Apple Tree

As playing the game, the student who is “out” is described above. However, the teacher can decide to toughen up the structure and students who fail to keep the beat can be deemed “out” by the teacher. Students who also fail to sing can be deemed “out” by the teacher to encourage full participation. Students who are not patting the beat on their lap when they don’t have the ball can, also, be deemed “out”. The teacher will assess for student understanding as students play the game and participate. If playing in an elimination model: students should play the game until there is one student left remaining who is the winner, but can also play until there is no time left to continue and all remaining students can be deemed winners. If playing in a model that allows students to re-enter, the game may continue as long as the teacher allows.

When students get knocked out, there are a variety of ideas that can be implemented depending on your classroom needs/resources. Students can be out for the rest of the game, or simply sit in middle until the next round. Students who are out, should practice keeping the steady beat on their lap. Students who are out may be handed auxilliary percussion instruments to play and keep the beat on, in order to be more engaged and still active participants in the game. Students who are “in the middle” can be asked to dance to the song, or simply sit. The are several possibilities and you may use what works best for your class and students.

It is important when starting the game, that students are clear on the rules, how you get out, and that there is absolutely no throwing of the object (students who throw the object should be out). Remind students that this is not “Hot Potato” but rather, “Apple Tree”. In “Hot Potato” the goal is to go as fast as you can to get rid of the potato. In “Apple Tree” the goal is to keep a steady beat, and sing along. The teacher will assess understanding by student participation in the game/song.