Apple Tree
(Tune: “This Old Man”)
Way up high in thetree, (Pointup.)
One red applesmiled down at me, (Holdup 1 finger and then smile.)
So I shook thattree as hard as I could.(Pretend to shake a tree.)
Down came anapple, (Bringdown one hand.)
Mmm! Mmm! Good! (Pattummy.)
Two yellow pears… (Holdup 2 fingers.)
Three purpleplums… (Holdup 3 fingers.)
4 orange peaches… (Holdup 4 fingers.)
5 green limes… (Holdup 5 fingers.)
Counting Book– Make a stack and staple book with five pages. After singing the song several times ask each child to makea book based on the words to the song.
P.S. I’ve gotten very interested in CommonCores Standards lately. This is agreat example of taking something fun and extending it to reinforce skills inan appropriate way.
Apple Tasting– Purchase severalvarieties of apples and cut them into bite size pieces. Have each child taste the apples andthen color their favorite in on a graph. Which one was the most popular? Least? How are apples alike? How are they different?
Fruit Prints– Cut an apple in half diagonally. Do you see the star? Let itdrain on a paper towel. Pour alittle paint in a paper plate. Children dip the apple in the paint and then print it on a sheet ofpaper. Can you still see astar? (Use lemons, limes, andother firm fruits to make prints.)
The Star Story Put a red apple and knife in a bagand have it on your lap as youbegin to tell the story below. Insert children’s names in yourclassroom to capture their interest.
Oneday first child’s name went to visit grandmother. Grandmother said, “How would you liketo go on a secret mission?” “Oh, I’dlove that,” replied first child. So grandmother said, “I want you to find a little red house with nodoors and no windows. There shouldbe a chimney on top and a star in the middle.”
Firstchild was so excited as he set off on his mission. As first child was thinkingabout what it could be, he ran into second child. “Do you know where I can find alittle red house with no doors and no windows. There should be a chimney on top and a star in the middle.” Second child said, “I’ve neverheard of anything like that, but would you like me to help you?” “Sure,” replied first child andoff they went.
Firstchild was so excited as he set off on his mission. As first child was thinkingabout what it could be, he ran into second child. “Do you know where I can find alittle red house with no doors and no windows. There should be a chimney on top and a star in the middle.” Second child said, “I’ve neverheard of anything like that, but would you like me to help you?” “Sure,” replied first child andoff they went.
Theywalked on a little further until they saw third child. “Have you seen a little red house withno doors and no windows? There’s achimney on top and a star in the middle.” “Gosh. I don’t know whatthat could be, but would you like me to help you?” replied third child. So off they went on their mission.
Thestory continues as more children join in the search.
Finally,the children had about given up when they ran into grandpa. He was on his way home from the storewith something he had bought. “Grandpa,”the children said. “Grandma sentus on a mission. She told us tofind a little red house with no doors and no windows. There’s a chimney on top and a star in the middle. What could it be?” Grandpa laughed, “Well, I have theanswer to your riddle right here in my sack.” And he pulled out an apple. (Pull the apple from yoursack.) The children said, “Howdoes that solve our riddle?” Grandpa said, “This apple is like a little red house. See, it’s round and the stem is like achimney.” “But where’s the star?”wondered the children. Grandpatook a knife and sliced the apple in half. (Take the knife and slice the apple in halfdiagonally.) “And here’s the star!” The children were amazed to see thatsure enough, there was a star in the middle.
Grandpasaid, “You know people are like this star. We’re different sizes, colors, and shapes on theoutside. But if you look inside,you’ll find a special star inside each person you meet!”
Hint! Red Delicious apples will usually have the best star inside.
We made an apple tree bulletin board today to welcome and showcase our High School PALs. I'm going to put their picture on an apple . . . and I used the following statements to talk about them:
PALS . . . . are 'TREE'mendous, go out on a limb for us, help us branch out, are the apple of our eye, help us bear good fruit, root for us.
