Fun Johnny Appleseed Activities For Kindergarten
Johnny Appleseed, the legendary figure who roamed the American frontier planting apple trees, provides a fantastic theme for engaging kindergarten activities. Incorporating Johnny Appleseed into your lesson plans can make learning fun and educational for young children. Here are some exciting activities to celebrate the legacy of Johnny Appleseed in your kindergarten classroom.
Apple Tasting and Graphing
One of the simplest and most enjoyable ways to introduce Johnny Appleseed is through an apple tasting activity. Gather different varieties of apples, such as Red Delicious, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp. Allow the children to taste each type and then create a class graph to show which apple was the most popular. This activity introduces them to different flavors and encourages data collection and graphing skills. — ULLU Web Series: Your Ultimate Watch List
Materials Needed:
- Different varieties of apples
- Knife for slicing
- Paper plates
- Markers or crayons
- Large graph paper
Steps:
- Slice the apples into bite-sized pieces.
- Give each child a piece of each apple variety to taste.
- Have the children vote for their favorite apple.
- Create a graph to show the results.
Making Applesauce
Another hands-on activity is making applesauce. This activity not only teaches children about cooking but also connects them to the process of turning apples into a delicious treat. With proper supervision, this can be a fun and educational experience. — Hash Kitchen: Brunch Reinvented
Ingredients:
- Apples
- Water
- Cinnamon (optional)
- Sugar (optional)
Equipment:
- Large pot
- Stove or hot plate
- Potato masher
- Measuring cups
Instructions:
- Peel, core, and chop the apples.
- Place the apples in a large pot with a little water.
- Cook the apples until they are soft.
- Mash the apples with a potato masher.
- Add cinnamon or sugar to taste.
Johnny Appleseed Story Time and Character Play
Read aloud stories about Johnny Appleseed. There are many age-appropriate books available that tell the story of his travels and apple-planting adventures. After reading, encourage the children to act out scenes from the story. This helps develop their comprehension and dramatic skills.
Recommended Books:
- Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg
- The Story of Johnny Appleseed by Aliki
Character Play Ideas:
- One child can dress up as Johnny Appleseed with a pot on his head and a bag of apple seeds.
- Other children can act as animals he meets along his journey or farmers who appreciate his apple trees.
Apple Seed Counting and Planting
Use apple seeds for counting activities. Have the children count out specific numbers of seeds, sort them into groups, or use them for simple addition and subtraction problems. Afterwards, let the children plant some of the seeds in small pots to take home. This teaches basic math skills and introduces the concept of plant growth.
Materials Needed:
- Apple seeds
- Small pots
- Potting soil
- Watering can
Steps:
- Count out the apple seeds for math activities.
- Fill the pots with potting soil.
- Plant a few seeds in each pot.
- Water the seeds and place them in a sunny spot.
Apple-Themed Arts and Crafts
Engage the children's creativity with apple-themed arts and crafts. Some ideas include making apple prints using halved apples dipped in paint, creating apple collages with construction paper, or designing apple-shaped ornaments.
Craft Ideas:
- Apple Prints: Cut apples in half, dip them in paint, and press them onto paper.
- Apple Collages: Tear or cut construction paper into small pieces and glue them onto an apple-shaped template.
- Apple Ornaments: Cut apple shapes out of felt or paper, decorate them with glitter and beads, and add a string for hanging.
By incorporating these Johnny Appleseed-themed activities into your kindergarten curriculum, you can create a memorable and educational experience for your students. These activities not only teach them about an important figure in American history but also promote important skills in math, science, literacy, and creativity. Make learning fun and engaging this fall with Johnny Appleseed! — Chex Cereal: Uncovering Its Age And History