Apple Math
The following activity is from the AIMS Educational Foundation
September 1990 Newsletter
Have each student bring in an apple from home. On a graphing mat graph the apples by size, color, etc…  Pick one of the sorting categories and have students copy it onto a piece of graph paper for a representational graph.
All Around the Apple: This is a picture of my apple. The color of my apple is ____________. (Draw a picture of the apple.)
The mass of my apple is the same as _______________ teddy bears. (Teddy bear counters)
Measure around the apple with a string.
The string measures the same as a train of _______unifix cubes or ______teddy bears.


 

Graphing Activities

My Favorite Apple Graph:  Sit in a circle. Cut off slices and have the children taste them. Then voted by putting names in a graph set up for the varieties.
 
 

My Favorite Apple Product Graph:  Have several apple products available such as apple cider, apple juice, apple sauce, etc.. Have students sample a little of each and draw their favorites on apple cut outs. Take the apples and create a graph of the favorites.


 

Counting Activities

Pocket chart: Make several cards about 3"x3" or 4"x4".  Draw an apple tree picture for each card, then glue the trees onto the cards.  Program each tree with a numeral; i.e. 1-10, etc.
Laminate several pieces of red, yellow and green construction paper.  (I try to keep some laminated paper on hands for "inspired moments").  Using the ellison machine, cut out the required number of apple cutouts.  Place the tree cards with numerals at the pocket chart and allow studewnts to place the correct number of apples beside each tree.

Apple Baskets:  A similar center activity to the one above can be made using brown paper bags (the size we all use for bag puppets) and the little apple ornaments that the stores start selling in the fall for Christmas ornaments.
Turn each paper bag down so that the top touches the bottom of the bag.  Cut a darker brown strip of construction paper about 1" wide and glue around the top of the "basket".  Program  laminated, cut out apple patterns (ellison machine?) with numbers 1-10.  Glue one onto each "basket".  Place at the math center along with the needed number of apple ornaments.  You may also do this later in the fall with pumpkin ornaments.  I have seen them in the fall at the local craft store.

Addition/Subtraction Practice:
materials:  cardstock; one sheet for each workmat, basket graphic, mini apple erasers or small apple shaped paper cut outs
procedure:  Using 9"x12"cardstock, draw a vertical line down the middle.  Draw a bushel type basket to fit on half sheet.  Duplicate for the other half sheet.  Color and laminate.  This could be done easily on you computer using a word program and clip art.  Use the mini apple erasers or small, laminated apple cutouts ( I puchased a apple shaped hole punch thing at the local hobby,craft store)as manipulatives.
To use, the teacher calls out a number pproblem; i.e. "Lanika has two apples.  Her brother Josh gave her one more.  How many apples does she have now?"  Students put the first set of apples on the left basket,the second on the basket on the right, then add to find how many altogether, etc.


home