Apple tree math {greater than / less than practice}

If you are planning to do an apple unit this fall, I’ve got a great little apple tree math activity that will help your kids practice comparing quantities that are greater than or less than other quantities.

Note: For more apple activities, see my Apple Unit Study page.

For this apple tree math activity, I created several apple trees. I made the trunk from cardboard tubes painted brown. I made the tree canopy by cutting out some “leaves” from a sheet of green foam. I drew different numbers of red apples on each tree canopy. I made two small notches on in the top of each tree trunk and then inserted the tree canopy to finish off the apple tree.

I also created a “greater than / less than” identification tool by glueing two craft sticks into an open ‘V’ position.

I presented the apple tree math activity by placing two trees in front of XGirl. I asked her to identify how many apples were on each tree. Then I asked her to tell me which tree had more apples.

She then placed the “greater than / less than” tool between the trees to show which tree had more apples. I showed her how the open end always points toward the tree with more. I like to pretend the open end is a hungry mouth, and it always wants to go toward the side with more.

More apple resources

More apple posts from Gift of Curiosity:

• Apple Unit Study
• Apple Printables Pack
• Apple Do-a-Dot Printables
• Apple taste testing
• Apple rotting experiment
• Dissecting an apple
• Apple sensory bin
• Apple Montessori activities

For more kid-friendly apple activities and apple printables, see my Apple Unit Study page and my Apples Pinterest board.

Follow Katie @ Gift of Curiosity’s board Apples unit ideas on Pinterest.