apple idea

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2002 : July : 28

apple idea
By Sandra

I have used this idea for apples for the last two years.
On or around Johnny Appleseed's birthday, Sept. 26, we talk about different kinds of apples. (I have several children's books about apples) We also talk about Johnny
Appleseed and I read a book about him. I give each student a medium-size apple that I've pealed. I've also cut two slits for eyes (diagonally), two vertical slits for the nose, and a smiley slit for the mouth. Each apple is placed on a small paper plate with the students name on it. The student uses his/her fingers to shape the face of the apple. They push in on the slits for

the eyes, nose, and mouth. (not too hard) After a few days of drying the students push black-eyed peas in the eye socket area. The apple continues to dry around the pea. As the apples dry they turn in the most unusual faces. A week or so before Halloween we make witches out of them. I made a wire frame with wire coming up to push the apple face onto and wire arms. I cut Halloween fabric to fit over the wire. The students glue the fabric at the seams. It is attached at the shoulders, so the dress is put on before the head is stuck on.
I got some of those green plant stakes at a floral store. They came up through the dress and stuck into the apple. We glued spanish moss for hair. I made each witch a hat from paper bow material. They glued it on. They tied a belt of ribbon around the waist. The wire came down in an upside down v below the waist.
As a science lesson we weigh the apples right after they have been pealed. (record each student's apple weight on a weight watcher's or diet scale) Then weigh them again right before we turn them into witches. The students love to watch them change over the month. We discuss why the weight changed and where it went. They are a fun and different project.