John Chapman Lesson Plans

There are so many wonderful directions you can go with a study on John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed.  Study his life, early westward expansion, and apples!  Here are a few ideas to get you started!

You can grab your free downloads to go along with the John Chapman Heritage Letter here!

Don't have the letter yet?  You can grab the snail mail letter here and the instant digital download version here!

For All Ages

Music

Sing the Johnny Appleseed Song "The Lord is Good to Me" from the short 1948 Disney classic," Johnny Appleseed".  The lyrics to this song are included our John Chapman Free Printables

 Movie

Watch the 1948 Disney Short Movie The Legend of Johnny Appleseed here

Poetry

This letter is the perfect fit for a Poetry Tea Time!  Make up your favorite apple dish (muffins, pancakes, scones, applesauce, etc.) or just snack on some fresh apples while you read from these poems and sip on some apple cider:

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Preschool

Books

Seed by Seed: The Legend and Legacy of John "Appleseed" Chapman by Esme  Raji Codell and Lynne Rae Perkins

Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg

Activities

  • Paint with apples!  Cut apples in half vertically and use them as apple stamps or make a basket of apples using this great idea from premeditatedleftovers.
  • Apple Taste Test: gather 5 or 6 different types of apples to try.  Use our Apple Taste Test in our free printables to rate the apples.

  • Try different apple products: apple sauce, dried apples, and apple cider.

  • For more ideas, check out our John Chapman Pinterest Board

    Elementary

    Books

    Who Was Johnny Appleseed? by Joan Holub

    Johnny Appleseed by Richard Worth

    Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh

     Activities

    • Use our free printables to complete a John Chapman 5 Senses Character Map

    • Venn Diagram: Complete a Venn diagram comparing what you know to be true about John Chapman's life to what is considered legend or folk tale about Johnny Appleseed.

      Middle & High School

      Books

        Johnny Appleseed: The Man, The Myth, the American Story by Howard Means

          Activities

          • Cook with Apples!  Treat your family to an apple dish such as apple muffins, apple pancakes, homemade apple sauce. apple scones, biscuits with apple butter, or try your hand at making homemade apple cider.

          • Mapping: See if you can map out the locations of John Chapman's apple orchards

          • Write an essay on the importance of American folk heroes such as John Chapman.  Why are they important?  How do their stories help instill courage and national pride?

           

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