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Apple Tree Math

📝 This post, Apple Tree Math Game, was originally published in 2012 and has been updated with new information and resources.

Years ago, I was chatting with a friend who mentioned that her daughter was struggling a bit with the concept of subtraction. She said she wished I had an apple tree math activity she could use with her daughter.

Well, her wish was my command! I sat down and created Apple Tree Math (great title, huh?).

The idea is really simple. Print the apple tree and apples, cut out the pieces, and use them to model different addition and subtraction problems. Moving the apples on and off the tree gives children a visual, hands-on way to see what is actually happening when they add or subtract.

Using Apple Tree Math for Addition and Subtraction

For addition, children can place apples on the tree or ground and then add more. For subtraction, they begin with a group of apples and physically remove some.

This is especially helpful when children are first learning addition and subtraction because they aren’t simply looking at numbers and symbols on a page. They can act out the problem, count the apples, and then connect what they did to a math sentence.

Here are a few ways to use the apple tree and apples for practice.

💚 Grab the FREE Apple Tree Math Game

Apple Story Problems

One of the easiest ways to use Apple Tree Math is to act out simple addition and subtraction story problems. As you read each problem, have students move the apples on or off the tree and then write the matching math sentence.

The different colored apples can also help students see the parts of a problem. For example, place 2 red apples on the tree and then add 3 green apples. Students can see the two groups before putting them together to find the total.

Addition Story Problems

There were 2 red apples in the apple tree. Then 2 green apples grew. How many apples are in the tree now?

2 + 2 = 4

Four apples fell to the ground. Put 4 apples on the ground. Then 5 more apples fell. Add 5 more apples. How many apples are on the ground now?

4 + 5 = 9

Subtraction Story Problems

There were 6 apples in the tree and I picked 3. Place 6 apples in the tree and then remove 3. How many apples are left?

6 − 3 = 3

There were 8 apples in a pile and an animal came along and took 2 away. Make a pile of 8 apples and remove 2. How many apples are left?

8 − 2 = 6

Once children are comfortable acting out the problems, have them create their own apple story problems. One child can make up the story while another uses the apples to solve it.

Make Apple Math Sentences

The apples can also be used without a story problem. Create an addition or subtraction problem with the apples, solve it together, and then write the matching math sentence.

You can also turn this around. Give children a math sentence first and ask them to use the apples to show what the equation means.

Apple Fingerplay for Subtraction

This apple fingerplay is another fun way to introduce the idea of taking away.

Begin by placing 5 apples in the tree. Say the rhyme and remove one apple when the apple falls from the tree. Then count how many are left and create the corresponding subtraction sentence:

5 − 1 = 4

Continue removing one apple at a time until there are none left.

Way up high in the apple tree,

Five red apples smiled at me.

I shook that tree as hard as I could,

Down came one apple…

Mmmm, it was good! 

(continue 4 red apples, 3 red apples etc)

After each verse, stop and ask:

How many apples were there? How many fell? How many are left?

This turns a familiar rhyme into a simple hands-on introduction to subtraction.

More Ways to Practice with Apple Tree Math

Once children understand how to use the pieces, there are plenty of ways to extend the activity. Have them roll a die to determine how many apples to add or remove, create a math problem for a partner to solve, or draw and write their own apple story problem.

The different colored apples add even more possibilities. Students can sort the apples by color, create and extend patterns, compare groups to see which has more or fewer, or use two colors to show different ways to make a number. For example, 3 red apples and 2 green apples can show one way to make 5.

And, of course, you don’t have to save Apple Tree Math for an apple unit! It’s an easy addition and subtraction activity to pull out anytime a child needs a little more hands-on practice.