Objective

By the end of this lesson, Junia will learn about the process of apple picking, the different types of apples, and the importance of orchards in our ecosystem. She will also gain hands-on experience by visiting an apple orchard and participating in the apple picking process.

Materials and Prep

• Comfortable clothing and shoes for outdoor activities
• A basket or bag for collecting apples
• Water bottle for hydration
• Notebook and pencil for note-taking
• Sunblock and a hat for sun protection

Before the lesson, check the weather to ensure it's a good day for apple picking. Also, call ahead to the orchard to confirm their visiting hours and any specific rules they may have.

Activities

• Visit the Apple Orchard:

  Take a trip to a local apple orchard where Junia can see the trees, learn how apples grow, and pick apples directly from the branches. This hands-on experience will help her understand the process of apple harvesting.

• Apple Tasting:

  After picking apples, have a tasting session where Junia can try different varieties of apples. Discuss the flavors, textures, and colors of each type. This will help her appreciate the diversity of apples.

• Apple Facts Scavenger Hunt:

  Create a fun scavenger hunt at the orchard where Junia can find different types of apples, learn fun facts about each, and even spot some wildlife. This will make the learning process interactive and exciting!

• Apple Recipe Exploration:

  Once back home, look up simple recipes that use apples, such as apple pie or apple sauce. Junia can choose one to make, encouraging her to explore cooking and the uses of apples beyond just eating them raw.

Talking Points

• "Did you know that there are over 7,500 varieties of apples grown around the world? What’s your favorite type?"
• "Orchards are important because they provide food for us and habitats for wildlife. Can you think of any animals that might live in an orchard?"
• "When we pick apples, we need to be gentle so we don’t hurt the tree or the fruit. How do you think we should pick them?"
• "Apples can be sweet, tart, or even spicy! What flavors do you think we’ll find today?"
• "What do you think happens to the apples after we pick them? How do they get to our homes?"