1-2-3 Come Do Some Apple Math With Me
The last few articles have covered apple art, some apple science (apple facts and the apple life cycle) plus a bit of writing, so I thought it was time to throw in a little apple math. I've designed some numbered apples from 1 to 100. You can put them up all at once, or add one each day of school, as you count up to your 100th day celebration.
Another fun way to reinforce counting, is with Willie the Worm. His body is a numbered "slider". Children trace the numbers and then insert Willie into their apple. Call out a number, students slide the worm to that number.
This is a quick and easy way to whole group assess, as you can see at a glance who is having difficulty. I've also included strips for skip counting by 2's, 3's, 5's, and 10's for a non-boring way to practice.
For just-the-right-size number fun, with an apple theme, click on the Apple Number packet. The packet includes: Smaller numbered apples (1-120) that students can easily sequence. Use these as anchor charts or a help poster for your students' math folders. The apple 1-120 individual strips, can be cut to form a number line.
I've included 16 "What's Missing?" activity sheets, that are especially helpful for those toughy teen numbers. Run them off for students to fill in, or laminate and have children place number tiles on empty spaces. The apple math symbols, allow students to use the apples to create and solve addition and subtraction equations, as well as show greater and less than.
Apples with numbers as well as number words, help with reading comprehension. Use them for games, pocket charts, or your word wall. Skip counting by 2's, 3's, 5's and 10's is also included, plus 4 games, with the ability to create many more. Click on the link to get the 35-page comprehensive Apple Number packet.
For more addition and subtraction activities, you'll enjoy the apple-themed 10-frame packet.
If you teach little ones just learning to count, or ESL students, they'll enjoy the 1-to-1 correspondence apple game. I've included full-color cards, as well as black line masters if you want your kiddos to color their own.
I used red, yellow and green pony beads as manipulatives. This provides great fine motor practice as well.
Puzzles are also a fun way for students to practice sequencing numbers.
I've included an apple as well as a pumpkin shaped puzzle in this packet. Run the apples off on red, yellow and lime green construction paper; give students a choice of what color they want for their apple.
Children can simply put the puzzle together, or have them create an interesting mosaic picture, by gluing the pieces to a sheet of black construction paper. (Make sure they leave a little space inbetween the pieces.)
For that finishing touch, add their photo to the leaf. To make it more of a keepsake, have students trace their hand for the pumpkin leaf.
There are 7 more apple-themed puzzles in another packet. Use the skip counting by 10's puzzles for older students.
Finally, when doing apple math, one can't forget to include shapes as well as graphing. Both are accomplished in the Shapely Fall Graphs packet.
I hope you found a few things here that you're excited about sharing with your students. Do you have an apple activity that you could share with us? I'd love to hear from you. diane@teachwithme.com or feel free to leave a comment below.
It's a rainy day, and although it's tempting to venture into some time-sucking fun on Pinterest, I'm off to higher priorities. (Perhaps curling up with a good book!) Wishing you an apple-icious afternoon.
