Johnny Appleseed Comes to Grace

On September 30, Johnny Appleseed visited the Grace Christian School kindergarteners. All the kindergarteners went to the courtyard and listened attentively as Johnny told them his life’s story. Johnny Appleseed, who lived about two hundred fifty years ago, was inspired by God to travel all over the eastern part of the country and plant apple trees. He was born in Leominster, Massachusetts in 1774. His real name was John Chapman, but he was called Johnny Appleseed because of his love for growing apple trees.

The role of Johnny Appleseed was played by David Cox, husband of Susan Cox (the school nurse). His daughter, Elaine Barber, is a Kindergarten teacher, and his grandsons, Samuel and Alex, attend Grace.

For the last two weeks, the kindergarten classes have discussed Johnny Appleseed. All the children brought apples to school. They did all sorts of fun and unique things with the apples, including sorting, counting, and graphing. They also made applesauce and even painted with apple pieces. At the end of Johnny Appleseed’s talk, he passed out apples to all the children. They enjoyed their delicious morning snack very much, and were distraught when it was time for their new friend to continue his travels around the country.

-- story by Christie Paulson and Ashley Rhoades