Class Enrichment Information for Apples

The “fun facts” section about apples can give you background information to use to develop your own classroom plan.

Age-Specific Activities and Lessons

The U.S. apple growers website has lesson and project ideas for students from preschool to middle school. Though not specific to Minnesota, you can use the ideas and plug in some Minnesota specific information from fun facts to give it a local spin! Specific links are provided below, but the educator link has additional materials for coloring books, crafts, and information: www.usapple.org/educators/applestore/index.cfm

• Grades Preschool-3: Six-page PDF file with lots of good craft and puzzle information. www.usapple.org/educators/applestore/p-3.pdf


• Grades 4-6: Six-page PDF file with good information, including a map with U.S. apple information. www.usapple.org/educators/applestore/4-6guide.pdf. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have Minnesota information, but you can add information about cold hardy apple variety breeding from the University of Minnesota Experiment Station.

Field Trips

Apples are the perfect opportunity for a field trip. Apples are harvested in the fall when when school is in session, but weather is still good. Many orchards are set up as tourist destinations, so they readily accommodate school classes. Perhaps the farmer who supplied the apples does farm tours. Check the Minnesota Grown directory, or our Farmer List, for apple orchards you can visit in your area.

If you are close to the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, they have a specific education program for grades 1- 6 at the Apple House.

“Tour the orchard to see apple trees loaded with ripening fruit. Help make apple cider in an old-time cider press. Try an apple taste test, learn about apple blossom pollination, and taste fresh cider. TAKE HOME APPLES! Two new Reflect & Write options, aligned with MN Language Arts standards in writing.”

Call 952.443.1400 for more information about the Landscape Arboretum, or go to their website: www.arboretum.umn.edu/appleharvest.aspx

Older students might consider a field trip to the U of MN research sites to speak with apple breeders: call to make specific arrangements at the Arboretum, or at the University's North Central Research Center in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the coldest horticultural research center in the lower 48 states! ncroc.cfans.umn.edu

Additional Resources

• Extension bulletin: Apples for Minnesota and their culinary uses. www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1111.html This great short bulletin has info about different Minnesota apple varieties and their uses as well as information about storing apples, as well as canning and drying information. It’s also vailable as both a Hmong language bulletin: www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG7760.html and Spanish language bulletin: www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG7759.html



• University of Minnesota Apple website: www.apples.umn.edu. Contains great information, pictures and promotional materials for Minnesota apple varieties. A section specifically for consumers with recipes, uses and nutrition information.



• Minnesota Agricultural Experiment station: www.maes.umn.edu/components/ROCArb.asp



• Minnesota Apple Growers’ Association: www.minnesotaapple.org



• U.S. Apple Association Materials for educators: great information; however not specific to Minnesota Growers. Contains coloring books and age appropriate classroom materials with specific links to grade-appropriate information in Supplemental Classroom Materials. Also includes links to many apple recipes. www.usapple.org/educators/applestore/index.cfm