Curriculum Ideas
for an Interdisciplinary, Project-Based Unit on Johnny Appleseed
When we think of
Fall, we often think of apples. Investigating the connections in
curriculum, you will find that you can take your students into a
meaningful, real-life, interdisciplinary, project-based unit that
meets many of the national standards. This unit may be adapted for
any grade level, and crosses multiple disciplines.
The United States
Apple Association states that National Apple Month was originally
National Apple Week, established in 1904. Today it has expanded to
include three months, September through November. Starting the
school year with such a project ready to launch would be very
appropriate, as you can tie in not only to the season for harvesting
apples, but to Halloween as well.
You will see
some examples of the
disciplinary connections below, and we
have also begun a list of excellent
online resources.
In addition we offer suggestions for various projects, including the
Global Johnny Appleseed Project PPT.
How do you
create an integrated, thematic unit that draws on multiple
disciplines? Make connections by asking
Big Questions. In order to investigate
and answer these questions, students find a need to explore, and a
need for the information each discipline has to offer.
Have fun learning,
making connections, exploring the disciplines, engaging your
students and increasing your standardized test scores!
Big Questions
What is an apple?
What is the history
of the apple
Why is New York City
called The Big Apple?
What are the connections between apples and health/nutrition (this
can be viewed from ancient history through modern medical
research.) For example, cancer research, heart research, brain
research, weight control, nutrition, cooking .
Click here for
more Big Questions
Disciplinary
Connections -
You will find
connections to every discipline when you develop a unit beginning
with the theme of Johnny Appleseed. You may use the link below to
access the details of the National Standards in every subject area
and every grade level. Some of the disciplinary connections are
listed below - just a starter list.. Also see the Big Questions in
the link above for more ideas on how to teach the
disciplines/standards within the theme. Can be adapted easily PreK
through PhD.
National
Standards for all subjects
Review
the list of
Unit Resources and
Big Questions to discover a multitude of
connections.
In the table below
you see just a hint of the disciplinary connections to this theme:
|
Arts |
Civics |
Biology |
|
Technology |
Literature - from Shakespeare to Henry David Thoreau and
more |
Chemistry |
|
Multimedia - theatre, filmmaking |
Mathematics |
Physics |
|
Mythology - several cultures |
Careers |
Botany |
|
History - ancient world history, American History,
|
Civics |
Physical
Education |
|
Geography |
Health |
Economics |
