Free Secular Homeschool Unit Study Curriculum: Harvest
- Hannah Ward, M.Ed.
- Sep 9, 2024
- 53 min read
Updated: Nov 5, 2024
Sherlock Homeschooling, Harvest Unit Study. Family Literature and Activity Guide. Sherlock Homeschooling provides secular homeschool curriculum for free - enjoy this community supported Harvest Unit Study.
Reading and learning together is one of the best things you can do as a family. Family reading helps with academic growth and supports mental well-being. Enjoying books with my kids is my favorite part of the day, and I hope you love it just as much as we do!
At Sherlock Homeschooling, our mission is to provide literacy building resources to any family, regardless of their financial situation. We believe that family learning is too important for anyone to miss out on.
As a community-supported curriculum, we rely on members like you to help spread the word about the benefits of family literacy. If you find this resource helpful, please consider telling others about it or leaving a review so that other families can learn about these resources too.
I love hearing your thoughts, ideas for future units, and stories about how reading together has impacted your family. Feel free to reach out to me at:
I look forward to hearing from you!
Happy learning,
Hannah Ward Sherlock Homeschooling Educational Designer
This is the free online version of the Cozy Autumn Unit Study.
You can download and print the PDF version at this link. It's available on a give-what-you-can basis. You can purchase a color printed coil-bound workbook of this unit study at this link.
You can also support the curriculum financially by buying me a coffee! Thank you. 😊
Click these links to jump to a section in the unit study: Introduction County Fair How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World Johnny Appleseed The Vegetable Alphabet Book Corn The Turnip Sophie's Squash The Apple Cake Apples for Everyone Strega Nona's Harvest Apple Picking Time
What is a unit study?
A homeschool unit study is a focused way to learn about a specific topic. Unit studies combine different subjects like reading, science, math, and art into one learning experience.
Instead of studying each subject separately, a unit study ties them all together around one theme. Unit studies are flexible, so you can adjust them to fit your family’s interests and learning styles.
Unit studies can include hands-on activities, projects, and field trips. Including a variety of experiences makes learning fun and memorable. This approach helps students see how different subjects connect and makes learning stick in a memorable way.
What are Sherlock Homeschooling Family Literacy Guides?
Sherlock Homeschooling Family Literacy Guides help your family learn together in fun and meaningful ways. Research shows that when families learn together, everyone benefits—kids, teens, and even adults.
These guides are for everyone in your family. Whether you have little ones, teens, or even grandparents, these guides will get everyone involved. You'll all work together on activities that make learning fun. Explore books, talk about what you read, and try hands-on projects.
The best time to use these guides is during holidays and seasonal changes throughout the year. Pair books and activities with holidays and what’s happening in your community. You can enjoy these activities at home and extend the fun by exploring your local community together.
Getting started is easy. Begin with a great book and the provided literature guide. Then, choose an activity that brings the story to life for your family.
What does the research say about learning together as a family?
Family literacy is more than just a fun activity; it’s a powerful tool for future success. Research shows that reading with young children helps their brain develop and strengthens the bond between parent and child. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents to start reading aloud to their children from infancy. This early reading builds language, literacy, and social skills that last a lifetime and sets the stage for lifelong learning.
The benefits of family literacy extend well beyond childhood. According to Life Literacy Canada, when families learn together, they build important skills like phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing. These skills are valuable for everyone in the family, from the youngest child to the oldest grandparent, and they create a culture of lifelong learning in the home.
Children who grow up in families that prioritize literacy tend to do better in school. They score higher on reading tests and are more likely to continue their education.
The National Institute of Health found that a mother’s reading ability has a greater impact on her children’s academic success than factors like income or neighborhood.
Books and literacy also play a significant role in mental health. Research from Scholastic and the Yale Child Study Center shows that a love of reading can boost self-esteem, increase empathy, and reduce anxiety and depression. The Kids & Family Reading Report highlights how important it is to foster a love of reading, especially during times of stress and uncertainty. Reading can be a key factor in supporting children’s mental health and well-being.
Family literacy also strengthens family relationships. When families read together, tell stories, cook, talk, and enjoy activities together, they create emotional bonds and a supportive home environment. These shared experiences help families connect, laugh, and feel a sense of belonging and security. Family literacy also deepens connections to family history, values, and culture while offering a way to explore the customs and cultures of others around the world.
Where can I find the research?
Works Cited
ABC Life Literacy Canada. (n.d.). The 3 biggest impacts of family literacy. ABC Life Literacy Canada. https://abclifeliteracy.ca/news/the-3-biggest-impacts-of-family-literacy/
High, P. C., Klass, P., Donoghue, E., Glassy, D., DelConte, B., Earls, M., Lieser, D., McFadden, T., Mendelsohn, A., Scholer, S., Schulte, E. E., Takagishi, J., Vanderbilt, D., & Williams, P. G. (2014). Literacy promotion: An essential component of primary care pediatric practice. Pediatrics, 134(2), 404-409. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/134/2/404/32944/Literacy-Promotion-An-Essential-Component-of?autologincheck=redirected
National Institute of Health. (2011). The role of parents in children’s academic achievement. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3083977/
Scholastic. (n.d.). Kids & family reading report. Scholastic. https://www.scholastic.com/content/corp-home/kids-and-family-reading-report.html
How do I use this guide?
Step 1: Planning Together
Start by getting everyone in the family excited about learning together. Sit down as a group and pick 3-5 picture books from this guide. These books are chosen to interest family members of all ages and will be the foundation of your learning time.
Next, choose activities from the guide that your family will enjoy. These could include cooking, crafts, games, discussions, research, movie nights, or even field trips. These activities will bring your seasonal learning to life, both at home and in your community.
Look for local events or places that connect with what you’re reading. This could mean planning a field trip or attending a special event that ties into your books and activities.
Make sure everyone helps with planning. This keeps everyone excited and involved. The experience is totally customizable, so make it as long or as short as you want. Every family’s experience will be unique.
Step 2: Reading Together
Before you read a book to the kids, read it yourself first. This will help you get ready and think about what to discuss.
Pick out vocabulary words from the list in the guide and talk about them before you read. This will make the story easier to understand. Connect the story to things your family already knows to help make it relatable.
When it’s time to read, gather in a quiet and comfortable spot. Turn off screens and silence phones so everyone can focus.
Encourage everyone to listen quietly, but also pause during the story to discuss and point out interesting details.
After you finish reading, have a discussion. Use the questions in the guide to spark conversation. Plan to read the book several times over a few days. Each time, you’ll notice new details. Let different family members read aloud, and use different questions to keep the experience fresh.
Step 3: Learning Together
Now it’s time to bring what you’ve read to life with fun and meaningful activities. You might be surprised how much your family can learn and remember by doing things like reciting poems or singing songs together. These activities will help make information stick and deepen your learning.
The activities in this guide are designed to build important skills like teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. As you do these activities, connect them back to the books you’ve read. You’ll see how everything ties together and reinforces what you’re learning.
Include activities that involve unique opportunities in your community and reflect your family’s interests. This will make the learning experience personal and create lasting memories for everyone.
How do I use the literature guides?
Choose a few books from the literature guide to read together as a family. Discuss vocabulary words from the provided list and talk about them to help everyone understand the story better.
Take turns letting different family members read the books aloud. Use fun voices for the characters to keep everyone engaged and make the story more enjoyable. Pause while reading to discuss the story, explain new words, and point out interesting parts of the illustrations.
Have a family discussion after reading. There are two sets of question ideas provided: one for the first reading and another for follow-up readings.
Read the books multiple times throughout your unit study to enjoy them more and better understand the story. As you read, notice how the books connect with each other. Talk about the similarities and differences between them.
There are activities related to each read-aloud book in this guide. Select activities that your family finds interesting to make real-world learning connections.
Literature Guides and Activities
County Fair
Title: County Fair
Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Illustrator: Jody Wheeler
Date Published: 1998
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book County Fair | Give-What-You-Can PDF Link
What is this book about?
