In September, we did a lot with apples. We started by making observations about apples.
The kids love this poem. I also typed it up and they added the picture clues (colored apples). We practiced reading the poem as we pointed to each word ( I put a black dot under each word). This was the first paper that they brought home that they could "read" to their families...very exciting!
Finally, after reading 10 Apples Up on Top, the kids did a self portrait and then decided how many apple they would put "on top." The apples were little red circle stickers. Under the picture it says "_________ has ____ apples up on top!" I kept these in their portfolios so I could show parents at conferences how they were drawing themselves, writing their names and counting at the beginning of the year.