Preparing activities for an apple-themed learning unit is as easy as apple pie. These fun printables, books, and activities are easy to pull together and will work well with Johnny Appleseed Day on September 26 and National Apple Month in October.
These collection is focused on early elementary aged children and includes a variety of options that you can use for at least a week or two.
Apples Unit with Life Cycle Craft
If you are looking for a complete apples unit, I have just the thing! My Apples Unit – A Complete Print and Go Learning Unit includes reading, writing, vocabulary, math, science and more. Full of colorful photos as well as print-and-go black/white printables, this has everything you need for your apple unit.
Learn An Apple Poem
Learn to recite this poem or use it for copywork.
Apple Song
The apples are seasoned and ripe and sound,
Gently they fall on the yellow ground.The apples are stored in the dusky bin,
Where hardly a glimmer of light creeps in.In the firelit, winter nights, they’ll be,
The clear sweet taste of a summer tree!Frances Frost
Apple Fun Fact Cards
A fun way to extend a unit on apples is with Apple Fun Fact Cards. These are a great add-on to your apple study and full of fascinating apple facts. There are many ways to use them including games, morning time, and more.
Hands-On Apple Activities
- Apple Learning Ideas for Apple Farmer Annie: This post is full of fun activities to use with this colorful book. – Apple Learning Ideas for Apple Farmer Annie.
- Compare Apples to Apples: Round up several different kinds of apples. Choose a variety of colors, sizes and shapes. Have your children brainstorm a list of words that describe the apples and make a list on a piece of paper. Then cut up the different kinds of apples so each child can have a taste of each one. Have your children examine them and compare the taste, flesh color, texture, etc. Create a chart with four sections and have your children list words for each different variety of apple.
- Apple Recipe Book: Request favorite apple recipes from a variety of family, friends, and neighbors. Assemble them into a booklet and give a copy to everyone who contributed.
- Apple Tasting Party: Try everything apple! Have your children brainstorm a list of all the things people eat made with apples. These would include applesauce, apple juice, dried apples, apple pie, apple fritters, etc. Then have a feast so you can sample as many apple products as possible.
- Torn Paper Apple Craft: Make an apple with a small paper plate, red construction paper, green construction paper, and glue. Tear a piece of red construction paper into various-sized, rough edged pieces. Glue them onto the plate, overlapping the pieces and the edges. Tear a small green piece for the stem and glue it on to the top. An easy apple!
Apple Picture Books
- One Red Apple
is a gorgeous book that traces the life cycle of an apple. Rather than a scientific look at the process, it is a more poetic and artistic telling of how an apple goes from being picked to growing into a tree and another apple.
- Apple Cider-Making Days
is a delightful story about Alex and Abigail’s visit to their Grandpa’s apple farm. The story takes the reader through the entire apple cider making process as well as highlighting other events that take place at the family apple farm that opens to the public each fall. The illustrations are cozy and well-done and complete the story.
- Apples for Everyone
is part of the National Geographic Kids Picture the Seasons series. This book is full of colorful photos that capture all of the fun of apple season.
- The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree
is a colorful, engaging book that traces the changes of an apple tree throughout the year. Told through the story of Arnold and his family enjoying the tree in each season, the story also includes a small cut-out section that explains how an apple cider press works which would be beneficial for students who live in an area without an active press to visit.
Apple Printables to Download
These are apple-themed printables available for immediate download right on my site. You can see all of my apple-themed learning products in the Apple section of my shop.
The pages are printed on heavy paper which adds to the richness of the entire book.
by Monica Wellington is the delightful story of Annie, a young woman who owns an apple farm and sells her products at the farmer’s market in the city. The book has bright, colorful illustrations that appeal to younger children as well as simple text making it an ideal read aloud.
to acquaint children with the workings of an apple farm and/or cider mill.