Nature Net News
September 2008
Apples
"Goodness comes out of people
who bask in the sun, as it does out of a sweet apple roasted before the
fire"
Charles Dudley Warner
Dear Reader, Who can resist that first crisp “crack” when biting into the first apple of the season? They play important roles in folklore, as well as provide the filling for the all-American pie. Apples. Despite their all-American reputation, apples have a different story to tell. Find out about apples' surprising origins and how they’ve changed the landscape in this month’s Nature Net News. Enjoy! Kathe & Betsy |
The apple originated in Asia Minor and was brought to America on later voyages of the Mayflower? There are nearly 8,000 varieties of apples known around the world?
What to Do This Month:
Visit an apple orchard and pick your own apples. Check out local sites near you!
Bring a fresh apple to your teacher on the first day of school!
Instant Outdoor Expert:
Apples in America
The Pilgrims discovered crabapples in the New World, but wanted more edible fruit and sent for apple seeds from England. In the Colonial times, apples were called "pippins" and did extremely well due after colonists imported honeybees to improve pollination.
As settlement moved westward, John Chapman ("Johnny Appleseed") established several apple nurseries along the way and produced seedlings for the new settlers, introducing the apple to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and parts of the Midwest. Today in Wisconsin, nearly 900,000 trees produce about 60 million pounds of fruit each year. That's some apples!
Tricks of the Trail for Parents:
Apple Pickin'
There’s nothing like a fine fall day to pick apples with the family. Be sure to dress in light layers, wear sturdy shoes and don’t forget sun protection. Take advantage of any bins, step stools or gathering equipment that is offered by the orchard. Make sure you have small baskets for your young ones so that they feel helpful, too! Remember these tips from pickyourown.org:
• Once picked, don't throw the apples into the baskets, place them in gently, or they will bruise and go bad more quickly.
• Don't wash apples until just before using to prevent spoilage.
• Keep apples cool after picking to increase shelf life.
Eco-Exercise:
Reach for the Sky!
Picking your own apples at an apple orchard provides a variety of exercise options! From reaching up to higher branches, to climbing ladders (be careful!), to bending over to pick up apples from the orchard floor, there are a variety of ways to keep fit. Remember to be safe, do not reach further than you are comfortable, and when lifting heavy apple boxes or baskets, do not strain your back. And remember to eat an apple a day!
Featured Nature Net Site
Nature Craft
Madison Children's Museum
Learn to play and play to learn! Drop into the
Madison Children's Museum for a cool way to spend the day, with exhibits, daily programs and
special events. The Let's Grow! exhibit is the museum's
unique contribution to fostering healthy eating habits among our youngest
citizens. The exhibit features familiar Madison venues such as a farmers'
market, a community garden and a juice bar as inviting imaginative venues
for building positive associations with delicious foods that also just
happen to be extra good for growing bodies. Your children may never
suspect the environment they are having so much fun in is a nutrition
exhibit but whether they are planting, harvesting, selling or making
smoothies out of their produce you can rest assured that this play is
healthy and productive.
Regular Hours:
Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday noon - 5:00 p.m.
Apple Prints
Apples are often best eaten, but their shapes can provide
artistic inspiration. Simply cut an apple in half from top to
bottom, press the flesh side against a paper towel to absorb any excess
moisture, and cover that side using an ink pad or poster paint in the color
of your choice. You can use your apple stamp on bags, cards, book covers, or
virtually any surface of your choice. Be sure to hold the apple down firmly
and apply equal pressure to the top and sides. Reapply color after each
application. Once the image has dried, you can use a paint marker to add a
stem and leaf.
If you want a thicker image, you can brush fabric paint onto the surface of the apple. Set the paint by allowing it to dry, placing a press cloth over the image, and using an iron set on medium.
Suggested Reading:
"Ten Apples Up on Top!" by Dr. Suess (Ages baby-preschool)
"The Apple Pie Tree" by Zoe Hall(Ages 4-8)
"The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree" by Gail Gibbons (Ages 4-8)
"One Green Apple" by Eve Bunting (Ages 4-8)
"The Apple Pie That Papa Baked" by Lauren Thompson (Ages 9-12)
"The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein (All ages)
