An Apple a Day

HS and I had been counting down for weeks. It seemed like our day would never come. Well, yesterday it did come and with huge smiles on our faces and an apple in HS's backpack, we headed out the door to school. Both of us together to enjoy the morning with one another doing an apple art project and then a phonics lesson.

"You know my mom's a teacher....you'd better listen to her" HS says very seriously to his table of cronies.

"Like, a teacher teacher or just a mommy?" one bravely asked.

"A teee-ch-er." HS says slowly as if this other little friend had maybe not heard him. "She's retired right now until we're really big."

What? Retired? I tried very hard not to giggle out right. That would be the worst thing to do when you are standing amidst a very serious discussion with 1st graders.

This week is all about apples. Johnny Appleseed's birthday is being celebrated since he was born September 26, 1774 (do you think hundreds of years from now someone will be celebrating my birthday? how cool would that be?) Monday they heard all about Johnny Appleseed and wrote stories and illustrations. Tuesday, volunteer day, we began the apple-centered activity by listening to HS's teacher read The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons.

We all followed the story with interest and several comments were made by a very interested group of 6 year-olds as we listened to tales of what Arnold can do in his treehouse during each season of his precious apple tree. (note: papa, HS raised his hand on several occasions to announce to the class that he has a fort, too). The kids were mesmerized by such things as buds forming on the branches (wow! leaves start that tiny! God must have needed a magnifying glass to see!), leaves changing color and then oh my goodness...<em>falling off the branches (what do you mean you have to rake them up?!? Jumping in dirty leaves if fun? Is that kind of like jumping into a pile of sand?), and then snow falling in the winter while Arnold bundles up to head to make a snowman (we don't have snow here...how much snow do you need for one of those things anyway?).

It was after reading the story that the real fun began. Mix paint and kids together and what do you get? A giggling mess of globs of paint going in all sorts of directions. It was my task to wander between two groups of 5. They were a riot to watch as they created their own special apple trees.

"Honey, apple trees don't have flowers during the winter..." I say as I'm helping out a little gal.
"But, Mrs. O'C they do here..."
"Yes honey they do, but we're doing an apple tree painting not a plumeria tree."

"We're working on the Fall tree now, what colors should you probably use?" Ummmm...some blank stares...and a timid response, "green."
"Oranges, reds, yellows!" others who had been off this island during changes of seasons shouted.

What a hoot. You take for granted experiences. Most of HS's class are military so they've been exposed to Fall...but there are a few in the class that think green is the season for a tree the entire cycle. It's not until the tree dies that the leaves turn brown and the flowers go away.

They had a blast creating, painting, giggling, and trying their hardest to listen. I had a wonderful time getting my "classroom" fix while enjoying HS's voyage through school days. After all, I'm retired and lovin' every minute of it!

As he munched on his carrots for snack and then began his homework, HS asked me "when are you comin' back to school with me?"

Ahhh...an apple a day with your children keeps you happy, healthy, and wise!