When I was younger, as part of Gen X, I spent endless hours outside each summer. I would explore my parents’ 7+ acres, but I would definitely wander beyond the borders of our property as well. One of the places I wandered late each summer was a couple of apple trees just outside our fence line. I would anxiously wait for the apples to be ready to pick – along with all the surrounding wildlife. They were not sweet apples, but they were tart and tasty and I was so happy each year when I could harvest my own snacks.
There were a few reasons you needed to be careful getting those apples. First of all, the fence was a barbed wire fence, so you had to be very careful finding your way through that or you would get some nasty scratches. Secondly, and most importantly, you had to inspect the apples very carefully for small holes. If there was a hole and you missed it, you would likely end up eating part of a worm. Zero out of ten, do not recommend.
I think that I love this craft so much because it reminds me of those wild apple trees in a tree line in rural Michigan. I wish the little worms had been as cute as the paper plate version here – I would have caught them and fed them apples all winter just to see what they would become. This craft is perfect for an apple theme week – pick apples, make applesauce, read about Johnny Appleseed, make these adorable Paper Plate Apples, and while you paint is drying, you can play my Pick a Final /l/ Apple game. More on that later, of course.
Supply List:
- 2 paper plates (or 1 full plate and 1 partial plate leftover from other projects)
- Brown and green paper
- 2 small google eyes
- Red and green paint
- Paint brush, cup, apron, and table covering
- Black marker
- Scissors
- Glue
- Stapler
Step-by-Step Directions
The first item of business for this project is to cut the apple and worm shapes from the plates. To make the apple shape, I take a small “bite” out of the top and the bottom of the plate. I like to take a bit more out of the bottom than than the top, but you can definitely do the opposite or make them match.
To make the worm, I cut about 5-6 inches out of the outer curve from another plate and curve one end to make the worm’s head.
Now, to give them time to dry before you last steps, it is time to paint the apple and the worm. You can, of course, make the apple red, yellow, or green and then make the worm any color you like. I made a red apple and a bright green worm because I think like that contrast the best.
While your paint is drying, you can cut out the stem of the apple. I used brown, but you could use black or grey if you didn’t have brown. You can make the stem straight or slightly bent like mine.
The last cut for this project is to make the green leaf. You could also make the leaf a fall color – apple trees get beautiful leaves in the fall. I went with green, though, because that is the color my childhood tree would be when the apples were ready.
When the paint is dry, you can glue the google eyes on the worm. You can also draw a black marker mouth to complete the worm’s face.
To assemble the apple, start. by gluing the stem and leaf to the top of the apple. I glue the stem first and then add the leaf over the top so it can overlap the apple a bit.
The final step is to attach the worm about halfway between the center and the edge of the apple with a staple. And that’s it – your apple is complete.
As I say every week, my goal with this blog is to make sure that people leave each of my posts feeling equipped to practice articulation or phonics with their learner. So, I always have a game from my Teachers Pay Teachers store (Autumn Emigh Creative Communication Solutions) on special sale for you. This week, it is a game called “Pick a Final /l/ Apple.” The product includes instructions with a link to a digital Google Slides game. You also receive printable game boards in color and black and white. The digital and printable versions of the game contain the same final /l/ words for your learner to practice. Get it until October 23rd for half price – just $1.00!
Just click on the photo above or HERE to get your copy today! And be sure to fill out the form below to get on my email list. Not only are my email subscribers the first to know when each of my blog posts goes live, they also get information about products, events, and summits each week. I’ll always do my best to make it worthwhile for you to stick around, but it is super easy to unsubscribe if you ever wish to.
I hope that you get to enjoy the best part of fall with some apple picking, eating, playing, and crafting! I will be back in two weeks with a Paper Plate Black Cat craft and a Black Cat Sneak game – I have 3 mostly black kitties so I must celebrate them this time of year. 🙂
This post contains affiliate links. You will not be charged more, but I may make a percentage if you make a purchase.
Leave a Reply