PK2 Students Strengthen Math, Observation and Fine Motor Skills in Unit on Apples

October 16, 2019

Last month, PK2 students began their unit on apples, a beloved fall treat. The class began by reading Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington, followed by an apple tasting where the young learners expanded their palates and used their powers of observation, tasting McIntosh, Granny Smith, and Golden Delicious apples and marketing their favorites on an apple tasting chart. This activity allowed students to be young scientists as they made observations of the apples' colors and taste. This chart also involved the ability to organize and categorize, which are critical skills for cognitive development and make choices, an important aspect of self-identity. The class exercised their artistic talents and fine motor skills, making apple prints by dipping the apple halves into red, yellow, orange and green paint, and then pressing them onto paper. 

Students also participated in imaginative play, "picking" apples from the class apple tree during project time. Each student chose a numbered apple from the easel "apple tree," which allowed them to imagine apple picking while also engaging in number recognition. 

As last week also marked the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, one of our very own PK2 students brought in apples and honey, to help discuss and celebrate this important holiday. They read My Rosh Hashanah by Monica Hughes, which explains some of the cultural aspects of the holiday, including how eating apples and honey helps to ring in a "sweet" new year. Thank you to our generous families for sharing this joyful tradition with the entire class!