Storytime: Apples!

This theme is sure to be on any daycare’s curriculum! It’s one of the most requested topics on our daycare deliveries in the Fall and after seeing all the great books on apples, I can see why!

Introduction: First, we sing Our Hello Song. Then I introduce the topic of Apples! I have little felt apples in red, green, and yellow so we can talk about common apple colors. I ask the kids what their favorite color apples are and if they’ve ever been apple picking. Then, we go on an imaginary trip to an apple orchard! I have the kids walk in place with me as we hunt for the perfect tree, climb a ladder, look for an apple, then pick it! Once we get back to the ground, we take a big bite and chew. Then, I show the kids the inside of the felt apple I showed them before. When opened, you can see the seeds. So we take a moment and talk about the parts of an apple: the stem, seeds, core, and fruit.

Sign of the Day: For the word “apple,” we take the letter X handshape and touch it to our cheek in a rotating motion.

Book: The Apple Pie That Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson

I love this cumulative version of The House That Jack Built. It’s filled with light reminders of the life cycle of an apple and gorgeous illustrations to support it.

Song: Apples and Bananas. I use Sign Language with this one. I teach the words “Apple,” “Banana,” “Eat,” and if the group I have seems like they’re up for it, “Like.” See the signs and the basic song here!

I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas!
I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas!
I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas!
I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas!
Repeat with long “a” sound… I like to ate, ate, ate ay-ples and ba-nay-nays.
Repeat with long “e” sound… I like to eat, eat, eat ee-ples and ba-nee-nees.
Repeat with long “i” sound… I like to ite, ite, ite i-ples and ba-nigh-nighs.
Repeat with long “o” sound…I like to ote, ote, ote oh-ples and ba-no-nos.
Repeat with “oo” sound… I like to oot, oot, oot, oo-pples and ba-noo-noos.
Finish with…I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas. X4

Book: Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett

I adore Emily Gravett and this playful book is part of the reason! Throughout the book, the words are separated and combined in hilarious ways. I ask the kids to sign the word “Apple” whenever they see or hear it.

Rhyme: Way Up High in the Apple Tree

Way up high in the apple tree, (reach up high)
5 little apples smiled at me! (hold up 5 fingers)
So I shook that tree as hard as I could, (pretend to shake tree)
and down came 1 apple and Mmmm it was good! (pretend to eat apple, then rub tummy)
Repeat with 4, 3, 2, 1

Felt: The Mouse and the Apple by Stephen Butler

My awesome coworker, K, introduced this story to me! When K tells it, she does these wonderful and hilarious voices for each animal that just really takes it to the next level! The story is all about a little mouse, waiting patiently for a delicious apple to fall. While waiting, mouse’s friends come and are not as patient. They try to get the apple to fall, but after failing, decide the apple must be bitter and leave. The apple finally falls and mouse has a sweet and delicious snack.

Closing: We reviewed our sign of the day (as well as others we learned along the way) and sang Our closing song

More Books to Check Out: