While studying apples or an as activity following a reading about Johnny Appleseed, this applesauce recipe is a great science experience that the children can participate in from start to finish. If school regulations allows an electric burner in the classroom, then this project is easy to manage.
While your class is studying the apple theme or if you have read the history of Johnny Appleseed to the class, you can elaborate on the lesson and let the children assist in making applesauce as a science project. While it is not safe to allow children to cut the apple with a knife, they can assist in other ways such as washing the apples or tossing them into the pan or Crockpot. Through this activity, they can also practice measurement.
Things Needed:
2 yellow apples
4 green apples
6 red apples
Water
Sugar
Cinnamon
Large sauce pan
Sharp knife
Electric burner or stove access
Crockpot (optional)
Sieve
Measuring spoons
Plastic spoons
Plastic bowls
Recipe:
Wash, peel, core and quarter all apples.
Put the apples in pan. Add 2 1/2 cups of water. Cover and simmer until apples are tender.
(this process can also be done in a Crockpot)
When apples are tender, add 8 tablespoons of sugar and season with cinnamon.
Strain applesauce through sieve. Refrigerate over night or until ready to eat.
Teacher Ideas:
While peeling the apples of multiple colors, discuss the differences between the tastes, color and size of each apple.
Provide apple tasting samples of each different type of apple.
Discuss the differences and similarities between all of the apples.
Ask children to describe the different tastes of the apples.
Apple Crafts:
While eating your homemade applesauce, your class may enjoy doing a few simple crafts using apples.
Apple Prints:
Cut an apple vertically in half. Give one half to each child and allow them to dip the apple into a small amount of washable paint.
Instruct the children to make apple prints on to construction paper.
Apple Collage:
Instruct children to tear pieces of red construction paper into small squares. Children should spread liquid glue onto a paper plate, then cover the glue with the torn pieces of construction paper. Secure a rectangle cut from brown construction paper for a stem.
Suggested Reading:
Ten Apples Up On Top by Theo. LeSeig
Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellog
Who Stole The Apples? by S. Heuck
Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell
The Season’s of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