This picture book is based on a chapter from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s famous book Farmer Boy. It tells the story of Almanzo Wilder, Laura's husband, when he was a boy. In this story, Almanzo and his family visit the county fair. It’s an exciting day full of contests, races, and tasty treats. Almanzo is especially excited to see what the judges will say about the special pumpkin he grew on his family’s farm.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What animals do you see at the county fair? Can you name them?
What kinds of plants are on display at the fair? Do you see any fruits or vegetables?
What types of food are at the feast? What do you see Almanzo eating?
How does Almanzo and his family get to the fair? Is it similar to how your family travels?
How does Almanzo show his feelings in the pictures? Does he look excited, happy, or something else?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
Farmhouse: A house where people who work on a farm live.
Countryside: An area with farms, fields, and nature, not a city or town.
County: A part of a state that has its own local government.
Fair: A fun event with games, rides, contests, and animals, usually held outdoors.
Buggy: A small, horse-drawn wagon used for riding.
Preserves: Fruit that has been cooked with sugar and stored in jars to keep it fresh for a long time.
Woolwork: A type of art made by stitching with wool threads.
Embroidery: Decorating fabric by sewing patterns with thread.
Unhitch: To unhook or take something off, like a horse from a wagon.
Grand-stand: A large set of seats where people watch events at a fair or stadium.
Stock-sheds: Buildings where farm animals, like cows or pigs, are kept at a fair.
Prize: Something special you win in a contest, like a ribbon or trophy.
Contest: A competition where people try to do their best to win.
What discussions can we have before we read?
Have you ever been to a fair? What did you see there?
Do you know what a contest is? What kinds of contests have you heard about?
What farm animals do you know? Can you name a few?
Have you ever had a big feast? What kind of food did you have?
How do you think things were different a long time ago compared to now?
What discussions can we have after we read?
What happened at the county fair in the story?
Which pie from the story sounded the best to eat? Have you ever eaten vinegar pie?
If you were in a county fair contest, what would you bring to show?
How did Almanzo feel when he won the contest?
How do you think Almanzo would have felt if he had lost?
Activity: Make a Fair Game
Objective: Create a fun and simple fair game for the whole family to enjoy.
Choose Your Game: Decide together what type of game you want to make. It could be a bean bag toss, a ring toss, a guessing game, or any other simple fair-style game.
Prepare Your Materials: Use things you already have at home, like paper, cups, or balls. Make sure the materials are safe and easy for everyone to use.
Set Up the Game: Set up your game in an open space, like the living room or backyard. Arrange everything so it's ready to play.
Play the Game: Take turns playing the game with family members. You can keep score or just play for fun. Make sure everyone gets a chance to participate, no matter their age.
Discussion: How did the game turn out? Did everyone have fun? How could you make the game more challenging or more fun for next time?
Activity: Research County Fairs
Objective: Learn about county fairs and their traditions by doing simple research together.
Start Your Research: Look up information about county fairs. Use books, the internet, or ask family members who have been to a county fair.
What to Research: Focus on what happens at a county fair. Find out about different contests, farm animals, rides, games, and food. See if there’s a local fair in your area. How are modern day county fairs different from the one in the story? How are they similar?
Discussion: What did you find out about county fairs? What are the most exciting parts of a fair? If you could visit a fair, what would you want to see or do first?
Share What You Learned: Talk as a family about what you discovered. You can also draw a picture or write about what you would like to do at a county fair.
Activity: Research Almanzo Wilder
Objective: Learn about Almanzo Wilder, his life, and his role in history by doing simple research together.
Start Your Research: Look up information about Almanzo Wilder using books, the internet, or visit your local library.
What to Research: Focus on who Almanzo Wilder was. Find out about his childhood, farm life, and how he inspired the Little House books. Learn about his role as a farmer and his connection to Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Discussion: What did you learn about Almanzo Wilder? How was life on a farm different from life today? What were some of the important skills Almanzo had to learn as a child?
Share What You Learned: Talk as a family about what you found out. You can also draw a picture or write a short story about something you learned from Almanzo’s life.
Activity: Mule Study
Objective: Learn about mules and their unique traits through simple research and discussion.
Start Your Research: Look up information about mules using books, the internet, or visit your local library.
What to Research: Focus on what mules are. Learn about how they are a mix between a horse and a donkey. Find out what mules are used for, where they live, and how they help people. What do mules eat? How do mules act?
Discussion: What did you learn about mules? How are they different from horses and donkeys? Why do people use mules for work?
Share What You Learned: Talk as a family about what you found. Draw a picture of a mule or write a short story about how a mule might help someone on a farm or in the wild.
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World
Author: Marjorie Priceman
Illustrator: Marjorie Priceman
Date Published: 1996
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book
What is this book about?
In this picture book, making an apple pie becomes a fun adventure around the world! If the market is closed, you’ll need to gather ingredients from different countries. First, take a steamboat to Italy for the best wheat. Then, head to England to get fresh milk straight from a cow. Don’t forget to pick apples in Vermont! Readers will explore different places and cultures while learning how to make a tasty apple pie. A simple recipe for apple pie is included at the end.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What environmental text (words in illustrations) do you see in the pictures? How does the text tell the story?
What new things does the girl see in each country? Can you name something special from each place the girl visits?
What kinds of food does the character find in the story? Can you see any special ingredients or dishes from different countries?
Can you spot the cat on each page? What other animals do you see in each country?
What cooking steps do you see in the illustrations? Can you name steps to make an apple pie? How does the girl prepare the ingredients in the story?
How does the map help you understand the journey in the story? What do you see on the map?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
Ingredients: The different foods or items you need to make something, like a recipe.
Semolina Wheat: A type of flour made from a special kind of wheat, used to make pasta and bread.
Locate: To find something or figure out where it is.
Elegant: Something that is fancy, beautiful, or stylish.
Finest: The best or highest quality of something.
Coax: To gently try to convince someone to do something.
Acquaintance: A person you know, but not very well.
Freshest: The newest or just picked or made, like fresh fruits or vegetables.
Stow: To pack or put something away neatly.
Plantation: A large farm where crops like cotton, sugar, or coffee are grown.
Orchard: A place where many fruit trees, like apple or orange trees, are grown.
What discussions can we have before we read?
Have you ever eaten apple pie?
Have you ever baked something?
How does your family get ingredients for cooking?
What would you do if the place where you get cooking ingredients was closed?
What discussions can we have after we read?
Was it realistic for her to travel the world for ingredients?
Would you rather travel the world or go to the market for ingredients?
Where would you most like to travel from the book?
How would you like to get there?
Activity: Ingredient Map
Objective: Map the locations the girl traveled in How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World while learning geography as a family.
Choose Your Map: Print out a world map or sketch a simple world map to use. Make sure everyone can see it clearly.
Prepare Your Materials: Gather markers, stickers, or pins to mark the places. Have the book “How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World” ready.
Mark the Locations: As you read the book together, find the places the girl visits. Mark each one on your map as you go.
Review the Journey: After marking all the locations, talk about where the girl traveled and what ingredients she collected at each place.
Discussion: How did mapping the journey help you understand the story better? Did you learn about any new countries? How far did the girl in the story have to travel to gather all the ingredients?
Activity: Bake a Simple Apple Pie
Objective: Bake an apple pie together as a family, using a simple recipe that everyone can help with.
Prepare Your Ingredients:
Frozen pie crust (2 crusts for top and bottom)
6-7 apples (any kind you like- a mixture of tart and sweet varieties make a delicious pie)
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter (optional)
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Wash and peel the apples
Cut the apples into slices
Mix the apple slices with sugar, cinnamon, flour, and lemon juice in a bowl. Stir until all apples are coated.
Cook the apple mixture in a large pan over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften.
Drain the excess liquid from the pan so the pie crust won't get soggy.
Roll out one pie crust and place it in a pie dish.
Scoop the cooked apple mixture into the pie dish.
Roll out the second pie crust and place it on top of the apples.
Pinch the edges of the top and bottom crusts together to seal the pie, and cut small slits in the top to let steam escape.
Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.
Let it Cool: Once the pie is done, let it cool before cutting.
Activity: Country Research
Objective: Learn more about one of the countries mentioned in the book.
Pick a Country: Choose a country from the story that interests your family and you would like to learn more about.
