PBTIL - Marsh Team

Our September Hero - Johnny Appleseed

Introduction
Our grade four bilingual class has been reading about Johnny Appleseed, our hero for the month of September. At the same time, we have been reading about some interesting characters in our language arts program, and we decided to compare Grandpa, one of the fictional characters from the story "Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World" to Johnny Appleseed.
As you read these compositions, you will see that the students have been practicing the writing skills of compare and contrast and character sketch. In doing this writing task, they found a meaningful way use compound sentences.
Our class made full use of the process approach to writing in creating these compositions. First, they used a venn diagram to brainstorm the similarities and differences between the two characters. They then wrote individual first drafts, using the information gathered by the venn diagram. After that, students traded writing samples and used post-it notes to make both positive and constructive comments on each other's work. Finally, students individually worked at the computer, using the Student Writing Center program, to write their final drafts. Two students worked alongside each other and helped each other with spelling and grammar questions.
Andy - Oct. 4, 2000
I read 2 stories and I want to tell you about the two stories. One of the character's name is Johnny Appleseed and the other one is Grandpa. This is how they are different. Johnny didn't have children. Grandpa had children and grandchildren. Grandpa was a cowboy and Johnny was a pioneer. Johnny read the Bible. Grandpa didn't read the Bible. Grandpa had shoes, but Johnny didn't. Grandpa lived on a farm, but Johnny lived in different places. Johnny didn't ride a horse like Grandpa did ride horses. Johnny was a real character and Grandpa was fictional.
This is how Johnny and Grandpa are the same. They loved animals like horses, cows pigs, sheep and chicken. Johnny planted apple seeds and Grandpa had an apple tree. Johnny was a good man like Grandpa.

Elisa - Oct. 30, 2000
I read a story about 2 characters. They are Grandpa and Johnny Appleseed. First I'm going to explain what's the same about them. They both became old and they were both very gentle with children. They liked to teach children and they cared about animals.
Now I am going to tell you about what's different. I know Grandpa had children, but Johnny didn't. And Grandpa was fictional, but Johnny was a real person. We only know about one part of Grandpa's life, but we could read a book about Johnny's whole life.

Cooking Pot Felix - Oct. 20, 2000
I read about two men, Grandpa and Johny Appleseed. I'll tell you how they are the same. They become old. They cared about children, and they liked to teach children.
This is how they are different. I know Grandpa had children, but Johnny did not.

Minoska - Oct. 16, 2000
Character Study
I would like to tell you about Grandpa and Johnny Appleseed, two characters that I read about. This is how they are different. Johnny read the Bible, but Grandpa didn't read the Bible. Grandpa was a fictional character, but Johnny was not fictional. Grandpa had children and grandchildren, but Johnny didn't have children. Both liked to teach children, and they loved children.
The End

Apple Tree Stephanie - Nov. 1, 2000
I read 2 story about Johnny Appleseed and Grandfather. I will tell you what is the same about them. They like to teach children. Both cared about animals. Both of them were men and became old.
I will tell you the differences between them. Grandfather had a wife, but Johnny Appleseed didn't have one. Johnny Appleseed didn't have children, but Grandfather had children.

Apple Tree Jeffrey - Nov. 2, 2000
Here I am telling about the differences between Grandpa and Johnny Appleseed. John Chapman was a real person, but Grandpa was fictional. Grandpa had 1 child, but John didn't have children. Grandpa was a cowboy, and Johnny was a pioneer. We only know about one part of Grandpa's life. I read about Johnny's whole life.

Adopt-A-Tree
A Grade 4 Independent Science Project.
Students went out to their backyards to select a deciduous tree that was beginning to change in color. For several weeks they recorded changes thaty happened and drew pictures of their trees as they began to change color. They estimated how many leaves had fallen each week and try to predict when their tree would lose all of its leaves.
They will revisit their tree this winter and draw the winter buds that they find.
In the spring they will chart the progress of their tree as it begins to acquire new growth.
Click here for some drawings and writings that they have completed.
This program is supported in part by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, University of Massachusetts, Lowell.