Economics of Apples Tour

Students can imagine being apple farmers for a day as they tour the facilities where apples are grown, processed, and made into cider and learn about the role economics plays in farming. This tour is designed to teach students about basic business and economic principles while they tour the orchard.

Tour Includes:
Learn about the seasons of an apple orchard.
See large refrigerator where apples are stored.
Watch apple sorting machine.
View cider press and sample some cider.
See observation bee hive.
Discussion about profit and loss, producers and consumers.
Pick small bag of apples.
Agrimaze included free.
2011 Agrimaze Theme: Johnny Appleseed

Enrichment Option: Many schools choose to add a hands-on business lesson to their tour by helping the students run a small scale business. The school will pick a pre-determined quantity of apples while they are at the orchard. Then they sell their apples (or a product made from the apples) back at school to raise money for a good cause or a party. They also learn about concepts like profit. Schools that choose this option receive a discounted u-pick rate. Call for more information.

Dates: September 14-October 14, 2011
Ages: Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Time: One hour guided tour + maze time
Cost: $4.00/child and adult*
*one teacher is free for every fifteen students. All other adults/siblings are $4.00.

A minimum of 15 paying individuals or $60 is required to schedule a tour.

Key Educational Concepts Covered:

Coming Soon

See additional curriculum resources below to use before and after your tour.

Indiana Academic Standards:
Science: 2.4.1, 2.4.3, 4.4.3. Social Studies: 2.4.2, 2.4.3, 2.4.4, 2.4.5, 2.4.6, 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.4.4, 3.4.7, 3.4.8, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.8, 4.4.8, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.4.7

Reservation Information

Additional Elementary Tours:

Additional Curriculum Resources

Lesson Plans:

The Big Apple:Although written for older students, this lesson plan provides some great links between apples and economics.
Change for a Dollar: Presidents & Farming
Amazing Grazing: A look at farming and economics in general.
Apple Lessons. Interdisciplinary lessons.
Lets Go on a Shopping Spree: Grocery Store Economics

Enrichment:

Apple Science
Apple Crossword
Apple Info Sheet: A breakdown of apple consumption in the USA.
Where Does My Food Come From?

Suggested Books:

Horray for Apples. A Bobbie Kalman Book.
Apples by Gail Gibbons
How do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro
An Apple a Day: From Orchard to You by Dorthy Hinshaw Patent
Johny Appleseed by Will Moses
Corn is Maize by Aliki
Life on an Apple Orchard by Judy Wolfman
Note: 2nd grade teachers may find some of the books listed under Apples: Then and Now to be helpful as well.

Honey Bees & Pollination:

Buzzing Bees Wardrobe
Do the Honey Bee Dance
Those Busy, Buzzn Worker Bees
To Bee or Not to Bee
How Busy are Bees