Research Together: Look up basic facts about the country. You can find out its location, language, culture, and any special foods or holidays. You can use books, the internet, or even watch a short video about the country.
Create a Simple Report: Write down or draw what you learned. It could be a list of facts, a picture of the flag, or something special about the country that stands out to you.
Share with the Family: Take turns sharing what you discovered about the country. Ask questions, discuss, and see if anyone learned something new.
Discussion: What did you find interesting about the country? Would you want to visit someday? How is it similar or different from where you live?
Activity: Farm Fieldtrip
Objective: Learn about farms and the food they produce.
Plan a Farm Visit: Pick a local farm to visit with your family. This could be a dairy farm, vegetable farm, or any place that grows or raises food. If you are unable to visit a farm in person, look up a virtual fieldtrip to a farm or a video tour of a farm.
Explore the Farm: While exploring the farm, look around and see what kinds of food are produced. Is it fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, or something else? Notice how the plants or animals are cared for.
Ask Questions:
What kind of food is grown or made here?
How does it get from the farm to the grocery store?
What do the farmers do to take care of the crops or animals?
Discussion: Talk about your favorite part of the farm fieldtrip. What did you learn about how food is produced? Did anything surprise you?
Discussion: How does the farm food compare to what you eat at home? What would happen if farms didn’t exist? How important is farming to your community?
Johnny Appleseed
Title: Johnny Appleseed
Author: Reeve Lindbergh
Illustrator: Kathy Jakobsen
Date Published: 1993
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book
What is this book about?
This beautifully illustrated picture book is a great way to introduce young readers to the story of Johnny Appleseed. Through rhyming text, the book tells the life of John Chapman, known for planting apple seeds and trees across the Midwest. His efforts made him a legend and created a lasting legacy. Reeve Lindbergh’s rhythmic verse makes it perfect for reading aloud, while Kathy Jakobsen’s colorful paintings bring the story to life.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
Can you find the quilt pattern in the pictures? What shapes or colors do you see in the quilt?
What do you notice about the trees and plants in the illustrations?
What do you see inside the homes in the illustrations? Can you describe the furniture or objects inside the houses?
What do you see outside in the illustrations? Can you find trees, rivers, or other natural things?
What types of homes do you see in the story? How do the homes look different from each other?
What animals can you find in the illustrations?
What kinds of plants or trees do you see in the pictures? Are there any special plants that stand out?
Can you find apples in the illustrations?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
Frontier: The edge of a settled area where new land is being explored.
Wilderness: A wild, natural place where there aren’t many people, like a forest or mountains.
Courage: Being brave and doing something even when it’s hard or scary.
Planted: Putting seeds or plants into the ground so they can grow.
Linger: To stay in a place for a little while longer.
Lonesome: Feeling sad because you’re alone or missing someone.
Orchard: A place where fruit trees, like apple or peach trees, are grown.
Yearning: A strong feeling of wanting something very much.
Promised Land: A place that people dream of going because they think it will be wonderful or special.
Pioneers: People who are the first in their community to explore or live in a new place.
Gentle: Being kind and soft, not rough or harsh.
What discussions can we have before we read?
Have you ever seen an apple tree?
Do you know of any wild food that grows outside?
How do you feel about sharing food with others?
What would you do if someone gave you apple seeds?
What discussions can we have after we read?
What did Johnny Appleseed do?
How would you describe Johnny Appleseed?
What if Johnny Appleseed hadn't shared his apple seeds with others? How would things be different?
What if people had rejected Johnny Appleseed? How would things be different?
Activity: Johnny Appleseed Map
Objective: Draw a simple map showing where Johnny Appleseed traveled.
Prepare to Draw Your Map: Get a piece of paper and some markers or crayons. Refer to the map in your book to see which states Johnny Appleseed visited.
Draw the Map: Draw an outline of the states where Johnny Appleseed traveled, like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Use lines or arrows to show the path he took. You can even add pictures of apple trees along the way!
Add Details: Write the names of the states on your map. Color in different areas to show where Johnny Appleseed planted his apple trees.
Discussion: Talk about why Johnny Appleseed traveled so much. What was special about planting apple trees? How did his journey help other people?
Activity: Native American Research
Objective: Research and learn about a Native American tribe.
Choose a Tribe: Pick a Native American tribe to learn about. Consider learning about a tribe that lived where Johnny Appleseed traveled. Pick a state that Johnny Appleseed traveled to in the story and research using reliable websites to see who the indigenous people of those lands are.
Prepare for Research: Use a book, website, or visit a local library to find information about the tribe. Look for facts about their history, traditions, food, clothing, and where they live.
Gather Key Details: Write down or discuss with your family the important facts you learn. Where did the tribe live? What did they eat? How did they make their homes? What traditions or stories are important to them?
Create a Poster or Drawing: Draw a picture or make a simple poster about what you learned. You could show what the tribe’s homes look like, what they ate, or their traditional clothing.
Discussion: Talk about why it’s important to learn about Native American tribes. How did their way of life connect with the land they lived on? What can we learn from their history and traditions today?
Activity: Apple Tree Lifecycle
Objective: Learn about the life cycle of an apple tree.
Explore the Stages: Talk about the stages of an apple tree’s life. It starts with a seed, grows into a sprout, becomes a sapling, then a full-grown tree with blossoms, and finally, the tree produces apples.
Create a Drawing: Draw a simple diagram showing each stage of the apple tree’s life. You can start with a seed in the ground, then show how it grows into a tree and produces apples.
Talk About the Process: Discuss each stage with your family. What does the tree need to grow? How do bees help with pollination? How long does it take for the tree to grow apples?
Hands-On Activity: If you have an apple at home, cut it open to look at the seeds inside. You can even plant the seeds to see if they grow into a sprout!
Discussion: Why are apple trees important? How do they help people and animals? What can we do to take care of apple trees and other plants around us?
Activity: Food Donation
Objective: Learn about the importance of donating food and how it helps others.
Talk About It: Discuss with your family why some people might need extra help getting food. Talk about how donating food can make a big difference for families in need.
Choose What to Donate: Look in your pantry or take a trip to the store to pick out healthy, non-perishable food items to donate. Research what kinds of food are helpful to donate, like canned vegetables, pasta, or rice.
Prepare for Donation: As a family, gather the food items you’ve chosen. Kids can help by sorting and packing the items in a bag or box. Make sure everything is unopened and still good to eat.
Find a Place to Donate: Look for a local food bank or community organization that accepts food donations. You can check online or call to find the best place to bring your items.
Discuss the Impact: After making your donation, talk as a family about how it felt to help others. Why is it important to give back? How can you continue to support people in your community?
Discussion: How does donating food help others? What are some other ways we can help people who might need support?
The Vegetable Alphabet Book
Title: The Vegetable Alphabet Book
Author: Jerry Pallotta and Bob Thomason
Illustrator: Edgar Stewart
Date Published: 1999
Book Type: Non-Fiction - Picture Book
What is this book about?
This fun and informative picture book makes learning about vegetable gardening exciting for kids. It covers everything from common veggies like snow peas to unique ones like munchkin pumpkins and fiddleheads. Children will enjoy the blend of facts and humor as they explore soil preparation, seed planting, and how to grow their own garden. It also introduces the idea of historical victory gardens. The colorful illustrations make it easy for kids to follow along and discover all kinds of vegetables.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
Are there any animals in the pictures? What are the animals doing?
What is the weather like in the illustrations? How does the weather look in the pictures?
Can you find vegetables of different colors? What colors do you see in the vegetables?
What is the biggest vegetable you can find in the book? What is the smallest vegetable you see?
How many different kinds of leaves can you find? What are the leaves like? Are they big or small? What colors and shapes do they have?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
Compost: A mix of old food and plants that helps make the soil healthy for growing things.
Enrich: To make something better or stronger, like making soil richer with nutrients.
Soil: The dirt where plants grow.
Harvest: The time when you pick fruits, vegetables, or crops from the garden or farm.
Perennial: A plant that grows back every year.
Transplanted: When a plant is moved from one place to another so it can grow.
Nutritional: Good for your body and health, like food that helps you grow strong.
