A guide for using our resources

Children will learn about the life and legacy of Johnny Appleseed.

Vocabulary: barefoot, nickname

Social Studies Focus: historical figures

  1. Watch a Video:

    The Life of Johnny Appleseed

     

  2. Read the Issue:

    Do You Know the Apple Man?

     

  3. Play a Game:
    Grow, Apple Tree, Grow

    Skill: short vowel sounds

  4. Complete Skill Sheets 

    Reading Checkpoint

    Skill: key details

     

    Apple Picking Hunt

    Skill: phonics

     

    An Apple’s Life

    Skill: sequencing

     

  5. Lesson Boosters 

  • Paired Text Suggestion: Johnny Appleseed by Jodie Shepherd

     

  • Phonics Focus: Short Vowel a

     

  • Hands-on Activity: Apple Investigation

CCSS (and states that have similar standards): RL.1.1 key details; RF.1.2 vowel sounds; RI.1.10 read and discuss first-grade texts; SL.1.2 ask and answer questions

Simple, spectacular ideas to boost your lessons.

Paired Text Suggestion: Johnny Appleseed by Jodie Shepherd

  • From the time he was a young boy, Johnny Chapman loved nature. This book follows his journey to becoming Johnny Appleseed!

Phonics Focus: Short Vowel a

  • Have students use a red crayon or marker to circle the letter a at the beginning of the words apple and appleseed each time they appear in the issue. As they circle the letter, have them make the short vowel a sound.
  • Challenge students to think of other words that begin with the /a/ sound. For extra support, give clues for students to guess a word you are thinking of. Examples include: “I am thinking of a long, green animal with sharp teeth.” (alligator); “I am thinking of a van that has sirens and takes people to the hospital.” (ambulance); “I am thinking of a tiny insect that likes to go marching one by one.” (ant).

Hands-On Activity: Apple Investigation

Skill: Investigating, observing

Materials: Apple Investigation skill sheets, apples, pencils, crayons, measuring cubes, knife for teacher to use

  • Have students investigate an apple and record their observations.
  • Provide each student or small group with an apple. If possible, provide a variety of apples around the room.
  • Have students write down the color of their apple on their Apple Investigation skill sheet and draw what the apple looks like.
  • Then provide cubes for students to measure how tall their apple is and record their answer. As students complete this portion of the investigation, go around the room and cut the apples in half. If students are working in small groups, cut out a piece of each group’s apple so that each group member can have a piece.
  • Students can count how many seeds are inside their apple and recor their answer.
  • Last, have students bite into their apple and write a word to describe its taste!