• In October, we really got into the scientific mode. We explored the seasonal changes and it's effect on the plants and trees. We studied leaves and their structures. We conducted an experiment were we looked deeply into the process of photosynthesis and the secret of why leaves turn colors in the fall. We also explored the life cycle of apples and pumpkins. We experimented with using different substances to help keep our apples nice and white while we made apple pie. (we covered small chunks with lemon juice, sugar, flour, water or simply left them open to the air). We discovered that the lemon juice did the trick!! One of our little friends hypnotized that an apple tree knows what color apple to grow because of the size and shape of the seed. We spent a great deal of time looking at different kinds of apple seeds and decided....yes, the size and shape of the seeds were different and probable did inform the tree! Finally, we examined pumpkins, inside and out! After reading the book, Pumpkin Jack, we decided to leave our jack o'lanturn outside to see if he too would rot. Guess what....he did!


  • Related books and Websites

     

    d

     

     

     

    Fall leaves:

    Why Do Leaves Change color? (Let's-Rea-and-Find-Out Science 2) by Betsy Maestro and Loretta Krupinski

    The Leaves Fall by Ryan Deagan

    Leaves in Fall by Mari Schuh

    http://serc.carleton.edu/sp/mnstep/activities/19856.html

    Youtube: why do leaves change colors in the fall? scishow kids

     

    Apples:

    Why do apples grow? by Betsy Maestro and Giulio Maesto

    Apples by Gail Gibbons

    Amazing Apples by Jeff Bauer

    http://buggyandbuddy.com/apple-science-for-kids-exploring-the-inside-of-an-apple/

    Youtube: life cycle of an apple fideo  The SEEDSnetwork

                  Apple Fielf Trip to Way Fruit Farm   Port Matitda, PA----Harry Kindergarten

     

    Pumpkins:

    Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell

    From seed to pumpkin (lets-read-and-find-out science 1) by Wendy Pfeffer and James Hale


     

    Pumpkin, Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington

    www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/food/pumpkins html

    Youtube: pumpkin soup by Helen Cooper

                  pumpkin life cycle swede 726

                  Apple Fielf Trip to Way Fruit Farm   Port Matitda, PA----Harry Kindergarten