Apple Science in the Classroom: A Sweet Treat for Elementary Teachers

Apples, apples, everywhere! It's fall, and that means apples are in season. What better time to bring some apple science into the classroom?

Apple science is a great way to teach elementary students about a variety of science concepts, including teaching about the life cycle of an apple tree!

Looking for a no prep teaching resource for your apple unit? We've got you!

Using a PowerPoint on my display board has solved the problem of searching for the perfect book and it allows for all students to see the photos. This has been a game changer for teaching whole group lessons on science topics.

If this sounds like something you must have too, you can find this Life Cycle of an Apple Tree resource here. 

Here are some other ideas for your apple lessons:

• Reading nonfiction books about apples
• Watching videos about apple trees
• Planting an apple tree in the classroom or schoolyard
• Visiting an orchard or taking a virtual field trip
• Creating a diagram or model of the life cycle of an apple tree

After all the apple fun is nearly done, you want your students to review what they have learned and demonstrate understanding.

My students LOVE reading their little Life Cycle of an Apple minibook! It's made from a lunch bag! 

It's an awesome project and a really cute take home book and portfolio work sample. You can check it out here! 

Looking for hands-on science experiences? Here is a simple activity that you can use to teach your students about the life cycle of an apple tree:

1. Gather a variety of materials, such as apple seeds, cotton balls, water, and plastic cups.
2. Have your students plant the apple seeds in the cotton balls and water them regularly.
3. Place the cups in a sunny spot and watch the seeds germinate and grow.
4. Once the seedlings have sprouted, transplant them into pots.
5. Send them home or continue to care for the seedlings and watch them grow into a small apple tree that can be planted in the schoolyard.

Other apple science activities:

In addition to learning about the life cycle of an apple tree, there are many other apple science activities that you can do with your students. Here are a few ideas:

• Apple taste test: Have your students taste different varieties of apples and record their preferences.
• Apple dissection: Have your students cut open an apple and identify the different parts of the fruit.
• Apple drop: Take your students outside and drop apples from different heights to see how gravity affects them.
• Apple browning experiment: Have your students experiment with different ways to prevent apples from browning.
• Apple nutrition: Have your students research the nutritional value of apples and create a presentation or poster to share their findings.

Making apple science fun and engaging!

No matter what apple science activities you choose, make sure to provide your students with plenty of opportunities to explore, learn, and have fun! You might even include a treat!