Guest Post-Homebound But Hopeful

*It is time for another guest post from a sweet blogger I have been lucky enough to connect with. Kate is a fellow boy mama, and stays home with them. She has the best creative ideas for things to do with kiddos, spend a few minutes over on her blog and you will immediately be inspired and want to do all of the fun things with your little ones! Be sure to head over and check her out, and read her fun featured post below for a taste of all of the fun things she has to offer!*

Fall Apple Picking Math with Free Printables

So I have something a little embarassing to admit… I didn’t go apple picking for the first time until I was in my 30’s! (Yes, seriously!) I live in upstate NY where we have lots of orchards and cider mills, but I’d never had the chance until I got married. My in-laws get together for apple picking each fall, and it’s a fun family tradition we look forward to. My boys love the excitement of finding the perfect apples and climbing on shoulders or ladders to reach them. Of course, their favorite part is sampling the sweet fruit straight off the tree.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting some fun book & activity ideas for apple picking story times. Today, I’m sharing a quick, simple activity for apple addition. It’s a great themed activity to make learning in the fall season a little more fun. And be sure to scroll all the way down for a link up to a TON of other great autumn themed learning and craft ideas!

Apple Picking Addition

I’ll be entirely honest- this activity was created as a way to use the adorable apple erasers I found in the One Spot at Target last month and had to have. You don’t have to have these erasers, but cute manipulatives always make math a little more fun at our house.

You Will Need:

• Apple picking addition printable. (See below).
  • I recommend printing on card stock since it’s a bit sturdier.
• Red apple picking die printable. (See below).
  • I recommend printing on card stock since it’s a bit sturdier.
• Green apple picking die printable. (See below).
• Scissors.
• Glue stick or transparent tape.
• Dry erase markers.
• Dry erase eraser/rag/tissue.
• Optional- apple manipulatives.
  • The erasers I grabbed from Target work great, but pom poms, pony beads, or flat back marbles would also be good if you’re hoping to incorportate manipulatives.
• Optional- dry erase sheet sleeve.
  • I picked ours up at a local craft store. We’ve also used plastic picture frames, sheet protectors, or zip-top plastic bags in a pinch.

How To Play:

• Assemble the die: 
  
  
  • Cut out each die from the printed sheet.
  • Fold along each edge prior to assembling.
  • Use glue or tape to adhere the tabs to the inside of the die.
• Slide the printed addition sheet into the vinyl sleeve.
• Roll each die and note how many of each color apple should be ‘picked.’
  • If you’re using manipulatives, ‘pick’ the appropriate number of each color.
  • Simply write the numbers on the sleeve with the dry erase marker if you’re not using manipulatives.
• Solve the equation.
  • Add up your green and red apples, and write the answer after the equal sign.
• When you know you’re correct, erase your work and roll again.

Does your family go apple picking? Do you have any other fun fall traditions? Let me know in the comments below!

>>> APPLE PICKING EQUATION SHEET <<<

>>> RED APPLE DIE PRINTABLE <<<

>>> GREEN APPLE DIE PRINTABLE <<<

DON’T FORGET THE ROUND UP!

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

Scarecrow Craft // I Heart Crafty ThingsFall Initial Sound Match-Up Free Printable // A Dab of Glue Will Do
Fall Sight Word Dash // Playdough to PlatoFall Letter Tracing Printables // The Letters of Literacy
Apple Word Building // Recipe for TeachingScarecrow Busy Box // Teach Me Mommy
Fall Tree Number Sense Activity // Mom Inspired LifePumpkin CVC Game // Pages of Grace
Fall Apple Picking Math with Free Printables // Homebound but HopefulFall Nature Scavenger Hunt // Science Kiddo
24 Free Fall Puzzles // Liz’s Early Learning SpotFall Subitizing Math Center // The Kindergarten Connection
Rhyming Acorns Fall Literacy Activity // Mrs. Jones’ Creation StationFall Number Activities (0 to 10) // Fairy Poppins
Free Fall Printables // Stay at Home EducatorFall Parts of Speech Sort // Sara J Creations
Fall Leaves Number Match // Schooling a Monkey(Not Shown) Preschool Scarecrow Counting Activity // M is for Monster