FARM TO PRESCHOOL

Female toddler making orange juice with a juicer

Where Do Fruits Grow?

Children will investigate where fruits come from and will make orange juice.

Female toddler making orange juice with a juicer
What You'll Need
What To Do
Resources
Print Lesson

Lesson Objective

Children will investigate different fruits and learn that some fruits, including oranges, come from trees; then, they will make orange juice

Science

What You'll Need

NOTE: Download Fruit Pictures before getting started

  • Pictures of fruit trees
  • Pictures of fruits that grow on trees: banana, apple, peach, orange, pear, cherry, apricot, lemon, lime, plum
  • Pictures of fruits that grow on vines: strawberry, grape, pumpkin, watermelon
  • Pictures of fruits that grow on bushes: raspberry, currant, blueberry 
  • Oranges – 1 per 2 children
  • Knife or orange-peeling tool (adult use only)
  • Quart-sized, freezer-weight, zip-close bags – 1 per child
  • Small paper cups – 1 per child
  • Scissors (adult use only) – 1 pair

 

What To Do

Note: Before the start of the lesson, place a colored dot on each of the fruit pictures – red for fruits that grow on trees, green for fruits that grow on vines, and yellow for fruits that grow on bushes.

  1. Display an orange, and ask the children to describe it and to indicate where they might find an orange (see Guiding Student Inquiry).
  2. Ask the children where they think oranges grow.
  3. Display the fruit plant pictures, and tell the children that not all fruit grows on the same type of plant. Some fruits grow on trees, some on bushes, and others on vines.
  4. Ask if any of the children have ever been to an orchard or farm where they could pick their own fruit from the plant; have them describe their experience (see Lesson Tips).
  5. Distribute 1 fruit picture to each child.
  6. Tell the children that all of the fruit pictures with red dots are fruits that grow on trees, fruit pictures with green dots are fruits that grow on vines, and fruit pictures with yellow dots are fruits that grow on bushes.
  7. Have the children sort the pictures into piles according to the type of plant that the fruit grows on.
  8. Ask the children the type of plant that oranges grow on and what type of drink we make from oranges. 
  9. Tell them that today, they are going to make orange juice to drink.
  10. Peel the oranges, and have the children describe what they see.
  11. Place half of the slices from 1 peeled orange into a zip-close bag for each child, and secure the closure.
  12. Have the children gently squish and squeeze their orange sections.
  13. As children finish, snip a tiny corner off of each bag, and pour the juice into a cup for them to drink.

Guiding Student Inquiry

  • Tell me where you think fruit comes from.
  • Describe your favorite fruit.
  • Describe the orange.
  • Describe how the orange pieces feel.
  • Explain what you think will need to be done to make juice from the orange.
  • Describe the taste of the juice.

Explore, Extend & Integrate

  • Count the number of seeds found in 1 orange. Have the children estimate the number of seeds in a second orange. Compare the number of seeds found in each; was it the same, more, or less?
  • Compare an orange with a lime and/or a lemon. Have the children predict which fruit will have more seeds. Cut the fruits open, and compare. Does the larger-sized fruit have the same number of seeds, more seeds, or less seeds?
  • Place the seeds and pulp from the squeezed oranges into a clear plastic container, and place it in the science area for further investigation.
  • Place plastic fruit in the dramatic play area for children to use in their free time.

Check for Children’s Understanding

  • Could children tell where they think fruit comes from?
  • Could children describe a fruit?
  • Could children describe the orange and the orange pieces?
  • Could children explain that the orange will need to be squeezed to make juice?
  • Could children describe the taste of the juice?

Resources

Did You Know?

Fruits grow from different types of plants. Some fruits, such as bananas, cherries, and apples, grow on trees. Other fruits, such as strawberries, grapes, and watermelons, grow on vines. Fruits like blueberries and raspberries grow on bushes. All fruits contain seeds. Most seeds are on the inside of the plant, but the seeds on strawberries are on the outside of the fruit.

There are several different types of oranges. Orange juice is made from the sweet orange. Orange juice is made by squeezing fresh oranges and extracting the juice. Widely known for its health benefits, orange juice contains a high amount of vitamin C per serving and also contains several other healthy minerals.

Vocabulary: Child-Friendly Definitions

  • fruit – the part of a plant that has seeds and flesh.
  • tree – a plant with a long main trunk and many branches.
  • vine – a plant with a long, thin, woody stem; a vine either climbs up a support or creeps along the ground.
  • bush – a low plant, like a small tree.
  • squeeze – to press firmly together.
  • juice – the natural liquid from plants.

Lesson Tips

  • Be sure to wash the oranges before peeling.
  • Have the children wash their hands before handling the oranges.

Books

  • Eating the Alphabet: Fruits & Vegetables From A to Z by Lois Ehlert
  • Pat the Bunny: At the Apple Orchard by Little Golden Books
  • Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
  • Each Orange Had Eight Slices: A Counting Book by Paul Giganti, Jr.
  • Jamberry by Bruce Degen

Home School Resources

Home educators: use these printable lesson PDFs to teach this lesson to your home schoolers. They're available in English and Spanish.

Home/School Connections

Las Conexiones a la Casa

While we believe that the books and resources recommended may be of value to you, keep in mind that these are suggestions only and you must do your own due diligence to determine whether the materials are appropriate and suitable for your use. PNC has no sponsorship or endorsement agreement with the authors or publishers of the materials listed.

Content Provided By

Carnegie Science Center

Visit Carnegie Science Center website

Delaware Museum of Natute & Science

Visit The Delaware Museum of Nature & Science

Common Core State Standards Initiative – These lessons are aligned with the Common Core State Standards ("CCSS"). The CCSS provide a consistent, clear understanding of the concepts and skills children are expected to learn and guide teachers to provide their students with opportunities to gain these important skills and foundational knowledge [1]. Visit the CCSS