How to Teach About Apple History and Hard Cider in Colonial America
The history of apples in Colonial America--the days when Johnny Appleseed sold seeds to the pioneers to grow apple trees--is interesting and educational. Apples were used for many purposes, but one fact that is not often covered in the history books is that apples were used to make hard cider and applejack. This was a common beverage that most families drank and made during this time period. This beverage was alcoholic. In this lesson, students will research the subject of hard apple cider using books and Internet sites. They will take notes to design a hard cider vertical apple time line and write a short paper with historical details about how hard cider influenced this period of history.
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Instructions
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Research the topic of hard cider using a good book that covers the topic, such as "The Botany of Desire" by Michael Pollen. Another book to use for research is "Cider Hard and Sweet: History, Traditions and Making Your Own" by Ben Watson. Hand out paper and pencils to the students so they can take notes for their time lines. If they have Internet access, provide a list of websites they can use to research the project.
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Design a vertical time line about key events in apple hard cider history in Colonial America. A vertical time line lists the events by date down the page. This is the easiest way to write the details of each historical event, gathering as much detail as possible. Students should write down the events and facts that interest them the most. The time line should include at least seven historical events.
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Finish writing the apple history vertical time line on paper. Tell the students to write as neatly as possible. Each historical event should include the day, month and year. Students should take notes and think about what they want to write their short historical apple cider history paper on. Some excellent Internet sites are the History of Alcohol in America, The Department of Biosystems and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. If you need to show them an example of a vertical time line, use the Read Write Think site. All sites are listed in the Resources section.
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Work on the one-page paper. Using notes and historical details, students should write about how hard apple cider influenced Colonial families and history. They can include details about how hard cider eventually led to the Prohibition movement in the U.S. This was a movement when alcohol of all kinds was banned because it caused drinking problems in families. Student can keep in mind the reasons that the apple today is a symbol of wholeness and health. They can write about the difference between the uses of apples in Colonial times and today.
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After you finish, have the students read their time line events and papers aloud in a group. You can have a discussion about apple cider history.
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Tips & Warnings
This lesson is for older children in high school. It is not suitable for elementary school children. The purpose is to teach students the history of cider, not how to make it.
