Kindergarten Explores the Five Senses at Solebury Orchards

"All About Apples" presentation

As part of our study of the five senses and to celebrate the beauty of the autumn season, we traveled to Solebury Orchards in Bucks County. During a presentation called "All About Apples," the students learned about the life cycle of an apple and the many tools that are used to harvest apples at this time of year. We were amazed at all of the items that could be made with apples and even tried some of the orchard's freshly pressed apple cider. 

Sorting apples for cider and the farm store

The cold apple refrigerator

Before boarding a wagon for a trek out to the orchards, we all walked into the largest refrigerator we had ever seen, filled with apples. Each wooden crate holds 2,000 apples! It was very cold inside but it did smell wonderful as the apple aroma filled the air. 

First pick of the day

Wagon ride to the apple orchard

While apple picking, the students remembered how to tell if an apple was ready to pick. If you hold an apple and lift it upside down, it should come off of the branch easily. If you need to tug the apple, it is not yet ripe, and is not ready for picking.

Kindergartners and many family chaperones set to work finding just the right apples to pick and fill up bags to take home. After our picking adventure, everyone had a chance to taste a Flortina apple. Delicious!

Picking Flortina apples

Our five senses were put to good use on this trip as we had numerous opportunities to use our senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste throughout the apple presentation and during our time in the orchard. The kindergarten students also practiced their listening and speaking skills as they added information to their growing background knowledge, followed directions in a new space, and asked thoughtful questions to deepen their understanding. 

After lunch, our five senses were on full alert again as we all enjoyed apple cider donuts and expended the excitement of the day with gross motor play on a wooden tractor. It was a fitting way to culminate our time together on this beautiful fall day.

Enjoying fresh apple cider donuts

If you are looking for a fun way to enjoy the fall season with your family, check out Solebury Orchards: http://www.soleburyorchards.com/