A September to Remember: Johnny Appleseed
By Lumen Cristy Ihong

On September 25, 2025, Fredonia Elementary School celebrated Johnny Appleseed Day,
bringing together students from Kindergarten through Second Grade for a day of creative
learning that honored the legacy of the American folk hero known for planting apple seeds and
spreading kindness.

The day began with Mrs. Crookston, the kindergarten teacher, who read a story about Johnny
Appleseed. The read aloud introduced students to his simple and meaningful life, setting the
stage for a day filled with hands on, purposeful activities centered around apples.
While Mrs. Crookston worked with the kindergarten students on two art based tasks - a pin prick
apple craft and a colorful apple sun catcher - Mrs. Ihong, the first and second grade teacher,
guided her students through a different activity. They colored, cut, and assembled the parts of
an apple, strengthening their fine motor skills while learning about the structure of apples.
Students then described their apples and wrote complete sentences using writing lines to
practice grammar and composition.

After the first round of activities, the teachers switched groups. Kindergarten students joined
Mrs. Ihong to complete the apple parts and sentence tracing task, while the first and second
graders visited Mrs. Crookston to create their pin prick apples and sun catchers. This rotation
allowed every student to enjoy the full range of Apple-themed lessons.
Through this thoughtful collaboration, students practiced fine motor coordination, early writing
skills, and descriptive language - all within the joyful context of a thematic celebration. The
activities were both fun and educational, supporting developmentally appropriate learning in
every classroom.

Fredonia Elementary School is proud to offer events that blend tradition, creativity, and
academic growth. Johnny Appleseed Day reminded students that learning can be meaningful
and memorable when we combine storytelling, exploration, and a spirit of community.