HOW IT WORKS
A day of character analysis and cooking is exciting and educational. Students begin by telling what they know about apples and where and how they grow. This is one lesson out of a week’s worth of learning about this subject. Students discuss and brainstorm ideas that are then written on an experience chart of “What we know and what we want to learn.” After reading the book Johnny Appleseed Goes a Planting by Patsy Jensen, there is a discussion about the main character. The children answer such questions as “What did Johnny Appleseed like?” “Why was he called ‘Johnny Appleseed’?” “How do apples grow?” “How did Johnny Appleseed help people?” “What can you make with apples?” The students then prepare to pretend to be Johnny Appleseed. Ideas are elicited. They can roll up pants and sleeves, and use toy pots and pans upside down on their heads as  hats. They also prepare to make apple pancakes. The various steps of the recipe are discussed. Children wash their hands, help measure ingredients, and mix.

The follow-up art activity is drawing pictures about the story or what he students have done. The story’s sequence of events and the recipe are reviewed, along with math methods in  measurement and science methods in changes of matter. The unit culminates with the book Rain Makes Applesauce by Julian Scheer and Marvin Bileck. There is a discussion of the water cycle and how apples grow, and the students dictate or write their own apple stories. Computer skills are useful for drawing and writing the students’ stories. Field trips to a farm or even a botanical garden immerse the students in hands-on experiences.

THE STUDENTS
This program was developed for two pre-kindergarten classes totaling forty children of mixed readiness skills. They’ve worked in whole group and small group activities. This program can easily be adapted  for other skill levels and grades.

THE STAFF
Michele Menkes has taught pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, third, and fourth grade at P.S. 233, P.S. 20, and P.S. 272 for the past sixteen years. Currently, she is a pre-kindergarten teacher at P.S. 272, and has been teaching at the early childhood level for twelve years.

WHAT YOU NEED
A computer with a printer is needed, along with KidPix and Student Writing Center software to draw and write stories. Picture books on the subject area, such as how plants grow, and copies of the two books utilized in the lesson are needed.

OVERALL VALUE
The students are actively involved in all aspects of learning that evolve from the text. They enjoy role-playing and learn about different kinds of literature, character analysis, measurement, and growth. Acting out, taking an active role in cooking, and reaping the rewards of their labor motivates them. Integrating all subject areas in this lesson enables the students to explore many aspects of learning. Utilizing computer skills for drawing and writing ideas enhances their skills and knowledge. A variety of New York State Standards are followed as students learn the origin of a tale, display their knowledge and understanding in various ways, and expand their knowledge to higher level thinking skills in all subject areas. They listen to and comprehend material to demonstrate that knowledge in various ways. They relate new  information to prior knowledge and experience, and carry out ideas. Language arts, math, science, and social studies bring lots of prior knowledge and new learning into play. The Apples of My Eyes seem to shine even brighter!