purposeful play
Way Up High in the Apple Tree
Cut out or print 10 tree patterns.
Write the numbers 1-10 on pieces of paper-each number on a separate piece.
Gather different items together that could be used to represent apples (suggestions: buttons, pom-poms, cut out circles, fruit loops)
Lay out the tree, add a number to it and ask child to add the appropriate corresponding number of “apples”.
Continue as long as the child is interested and engaged
free downlaod
Here is a free download for you to use with this activity. The download includes a Tree, 10 apples and 1-10 number cards.
apple counting box
The tree and apples seen in the photo above are from The Apple Tree Counting Box sold at Lakeshore.
attribute apples
I really love these Attribute Apples from Learning Resources. Attribute Apples are absolutely perfect for teaching preschool counting skills! They are so versatile and can be used to help your child master many of the early math skills needed by 1st grade! You can use these apples to sort by size, color, with/without leaf, with/without worm. You can also use this set to practice graphing skills, patterns, as well as addition and subtraction.
materials
10 tree cutouts
Number cards 1-10
Apple counters or cut-outs, Pom-poms, buttons or anything else that can represent apples
Purpose
Counting
One to one correspondence
Number recognition
Classification
Beginning operations
variations
If you have different color “apples”, have your child sort them by color Instead of by number. Designate each tree for a different color. Example – one tree for all the green “apples”, another tree for all the red “apples” and so on.
If you have different sized “apples” you can designate the trees by size instead of numbers. Assign a tree for the large “apples” , a tree for the medium “apples” and a tree for the small “apples”. Have your child then sort the apples accordingly.
Practice beginning subtraction. After your child has added the appropriate number of “apples” onto the tree, remove one of the “apples” and ask your child how many apples are still are on the tree. Continue to do this until all the “apples” are gone. You can do the same with addition.
Sing the song Way up High in the Apple Tree. Start with 10 apples in the tree. As you sing the song continue removing apples in accordance with the song lyrics. Have your child pretend to “shake the tree” as you sing along. Click here to view the lyrics to the song!
