The Apple Taste Test is a wonderful way to incorporate the sense of taste into your lesson. Not only that, but it also sneaks in vocabulary, math, and science – all in one delicious lesson!
The Taste Test Set Up
Begin the lesson by showing the students the whole apples. It can be quite helpful to have the slices pre-cut, especially if you have a very active group of learners. In our picture, we used Mr. Potato Head to help invite the students to explore. You can discuss the sense of taste, classify the apples by color, count the apples, count the children and figure out how many pieces you need. Be sure to use expanded vocabulary words to describe the apples. Some great word examples include:
- juicy/drippy/wet
- crunchy/hard/loud/crisp
- shiny/dull/bright/dark
- mushy/soft
- sour/sweet/bitter/tangy
Charting for understanding
After the tasting is completed, charting everyone’s favorite is a great way to compare and practice some extra math skills. Invite the students to put their name on the chart under their favorite apple. Engage them during the process by using examples like “Miss Gemma put her apple under the red spot. I wonder how many more people will go in the red column?” When you’re finished charting, the students will likely be very excited to discuss the chart. Don’t forget to ask questions like:
Don’t forget to ask questions like:
- Which color apple did the most people like? The least?
- How many students liked the red/yellow/green apples?
- Was there anyone that did not like any of the apples?
- How many more people liked the red apples than the green ones?
- Do you notice anything else about the graph?
If possible, add the numbers under the graph to reinforce one-to-one correspondence as well!
Finally, of course, all the leftover apples can’t go to waste. If you have to wait until snack time, a little lemon juice on the cut up slices will help preserve them. Have fun snacking and learning with your students!
Looking for more resources?
Click here for our PTL lesson on the Five Senses!
Looking for more apple ideas? “Pick” these!
Try this play dough at the art center:
The Bruised Apple – A lesson on the hidden effects of bullying.
Check out this lesson using apples to teach kindness.
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