Comparing Apples to Apples

Grade Level(s): 2nd Grade Math and ELA

Estimated Time: 40 - 60 minutes

Purpose

• Students will use their senses to evaluate different types of apples and select their favorite.

• Students will write an opinion piece with supporting reasons.
  C.2.1 Compose opinion pieces, using a combination of writing and digital resources, on topics or texts, with supporting reasons.

• Students will develop a bar chart to report results.
  2.MD.10 - Create a pictograph and a bar graph (with single-unit scale) to represent a data set with up to four categories. Solve simple put together, take-apart and compare problems using information presented in a bar graph.

Materials

• 3-4 apples of 5 different varieties. Be sure to provide a mix of color, firmness and taste. See descriptions here.

• “Comparing Apples” Data Sheet

• “Our Favorite Apples” Reporting Sheet

Procedures

Source: Green Mountain Farm to School

Students will get to taste five different varieties of apples and compare their different appearances and tastes.

1. Interest activity: Show students the Kentucky Farms Feed Me Virtual Field Trip on Apples or read an apple related book. We like The Apple Orchard Riddle. This book is part of our Book Bundle, or you can find it at Amazon.

2. Explain to the students that a single food can have many different varieties, like apples. Different varieties, or types, can taste slightly different and be used for different things.

3. What might we look for in apples that we would buy? (color, size, taste -- eating, cooking, sauce, storage, pest-free)

4. As you introduce each type of apple, and prepare it for the taste test, ask your K/1 students about the color, appearance, and what they think it will taste like. Encourage them to use descriptive words.

5. Make sure students’ hands are washed. Place apple slices on individual plates or napkins. They should try hard to observe the flavors and textures of each apple that they taste!

6. Have older students use the “Comparing Apples” data sheet to make their notes about color, shape, taste, firmness, and sound when taking a bite.

7. Have each child determine their favorite by raising their hand. They can record the data for each apple on the “Our Favorite Apples” reporting sheet. They may use that data to make bar graph.

8. Optional: Ask students to write an opinion piece on their favorite apple using descriptions and reasoning from their comparing apples data sheet.

Google Slide Version of Data & Reporting Sheets - Be sure to copy the file to your Drive or Classroom so you may assign or share with your students.