apple slicing

Food lessons are sort of the pinnacle of the practical life curriculum in our classroom. A lesson like apple slicing requires coordination and control, organization, sequencing, problem solving, and social grace.

Only a few children in the class are capable of a lesson like apple slicing. You might think that this would disappoint the other children, but instead, it inspires them to practice the lessons that come before apple slicing. They eagerly pour, scrub, and spoon, knowing that their work is preparing them for some really fabulous food lessons! :)

What you'll need:

• 1 medium-sized bowl (for washing apples and cleaning up)
• 1 small bowl (for waste)
• scrub brush
  
• cutting board
• knife (we use pumpkin carvers)
• water pitcher
• serving plate
  
• toothpicks
• cinnamon
• drying cloth
• apples!
  

First, the child fills the pitcher with water and pours it into the bowl. (Prior to this, he's washed his hands, put on an apron, and set up his workspace.) He uses the brush to scrub the apple and the cloth to dry it off.

Saw! Saw! Saw!
Although it is only a pumpkin carver,it is still fairly sharp. The child in these photos has been shown how to handle a knife with great care. If only you could see the concentration on his face!

Next, the child removes the core. This goes into the small waste bowl, which he'll empty when he cleans up.

After arranging the slices on a plate, he sprinkles them with cinnamon. Yum!

He skewers them with toothpicks - this makes serving the slices a snap!

The apple slices are set aside in a safe location while the child cleans up. Not only does he wash and dry everything, he restocks the tray with a clean serving dish and drying cloth, so the lesson will be ready for the next child.

Ta da!!!
He radiates pride as he offers his classmates the fruits of his labor.

"Would you care for an apple slice?"