Cider Pressing
OBJECTIVE
Students will press apple cider
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
What foods are in season in the fall?
What foods do I eat?
MATERIALS NEEDED
- Apple press
- Cups
- Pitcher
- Case of apples
PROCEDURE
Introduction:
Gather students in a circle around the cider press to make observations. What do you notice? What shapes do you see? What are the parts? What do they do? Perhaps students have used this machine before. Ask those students to share their experiences.
Activity:
Explain that cider pressing makes cider in two steps, and a lot of help from each other.
Step 1 is crushing the apples
Step 2 is pressing the apples
Let each student pick two apples. Form a line. Crush the apples one by one.
After everyone has crushed their apples, students go in pairs to press the apples by walking around in a big circle.
Students watch quietly, and count together the number of times each student goes around the circle. (If the direction is to go around the circle 3 times, have the students count to three as the students walk around the circle)
Wrap Up/Assessment:
Ask students:
- “Do you think this is how apple cider is always made? Why or why not?”
- “Does this cider taste different than other cider you have had?” Share student observations while tasting the cider.