Ornamental: Something pretty to look at, like a flower or decoration.
Pest: A small animal or insect that can harm plants or crops.
Stalk: The tall, main part of a plant that holds it up.
Root: The part of a plant that grows underground and takes in water and nutrients.
What discussions can we have before we read?
What is your favorite vegetable?
What is your least favorite vegetable?
How many types of vegetables can you name?
Can you name a vegetable that is each of the following colors? Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, white, pink.
What discussions can we have after we read?
What is a Victory Garden?
Would you like to grow a Victory Garden?
What were you favorite vegetable illustrations in the story?
What did you learn about vegetables that you didn’t know about before?
What vegetables have you eaten in the book? What vegetables would you like to try for the first time?
Activity: Victory Garden Research
Objective: Learn about victory gardens and how they can be a fun and useful way to grow your own food.
Talk About It: Discuss with your family what a victory garden is. Explain that during tough times, like wartime, people grew their own food in victory gardens to help support their country and families.
Research Victory Gardens: Find out more about victory gardens together. You can look for information in books or online. Learn about what plants were popular in victory gardens and why they were chosen.
Make a Presentation: Make a presentation to describe what you learned about Victory Gardens.
Activity: Make a Vegetable Alphabet Poster
Objective: Create a fun and educational vegetable alphabet poster with your family.
Choose Your Vegetables: Decide together which vegetables you will use for each letter of the alphabet. For example, A for Asparagus, B for Broccoli, and so on.
Gather Your Materials: Get some paper or a poster board, markers, and pictures of the vegetables (you can draw them or find them online and print them out).
Create the Poster: Write each letter of the alphabet on the poster, one at a time. Next to each letter, add the name of a vegetable that starts with that letter. You can draw the vegetable, use stickers, or paste pictures of them.
Activity: Vegetable Soup Challenge
Objective: Make a delicious vegetable soup together with as many different types of vegetables as you can find.
Choose Your Vegetables: Decide as a family which vegetables you want to include in your soup. Try to pick a variety of vegetables to make it colorful and nutritious. For example, carrots, potatoes, celery, corn, and beans.
Gather Your Ingredients:
You’ll need:
A selection of vegetables (fresh or frozen)
Some broth or water
Olive oil or butter
Salt and pepper
Optional: herbs and spices for extra flavor (like garlic or thyme)
Prepare the Vegetables: Adults can handle cutting the vegetables. Kids can help wash the vegetables and peel them if needed. Make sure to cut the vegetables into small, even pieces so they cook evenly.
Cook the Soup:
Heat a large pot on the stove over medium heat.
Add a little olive oil or butter to the pot.
Sauté any aromatic vegetables like onions or garlic if using.
Add the rest of the vegetables to the pot. Stir them for a few minutes.
Pour in enough broth or water to cover the vegetables.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the vegetables are tender (about 20-30 minutes).
Season the Soup: Add salt, pepper, and any other herbs or spices you like. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the soup hot. Let everyone try the different vegetables and see which ones they like best.
Activity: Plan a Victory Garden
Objective: Draw out your dream victory garden to imagine the perfect space for growing vegetables and herbs.
Choose Your Garden Space: Decide where you would place your dream garden. It could be in your backyard, on a rooftop, or even indoors. Think about how much space you have and what would work best for you.
Select Your Plants: Choose the vegetables and herbs you would like to grow in your dream garden.
Garden Beds or Containers: Decide if you want to use raised garden beds, containers, or directly plant in the ground.
Soil: Consider what type of soil or potting mix you would use.
Watering: Think about how you would water your garden, whether with a watering can, hose, or irrigation system.
Draw Your Garden Layout: On a piece of paper, create a layout for your dream garden. Sketch where you would place garden beds or containers in your space. Plan where each type of plant will go.
Corn
Title: Corn
Author: Gail Gibbons
Illustrator: Gail Gibbons
Date Published: 2009
Book Type: Non-Fiction - Picture Book
What is this book about?
This engaging picture book teaches kids all about corn and the surprising things we make from it, like popcorn, tortillas, and even fuel for cars. Read about the history of corn, the four main types, and how it’s grown and used in everything from food to medicine.
With simple text and artistic diagrams, Gail Gibbons makes it easy for kids to understand how corn is cultivated, pollinated, and harvested. Whether grown in family gardens or large fields, this versatile grain has many uses your family will learn about. The book even includes fun corn trivia for your family.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What colors do you see on the corn in the book? Can you find all the different colors of corn?
How big or small is the corn in the pictures? Are there different sizes of corn shown?
How do people use corn in the book? Do you see corn used for food or other things?
How does corn grow, according to the pictures? What do you see about how corn plants look as they grow?
What kinds of food made from corn do you see in the book? Can you find any pictures of corn being cooked or eaten?
What other uses for corn are shown in the illustrations? Do you see corn used for things besides food?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
Crop: A plant that farmers grow to use for food or other things, like corn or wheat.
Maize: Another word for corn.
Cultivate: To take care of the land and help plants grow.
Bountiful: Having a lot of something, like a big harvest of fruits or vegetables.
Husks: The outer, leafy covering on an ear of corn.
Cobs: The hard, center part of the corn where the kernels grow.
Common: Something that happens or is seen a lot.
Kernel: The little seeds on an ear of corn that you eat.
Hull: The tough outer covering of a seed or nut.
Pollination: When pollen is moved from one flower to another, helping plants make fruits and seeds.
Plow: A tool used to dig up soil to plant crops.
Silo: A tall building where farmers store things like corn or grain.
Nutritious: Food that is good for your body and helps you grow strong.
What discussions can we have before we read?
Have you ever eaten corn? How was it prepared?
Have you ever used something that is made from corn? What did you use it for?
Have you ever seen corn growing? What did it look like?
What colors of corn have you seen?
What discussions can we have after we read?
What were the types of corn you learned about in the book?
What colors of corn did you see in the book? Were any of the colors of corn surprising?
What were some food items that corn is used for? What were some non-food items that corn is used for? Were any of the uses for corn that you learned about surprising?
What was your favorite type of corn that you saw in the book? Describe it, and explain why it was your favorite.
Activity: Design a Corn Themed Restaurant
Objective: Design a corn-themed restaurant to imagine a fun and creative dining experience centered around corn.
Choose Your Restaurant Concept: Decide what type of restaurant you want to create. It could be a casual diner, a fine dining restaurant, or even a food truck. Think about how you want the restaurant to feel and what kind of atmosphere you want to create.
Plan Your Menu: Think about the types of corn dishes you would serve.
Design Your Restaurant Space: Sketch out the layout of your restaurant. Decide where tables and chairs will go. Think about how many people you want to seat and what kind of seating arrangements will work best. Plan how to decorate the restaurant with a corn theme. This could include corn-themed artwork, tablecloths, or even corn-inspired light fixtures.
Create a Menu Design: Design a menu that highlights your corn-themed dishes.
Discuss: What are your favorite aspects of your corn-themed restaurant? How did you decide on the menu and decor? What do you think will make your restaurant special and appealing to customers?
Activity: Corn Use Research (Non-Food Items)
Objective: Research and explore the various uses of corn that are not related to food.
Choose Your Research Focus: Decide which non-food uses of corn you want to explore. Corn has many applications beyond food, such as in industry, health, and environmental solutions.
Organize Your Findings: Write down what you learn about each non-food use of corn.
Include:
Use: What is the specific application of corn?
Benefits: How does this use of corn help or improve something?
Examples: Provide real-life examples or products that use corn in these ways.
Create a Presentation: Decide how you want to share your research. You could create a poster, report, or presentation.
Discuss: What did you find most surprising about the non-food uses of corn? What new things did you learn about corn?
Activity: Types of Corn Book
Objective: Create a small book about different types of corn.
Choose Your Corn Types: Decide which types of corn you want to include in your book.
Gather Information: Find out interesting facts about each type of corn. Look for information on appearance, uses, and fun facts.
Create Your Book: Create illustrations or use pictures of each type of corn. Write simple descriptions or fun facts about each type of corn. Put all the information together in a book format, such as stapling pages or using a binder.
