This short unit for one day was created by Lynn from Homeschooling with Heart.

Apple Butter Recipe with Poem (submitted by Cindy L.)
I thought this apple butter packaged in a baby food jar and tied up
with some gingham and raffia would make a lovely gift for the children to make
their parents at Christmas. This poem would be attached:

We peeled the apples
and sliced them small,
cooked them in water
then mashed them all.
We added some sugar
and cinnamon to taste,
back in the cook pot
till thick like paste.
We'll spread it on bread
you and I will share,
the apple butter I made
with love and great care.

Apple Match
Draw a large apple tree on heavy paper for a bulletin board, or on a
file folder to use as a game. Color the tree. Color apples of different sizes on
tree. Cut out apples of those same sizes on paper. The children match the
apples to those drawn on the tree. I use velcro on them so they stick in place.

Apple Prints
On a large piece of paper, cut out a large shape of an apple. Slice
apples in half vertically. Using red and green paint, have the children dip
the apple halves in the paint and then make their prints on the large apple.

Suggested Reading

"10 Apples Up on Top" Dr Suess
"The Apple Book" Martin
"Apples" Nonny Hogrogian
"Apple Pigs" Ruth Orbach

Fingerplay
Way up high on the apple tree
Two little apples smiled at me
I shook the tree as hard as I could
Down came the apples
Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm, they were good!!

Dry Apple Rings
Peel, core, and cut apples into rings. Dip into salted water for 15
minutes. Dry for two weeks. Enjoy! You can make raisins from grapes the same way.


Paper Plate Apple
Use a small paper plate and have the kids glue scraps of red fabric,
paper, or tissue paper all over it. Add a construction paper green stem. Real
easy for even the youngest kids.

Apple Smiles
Cut washed apples into 1/4 's or 1/8 's. Spread peanut butter on one
side of the slice. Place mini marshmallows on the peanut butter (teeth). Place
another peanut butter apple slice on top to complete your smiling apple
mouth.

Apple Treats
Peel and cube pieces of apple - enough so each child has about a
tablespoon of cubes. Give each child a refr. biscuit found in tubes at the grocery
store. They should smash it pretty much flat. They'll love doing that!! Spread
the biscuit with a little butter. Add the apple cubes to the middle and sprinkle
with a little sugar and cinnamon. Fold the biscuit in half and seal with a
fork or fingers. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes of until the biscuit is
golden brown. The apples will be hot, so tell them to be careful.

Story of Johnny Appleseed
Johnny Appleseed's real name was John Chapman. All his life, Johnny
loved apples. He loved to look at them and to eat them. And he loved to
take care of apple trees.
Johnny also loved to travel. One day he heard that there were no
apple trees out west. So he set out on foot, carrying a walking stick and wearing
his cooking pot on his head. On his back he carried a bag of books and a bag of
apple seeds.

As he walked, he planted apple seeds. Behind him he left a trail of
young apple trees. As time passed, people began to call him Johnny Appleseed. He
was greatly loved by everyone.

Apple Cakes
Ingredients
2 apples (or 1 cup of chunky applesauce)
2 cups pancake mix
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup cooking oil

1. Wash apples. Leaving the skins on, either grate them or chop them
finely (or use 1 cup chunky applesauce)
2. Mix all the ingredients except the oil. Mix until smooth.
3. Heat an electric skillet to about 325 degrees F. Coat the cooking
surface with about 1 tsp of the oil.
4. Drop two tablespoons of batter for each apple cake into the
skillet. Fry two minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Recoat the pan with oil
and make the next batch.
5. Drain apples cakes thoroughly on paper towels. They should be
eaten while warm. Top with applesauce if desired.

The Star Inside
Slice apples in the middle horizontally and you will find a "star".
Dip the apples in a mixture of lemon juice and water to keep them from
turning brown.

Variations of Apples
Talk about the different kinds of apples. Have cards made up with
these adjective words: dark red, yellow, green, red-green, round, round,
five buttons on bottom, oval, oval, slightly tart, tart, sweet, sweet, Have one
of each of these kinds of apples to discuss the color, shape, and taste. Match
each card with the apple it belongs.
*Red Delicious - dark red, five buttons on the bottom, oval, sweet
*Golden Delicious - yellow, oval, sweet
*Granny Smith - green, round, tart
*McIntosh - red-green, round, slightly tart

Applesauce
Applesauce is easy to make. Five pounds of apples yield about 2
quarts of applesauce. Peel, core and slice apples into quarters. Put in a pot
and partcially cover with water. Then boil the apples until they are
soft. Using a potato masher or a blender, mush the apples into suace. Add sugar
and cinnamon to taste.