Johnny Appleseed
Background Information & Activities

© 1999-2012 BrainPOP. All rights reserved.

Johnny Appleseed is a historical figure and the subject of many tall tales. Help your children distinguish between fact and fiction surrounding his life. This is a great opportunity for children to learn about tall tales and how they can take on a life of their own to grow and change until they are far from the truth.

Johnny Appleseed was born John Chapman in 1774 in Leominster, Massachusetts. When he was older, Johnny worked at an orchard, where he learned how to grow apple trees. Review with your children that an orchard is a place where fruit or nut trees are grown. Then, at eighteen years old, Johnny began to travel around the country. He began apple tree nurseries in several places. Remind your children that a nursery is a safe place to grow and raise young plants or animals. Johnny sold his apples, which were often used to make cider, as well as apple tree saplings and seeds. People gave him the nickname Johnny Appleseed. He often bartered, or traded, his plants for items he needed such as food and clothing. More often than not, he gave away his plants or sold his plants on credit, but rarely collected payment.

Johnny Appleseed believed that all living things should be treated with respect. He treated Native Americans with respect during a time when most settlers mistreated them. He also cared about animals and was a vegetarian. There are stories about him buying old horses and saving them from being put down by their owners. He allegedly put the horses out to pasture and let them live out their days in peace. There is also a story about how he put out his campfire because the smoke and flames harmed insects.

Johnny Appleseed believed that people should only get use what they really need. He often wore old clothes, preferring to barter newer clothes instead, and he often went barefoot in the summer to save shoe leather. He was a wanderer, and moved from place to place, living a minimalist life. Above all, Johnny Appleseed believed people should live peaceful and simple lives.

Brainstorm different stories heard about Johnny Appleseed. Some stories describe him as wearing a burlap sack with holes cut out for his head and arms, and wearing a pot on his head as a hat. It is unlikely that he wore a pot on his head–he probably carried his pot. Another story maintains that a snake tried to bite him on the foot, but failed because his skin was so tough. Other stories describe his love for animals and how he kept a wolf as a pet or played with a family of bears. Help your children realize that some stories are not true, but rather tall tales. Review with your children that a tall tale is a story that is told as being true, but it is exaggerated and hard to believe. It is possible that Johnny Appleseed saved a wolf from a trap, but it is highly unlikely he kept the wolf as a pet. As people recount stories, they might add their own details or exaggerate them to push the stories beyond the truth. Share some other tall tales with your children.

Help your children realize that Johnny Appleseed was an important figure because he helped spread apple trees around the country. He often talked to people and encouraged them to respect all living things. He warned against excess and encouraged people to live close to nature. We can all take a lesson from his life.

See more lesson plans and resources: BrainPOP Educators.

Johnny Appleseed Teacher Activities

© 1999-2012 BrainPOP. All rights reserved.

Tall Tales

Demonstrate how a tall tale can develop and grow. Tell a story about yourself, a historical figure, or a person in the public eye. Then have students retell the story to each other. Encourage students to add in details to make their story interesting. At the end of the activity, have student volunteers recount their stories. How were they like the original story? How were they different? Hold a discussion with the whole class about how tall tales can grow and change over time.

Fact or Fiction

Have your students write a story about themselves. This is a great opportunity to practice writing skills! We recommend watching the Writing About Yourself movie to review. Then have your students add a detail in the story that is not true or goes beyond the truth. Have students swap writings and try to spot the detail that is not a fact. How can you tell what is fact and what is fiction? Discuss with the class.

Johnny Appleseed Family Activities

© 1999-2012 BrainPOP. All rights reserved.

Orchard

If possible, go apple picking or visit an orchard. Have your child talk to orchard workers to learn about how apple trees grow–it's not as simple as it might seem! Learn about different types of apples and discuss how they are alike and different.

Apple a Day

Encourage your child to eat more fruit, instead of sugary snacks. Challenge your child and your whole family to "eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away." You can support this activity with exercise plans and creating long-term health goals. Do physical activities together and help promote a healthy lifestyle.