A is for Apples!

Here's a few peek of our apple discussion last week . . . 

We made a bar graph comparing the colors of apples brought in (red, yellow or green) . . . 

 Explored the inside of the apple 

and found the apple star full of seeds . . . 

We also compared (and tasted!)

 different kinds of apples, 

voted for our favorites and made a treat 

by mixing cinnamon and sugar in a bag with apple slices . . . yum!

 We had a lot of fun tearing up paper for our apple craft . . . 

(tearing something with your preschooler? Make it a little easier by cutting little slits in the paper first.  This helps little fingers be able to grip and pull the paper better). 

 Sprinkled cinnamon on the top to make our letter A's smell like pie . . . 

 The finished products . . . 

Our preschool classroom sure smelled

cinnamon-y delicious the rest of the day!

A is for Amazing Alligator

We learned all sorts of interesting facts about Alligators today!  Do you know that Alligators babies hatch from eggs and that the mother will carry the babies in her mouth?

Here's some more interesting facts as well as a video and alligator sounds!

We also made these fun alligator puppets.  

Want to make one too?  

Here's the links to the pieces that you'll glue to a brown lunch sack.

Alligator Puppet Body

Alligator Puppet Head/Tail

A is for Apples!

We sorted apples brought from home by color, size and shape.  We tasted samples and explored their seeds and cut them in half perpendicular to the core to find the apple star!

Then we made APPLESAUCE!

Want to try?  It's super simple and even more delicious!

First: Peel and core your apples

Next: Cut in small slices

Then: Simmer in about 1/2 to 1 Cup water until soft & squish-able

That's the cooking part . . . then we transfered the mushy apples to another container (that wasn't hot!) so the kids could take turns mashing them.

 Add sugar and cinnamon to taste . . .

ENJOY!

A is for Astronaut!

Today we had a lot of fun learning all about (and being) ASTRONAUTS!

After blasting into outer space in our rocket ship,

(and fighting off the invading Aliens)

some of our Astronaut Adventures included

exploring moon sand . . .

Learning all about what it is like in space.

One thing we talked about was gravity.

We dropped objects and watched them fall to the ground.

What would it be like without gravity?

The class was delighted to brainstorm silly things that would happen and easily led this discussion.

How would you eat something like . . . chocolate pudding?

It would just float off your spoon (lots of giggles at the thought)!

We brainstormed solutions . . .

and then

We ate Chocolate Pudding

Astronaut style . . .

Directions:

Have the children help you pre-make chocolate pudding

then scoop into STRONG ziplock bags and store in the fridge (we did this as one of our gathering activities as the children were arriving--don't forget to wash hands first!).

When your ready for your astronaut adventure . . .

Cut off the corner

and eat by squeezing it out!

Everyone will agree that

Chocolate Pudding tastes even better

during an Astronaut Adventure!

After returning safely to earth,

we practiced our Awesome "A" writing skills.

See you Monday for Another Awesome Adventure!!

A is for Apple

I had each child bring an apple from home. We lined them up and compared their shapes, sizes, and colors. We cut the apples open to count the number of seeds inside and to compare the seed sizes between various kinds of apples. The class was fascinated to discover the star-shape that is revealed when an apple is cut in half horizontally. They also really enjoyed tasting a slice of each type of apple.

When we were done exploring the apples we made . . .

AWESOME APPLESAUCE!

Directions:

Peel, core and slice about 2 pounds of apples.

Simmer in a pot with about a 1/2 cup water.

When the apples are tender remove from heat

and mash with a potato masher (will be chunky).

Add some sugar to sweeten (about 1/3 Cup)

and sprinkle lightly with Cinnamon.

Very easy, but super yummy!!

I love to cook with the children in my class. It is such a fun way to explore senses (touch, smell, etc), explore math (counting ingredients, comparing measuring cup sizes, identifying numbers in recipes), and print awareness as we refer to the recipes for instructions. In addition, they are learning about cooperation and taking turns. Kids love to help in the kitchen and are often more eager try something new if they helped create it . . . and don't even realize all the valuable things they are learning in the process!