1-2-3 Come Do Some Apple Activities With Me
The 3 main characters in Dr. Seuss’s story “Ten Apples Up On Top” are a dog, lion & tiger, so I thought it would be fun for children to practice number recognition and counting to 10 with an animal "slider".
After reading the story, have students transition to this whole-group craftivity.
There are 6 BW pattern choices.
Two of each animal, plus I’ve included full-color templates so you can quickly & easily make a sample to share, helping explain what you want your students to do.
Simply run the patterns off on white construction paper or card stock and give children a choice.
They color their animal, then trim around the edges.
There are 4 apple slider strip options.
Two are in BW the others in color.
The apples are numbered as well as blank, so that students can write them in.
So that the "slider" is not pulled out, have children fold and glue the end. Wahla! Instant stop guard.
To play this whole-group game, call out a number.
“I see 6 apples up on top!”
Children gently pull on their slider, counting out 6 apples, then hold their animal pet in the air.
You can see at a glance who is having difficulty.
* 
Save the number 10 for last, then count all of the apples together one more time.
* Children lay their animal down, and point to each number as you count the apples to ten.
* Students exclaim: “Hooray! Ten apples up on top!”
* If you’re also learning how to count backwards from 10, do that next, by having children pull the apple slider back down, pausing at each number, looking at it and saying it.
* When you get to the end, have children crouch down with their critter and repeat the backwards sequence exclaiming:
“No apples up on top. 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-0. Blast off!”
* As they yell “Blast Off!” they jump in the air, and can quietly file out to their backpacks to put their animal slider away.
Have older students glue two apple strips together to count to 20 and work on those tricky teen numbers.
This is also a great activity and story to read for a substitute teacher. (Instant lesson. Just tuck in your sub tub).
Today's featured FREEBIE also has an apple theme.
It's an inexpensive little gift you can give your kiddos on that first day of school, or during your apple unit.
Click on the link to pick up your free packet today: Back To School Apple Puzzle Gift Baggies.
Well that's it for today. Hope you are enjoying your summer. Mine is going way too fast.
My mom's coming for a visit next week, so It's time to get some marathon cleaning and shopping done.
Wishing you a carefree day.
"Summer: Rest, Relax, Repeat!"
