A study of apples wouldn't be complete without picking apples.  I took my three little friends to Baugher's Orchard in Westminster, Maryland for a little apple picking adventure.

Introduce apple picking with a picture interpretation.

I chose not to tell Grace in advance that we were going apple picking.  (I didn't tell Ada or Lucas either, but they have no idea what that means ;).  Instead, we did a picture interpretation to get her thinking about the experience.  Like a guess box, a picture interpretation is a teaching strategy that promotes critical thinking and analytic skills.  
(The following picture interpretation is paraphrased from MCPS  PADI - Ricci 2007, 2010 resources.)

1.  Choose a picture that links to the topic.  

Here are a couple of paintings I found that have to do with apple picking:

"Apple Picking" by Stina Sunesson 
Found at Postcrossing

"Apple Picking Time" by Sandie Keyser
Found at Fine Art America

You could either print out the picture or just show it on the screen.  I will use the first picture, "Apple Picking" by Stina Sunnesson to give examples of what questions to ask. 

2.  Discuss the painting with your child.  

To incorporate the critical thinking skills, you want to ask varying levels of questions, starting from basic and increasing to abstract.

Start by asking your child to identify what is in the picture with questions, like "what do you see?"

Next, move to describing the things that are in the picture.  For example, "tell me about the tree" or "what do you notice about the leaves?"

After that, ask your child to interpret the painting.   This stage leads to higher-level thinking and inferencing.  Ask questions, like "Where does this take place?" What do you think the people are doing?"  "What season is it?"  "What might the people be saying to each other?"

Finally, extrapolate (what does that mean?!) and have your child draw conclusions about what might be.  For example, ask "What would it be like if you were in the picture?" "What do you think the people in the picture will do after this?" "What if this picture was in the winter, what would be different?" 

Depending on your child's age and stage of development, you may have to alter the questions a little or rely mainly on concrete questions.  But the more you do this type of activity with your child, he/she will get better at it.

3.  Make a connection between the picture interpretation and the topic.  

Explain to your child why the picture is relevant, or say, "can you figure out what we are going to do tomorrow?"  This is a good way to get your child relating all that thinking they just did with an upcoming trip to the apple orchard.

I did this picture interpretation with Grace and she actually showed me she knew a lot more about apple picking than I expected.  She also enjoyed the challenge of answering my questions.

Go to an apple orchard!

If you can, pick your own apples!  The cool thing about doing this, besides spending a day outside in beautiful fall weather, is that it shows REAL apples and REAL apple trees.  It also gives kids an idea of how we get our food, and they can add to their understanding of farms!  Plus, they get to see some rotting apples on the ground, which can spark a discussion about the life cycle of an apple tree.

We had a GORGEOUS day for our apple picking adventure, and thankfully my hubby, Matt, was able to come along!  This is definitely a two-man job for this little gang of 3.  

Ada hoarding the apples

Trying to keep Lucas from early tasting

Baugher's Orchard has a great country store, where you can pick up a tractor ride to the apple fields.  They also have a picnicking area and a fun, little playground that the kids LOVED.

 

We got some apples from the fields and peaches, mums, and a peach pie from the store!  I'd say it was a success!

Thanks for visiting and God bless!

- Jessica

I Am Second

Image from Bethel Church

I came across a series of videos from a movement called "I am second" on YouTube yesterday and feel the need to share them.  The videos are of pretty-famous people (and some not-so famous people) giving testimonials about their personal journey with God.  They have all come to put Jesus first (they are "second" - hence the name "I am second").  I was glued to my computer for like 2 hours.  But you don't have to watch that long to feel the inspiration.

They are only a few minutes each, so I started watching a few.  Who doesn't love Tony Dungy?!  

Tony Dungy Image from Iamsecond.com

Maybe John Harbaugh would do one?  Go Ravens!

And then this one caught my eye...

Brian Welch from Korn
Image from iamsecond.com

His name didn't ring a bell, but I saw Korn.  What?!  A guy from Korn?...so I checked that out.  

And after a couple others I came upon Kathy Ireland.  I remember her fondly from back in the 90's when all us little girls wanted to be super models.  Right?  Just me?  Well a super model, Miss America, and a gold medal gymnast AND figure skater.  

Kathy Ireland
Image from iamsecond.com

Kathy Ireland's really resonated with me.  I often feel the same way that she describes; feeling like you want to put God first, but kids and life require so much of us.  Her story really inspired me.  I feel like I was meant to see that video.  

