What can students learn from an apple? At The Phoenix School, quite a lot!
Last week, our whole school spent the day at Russell Orchards in Ipswich with Daisy, enjoying a beautiful fall day filled with music and exploration. Students went on a hayride to pick apples, learned about how apple trees grow, sang songs with Daisy and Captain Stan, visited the farm animals, and explored the farm store. We also enjoyed lunch together and had some delicious cider donuts!
But the learning began before we ever arrived at the farm and continued long after we returned to school.
Looking Closer: The Science of Apples
As part of their apple study, students created journal spreads exploring apples through scientific observation, drawing, reading, and writing. Working with partners, they selected apples from a variety of types, including Red Delicious, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady, and practiced scientific drawing.
Rather than outlining their drawings first, students focused on observing the apples closely and capturing what they saw. This encouraged them to slow down, notice details, and represent their observations as accurately as possible.
Students then watched a video about grafting and read an article to learn how growers can join parts of different apple trees to produce desired varieties. They drew diagrams illustrating the grafting process and wrote explanations of how it works.
Connecting Classroom Learning to the Real World
Experiences like our visit to Russell Orchards are an important part of learning at Phoenix. Students aren’t simply memorizing facts about apples or reading about how fruit grows. They’re observing, asking questions, exploring ideas, and making connections between what they learn and the world around them.
The apple study also shows how learning naturally crosses subject areas. Science connects with reading and writing. Drawing becomes a tool for careful observation. A farm visit brings classroom questions to life.
We’re grateful to Daisy and everyone at Russell Orchards for welcoming our Phoenix community and giving our students another opportunity to learn through experience. It was a wonderful day at the farm and one that will continue to inspire learning back in the classroom!
