machine and explaining how it worked. The children were fascinated and couldn't wait to get started. We discussed the ingredients and steps in making apple juice.
We began by talking about the juicing machine and explaining how it worked. The children were fascinated and couldn't wait to get started. We discussed the ingredients and steps in making apple juice.
Everyone huddled around our table as I began to turn on the machine.
You're excited as well, aren't you?
Then I proceeded to take off the "squishing lid" (no idea what this part is called).
Then I placed 3 pieces of apple into the machine. Well, no sooner had I done so when all three pieces shot back out the top towards the ceiling.
Are you in shock like I was? ha ha
The children couldn't believe it and then I explained that this event was not the normal operation of this machine. I failed to remember that I needed to turn off the machine before adding my apples so that the juicer would not push them out by the power of the choppers below.
Well, my memory of how to use this machine quickly returned and we continued on in a calm and peaceful manner.
The children took turns pressing the apples into the juicer and the crowd was again astonished. I mean, who wouldn't be, at this amazing device. We talked about the different varieties of apples that were added to our juice and how apples could taste sweet or sour. When the taste testing time finally arrived we had a unanimous thumbs up. My class seems to enjoy everything we taste this year.
I loved the many comments that seemed to arise from the crowd.
"This makes my heart so happy, Mrs.Langeveldt"
"I'm so proud of you teacher"
"I'm so proud of you teacher"
"This is better than the stuff my mom gets at the grocery store" (sorry to all the mommies out there - trust me, I don't juice my own apples at home either)
"Can I have more?"
It took 19 apples to make juice for our whole class!
By the end of the day, we all had apple brains, but loved every minute. Tomorrow we will continue learning about trees through the seasons, patterning, apple taste testing (different varieties), printing, and writing. Keep watching for an update of our learning in room 109.
An apple a day is a great way to start the day!!
What kind of apple isn't an apple?
A pineapple!
What did the apple skin say to the apple?
I've got you covered!
Keep smiling!!
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