Share Your Book: Show your completed book to family members and explain what you learned.
Activity: Colors of Corn Art
Objective: Create a piece of art focused on the colors of different types of corn.
Gather Materials:
Corn Pictures or Real Corn: Find images or use real corn to see the colors.
Art Supplies: Crayons, markers, colored pencils, or paint.
Paper: Use a blank sheet for your artwork.
Explore Corn Colors: Look at the different types of corn and their colors.
Create Your Art: Decide what kind of art you want to make. You could:
Draw: Create a picture of corn using the colors you see.
Paint: Use paints to create a colorful corn-themed artwork.
Collage: Cut out colored paper or use different materials to make a corn collage.
Design the Art:
Select Your Colors: Choose which colors you will use for your corn art.
Plan Your Artwork: Think about how you want to use the colors. You can make a pattern, a landscape, or just a colorful corn picture.
Create Your Art: Start drawing, painting, or assembling your art piece using the corn colors.
The Turnip
Title: The Turnip
Author: Jan Brett
Illustrator: Jan Brett
Date Published: 2015
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book
What is this book about?
In this lively tale, a badger family and their friends try to pull up a giant turnip. A confident rooster joins in, pulling so hard that he flies into the air with the turnip! But what they don't know is that a mother bear, sleeping in her underground den, kicked the turnip up to make more room for her family to hibernate.
Jan Brett adds her unique twist to this classic folktale. Set in snowy rural Russia, her colorful illustrations of animals in old-fashioned clothes bring humor and charm to every page.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What animals do you see in the story? How are they dressed? What kinds of activities are the animals doing? Do they seem like things humans do?
What is the weather like in the story?
What do the homes in the story look like? How are the homes different or similar to your home? How do the homes fit into the story? Do they play an important role?
What traditional Russian clothing do you see in the story? Can you describe the clothes the characters are wearing?
What do you see in the margins of the illustrations? How do these details add to the story or pictures? Are there any small details you noticed that are interesting or funny?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
Turnip: A round vegetable that grows underground. It has a white or purple skin and is often eaten in soups or stews.
Weeding: Pulling out the unwanted plants (called weeds) from a garden to help the good plants grow better.
Wrench: To pull something very hard and quickly.
Firmly: Holding or pressing something tightly so it doesn't move.
Rooted: When a plant’s roots are stuck deep in the ground, holding it in place.
Chortled: A happy, playful laugh.
Fond: Liking something or someone a lot.
Smugly: Acting like you are very pleased with yourself.
Bumpkin: A person who lives in the country and may seem simple or old-fashioned.
Budge: To move a little bit, especially when something is hard to move.
Harness: Straps that go around a horse so it can pull a wagon or plow.
Cocky: Acting too confident or thinking you're the best, often in a bragging way.
What discussions can we have before we read?
Have you ever eaten a turnip? If you haven’t, what do you think a turnip might taste like?
What is the largest vegetable you’ve ever seen?
What is the largest type of food that you’ve ever eaten?
Can you think of any vegetables that grow under the ground?
What discussions can we have after we read?
How did the turnip get out of the ground?
What was the size of the turnip?
What did the animals make with the turnip? Is that something you would like to eat?
Which of the animals were the ones that got the turnip out of the ground? Was there some confusion in the story?
What would you do if you found a turnip of that size?
Activity: Turnip Pancakes
Objective: Cook delicious turnip pancakes together as a family.
Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3/4 cup water
2 cups grated turnip
1 cup grated carrot
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion
2 tablespoons of oil for cooking
Prepare the Ingredients:
Wash Hands: Make sure everyone washes their hands with soap and water.
Mix Batter: In a large bowl, mix the flour, black pepper, egg, minced garlic, soy sauce, and water until smooth.
Add Vegetables: Stir in the grated turnip, grated carrot, and sliced green onion until well combined.
Cook the Pancakes:
Heat the Skillet: Heat half of the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat (350°F if using an electric skillet).
Pour the Batter: Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake into the skillet. Use a fork to flatten each pancake into a 3-inch circle.
Cook the Pancakes:
First Side: Cook until the edges look dry and the bottom is golden, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Flip: Turn the pancake over and cook until the bottom is golden and crispy.
Repeat: Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more oil as needed. Note that pancakes will be moist in the center.
Enjoy the Pancakes:
Serve: Once cooked, serve the pancakes warm. You can enjoy them as a side dish or on their own.
Activity: Russian Animals
Objective: Research animals that live in Russia and learn interesting facts about them.
Choose Your Animals: Decide which Russian animals you want to learn about. Choose animals that are featured in the story “The Turnip”.
Find Information: Use books, websites, or educational videos to gather information about your chosen animals. Look for details like where they live, what they eat, and any interesting facts.
Record Your Findings: Write down or draw the information you find about each animal. You can use a notebook or make a digital document.
Create a Display: Put your information together in a fun way. You could make a poster, create a booklet, or design a presentation about the animals.
Share Your Research: Present your findings to your family. Explain what you learned about each animal and share any interesting facts or pictures you included.
Activity: Russian Art
Objective: Research different types of Russian art and learn about their styles and history.
Choose Your Art Forms: Decide which types of Russian art you want to explore. Some examples are traditional folk art, Russian icons, Soviet-era art, and traditional architecture.
Find Information: Use books, websites, or educational videos to gather information about your chosen art forms. Look for details on their history, style, and notable artists.
Record Your Findings: Write down or draw the information you find about each type of Russian art. You can use a notebook or create a digital document.
Create a Display: Put your information together in an interesting way. You might make a poster, create a booklet, or design a presentation showcasing the different art forms.
Activity: Turnip Cookbook
Objective: Create a fun cookbook featuring recipes that use turnips.
Choose Your Recipes: Find and select recipes that use turnips. You might include recipes for soups, salads, or side dishes. Look for both traditional and creative dishes.
Compile Information: Write down the ingredients and cooking instructions for each recipe. Be sure to include measurements and step-by-step directions.
Design Your Cookbook: Decide on a format for your cookbook. You can make a physical booklet or a digital file. Add titles for each recipe and include pictures if you can.
Add Fun Details: Include fun facts about turnips, tips for cooking with them, and any personal notes or favorite variations of the recipes.
Create a Cover: Design a cover for your cookbook. You can draw a picture of turnips or use a photo of a dish you made.
Share Your Cookbook: Present your cookbook to your family. You can even cook one of the recipes together and share a meal!
Sophie's Squash
Title: Sophie’s Squash
Author: Pat Zietlow Miller
Illustrator: Anne Wilsdorf
Date Published: 2013
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book
What is this book about?
On a trip to the farmers' market, Sophie picks out a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. Sophie takes Bernice everywhere, even though her parents warn her that it will start to rot. As winter gets closer, Sophie notices Bernice is changing. What will Sophie do when her beloved squash is in trouble?
What should I point out in the illustrations?
How does Bernice the squash look at the beginning of the story? What changes happen to Bernice as the story goes on? How do these changes in Bernice make you feel?
What special things does Sophie do for Bernice? How does Sophie care for Bernice like a parent cares for a baby?
What expressions or actions show how Sophie feels about Bernice?
Do the illustrations show any clues about how the parents are reacting to Bernice?
What can you see in the farmer’s market scenes?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
Squash: A vegetable that can be yellow, green, or orange, and comes in many shapes. It grows on a vine.
Serve: To give food to someone, usually at a meal.
Supper: Another word for dinner, the meal you eat in the evening.
Farmer's Market: A place where farmers sell fresh fruits, vegetables, and other foods they grow or make.
Somersault: A fun move where you roll forward or backward on the ground, flipping over your head and landing on your feet.
Mushy: Soft and squishy, like overcooked food or a ripe banana.
Clutched: Held onto something very tightly.
Donate: To give something, like food, money, or clothes, to help others.
Food Pantry: A place where people can go to get free food if they don’t have enough.
Blotchy: Having uneven spots or marks, often on skin or a surface.
Freckles: Small, light brown spots that appear on the skin, especially from being in the sun.
Firm: Something that feels solid and not soft when you touch it.
Sprout: The first tiny part of a plant that grows from a seed.
