First-Graders Celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day

One Doylestown Township teacher this week turned to some experienced storytellers to help bring her lesson plans to life.

Michelle Blair enlisted the help of her parents, whom the children know as Mr. and Mrs. Mac, to help teach her first grade class about the historical figure of Johnny Appleseed.

It's a tradition Blair said she has repeated for years in her classroom at .

"My parents come in every year to read a story to the kids, make applesauce, and complete fun Johnny activities," Blair said this week.

Johnny Appleseed was born John Chapman on Sept. 26, 1774. He traveled through the fledgling United States planting apple orchards.

Blair's students learned about the differences between types of apples, created apple-related arts and crafts and made real applesauce. They also listened to Blair's parents tell the story of Johnny Appleseed and learned about his life.