Ever wondered how apples are grown in Western North Carolina? Join Natalie, Rylie, and JJ–the junior farmers at TK Family Farm in Rutherfordton, NC–for a kid’s perspective on growing apples and living on a farm. Hear about how farmers like the Klimstra family help to take care of their land, along with how apples are planted, grown, and processed for sale. JJ also shares his favorite things to do on the farm, plus tips for buying apples at the family’s self-serve farm stand!
Apples
Growing Minds Day by Day: Week of October 19
This week’s theme is apples. Our “Growing Minds Day by Day” educational resource lists are designed for families and educators to use during COVID-19 and beyond.
The Apple Tree — A Modern-Day Cherokee Tale
Told in English with Cherokee translation. A little boy plants an apple seed, already envisioning the big apple tree it will someday be. But when its first fall comes and goes, and apples fail to appear on its branches the little tree begins to doubt its calling. How can the little boy find the encouragement
The Apple Pie Tree
We have a special tree in our yard – an apple pie tree! Colorful collage illustrations follow each season as an apple tree grows leaves, fragrant blossoms, and tiny green apples. Soon the fruit is big, red, and ready to be picked. It’s time to make an apple pie! Here is a celebration of apples
Apple
Follow the life of an apple throughout the year, demonstrating the cyclical patterns in nature.
The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree
Arnold’s favorite place to be is near his apple tree. He stays by his tree through the seasons, watching the tree grow blossoms, leaves, and eventually beautiful red apples.
Golden Delicious: A Cinderella Apple Story
Read this true story about how the golden delicious apple was discovered, and how it became “The New Apple” to eat during the early 1900s.
The Apple Pie that Papa Baked
Our narrator loves a warm and sweet apple pie, but where do the apples come from that her Papa uses to make his pie? Learn about all the elements involved in growing apples before they make it into a delicious pie!
An Apple a Day 3-5 lesson plan
Students learn about different varieties of apples, make apple juice, and devise their own methods of extracting juice.
Downloads
- An Apple a Day 3-5 lesson plan (quick view as .pdf)
- An Apple a Day 3-5 student worksheet (quick view as .pdf)
Biltmore’s Apple and Butternut Squash Soup
Biltmore sent us this simple and scrumptious soup recipe to use on a Growing Minds recipe card. It’s perfect for holiday cooking with kids of all ages!