Trees and Us: How We Rely On Trees
This week on the farm, we’ll explore the questions:
- How do we rely on trees to meet our needs?
- What part of trees do we eat?
- Are all apples the same?
We’ll examine different parts of a tree including fruit, nuts, and seeds and we’ll look at one important Michigan crop, the apple. We’ll explore how apples are alike yet different and how apple farmers care for their trees. We’ll even be food scientists and sample various apples to compare them using this The Taste of Apples journal page.
Apples Trees and Us
October is Michigan Great Apple Crunch month. Let’s celebrate!
The Apple Orchard Riddle
Mr. Tiffin’s class takes a field trip to an apple orchard where they learn how apples are picked, peeled and turned into cider. One student, Tara, solves a riddle Mr. Tiffin presents.
Show me a little red house, with no windows and no doors, but with a star inside!
What are some foods you have eaten with apples in them?
Have you been to an apple orchard yet? What kinds of things did you see?
What information and observations helped Tara solve Mr. Tiffin’s riddle?
Michigan Apple Educational Activities
What shape do you see inside the apple below?
Watch as these two sisters explore their 5 senses during a visit to an apple orchard!
Making Apple Crisp
Here’s a recipe so you can try your hand at making apple crisp together!
An Apple Alphabet
A is for American apples, oh what a treat!
B is for the bees that pollinate the trees.
C is for cider that fills our cups.
D is for dwarf, a smaller apple tree.
E is for each apple eaten each day of the year.
F is for the fruit farmers who work so hard.
G is for Goldens—apples that are not red.
H is for healthy—for that’s what apples are.
I is for insects—some help and some don’t.
J is for Johnny Appleseed spreading his seeds.
K is for keeping apples—tossing candy and sweets.
L is for ladders so pickers can reach high.
M is for Michigan where apples are best.
N is for nutritious—that means good for you.
O is for orchard, planted in rows.
P is for picking then packing carefully.
Q is for quality—that’s what people want.
R is for recipes, pies, cakes and more.
S is for the sun and soil which helps them grow.
T is for the tree which provides so much for all.
U is for uses—how many we don’t know.
V is for varieties—there are approximately 20 different apple varieties in Michigan.
W is for weather on which it all depends.
X is for extra care the pickers must use.
Y is for yummy in any way you choose.
Z is for zebras—who probably eat them, too!
Week #4: Caring for Trees Paper Challenge
In preparation for our final week, here’s a Caring for Trees Challenge. This comin week, save all waste paper generated by your family. Separate the papers into two stacks each day: one for paper that has been completely used and can be recycled and the other for paper that could be used again for some purpose at home or school. At the end of the week, compare the amount of paper in the two stacks and talk about how you can save paper by using less, recycling, or re-using paper. ”Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!” Think about each of the following items: a paper grocery bag, shoe box, magazine, gift wrap paper, a greeting card, newspaper, lunch sack, and milk carton. What are some ways you can think of to reuse each article. Share with us next week what you did to save paper!