JOHNNY APPLESEED
 
Title:  Apple Science

Grade Level:   Second and Third Grade

Subjects:  English/Language Arts/Science
 

    Learner Outcomes

Students will look at different kinds of seeds and compare and contrast them.

Students will plant seeds and keep a daily log describing their growth.

  Students will estimate and predict the height each seed will grow.

Through discovery, students will look at dicot and monocot seeds and be able to identify the difference.
 
 

Duration of Lesson:  

Day 1: Approximately 60 minutes
Approximately 10-15 minutes/daily to observe and record growth in Plant Journals

 
  Materials

 

  Technology Tools/Courseware:

 
Teacher Notes:
1.  The teacher will need to have a copy of Johnny Appleseed  by Steven Kellogg and other versions of Johnny Appleseed to compare.
2. The teacher will need to get various seeds  that include corn and lima bean seeds.
3. Presoak the lima bean seed until the seed coat is soft.
4. Teacher will need to prepare planting cups with soil for each child.  

Procedures:
The teacher will give the students a variety of different types of seeds to sort and compare.
The students need to observe the seeds with microscopes to look at the seed coat and discover how seeds are alike and different.
  After observing the seeds, give them the corn seed and the soaked lima bean seed.   Examine and discuss how they are alike and what is different about them.
Introduce the word dicot and monocot to describe the seed coat.
Using a toothpick have the students open the seed of the lima bean.  Using a magnifying glass look for the baby plant.  Then students should look at the seed coat and describe what they see.
Have students construct a plant journal to keep track  of their plants as they grow from a seed.
Give them the planting cups and let them plant apple seeds in their cup.
Students will make entries in their journal that reflect their observations and that will track the growth of their seed.  Students should use drawings that add to their descriptive observations.

Modifications: Students who need help with writing or reading may need to work in pairs to complete journal or work on the internet sites.  Follow any IEP instructions for individual students.

Enrichment Activities:  Have students communicate with students from another room/school via email to compare and contrast growth of seeds.

Evaluation/Assessment: Students will be evaluated by teacher observation, class participation,  and completed Plant Journals.

West Virginia IGO's
  Science
    2.3,2.4,2.18,2.28,2.9,2.17,2.20,2.30, 3.3, 3.6, 3.17, 3.27

National Standards:
   Writing

1. Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process
2. Uses the stylistic and rhetorical aspects of writing
3. Uses grammatical and mechanical conventions in written composition
4. Gathers and uses information for research purposes

Reading

1. Uses the general skills and strategies of the reading process
2. Uses reading skills and strategies to underline and interpret a variety of literary texts
3. Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational text

Listening and Speaking

1.  Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes

Viewing

1. Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media

Media

1. Understand the characteristics and components of the media

SCIENCE
Earth and Space Science

2.  Understands Earth's Composition and Structure

Life Sciences

5.  Understands the structure and function of organisms
6.  Understands the relationships among organisms and their physical environment

Physical Science

8.  Understands the structure and properties of matter

Nature of Science

11.  Understands the nature of scientific knowledge
12.  Understands the nature of scientific inquiry
13.  Understands the scientific enterprises

References:
Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg
Worldwide Web: 
Busy Teacher Cafe

ABC Teach
Enchanted Learning
Appleseed

Authors:  Carol Malcom, Joyce Morris, and Nancy Michael
 

OVERVIEW 
 
Overview of
Johnny Appleseed
 
 LESSON 1 
Meet 
Johnny Appleseed 
LESSON 2 
Apple
Math
    LESSON 3 
Apple
Social Studies
LESSON 4 
Apple
Science
LESSON 5
Apple
Writing
   LESSON 6 
Apple
Health