TJ'S Apple Cider In-School Field Trip Information

Depending on the grade level of your students, we will give a basic (Pre-k through 2nd grade) or in-depth (Grades 3+) demonstration of the following:

• Mechanics of the apple press

• Fun and surprising apple facts

• Apple pomology 

• Read-A-Loud (Pre-K through 2nd grade) book options:

  • Seed by Seed: The Legend and Legacy of John “Appleseed” Chapman – With one small seed every day, what good will you plant in the world? Johnny Appleseed—an American folk hero—changed our nation seed by seed, deed by deed.

  • My Little Golden Book About Johnny Appleseed – In this simple yet lively book, younger students will be introduced to John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Lyrical text and bright, appealing artwork capture the essence of this important American. 

Before our visit:

Please review the following Apple Cider topics with your students before we arrive to prepare them for the experience.

• Apple Cider Vocabulary 

  • Cider: (noun) A drink made by crushing fruit, usually apples

  • Apple: (noun) A fruit from a small tree; a part of the rose family

  • Pomology: (noun) The science of growing apples

  • Opaque: (Adjective) Blocking the passage of radiant energy and especially light

  • Plant: (noun) A living thing that transforms sunlight into food- tree, shrub, grass, moss, algae

    • Fruit: (noun) A part of a plant that protects the seeds- apple, pear, orange

    • Flower: (noun) A part of a plant that attracts pollinators and produces seeds

    • Seed: (noun) A part of a plant that will someday grow into a new plant

    • Leaf: (noun) A part of a plant that takes in sunlight and converts air and water into food

    • Stem: (noun) A part of a plant that transports water and nutrients to other parts and supports the structure

• What is Apple Cider? 

  • Apple cider is unfiltered, unsweetened, non-alcoholic beverage made from apples. Fresh liquid cider is extracted from the whole apple itself, including the apple peel and core from oddly sized or shaped “imperfect” apples, or apple culls. Fresh cider is opaque and generally tangier than apple juice, but this depends on the variety of apples used. Apple cider is traditionally served throughout fall and winter on Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve, sometimes heated with added spices. 

Upon arrival, our presentation team will need 10-15 minutes to set up. Please keep this in mind as you schedule our visit.  This time is not required between classes in the same location.  Additional time will be required if the presentation must be moved to another location.  We recommend all presentations occur in one location for the entire visit when possible.

During our visit:

Please provide the following items: sink and one electric outlet within 10 feet of the presentation location.

Teachers should remain in the classroom/area of demonstration during our visit and are invited to participate in class discussions and apple cider sampling.   We are not responsible for classroom management.

After our visit, encourage students to:

• Write what they learned about from this experience and share

• Taste test different variations of apples and journal their observations

• Try this Applesauce recipe in your classroom

  • Ingredients:

    • 3 pounds of apples (Choose a few varieties to let the students taste the difference), washed, sliced and cored (you can also peel the apples, but the applesauce will have more flavor and have more nutrients if unpeeled)

    • 1 cup apple juice, apple cider or water

    • ¼ cup brown sugar

    • Optional:

    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 

    • ¼ teaspoon ground clove

    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • Steps:

    • Place all ingredients in slow cooker & mix

    • Cook on high (3-4 hours) or low (6 hours)

    • An hour before the timer runs out, use a wooden spoon or potato masher to crush the fruit

    • Continue to simmer the mixture for the final hour

    • Serve (remember this will be very HOT)

Email StoryRoadAdventures@gmail.com or call/text 407-350-7265 for more information, pricing and to schedule this fun and unique In-School Apple Cider Field Trip, today!  Keep in mind that September is Johnny Appleseed month when scheduling your field trip as dates fill up quickly.  We look forward to meeting you and sharing our love of everything apples with your students!