Preschool Apple Theme Ideas - Felt Board Friday!

Does anyone else have this problem, Pinterest makes me hungry!  I was researching apple curriculum ideas on Pinterest, when I typed  “apple” in the search box.  Oh my, the number of scrumptious, irresistible apple recipes with glorious photos, was astounding.  Thank you and curse you Pinterest, all at once! Ha!

from Getting Messy with Ms. Jessi

 The beginning of the school year always conjures up images of apples and fall leaves. We begin our apple unit fairly early in the year, starting in late September.  Leaves and pumpkins come a little later. We like to talk about things in preschool that are relevant to their world (as a good friend always says).  So for this FBF, we are talking about apples!

There is so much great material available for the apple theme. It is hard to choose! I have picked a few favorites, some old and some new.  Please share your favorite apple activities here too.

 First we will look at two felt board stories (since it IS Felt Board Friday!). 

 I am not actually sure who made this first set. The person I thought made it, said she did not. So now I believe that a teacher who retired a couple of years ago made it and left it for us to use. It is an adorable set, the faces on the apples are so full of character.  The activity for the story is a counting one.  You start with 5 apples in a felt tree, and things happen until you are left with….apple pie!

It's a long story, if you want the whole story email me and I will be happy to send it to you!

 This second story was purchased on Etsy.  The finger play for this set piggy-backs the rhyme “Five Little Monkeys, Swing’in in a Tree.”  Instead of monkeys, you use “apples” and instead of the alligator you use “wiggle worm.” It’s pretty cute and fun, I can’t wait to use it in class. 

from Fun Felt Stories on Etsy

 Apple Finger Plays…

LITTLE APPLES (Sing to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")

One little, two little, three little apples,
Four little, five little, six little apples,
Seven little, eight little, nine little apples,
All fell to the ground. (as you act this out, you can use your hands to drum the ground and make the sound of falling apples)

(alphabetsoup.net)

APPLE TREE

Way up high in an apple tree (point)
two big apples smiled down at me (Put fingers on cheeks make smile)
I shook that tree as hard as I could (shake body)
and down (shout) came the apples (make a downward motion with arms and hands wiggling fingers)
Mm-mm, they were good! (pretend to eat apple and pat tummy)

(everythingpreschool.com)

Manipulative Materials...

This sounds fun, apple play dough!  I can imagine the children using cookie cutters, rolling pins and small pie pans for baking. I bet the whole room would smell great!

Apple Pie Scented Play dough

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt (use iodized, not kosher for smoother dough)
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon cream of tartar
• 1 cup water
• Red food coloring (I use the Wilton gel colors)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom

Stir ingredients together well in pot.  Over medium heat cook the dough, stirring constantly until it forms a ball.  Turn dough onto a board (or the countertop) and knead until very smooth.  Cool.  Store in a covered plastic container.

From The Picky Apple (what a great name!)

from Teachables on Etsy

  

Here is a manipulative that has been featured in earlier posts. It too was purchased on Etsy for a very reasonable price.  Since I first purchased this apple game, I have found similar containers and have made more sorting games.  What a nice activity that supports so many developmental areas. 

The sensor tub below is from Pink and Green Mama. I adore the colors and textures she has put together. This is so inviting, I can't wait to see it in person in our classroom. 

from Pink and Green Mama!

 Art…

Apple rolling

You can do so much with this theme In the art center.  Here are two projects we we have done in the past that the children have enjoyed. These examples are from other blogs (click to go to the original postings).  For the apple printing, this person has used  clothes pins for handles. We have also cut notches in the top or have simply stuck a fork in the apple for a handle. Do you have a good method for apple printing?

redtedart.com

 Who has a favorite book about apples? The choices are practically infinte! Here is a little list, some are new releases and some are very old favorites. Feel free to add to the list! 

• Ten Apples on Top by Dr. Seuss
• How Do Apples Grow?  by Betsy Maestro
• Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins
• Apples by Gail Gibbons
• Up, Up, Up It's Apple Picking Time by Jody Fickes Shapiro

Have a great time with your new classrooms and new students! Back to school is a wonderful time, enjoy every moment. Hope you find something new here to share with your children AND I hope you share your apple-y ideas here too! 

Best wishes for a happy new school year!

Adorable! I feel like the apples in our refrigerator are way under dressed!