Students should understand both the myth and reality that surround this famous figure so they can put the information contained in the lesson in the proper context. The subject of a lesson plan built around Johnny Appleseed can focus on early American history (especially of certain regions where he traveled and lived), agriculture, social studies or religion. Use this portion of your lesson to introduce the subject you have chosen to be the basis of your lesson and how it relates to John Chapman.
Your objective depends on the specific details of your lesson, the materials available and the dynamic of your classroom. Possible learning objectives connected to Johnny Appleseed could include the agriculture of Ohio, unique religious beliefs like Swedenborgianism or history of the Old Northwest in the United States. Your students will be instructed on what tasks and activities they will be participating in for this section and what will be expected of them.
The wealth of materials and information available concerning Johnny Appleseed makes composing lesson plans with him as a focus a definite advantage. Lesson materials can be tailored and chosen for any number of students and age group. There are written stories, audio books and animated cartoons featuring the story of Johnny Appleseed and many are available free of charge to educators and students alike. Activities based on the media of your choice can include literary essays on the stories of Johnny Appleseed, pictures or models of wagon trains or even written plays about famous scenes in Chapman's life.
Use this last and final stage of your lesson plan to review what your class has accomplished. Review the information about Johnny Appleseed from the beginning of this lesson and briefly introduce the next lesson. This time can also be allotted for presentations if your students are making art projects or writing plays and speeches. Perhaps a social studies class would benefit from some discussion or debate time. Quiz or test your students at this stage.