OHC Spring Series #6: Apple Tree

Outdoor Hour Challenge
Spring Series #6: Apple Trees in Spring
(Previous Apple Tree Study-Outdoor Hour Challenge #35)

“A visit to a large, well-grown orchard in spring or autumn will aid in making this work interesting. Any apple tree near at hand may be used for the lesson.”
Handbook of Nature Study, page 664

Inside Preparation Work:
Read in the Handbook of Nature Study pages 661-664, paying special attention to Lesson 182 on page 664. Highlight some suggested activities to complete when you observe your apple tree.

“This lesson should begin with the apple blossom in the spring and should continue, with occasional observations, until the apples are well grown.”Handbook of Nature Study, page 666

Read the section on “How An Apple Grows” in the Handbook of Nature Study pages 665-667. Pay special attention to lesson suggestions #3, #4, #5, and #6.

(If you are using the online version of the HNS, you will find this on page 782 and if you are using the HomeschoolFreebie version it is in the Plants and Trees pdf on page 297. Thanks Angie.)

Outdoor Hour Time:
Ideally you will have an apple tree to observe, either in your own yard or in a near-by orchard.
Note: If you do not have a blossoming apple tree to study in real life, see if you can find another blooming tree to spend some time observing as a substitute for this challenge.

Suggested Observations for the Handbook of Nature Study, page 664 and 666
How tall is your tree?
How thick is its trunk?
What color is the bark?
Does the trunk divide into large branches or does it extend up through the center of the head?
Study the bud of the apple blossom.
Sketch an open apple blossom. How many petals? What is the shape of the flower?

Follow-Up Activity:
Make sure to give time and the opportunity for a nature journal entry using the notebook page from the Spring Nature Study ebook or a blank page in your own journal. Remember to sketch the shape of your apple tree and the blossom if possible. Help you child record some of his observations by having a conversation recounting your outdoor time. Even a few words written with a simple sketch is a great journal entry. Remember that you may need to model how to get started with nature journaling.

Of course you can always eat some apples to follow up your study of apple trees! Better yet, why not have a picnic outdoors under an apple tree this week? The weather is warming up all over the country now so take advantage of a warmer day to eat outdoors as well as have your nature study time.

Please make sure to come back and post your link on Mr. Linky after completing this challenge and writing your blog entry. I always love to come by and see what you are up to!

If you would like all the Spring Series Challenges in one place, I have an ebook gathered for you to purchase for your convenience. The ebook also contains art and music appreciation plans for the spring months as well as custom notebooking pages for each of the challenges. Please see this entry for more details:

Spring Nature Study with Art and Music Appreciation

Barb-Harmony Art Mom