Our after school programming at the Alighieri Montessori School in East Boston is a source of fantastic hands-on learning and lots of fun. Eastie Farm strives to keep activities seasonal when we can; the change of season from summer to autumn is the perfect time to welcome apples into the mix! First we explored where the kids thought the apples came from. This question brought several ideas from the enthusiastic students in the school yard. The students offered up so many ideas of where they thought the apples came from: “not the store,” “from a tree,” “from far away,” “from Miss Heather’s car – I saw her take them out,” “an orchard.” What great thinking! Indeed the apples got a ride to school in the car, but where were they transported from?
Striving to ask students “what do you think?” instead of “who knows this?” opens up so many possibilities. We were all excited to learn that the apples came from an orchard at a Massachusetts farm and Miss Heather packed them up to bring them to school. We saw so many thoughtful reactions from the kindergartners. The taste test proves that the apples are indeed fresh and delicious – everyone eats them. We discover the seeds inside and notice a pretty star shape that the seeds form. Our next activity is to paint using the beautiful design nature has given in the apple. Using the apple as a tool, we create some amazing art.
So these apples are yummy and the art is so lovely, but could we make a boat from an apple and would it float? We made predictions – many of them silly – and laughed about the idea of who could fit on an apple boat (a ladybug, a worm and not Carl).
Making apple boats and floating them on a warm autumn day was really engaging for the students. The kids loved trying a variety of sail shapes and designs. The upper level students worked cooperatively alongside the younger ones, creating such a nice sense of co-working! The participants were happy to take apples home to share.