There are athletes, actors, musicians, leaders, and regular people.  Here is a list from Wikipedia of the "famous" people who are "Seconds":  

• Anne Rice, Gothic novelist
• Alex Kendrick, film director and founder of Sherwood Pictures
• Baron Batch, American professional football player
• Bethany Hamilton, professional surfer and shark attack survivor
• Bailee Madison, child actress
• Bradie James, American professional football player
• Brant Hansen, radio personality
• Brian Sumner, professional skateboarder
• Brian Welch, former Korn guitarist
• Chris Coghlan, professional baseball player
• Colt McCoy, American professional football player
• Christian Hosoi, professional skateboarder
• Christian Ponder, American professional football player
• Clayton Kershaw, professional baseball player
• Daniel Sepulveda, American football player
• Darrell Waltrip, former NASCAR driver
• David Murphy, professional baseball player
• Greg Ellis, American professional football player
• Jack Graham, pastor of Dallas megachurch
• Janine Turner, actress
• Jason Castro, singer and American Idol finalist
• Jason Witten, American professional football player
• Joe Gibbs, American professional football coach and NASCAR team owner
• Joe Hagerty, track and cross country state qualifier
• Josh Hamilton, professional baseball player
• Josh Turner, country music singer
• Ken Hutcherson, pastor and former American professional football player
• Landry Jones, American college football player
• Lecrae, Christian hip-hop musician
• Matt Barkley, American football player
• Michael W. Smith, contemporary Christian musician
• Michelle Aguilar, winner of reality show The Biggest Loser: Families
• Mike Huckabee, American politician
• Moriah Peters, contemporary Christian musician
• Scott Hamilton, figure skater and Olympic gold medalist
• Sam Bradford, American professional football player
• Stephen Baldwin, film actor, director, producer, and author
• Tony Evans, pastor and radio broadcaster
• Tony Dungy, former American professional football player and coach
• Trevor Bayne, NASCAR driver
• Vitor Belfort, mixed martial artist
• Wayne Simien, former professional basketball player
• Wayne Huizenga, businessman

Just search here to find their video.

There is something so very wonderful about hearing people speak so passionately about their faith, even if we don't all share the same religion.  

Thanks for reading and God bless!

Jessica

Day Trip: Sharp's Farm

If you live in Maryland, you have probably visited one of the charming local farms found throughout our state.  You may or may not have been to one of my fall favorites: Sharp's at Waterford Farm in western Howard County.  It's open for fall starting next weekend (September 28) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Sharp's Farm is my favorite farm to go to in the fall for pick-your-own pumpkins and here's why:

1.  It's CHEAP 

It is FREE to enter the farm, FREE to park, FREE to see the farm animals, and FREE to go on a hayride to the pumpkin field.  All you pay for is the pumpkin that you picked, any additional activities, or anything you might want to buy from the awesome country store in the old red barn.

2.  It's old school.

Unlike some of the other farms with fall festivals and events, Sharp's Farm's fall season is low-key; There isn't a cow train, jumping pillow, or giant slide (which, don't get me wrong, are A LOT of fun).  It reminds me more of a real-life farm with a pond, cows, pigs, goats, chickens, rabbits, corn fields, tractors, and old barns.

3.  It's got a great little country store.

In the big, old red barn you'll find all kinds of great stuff for sale from Sharp's and other local farms.  There are foods, like apples, squash, honey, apple and pumpkin butter, apple cider, marinades, and baked goods.  They also sell fall flowers, Indian corn, gourds, hay bales, corn stalks, and other fall decorations.  And it's just super cute!

4.  It has special open houses.

These open house programs teach kids about farming or pilgrim history, and they take place during weekdays that schools are closed.  There is a cost of $7 for the kids and no cost for adults.  These programs sound just like the field trip that Grace and I went on last year with her preschool.  We picked a pumpkin, went on a special hayride that went through a stream, picked some cotton and Indian corn.  All very cool!  We are going to try to wrangle the kids to do this one time this fall.

We have been to Sharp's Farm several times and have always enjoyed it!  I love taking a little drive out to the country.  

Here are some awesome pics from past visits.

This cracks me up!: 

Grace at 1 1/2 and 3 1/2

Now I know this sounds like an advertisement for Sharp's Farm, but really I just genuinely love this place.  Hey, if you go you can always do a scavenger hunt!  Maybe I'll see you there!  

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!

- Jessica

Here is a great find from my friend Crystal: $7 for hayride, pumpkin, corn, and campfire at Sharp's Farm!  Limited time only.