Apple Day

Objective:
The students will explore the concept of analogy and form connections between vocabulary words.

Materials

• A House is a House For Me by Mary Ann Hoberman, if available.

• An apple - to be cut in half

• The House Worksheet (Most appropriate for younger students.)

• Plain paper for older students.

Procedure

1. Read the story  A House is a House for Me.  Brainstorm with the students what an apple is a house for.  (Examples; seeds, apple juice, a worm, a star, etc.)  If the book is not available, facilitate a discussion on how different objects can be houses for one another.  For example, a box is a house for crackers, a glove is a house for a hand, etc. 

2. If desired, share the riddle "What is red, has no doors or windows, and has a star inside?"  (The answer being an apple.  Show the students that when an apple is cut in half, there is a star shape inside which houses the seeds.)

3. Pass out the House Worksheet and have the students match up the objects with their houses.  For older students, have them get in pairs and list as many different items and houses they can think of.  Give them a time limit and then allow the students to share their lists with the rest of the class.

Other Lesson Ideas

1. Discuss popular phrases which include the word 'apple'.  For example, "He's the apple of my eye", "An apple a day keeps the doctor away", "One bad apple spoils the whole bunch", etc.

2. Do a phonics lesson on short 'a'.

3. Have a discussion on what a legend is in relation to the story of Johnny Appleseed.  Research as a class what is fact and what is fiction in the stories.  Relate Johnny Appleseed to other Tall Tales, such as Paul Bunyon.

4. Write simple apple recipes.