Disbelief: Not being able to believe something because it seems surprising or hard to imagine.
What discussions can we have before we read?
Have you ever had squash?
What happens when vegetables get old?
Have you ever been to a farmer’s market?
What is your favorite toy? Why do you like your favorite toy?
What discussions can we have after we read?
How did Sophie feel about her squash?
How did Sophie’s parents feel about her squash?
What do you think will happen with Bernice’s babies?
What would have happened if Sophie would have thrown Bernice away in the garbage instead of burying her in the ground?
Activity: Types of Squash
Objective: Learn about different types of squash and their uses.
Choose Your Types of Squash: Pick a few types of squash to research. Common types include butternut squash, acorn squash, and spaghetti squash.
Gather Information: Find out key details about each type of squash. Look for information on:
Appearance: What does it look like?
Taste: How does it taste?
Texture: What is its texture like when cooked?
Uses: How can it be used in cooking?
Create Your Research: Write down your findings for each type of squash. Include:
A short description of each squash.
How it is typically cooked or prepared.
Any fun facts or interesting information.
Design a Squash Poster or Booklet: Organize your research into a poster or booklet. You can include pictures of each type of squash and examples of dishes made with them.
Activity: Squash Lifecycle Chart
Objective: Understand and illustrate the lifecycle of a squash plant.
Learn About the Squash Lifecycle: Research the different stages in the lifecycle of a squash plant.
Create Your Lifecycle Chart: Draw or use a computer to make a chart showing each stage of the squash lifecycle. Include: A drawing or picture for each stage and a brief description of what happens at each stage.
Label Each Stage: Clearly label each part of the chart with its name. Write a short description next to each label explaining what is happening at that stage.
Assemble the Chart: Put your chart together on a poster or large piece of paper. Arrange the stages in the order they occur, from seed to harvest.
Activity: Farmer’s Market Fieldtrip
Objective: Explore a farmer's market and learn about the different types of produce and products available.
Plan Your Visit: Choose a local farmer's market to visit.
Visit the Farmer’s Market: Walk through the market and visit different stalls. Look at the variety of fruits, vegetables, and other products available. Talk to the farmers or vendors about their products and how they are grown or made.
Ask Questions: What types of fruits and vegetables are being sold? Are there any unique or unusual items? How are these items grown or made? Can you learn about any special farming practices or techniques?
Make a List: Write down the different types of produce and products you see. Note any interesting facts you learn from the vendors.
Take Photos: If allowed, take photos of the market, produce, and any interesting displays. Use these photos to remember what you saw and learned.
Activity: Food Preservation Research
Objective: Learn about different methods of food preservation and how they help keep food fresh for longer periods.
Choose Your Topic: Decide which methods of food preservation you want to research. Some common methods include canning, freezing, drying, and fermenting.
Gather Information: Find books, articles, or reliable websites that explain each preservation method. Take notes on how each method works, what foods are best for each method, and any special equipment or techniques required.
Create a Presentation: Organize your research into a simple format. You can create a poster, a slideshow, or a report. Include key points about each preservation method, such as how it works and why it is useful.
The Apple Cake
Title: The Apple Cake
Author: Nienke van Hichtum
Illustrator: Marjan van Zeyl
Date Published: 2021
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book
What is this book about?
In this heartwarming story, an old woman wants to bake an apple cake but doesn't have any apples. She heads to the market with a basket of plums, hoping to trade them for apples.
As she travels, she meets people who need the plums and trades them for different things. Your family will enjoy guessing what she will trade for next and seeing how her kindness comes full circle. The story, illustrated with warm pastel colors, is all about sharing, trading, and caring.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What animals do you see in the pictures?
Can you find any plants in the illustrations? What kind of plants are they? Do they look like anything you see in your garden?
How do the characters look in the pictures? What do their faces and actions tell you about how they are feeling?
What colors do you see in the illustrations? How do these colors make the pictures look?
What is in the background of the pictures? How do the backgrounds help tell the story?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
Spices: Things like cinnamon or pepper that make food taste better.
Hubbub: A lot of noise and talking, like at a busy party.
Cackling: The loud, clucking sound that chickens make.
Apron: A piece of clothing worn to keep clothes clean while cooking or doing messy work.
Quarreling: Arguing or fighting with someone.
Wadding: Soft material used to stuff things or to make something soft.
Precious: Something very special or valuable.
Sweetheart: A person you love a lot.
Gloomy: Feeling sad.
Jeweler: A person who makes or sells jewelry, like rings and necklaces.
Strode: Walked with long, confident steps.
Tumbledown: Old and falling apart, like a broken house.
Miserable: Feeling very unhappy or uncomfortable.
Bouquet: A bunch of flowers put together.
What discussions can we have before we read?
Have you ever eaten cake? What flavor was the cake?
Have you ever eaten something that used apples as an ingredient?
Has there ever been a time that you shared with someone? How did sharing make you feel? How do you think sharing made the other person feel?
What is a gift that you’ve received? Have you ever given a gift?
Have you ever traded something for something else?
What discussions can we have after we read?
How did everyone help one another in the story?
What if the characters wouldn’t have been helpful? How would the story have been different?
How did people’s feelings change after the old woman helped them?
How would you describe the old woman in the story?
Activity: Bake Easy Apple Cake
Objective: Bake a delicious apple cake with your family and enjoy a tasty treat together.
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 cups apples (2 cups chopped into chunks, 2 cups sliced)
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
Get Ready: Wash your hands with soap and water. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Activity: Working Together Scavenger Hunt
Objective: Enjoy a scavenger hunt that focuses on teamwork and collaboration.
Plan the Scavenger Hunt: Decide whether you will do the scavenger hunt indoors, in the backyard, or at a local park. Create a list of items or clues that participants need to find. These could be objects around the house or park or specific tasks to complete.
Prepare the Hunt: If you're using physical items, hide them in various places. If you're using clues, place them where teams will find them. Split your family into small teams. Make sure each team has at least one adult or older child to help guide the younger ones.
Explain the Rules: Emphasize that the goal is to work together to find all the items or solve all the clues. Encourage sharing ideas and helping each other. Give each team a copy of the scavenger hunt list or clues. Make sure everyone understands what they need to find or do.
Start the Hunt: Start the scavenger hunt and let teams search for the items or solve the clues. Remind them to communicate and work together to solve each part of the hunt. Make sure teams are helping each other and sharing information. If a team is struggling, encourage them to work together to figure it out.
Activity: Act Out the Story
Objective: Act out the story of The Apple Cake to bring the story to life and enhance understanding.
Read the Story: Get your family together and read The Apple Cake aloud. Make sure everyone understands the main events and characters.
Plan the Performance: Decide who will play each character in the story. Assign roles based on family members' interests. Review the main scenes and events in the story. Talk about what happens in each scene and what emotions the characters might feel.
Prepare for the Performance: Find simple items around the house that can be used as props. Arrange your space to represent different parts of the story. For example, set up a “kitchen” for baking scenes.
Performance Time: Start with the first scene from the story. Follow the plot and act out each part as it happens. Use the props and any simple costumes to help represent the story better. Act out emotions and actions from the story. Encourage everyone to use their voices and expressions to bring their characters to life.
Activity: Apple Recipe Book
Objective: Create a simple apple recipe book to enjoy and share your favorite apple recipes.
Choose Recipes: Come up with a few apple recipes to include in your book. These can be for apple pies, apple cakes, apple sauce, or any other apple dishes. Gather the recipes you want to use. Make sure they are easy to follow and that you have the ingredients.
Create Recipe Pages: Use plain paper or a notebook to create your recipe pages. Write down the name of each recipe at the top. For each recipe, list all the ingredients needed. Include the amounts for each ingredient. Write clear, step-by-step directions for making each dish. Make sure they are easy to follow. Draw or paste pictures related to each recipe. You can include images of apples or drawings of the finished dish.
Organize Your Book: Put the recipe pages in the order you want them in your book. You can use a binder, folder, or simply staple the pages together. Design a cover page for your recipe book.
Assemble the Book: Assemble the pages into your book. If using a binder, place the pages in the binder. If using a folder, insert the pages into the folder pockets. Make a simple table of contents at the beginning of your book. List each recipe and the page number where it can be found.
