Fall is the perfect time to bring apples into your homeschool learning! Whether you’re reading books about apples, going on a field trip to an orchard, or baking a delicious apple pie, why not add a little music to your apple theme? This fun 15-Minute Music LessonAbout Apples will introduce your kids to three apple-related songs: a playful folk chant, a lively WWII swing tune, and a sweet song about American folk hero Johnny Appleseed. Best of all, it works for multiple ages—so the whole family can join in!
Who was Johnny Appleseed?
Johnny Appleseed was the nickname of John Chapman (1774–1845), a pioneer nurseryman from Massachusetts. He spent his life traveling on foot through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, planting apple nurseries and spreading seeds he collected from cider mills. His unusual lifestyle—simple clothing, sleeping outdoors, and carrying his bag of seeds—helped make him a larger-than-life folk hero.
Johnny Appleseed Day is celebrated on September 26 (his birthday), though some also observe it on March 11 to mark the start of planting season. Communities across the U.S. still hold festivals in his honor each fall.
Away Up High in the Apple Tree
This simple chant with movements is a favorite for younger children and includes fun motions.
Lyrics: Away up high in the apple tree Two red apples smiled at me I shook that tree as hard as I could And, down came those apples—mmm, they were good!
Use motions: arms as a tree, show apples with fists, pretend to shake, let apples fall, bite into apple and rub tummy.
Other Activities:
Do some rhythm practice by clapping the words “apple” with 2 quarter notes; “red apple” with quarter note and 2 eighth notes, “apple pie” with 2 eighth notes and a quarter note, and “yellow apple” with 4 eighth notes.
Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else but Me)
This upbeat World War II era swing song was written in 1942 and made famous by The Andrews Sisters. It became a popular tune among soldiers and their sweethearts during World War II.
Listen to the recording below by The Andrews Sisters and discuss:
What instruments do you hear? (brass/horns, drums)
What voices do you hear and how do they sound? (just women, 3 voices, close harmonies)
How does the rhythm feel? (swing beat, upbeat, danceable)
Why might this song have been meaningful to soldiers away from home?
Activity Idea:
Teach kids a simple side-to-side swing sway.
Snap on beats 2 and 4 to feel the rhythm.
For older kids, learn some swing dance steps with the video below..
This activity helps students connect music to history and experience the swing style of the 1940s.
optional:
The Lord’s Been Good to Me
Johnny Appleseed's story was told in the 1948 Disney short Melody Time. The song from that film is often called “The Johnny Appleseed Song” or “The Lord’s Been Good to Me.”
Lyrics (opening lines): Oh, the Lord’s been good to me And so I thank the Lord…
Activity Ideas:
Sing together and add motions (hands up like trees, pat chest for “thank,” sway side to side).
Discuss how folklore and songs contribute to keeping history alive.
For older kids, pair the song with a listening activity like Copland’s Appalachian Spring to capture the sound of frontier America.
This activity teaches gratitude while connecting students to American folk history.
optional:
Wrap-Up
In just 15 minutes, your kids will have explored apples through three very different songs, but all related to apples!
A folk chant (Away Up High in the Apple Tree) that’s perfect for rhythm and movement.
A WWII swing song (Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree) that connects music with American history of the World War II era.
A folklore song (Johnny Appleseed Song) that preserves a beloved story of a famous American in music.
This kind of seasonal, multi-age music lesson is a wonderful way to make music memorable in your homeschool!
More Music Lessons for Your Homeschool
If you loved this apple-themed lesson, you’ll enjoy my 15-Minute Music Lesson course, which includes dozens of ready-to-use lessons for holidays, composers, and special themes throughout the year. These short, engaging lessons make it easy to add music to your homeschool—even on busy days!
15-Minute Music Lessons
Quick, Fun, and Easy Music Appreciation Lessons for Elementary Students
