Apple Tree Maths

Last week we were lucky to go to a Farm and pick some apples as our own apple trees this year have had a very poor harvest it was a great experience for T and I. Inspired by the apple picking I have had an apple tree maths activity set up for her when she wants to sit and do an activity with me especially useful when we’re doing homework with J and she wants some “homework” to do as well.

What you need for Apple Tree Maths

Brown, green and red card or strong paper
White paper
Glue
Scissors
Apple Counters or Red Pom Poms
Tongs or Jumbo tweezers
Marker Pen

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Apple Tree Maths

T is at the stage of being able to count quite high – she counts by rote to 28 and then the numbers get muddled, but counting by rote is different than actual physically counting – 1 to 1 counting or counting out objects so simple activities that work on this are helping her get the idea. She’s also starting to get the idea that number figures represent numbers so we’re starting off with 1 to 5 and working on “reading” the numbers.

Starting out I cut out some basic tree trunk shapes (5), Tree top shapes (5) and then some red circle shapes to represent the apples on the trees (15 in total).

T and I then stuck the apple trees together and counted out 1 apple on the first tree, 2 apples on the 2nd, 3 apples on the 3rd, 4 on the 4th and 5 on the 5th. I then wrote the number of apples on the trunk of the tree.

With our apple counters from the Learning Resources Sorting Pie we set about placing the apples on the trees – first counting the number of apples on the tree;

Tracing the number on the trunk with our finger;

Then using the tongs to move the apple counter to the tree.

Initially we started working on the apple trees in numerical order going from 1 to 5 and 5 to 1 but as the week has progressed we have moved to picking the numbers at random.

The Apple Tree Maths is a fun autumn themed activity for preschoolers to encourage 1 to 1 counting and number recognition whilst working on fine motor skills at the same time.