Dear Families,
Last week we began transforming our apples and examining them very closely. On Monday we looked inside the secret parts of a juicer and saw the tiny teeth of a round blade and the tiny circles of the mesh the apple was pressed into to create juice. Everyone cut apples up with the tiny teeth of butter knives and took turns carefully dropping apples into the hopper, pressing down with the plunger and watching as juice slowly accumulated in one place and pulp in another. Afterwards we pretended we were in a special juice restaurant and drank, “The best juice ever, because we made it and it’s why it tasting so good!” I reminded the children that we had also picked the apples! We cooked our leftover apples with a cinnamon stick and made delicious applesauce, too!
Juicing!
“It’s plooping out!” “”It’s apples!”
Some of what I heard at the ‘juice restaurant’: “I have a party in my tummy!” “Yummy! Me, too.” “I have a swimming pool in my tummy with apple juice.”
Later in the block area, children worked together to recreate the “rainbow table” we had juiced upon with a ‘rainbow’ block. I challenged them to find blocks that could be our juicer and bowl of apples. Someone pulled a cylindrical block out: “This you, Mrs. Cooke!” They counted and recounted how many people were in the class and then made sure there were the correct corresponding amount of cylinder people. Brilliant!!!! Another incredible block collaboration occurred in our snack room, when everyone spontaneously created a huge “playground” together. There were paths and a slide and everyone was so excited by the amazing structure. I really loved listening to the joy of discovery and pride in their shared creation as they negotiated ‘rules’ for this playground. “Can we please leave this for a little while?” I had to say, “Yes!”
Apple juicing in blocks.
The B3s create their own playground! “This is the best one ever!”
We read the book, Rain Makes Applesauce and I asked the children if they thought this could be true. When we eat food are we also eating the rain and sun that helped it to grow? “No! That’s so silly.” It was pretty much unanimous that this was an absurd idea! We will continue to explore this thought throughout the year. I wonder what the children will think in the spring?
Another apple story we heard was about a little boy searching for a little red house without doors or windows and a star inside. The children were rapt as the tale unfolded and they helped with the refrain. Finally the wind leads the boy to an apple tree. Could an apple be a little red house? Some thought no, some thought yes…When the boy takes his red treasure home, his mother cuts open the fruit to reveal the beautiful stars inside! Everyone in the class spontaneously applauded when the double star appeared. We all shared the apple, everything but the stars.
A daily activity outside has been plunking the apples from our playground into the red bucket. One day we all helped to lug the bucket all the way to the compost heap so the apples could decompose and make beautiful soil. We will continue to visit and see how they transform over time.
Dumping the apples in the compost heap.
Underneath this yellow face….
seeds are hiding!
On Tuesday we began the process of drying apples to make little people. Everyone helped in the peeling and carving process. Then we gave our little apple heads a vinegar bath and rubbed salt all over them. They haven’t changed much yet, but it will be exciting to see their transformation into wrinkled, wizened characters!
Peeling and carving.
Tasting the salt and vinegar. Sour!!!
Apple heads!
Our last delicious apple treat was on Friday, when we borrowed the amazing apple peeling machine and took turns coring apples for a beautiful crisp made with coconut butter, gluten-free oats from Isabelle and a bit of coconut sugar. Yum!
Could anything top this apple extravaganza? Unbelievably, yes! My friend Darshan donated a 10 gallon tank filled with five sparkling Guppies, a Danio and two whiskered albino Catfish. The children were thrilled to arrive on Thursday and discover new, living, breathing additions to our class. “They so sparkly!” There was a huge outpouring of activity. Art was created, tunnels drawn, fish painted and books read to our new friends. This is some of what I overheard: “Let’s read to them.” “I’m a pretty good reader.” “And this fish got eaten and this fish was his friend.” “And suddenly all the fish were gathering out and the crab go, ‘pinch!’ One is a big crab, a lobster crab, a blue crab, a white crab, a black crab and all the crabs in the world!” Someone excitedly pointed out that the fish in the tank looked like the fish in the book we have been reading called, Fish is Fish.
“It look the same! See?”
Observing fish.
“This is the tunnel the fish could swim through!”
“”This is the fish tank. Let’s put it where they can see it. OK?” Later, lots of holes were cut in this paper to simulate the tunnels in the tank.
“I’m putting water on top of my fishy.”
At circle time we took turns naming the fish. Here is what the children named the little guppies:Peter-pan, Stitch and Baby. The two big Guppies are Angus and Mommy. The two Catfish are Eat and Fish and the blue, stripey Danio is Granddad. We also spoke about what we know and what we want to know about fish. The children knew lots! “I know they’re swimming.” I can swim like fish with my mommy.” “Fish can’t have hair.” “Shark eat fish.” “Fishermen catch them and eat them.” “Fish can’t come out of the water.” “Them die.” “They need to be in water.” “They don’t have hats.” “I’m not a fish.” “They’re not wearing their shoes.” “They don’t have legs!” The only thing the children wanted to know was, “Why birdies eat fish?” I wonder if there will be lots more questions as we learn more about our beautiful, constantly moving, sparkly friends.
All the best!
Sarah
P.S. We had a very special story time with Mr. Lindenmaier! We got to sit in his office, see a picture of him when he was a little boy being held by his beloved grandpa and hear the story of a little blue kitty who likes to say, “No!” I was really proud of everyone for being such polite guests and great listeners. Thank you!!
Reading with Mr. Lindenmaier.
B3s enjoying a funny story!
