A to Z Teacher Stuff :: Folktale Unit: Johnny Appleseed

Folktale Unit: Johnny Appleseed
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5
By: Debbie Haren, Preschool Teacher

Students will read another folktale and learn about a legend name Johnny Appleseed.

Objectives:

To read another folktale and learn about a legend name Johnny Appleseed.

To discuss the author Steven Kellogg and talk about his definition of a folktale.

Materials:

Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg

Journals for each student.

Video tape from Disney called Melody Times.

Plan:

Do a shared reading of Johnny Appleseed.
After the book is read go to the front page that talks about what a folktale is.
Talk to the students about this definition.

Discussion:

Do you think Steven Kellogg likes to write about folk tales?
Have we read anything else by Steven Kellogg?
Do you think authors have to do research in order to get the folk tale correct?
Did you like the story of Johnny Appleseed?
"Now we are going to watch Disney's version of Johnny Appleseed and I want you to see if there are any differences."
After the video segment, discuss the similarities and differences of the two versions of Johnny Appleseed.

Journal:

In your journal, I want you to think back at all the folk tales we have read. Paul Bunyan and the Big Blue Ox, The Emperor and the Kite, Pecos Bill, The Princess and the Golden Shoes, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, and Johnny Appleseed.
Now I want you to write in your journal about your favorite folktale and why you chose it.
After you are done writing, I want you to find a partner and read what you wrote to them. Then they are to look over it for any spelling or grammatical errors.
Then, turn in your journals.
After that, you may draw a picture with markers or crayons of your favorite part of your favorite folktale. These will be displayed in the room.

Folktale Unit ( 1-2, 3-5 )
7 lessons for learning about folktales: What is a Fairy Tale or Folk Tale?, The Princess and the Golden Shoes, The Emperor and the Kite, Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, and Johnny Appleseed.

Folktale Unit Ideas ( K, 1-2 )
Ideas to go with reading folktales.