Apple Week (and Arkansas)

Last week we pulled out the postcard from Arkansas and discovered that 1) the state bird is the mockingbird, and 2) the state flower is the Apple Blossom.  I could have put it back in the bin until spring when, the apple trees would be blossoming, but decided to link it to the apple harvest of this time of year instead.

This was our week of apple learning...

First, we counted & sorted them by color & size. We also looked for patterns & more than/less than (i.e. stems v. no stems, red v. green, etc)

Then, we made a comparison chart. Beck colored each different apple across the top.  Our categories were: stems, red, not red, & spots/dots.  Does anyone know why apples have those tiny, tiny little dots?

We tried doing a taste test, but my kids didn't seem to think the apples tasted any differently.  After a few probing questions, I decided not to push their apparent lack of taste buds any further.

I found this superhero apple template on Pinterest and KNEW my kids would love it!

After printing, I glued the pieces to a cereal box cardboard, and cut the pieces apart in hopes of avoiding the frustration of tired hands.

Beck had a serious problem that his little brother wasn't putting  his apple together properly...

He forgot soon enough, though, unable to resist the lure of being a superhero!

 Our second craft activity of the week was an attempt at apple printing.  They didn't turn out the way I'd anticipated, but still the boys had a lot of fun.

 And the Apple Week Grand Finale was a field trip with cousin Claire to our local apple orchard!  The kids got to run up and down the planted rows in search of the perfect apple to eat right off the tree.  This picture doesn't show it very well, but these Galas were nearly as sweet as the doughnuts that were waiting at the end of the tour!

Do you have a favorite apple activity you'll be doing this year?

Round Two with the Senses

Remember this chart?

Click the chart photo for a reminder

We re-visited it today...just flipped it over and traced the lines...this time charting how we use our senses in nature.

 

Of the items in nature Beck chose (trees, mountains, dirt, deer, rain, & tarantulas) we decided that the only one you can taste is rain.  I decided to keep my mouth closed and not put any ideas in his head that you could probably eat dirt or give him a lesson on where meat comes from...

Charts and Puzzles

First, I want to clarify my opening thought from yesterday.  I realized today that the "rut" stems from my lack of preparing for school beforehand.  It doesn't surprise me-I'm nothing if not a procrastinator. My homework is to make being organized and ready a priority.


We had a lot of fun in school today.  The Teaching Your Children Joy activity today introduced Beck to charting.  I was a little nervous that he wouldn't understand the concept, but he caught on quick and even put his own spin on it.

Back to the senses, the top of the chart is the 5 senses

The side of the chart is 5 random items Beck and I chose

Start the charting, identifying which senses you can use on each item

What made me laugh and smile?  

As I was cleaning up I realized Beck was singing his chart to me. 

 Here's a little snippet:

Instead of a craft today, Beck and I did puzzles together.  I scored huge at our local thrift stores today, finding these great puzzles and the uncut felt games as well as a few other things. 

 We spent an extra half hour doing puzzles than we normally would for school and it was worth every minute!