Johnny Appleseed

Hi!  This is Jaymie from First Grade Centers and More. September 26 is Johnny Appleseed Day.  It is a great time of year to learn about both Johnny Appleseed and Apples.

Here are a few ideas you might want to include in your studies:

1.  Johnny Appleseed:  Last year I created this brochure to go along with learning about Johnny Appleseed.  After reading and learning about him we completed this brochure together.  You can get a free copy in my TPT store.

2.  Apple Craft: I love this apple craft because it has some ELA content as well.  Students are learning about making a diagram at the same time.

You  will need the following for each student :
*Black Construction paper cut into a square (8 1/2 inches by 8 1/2 inches)
*Red, Yellow, or Green Construction paper square (approximately 7 inches by 7 inches)
*White Construction paper square (approximately 6 inches by 6 inches)
*small squares of brown and dark green to cut seeds and stem
*black and white colored pencils or crayons

Step 1: Fold colored and white construction paper in half (hot dog fold).  Trim edges to make them a little curvy.
Step 2: Stack the white paper on top of the colored paper and glue.
Step 3: Draw the core of the apple with the black colored pencil.
Step 4: Cut a stem and leaf from the green paper, and some seeds from the brown.  Glue.
Step 5: Label the parts of your diagram.

3.  Apple Life Cycle Painting:  After reading the story The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons.  We created this life cycle painting.  I always have the students gather around my reading table and show them the steps before we begin.  I model how now to get too much paint on their sponges so it doesn't look gloppy.  Then I hang mine on the board for the students to reference.

You will need the following:
Large White Construction Paper for each student
Tempera Paint:  red, green, white, pink (mix red and white)
Black and Brown Crayon
Sponges cut into small squares (about 4-5 sponges)

Step 1: Fold the paper into four boxes (two folds)
Step 2: Label the boxes with the black crayon: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Step 3: Draw a trunk in each box.  I show the students how to use v's to make the branches
Step 4: Winter tree: sponge paint white to look like snow
Step 5: Spring tree: sponge paint with pink and white to look like apple blossoms
Step 6: Summer tree: sponge paint green to look like leaves
Step 7: Fall tree: sponge paint green leaves.  Then use a finger print to add red apples.


4. Apple Sauce: This is a great way to conclude your apple studies.  Your classroom will smell so AMAZING all day!  Students love this project, and it is super easy!  In a crockpot place 8 apples that have been peeled and chopped, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 cup of water, and 1/2 to 1 cup of sugar (or cinnamon red hots).  Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Want more ideas for Johnny Appleseed and Apples?  Check out my Apples Pinterest Board.

Have a great week!