Apples for Everyone
Title: Apples for Everyone
Author: Jill Esbaum
Illustrator: National Geographic (photography)
Date Published: 2009
Book Type: Non-Fiction - Picture Book
What is this book about?
This book shows how apples are a big part of fall. Think of red apples falling from trees, baskets of apples in orchards, and the smell of apple pie. Apples are often used in festive treats like candy or caramel apples. They become cider to enjoy around the fire as the weather turns colder.
Apples for Everyone celebrates all the wonderful things about autumn and helps families learn about the season through stunning photographs and engaging text loaded with great vocabulary words.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What do you see outside in the pictures? Are there any trees or other things outside?
What colors are the apples in the photos? Can you find apples of different colors?
What kinds of apple foods do you see in the pictures? Can you find any apple dishes or snacks?
How do the apple trees look in the book? Are the trees tall, short, or something else?
What do the apples look like? Are they shiny, round, or a different shape?
How many apples can you count in the pictures?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
Bloom: When a flower opens up and starts to show its colors.
Blossom: A flower on a tree or plant.
Speckles: Small spots or dots on something.
Snazzy: Something that looks cool, fancy, or colorful.
Lumpy: Something that has bumps and isn’t smooth.
Droop: When something, like a flower or a leaf, bends down because it’s tired or not strong.
Ripe: When a fruit or vegetable is ready to eat.
Tart: A taste that’s sour, like a lemon.
Colonists: People who go to live in a new land or place.
Wilderness: A wild place with lots of trees, plants, and animals, and not many people.
What discussions can we have before we read?
Do you like apples? What colors of apples have you eaten?
Do you have a favorite type of apple?
Have you ever seen apples growing? Where do apples come from?
Have you ever eaten any food that included apples as an ingredient?
What discussions can we have after we read?
Why do you think apples are such a popular food in North America?
How do apples grow?
What apple recipes did you learn about?
What fun facts did you learn about apples?
Was there anything you learned about apples that was surprising to you?
Activity: Apple Type Chart
Objective: Create a chart to learn about different types of apples and their characteristics.
Choose Apple Types: Pick a few different types of apples to include in your chart. You can choose apples like Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, and Honeycrisp.
Create the Chart: Use a large sheet of paper or a poster board to make your chart. Draw a table with columns for each characteristic you want to compare. Label the columns with headings such as “Apple Type,” “Color,” “Taste,” “Texture,” and “Best Uses.” Add a row for each type of apple you are researching.
Research and Fill In Information: Look up information about each apple type. You can use books, online resources, or ask someone knowledgeable. Fill in the chart with details for each apple type. Write down the color, taste (sweet, tart, etc.), texture (crisp, soft, etc.), and best uses (eating fresh, baking, making cider, etc.).
Add Illustrations: Draw or paste pictures of each apple type next to its row on the chart. This helps visualize what each apple looks like.
Activity: History of Apples
Objective: Learn about the history of apples and how they have evolved over time.
Choose Your Research Sources: Look for books, articles, or online resources about the history of apples. Libraries and educational websites are good places to start.
Gather Information: Research where apples originally came from. Find out about their origins, such as the regions or countries where apples were first cultivated. Look into how apples have been grown and used throughout history. Learn about significant events, such as the introduction of new apple varieties or changes in cultivation practices. Explore how apples have been important in different cultures. Discover how they were used in traditions, stories, and recipes.
Organize Your Findings: Create a timeline to show key events in the history of apples. Include major milestones, such as the discovery of new apple varieties or significant historical uses of apples. Write down important facts and details about the history of apples. This could include the earliest records of apples, their spread to different parts of the world, and their role in various cultures.
Create a Presentation: Write a short report or summary of what you learned. Include the timeline and key facts you gathered.
Activity: Apple Star Prints
Objective: Create fun apple star prints to explore art and patterns with your family.
Prepare Your Materials:
Apples
Paint
Paper
Cutting Tools
Prepare the Apples: Adults should cut the apples in half horizontally (so you can see the star shape in the center). Make sure to remove any seeds from the apple halves to avoid any mess.
Set Up Your Workspace: Lay down newspaper or a plastic sheet to protect your table or work area from paint spills. Pour a small amount of paint onto a plate or tray.
Make the Prints: Dip the cut side of the apple into the paint, covering it evenly. Gently press the painted side of the apple onto the paper. Press down evenly to make sure the paint transfers well. Carefully lift the apple to reveal the print. If the print is too light, you can dip the apple in paint again and try pressing it onto the paper.
Activity: Apple Museum
Objective: Design a small apple museum to explore the history, types, and uses of apples with your family.
Plan Your Museum: Think about different sections for your museum. For example, you might have sections for the history of apples, different types of apples, apple recipes, and apple fun facts.
Design Displays: Create signs and labels for each section using paper or cardboard. Write or draw information about each topic.
Decorate your museum with apple-themed items like drawings, stickers, or even real apples (if you have them).
Set Up Your Museum: Pick a room or area in your home where you can set up your museum. It could be a part of the living room, a hallway, or a dedicated space in the kitchen.
Visit the Museum: Take turns being the tour guide and show each other the different sections of your museum. Ask questions about each display to learn more. For example, “What is the history of this type of apple?” or “What are some interesting facts about apples?”
Strega Nona's Harvest
Title: Strega Nona’s Harvest
Author: Tomie dePaola
Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Date Published: 2012
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book
What is this book about?
Enjoy the magic of autumn with Tomie dePaola’s beloved character, Strega Nona, in this colorful picture book. Perfect for fall, this book continues the charm of the original Strega Nona story that won a Caldecott Honor.
The book features beautiful illustrations and provides opportunities to learn Italian names for vegetables. It also teaches the value of following the wisdom of elders and taking your time with your tasks.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What kinds of plants do you see in Strega Nona’s garden?
What animals can you spot in the illustrations?
Can you find any Italian words in the illustrations? What do they mean? How do these Italian words relate to the story?
How do the different characters’ gardens look different from each other? What might these differences tell us about the characters?
What types of seeds are shown in the book? How are these seeds different from each other?
How does Strega Nona look in the illustrations? What do her facial expressions tell us about how she is feeling?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
Strega Nona (Italian Translation: "Strega Nona" means "Grandma Witch" in Italian.)
Packets: Small bags or containers used to hold things, like seeds or snacks.
Orderly: Neat and tidy; things are put in the right place.
Compost: A mix of old plants and food scraps that helps new plants grow better.
Manure: Animal droppings used to help plants grow.
Crept: Moved slowly and quietly.
Sow: Plant seeds in the ground.
Root Cellar: A cool place underground where people keep vegetables and fruits to keep them fresh.
Rafters: Wooden beams that support the roof of a building.
Convent: A place where nuns live and work.
Mayor: The person in charge of a town or city.
What discussions can we have before we read?
Have you ever grown a garden or seen a garden?
What do plants need to grow?
What would you do if you had too much food?
What would you do if you did not have enough food?
What discussions can we have after we read?
How were Strega Nona and Big Anthony’s gardens different?
What would have happened differently if Big Anthony had followed Strega Nona’s instructions?
What were the results of Big Anthony’s decisions?
What were some Italian words you learned in the story?
Activity: Helping Hungry People
Objective: Plan and carry out an activity to help people who are hungry in your community.
Choose a Way to Help: Look into different ways to help, such as donating food, preparing meals, or volunteering at a food bank.
Plan Your Activity: Create a list of items you need to buy or tasks you need to complete. For example, if you’re collecting food, make a list of needed items. If preparing meals, list the ingredients and cooking supplies.
Execute Your Plan: Work together with your service project as a family. Involve everyone in your family.
Deliver Assistance: Reach out to local food banks, shelters, or community centers to arrange a time to deliver your donations or meals. Deliver your food items or meals to the designated location. Follow any instructions provided by the organization.
Reflect on the Experience: Talk with your family about the experience. How did it feel to help others? What did you learn?
Activity: Italian Vegetable Poster
Objective: Create a colorful poster featuring the names of vegetables in Italian from the book Strega Nona's Harvest.
