Hi!
How are you planning to kick-start the “Not Back To School” year?
Our family marked the beginning of each new “Not Back To School” year by taking a trip to the Gizdich Apple Ranch in Watsonville, California. We took a tour of the facility, learned all about the apple-agri business, and saw apples crushed to make cider. Then, we headed into the apple orchards to pick a 1/2 bushel of Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Pippin apples. After picking apples, we’d go to the barn where they served delicious apple pie and apple dumplings – yum!
Our annual homeschool ritual tied in nicely with the birthday of John Chapman (aka Johnny Appleseed) on September 26th. We’d listen to his biography on CD, make apple recipes, and do craft activities with apples. My sons eventually outgrew the apple crafts – but they loudly objected when I suggested they may have outgrown our annual tradition. Even as teens they enjoyed the family trek to pick apples in September! 
I thought some of you might want to adopt a similar tradition – or just learn more about American History through the engaging facts, legends, and lore of Johnny Appleseed!
As I mentioned, Johnny Appleseed’s birthday is September 26th – and you and your family can get a head start on the celebration with….
HOMEFIRES’ JOHNNY APPLESEED CURRICULUM!
This innovative and educational 48-page eBook by homeschool mom Fran Wisniewski (and edited by yours truly) is designed for kids in grades K-7 – and the whole family will enjoy the learning activities. This eBook includes:
- An accurate account of the life and times of Johnny Appleseed
- Folk legends and lore about Johnny Appleseed
- Illustrations and pictures
- The history of early pioneers and apple orchards in the U.S.
- Fun and fascinating apple-themed projects
- Lesson plans in language arts, math, and geography
- Hands-on apple science experiments
- Apple recipes and craft ideas!
Click on the array of embedded links in the resource pages to visit other Johnny-themed websites with apple coloring books, art projects, songs, books, games, links to you-pick apple orchards, and more.
Celebrate educational freedom and kick off the “Not Back To School” year with fun activities that will jump-start learning all year long!
Get more info on this Homefires’ exclusive here:
http://www.homefires.com/store/appleseed.asp
Happy Homeschooling!
Diane
Diane Flynn Keith
Editor, Homefires.com
ClickSchooling List Owner
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