This is part of my 15 Minute Focus series. Children observe details about apples, and do a taste test of different apples. They learn how to draw an apple and a tree.

Objective: children can list 3 colors of apples, and tell where apples grow.

Supplies:

• 3 apple magnets / pictures – red, yellow, and green.
• real apples – in 3 different varieties – one mostly red like a Fuji or Jonathan, one mostly yellow (like a golden delicious or maybe a Honeycrisp or Jonagold), and a green Granny Smith
• for each child – paper and crayons – at least red, green, and brown
• a knife and cutting board, paper towels or napkins

Activity

Ask: what color are apples? After they answer, put out the three magnets/pictures to show the main colors apples come in. Show either a picture of real apples, or the ones you brought to show they’re not always perfectly red all over.

Show them how to draw an apple – make a circle shape – then add a brown stem to the top, then add a green leaf to the stem. They all practice.

Ask them where apples grow. Show them how to draw the trunk of a tree and add leaves.

Slice apples as they practice drawing. Pass around one slice of each type of apple. Have them tast each and talk about what they’re like – texture, taste, juiciness… which one do they like best? Tally the vote for favorite apple.

Optional Extensions

See my apples and peaches post for book and song recommendations.