Read the Book: Look through Strega Nona’s Harvest and identify the vegetables mentioned in the story.
Prepare Your Materials: Get a large piece of paper or poster board, colored markers or pencils, and any other decorative items you want to use (like stickers or drawings).
Write Down the Vegetable Names: Write the names of the vegetables from the book in Italian on your poster. Next to each Italian name, write the English name to help everyone understand.
Decorate Your Poster: Draw or paste pictures of the vegetables next to their names.
Display Your Poster: Hang your poster in a place where everyone can see it, like on the refrigerator or a wall in the kitchen.
Activity: Compost Research
Objective: Learn about composting and how it helps the environment by researching and understanding composting methods.
Understand Composting: Find information about what composting is and why it is important. Composting turns food scraps and yard waste into useful soil for gardens. Learn how composting helps reduce waste, enriches soil, and supports plant growth.
Research Composting Methods: Look into different ways to compost, such as using a compost bin, compost tumbler, or a simple pile in your yard. Discover what materials can be composted, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and yard clippings.
Gather Information: Use books, websites, or videos to gather facts about composting. Make notes on how each method works and what materials are needed.
Create a Composting Plan: Decide which composting method might work best for your family. Consider factors like space, available materials, and your gardening goals. Outline how you will start composting at home. Include what materials you will collect, how you will manage the compost, and how you will use the finished compost.
Activity: Plan a Square Foot Garden
Objective: Plan a square foot garden to grow a variety of vegetables or flowers in a small space.
Understand Square Foot Gardening: Research what a square foot garden is and how it works. Square foot gardening divides a garden bed into small squares, each used for growing different plants. Understand how this method saves space and helps maximize your harvest.
Plan Your Garden: Determine how big you want your garden bed to be. A common size is 4 feet by 4 feet, which gives you 16 square feet of growing space. Draw a garden bed of that size. Decide which vegetables or flowers you would grow in your garden. Look for plants that fit well into small spaces and have similar light and water needs.
Create a Layout: Sketch a simple plan of your garden bed. Divide it into squares. Decide how many of each type of plant you will grow in each square. For example, you might plant one tomato in one square, four lettuce plants in another, and so on.
Present Your Plan: Show your family your garden plan. Compare your garden designs.
Apple Picking Time
Title: Apple Picking Time
Author: Michele B. Slawson
Illustrator: Michele B. Slawson
Date Published: 1998
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book
What is this book about?
Experience the warm colors of autumn and a slice of American history with this delightful book. Follow Anna and her family as they join the whole town for a traditional fall apple harvest.
The story shows how everyone, from the youngest child to the oldest grandparent, works together to gather apples. The beautiful illustrations capture the essence of the season and the joy of family and community working as one.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What do the apple trees look like in the pictures?
How does the sky look at different times of the day in the book? Do you notice any changes in the sky as the story goes on?
How does the girl in the story look? What do her facial expressions and body language tell you about how she feels?
Can you find any words in the illustrations? What do these words say, and how do they fit into the story?
What colors do you see in the pictures?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
Jack-o-lantern: A pumpkin that has a face carved into it with a light inside.
Spoils: Apples that go bad and can't be eaten anymore.
Market: A place where people buy and sell food and other things.
Housework: Jobs done to keep a house clean, like sweeping or washing dishes.
Convent: A place where nuns live and work together.
Pickups: Trucks that people use to carry things.
Narrow: Something thin or small in width, like a narrow path.
Foreman: A person in charge of workers on a farm or in a factory.
Canvas: Strong fabric used to make things like tents, bags, or paintings.
Fiddles: Musical instruments like violins that people play.
Echo: A sound that bounces back and repeats, like when you shout in a big, empty space.
What discussions can we have before we read?
Have you ever picked apples?
Where can you find apples near where you live?
Do apples grow where you live?
What are things your family does together?
How have you helped your family before?
What discussions can we have after we read?
How did the girl in the story feel when she was helping her family?
How would you describe apple picking? Do you think it is something you would like to do?
How did different people work together and help in the story?
What would have happened if the community hadn’t have worked together to pick the apples?
Can you describe a day of apple picking?
Activity: Apple Picking Fieldtrip
Objective: Enjoy a family field trip to an apple orchard and learn about where apples come from.
Plan Your Trip: Look up apple orchards in your area that offer apple picking. Check their website or call ahead to find out when apples are in season. Choose a day to visit the orchard when the weather is nice for a family outing.
Learn About Apples: Before you go, discuss the different types of apples you might find at the orchard. Some are sweet, others are tart. Ask your family which kinds they like best. Prepare some simple questions to ask the staff at the orchard, such as how apples grow or how to pick the best ones.
Enjoy Your Trip: Have fun together as a family. What kind of apples did you see? How was your apple picking experience? What was your favorite part of the trip?
Activity: Which Apple is Best?
Objective: Discover which type of apple is your family’s favorite by tasting and comparing different varieties.
Choose Your Apples: Pick a variety of apples, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, and Red Delicious. Choose at least three or four different kinds to taste. Get enough of each apple type for everyone to taste.
Prepare for Tasting: Wash and slice the apples into bite-sized pieces. Make sure to keep the slices from different varieties separate. Write the name of each apple on a piece of paper or use labels to help everyone keep track of which apple is which.
Taste the Apples: Give everyone in the family a chance to taste a slice of each apple. As you taste, ask questions like “Is this apple sweet or sour?” and “Is this apple crunchy or soft?”
Vote for Your Favorite: After tasting all the varieties, ask each family member to rank the apples from favorite to least favorite. Talk about why each person liked or didn’t like certain apples. Was it the taste? The texture? The color?
Record Your Results: Create a simple chart showing which apples were the most popular in your family. You could write the apple names and give them scores or use stickers to show how many people liked each one. See if everyone liked the same apples or if there were differences in opinion.
Activity: Work Together as a Family
Objective: Work together as a family to complete a home project like yard work or cleaning.
Choose Your Project: Pick a project that everyone can help with. It could be yard work, cleaning the garage, organizing a room, or doing a deep clean of the house. Make sure the project is something everyone can contribute to, even younger kids.
Gather Materials: Write down what you’ll need, such as cleaning products, trash bags, rakes, or organizing bins.
Divide the Tasks: Give each family member a task based on their age and abilities. For example, younger kids can help with simple tasks like sweeping or picking up toys, while older kids and adults can handle bigger tasks like scrubbing or organizing. If possible, pair up family members to work together on certain tasks to make it more fun.
Finish the Project: Once a task is finished, check it off the list. Make sure everything is done and cleaned up. Once the project is done, take a moment to look at what you’ve accomplished as a family. Discuss how working together helped to get the tasks done.Activity: Apple Tree SongActivity: Apple Tree SongActivity: Apple Tree SongActivity: Scottish Forest Blackberry Muffins
Activity: Apple Tree Song
Objective: Sing the "Apple Tree Song" together as a family and have fun with hand motions and creativity.
Way up high in the apple tree
Two little apples smiled at me
I shook that tree as hard as I could
Down fell the apples
Mmmm they were good!
Learn the Song: Go over the lyrics with your family so everyone knows the words.
Add Hand Motions: Reach your arms up high like you're pointing to apples in the tree. Hold up two fists to show the apples. Pretend to shake an imaginary tree. Let your hands fall down like apples dropping. Rub your tummy and smile to show how tasty the apples are!
Sing Together: Take turns singing the verses together. Everyone can join in or take turns leading. As you sing, make sure to do the hand motions along with the words. This makes the song more fun and interactive.
Get Creative: If you want, make up new verses together. You can change the number of apples or imagine other things falling from the tree.
Hannah Ward, M.Ed., is the homeschool mom and educational designer behind Sherlock Homeschooling and Little House Kindergarten. With years of experience teaching students from preschool to university, Hannah’s work is grounded in research-based principles and is designed to empower parents as their child’s first and most important teacher. She holds a Master of Education degree in Education Technology and Instructional Design, as well as a Master of Science degree in Management and Leadership.
Hannah is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership and English. She lives in the Ozarks with her husband and three children, where she continues to create inspiring curriculum resources that support global literacy and community education.
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