A resource from the University of Illinois that provides six math activities involving apples. The activities include: apple fractions, symmetry, writing math problems, charts, and determining the circumference.

Apples: A Class Act

Math Activities

1. Apple Fractions
Ask students to think of how many different ways they can slice or cut up an apple so that all pieces are of equal size and shape. Students first draw several different ways and then choose one way and actually cut their apples (if apples are available, if not, use a paper apple!).

Discuss with the class the variety of ways that apples can be divided into equal parts. On the chalkboard list the fractions that show the different ways that children divided their apples.

Students can also write apple problems using the fractions that were listed on the board after the activity. For example: Sara divided an apple into eighths. She gave 3/8 to Mary. How much of her apple did she have left?

3. Symmetry
Direct students to cut an apple in half and compare the halves. Are the halves symmetrical? Ask children to draw the inside halves of their apples, taking care to include details. If apples are not available, share pictures and/or a diagram of an apple (suggested handout here.)

3. Writing Math Problems
Students can write word problems using apples as the topic. The problems can involve many different kinds of computation, depending on what the class is currently studying, for example: multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, fractions, percentages, and ratio.

4. Charts
Ask students to share their favorite kind of apple. Make a bar graph listing each apple variety that was represented.

5. Circumference
Using string, find the circumference of an apple.

Adapted for Remote Learning

Source:   University of Illinois Extension