K, 1, 2

In this culminating lesson, the students share what they have learned about Johnny Appleseed and philanthropy. The students make invitations using apple stamps. They also make applesauce using age-appropriate math skills.

Lesson Rating 
PrintTwo Thirty-Minute Class Periods and Three Forty-Five Minute Class Periods

The learner will:

  • stamp apple shapes on a paper and make invitations.
  • participate in making applesauce.
  • in a performance, read and recite what he/she has learned.
  • draw a picture showing how he/she felt when sharing with another class.
  • Apples (for applesauce and for apple stamps)
  • Sharp knife (teacher use)
  • Newspaper
  • Green, yellow and red tempera paint
  • Plastic foam trays
  • White paper
  • Water, Sugar, Lemon juice, Cinnamon
  • Applesauce recipe
  • Measuring cups and spoons, Two electric frying pans, Wooden spoon
  • Small bowls (or soufflé cups) and spoons, for both classes to eat the applesauce
  • Student pictures of a philanthropic action from Lesson One: Johnny Be Good
  • The Word for Me Is Philanthropy poem (Lesson One, Handout One)
  • Johnny Appleseed Grace (Lesson Three: Dig Those Holes, Handout Two)

Note: It would be helpful to have volunteers assist with making the applesauce on Day Three.

Home Connection 

Interactive Parent / Student Homework: Students take home a copy of the poem, The Word for Me Is Philanthropy (Lesson One: Johnny Be Good, Handout One). Students recite the poem to their families and discuss what philanthropy means. Encourage students to talk with their families about ways they practice philanthropy.

  • Lindbergh, R. & Hallquist, K. Johnny Appleseed. Megan Tingley, 1993. ISBN: 0316526347


  1. Day One:

    Anticipatory Set: Show the class a basket of apples. Tell the class where you got it, the type of apples and the size of the basket (half bushel or peck). Talk to the class about the plan for the apples: "We have been studying Johnny Appleseed and philanthropy and now we are ready to share what we have learned with another class. We are going to use this basket of apples to make an artistic invitation and applesauce to share. When the other class comes to visit, we will serve our applesauce and present some poems, songs and stories about Johnny Appleseed." Ask the students to tell how this celebration party will be an act of philanthropy. Teacher’s Note: Cut some apples in half vertically and some in half horizontally. Cut the apples about an hour before the activity so they will dry slightly. This will improve the clarity of the print.

  2. Tell the students that they are going to decorate invitations for the celebration using apples as printing tools.

  3. Demonstrate how to make an apple print with paint. The painting station should have plastic trays of paint, newspapers and stationery paper. Choose a cut apple (half or quarter) and blot the excess moisture on the newspaper. Press the side gently in the paint. Press the apple on the stationery to make a print. Allow the paint to dry.

  4. Day Two:

  5. Brainstorm with the students what should be written in the invitation to another class (what, where, when, who and why).

  6. Write a single message on the board for all students to copy on their individual invitations. Tell them to use their neatest handwriting. Younger students may glue a teacher-written invitation on their stationery.

  7. Deliver the invitations to the other class.

  8. Day Three:

  9. Write the recipe for applesauce on the board. Divide up the responsibilities for counting apples, cleaning apples, measuring sugar, measuring water and adding lemon juice and cinnamon. Other responsibilities may include mashing the cooked apples and serving the applesauce to guests.

  10. Have the students clean the apples with cold water (no soap necessary).

  11. Cut the apples into small pieces and put them in the electric frying pans. (Remove the core, but leave the peelings on.)

  12. Have students add water, sugar and lemon juice according to the recipe.

  13. Simmer until the apples are completely soft. Allow apples to cool.

  14. While the apples cook, practice the following performance pieces for the celebration party: "The Word for Me Is Philanthropy" poem and "Johnny Appleseed Grace." Ask one student or a small group of students to practice reciting the definition of philanthropy: "Philanthropy is the giving or sharing of time, talent or treasure for the common good."

  15. Have students mash cooked apples with a wooden spoon and add a dash of cinnamon.

  16. Let the students taste the applesauce using clean spoons. Discuss the taste-testing with the following questions: Is it sweet enough? Too sweet? Why did we add lemon juice? Why did the apples become mushy? Is this applesauce better than purchased applesauce?

  17. Put the applesauce in the refrigerator for the celebration party.

  18. Day Four:

  19. Review the book Johnny Appleseed tht was read to the class in Lesson One.

  20. With the students, develop several brief sentences that summarize the story in the book to create a Johnny Appleseed Recitation.

  21. Assign one or two students to read or recite each sentence. Practice with the students who are assigned the sentences. After each sentence is read or recited from memory, have the entire class exclaim "Johnny Appleseed!".

  22. Practice several times so the students know their sentences well, and the class responds with the exclamation in unison with enthusiasm at the appropriate time.

  23. Practice the other performance pieces for the celebration party: "The Word for Me Is Philanthropy" poem, "Johnny Appleseed Grace" and reciting the definition of philanthropy.

  24. Tell the students that they will have guest students sharing their desks with them. Tell them that they will be hosts. Review good manners; how to act while we have "guests" in our room.

  25. Instruct the students to pass out the applesauce in an orderly and sanitary way.

  26. Review how to show and tell about their philanthropy pictures (from Lesson One: Johnny Be Good) to their guests.

  27. Day Five: Celebration Party with another classroom.

  28. Welcome the student guests to the room. Tell the students that they will learn about Johnny Appleseed and philanthropy.

  29. Have the host students perform the Johnny Appleseed Recitation to familiarize the guests with the life and work of Johnny Appleseed.

  30. Have the selected students recite the definition of philanthropy.

  31. Pair up each student "host" with one student "guest." Ask the students to share their drawings of philanthropy with their guests, talk about what it means and give personal examples of philanthropy.

  32. Have several host students pass out applesauce. Before they eat, the class sings Johnny Appleseed Grace.

  33. Have the students recite "The Word for Me Is Philanthropy" poem.

  34. After the guests leave, discuss the student reactions to the celebration/performance. Tell the students to draw and/or write their ideas about how it felt to share time, talent and treasure with the student visitors.


Assess students’ knowledge of philanthropy through their discussions with the guests as they show their pictures and through their drawings/writings after the guests leave. Observe the students’ enthusiasm and participation in the performance. Were they ready for the reading and reciting? Were they eager to help with procedures? Were they concerned about helping their guests understand the concepts presented?

Cross Curriculum 

The Service Learning Experience is a group celebration party to which they invite another class. The students share what they have learned in a performance and share some homemade applesauce. Concepts to present include what it means to give their time, talents and their treasures, a recitation about Johnny Appleseed and a reading of the poem, "The Word for Me Is Philanthropy," by Janet Wakefield.

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 01. Define Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.1 Define philanthropy as the giving and sharing of time, talent, or treasure intended for the common good.
      2. Benchmark E.3 Recognize that citizens have a responsibility for the common good as defined by democratic principles.
  2. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 02. Diverse Cultures
      1. Benchmark E.4 Demonstrate listening skills.
  3. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.4 Give an example of how citizens act for the common good.
  4. Strand PHIL.IV Volunteering and Service