Lesson Plan
Apple Fest Sequence Lesson Plan
Students will create mini-apple characters and practice ordering a simple fall-themed story in correct sequence to reinforce narrative skills and collaboration.
Sequencing builds critical narrative understanding and fine motor practice. The seasonal craft engages 2nd graders in hands-on learning, boosting focus and group discussion.
Audience
2nd Grade
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Hands-on craft plus ordering activity
Materials
Construction Paper (red, green, brown), Safety Scissors, Glue Sticks, Crayons or Markers, Popsicle Sticks, Apple Character Template, and Apple Fest Sequencing Strips
Prep
Teacher Preparation
5 minutes
- Print one Apple Character Template per student.
- Print and cut apart sets of Apple Fest Sequencing Strips for each group of 3–4 students.
- Gather construction paper, scissors, glue sticks, crayons/markers, and popsicle sticks.
- Review the ordering of the four sequencing cards to model if needed.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction
2 minutes
- Gather students in a small circle and briefly discuss fall: apple picking and festivals.
- Explain that today they’ll make apple characters and then put a little apple story in order.
- Show the four sequencing strips in random order and ask how stories go from beginning to end.
Step 2
Crafting Apple Characters
6 minutes
- Distribute one Apple Character Template and supplies to each student.
- Instruct students to color their apple faces and leaves, then cut out the pieces.
- Help students glue the apple and leaf onto a popsicle stick to create a puppet.
- Walk around to support fine motor skills as needed.
Step 3
Sequencing Activity
4 minutes
- Divide students into groups of 3–4 and give each group a shuffled set of Apple Fest Sequencing Strips.
- Ask groups to work together to place the strips in the correct story order (from picking apples to celebrating at the festival).
- Encourage discussion: “Which card happens first? Next?”
- Circulate to prompt and guide as needed.
Step 4
Group Discussion & Cool-Down
3 minutes
- Invite one student from each group to retell the sequence using their apple puppet.
- Ask quick reflection: “How did you know which card came next?”
- Praise collaboration, remind students that stories have beginnings, middles, and ends.
Slide Deck
Apple Fest Sequence
A 15-minute Tier 2 group lesson for 2nd graders
Celebrate fall with an apple craft and story sequencing activity!
Welcome everyone! Today we’re kicking off our Apple Fest Sequence lesson. Introduce yourself, share excitement about fall activities, and let students know what they’ll learn.
Today’s Objectives
• Create a mini-apple character puppet
• Practice ordering a simple apple festival story
• Build collaboration and narrative skills
Read through the objectives. Emphasize that by the end, students will have created their own apple puppet and practiced ordering story events.
Materials Needed
• Construction paper (red, green, brown)
• Safety scissors
• Glue sticks
• Crayons or markers
• Popsicle sticks
• Apple Character Template
• Apple Fest Sequencing Strips
Show real examples or photos of each material. Point out the templates and sequencing strips so students know what to expect.
1. Warm-Up & Introduction (2 min)
- Discuss fall festivals and apple picking
- Explain we’ll craft apple puppets and sequence a story
- Show shuffled strips and ask: “How do stories start and end?”
Gather students in a circle. Prompt a brief discussion about fall and apple picking. Show the sequencing strips shuffled and ask what order they think they go in.
2. Crafting Apple Characters (6 min)
- Distribute one Apple Character Template & supplies each
- Color apple faces and leaves
- Cut out apple and leaf pieces
- Glue onto a popsicle stick to make a puppet
Hand out the Apple Character Template and supplies. Circulate to assist with coloring, cutting, and gluing. Praise effort and creativity.
3. Sequencing Activity (4 min)
- Form groups of 3–4
- Give each group a shuffled set of Apple Fest Sequencing Strips
- Work together to arrange cards from apple picking to festival celebration
- Discuss: “Which event comes first? Next?”
Organize students into small groups. Give each group a shuffled set of sequencing strips. Prompt discussion and guide them to agree on the correct order.
4. Group Discussion & Cool-Down (3 min)
- One student per group shares the story with their puppet
- Ask: “How did you decide the order?”
- Praise collaboration and reinforce narrative structure
Invite one student per group to retell the sequence using their apple puppet. Ask reflection questions and reinforce the concept of beginning, middle, and end.
Worksheet
Apple Fest Sequencing Worksheet
Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________
Instructions
Color and cut out the four story strips from the Apple Fest Sequencing Strips. Then arrange and glue them in the correct order from the beginning of the apple festival story to the end.
1. Cut and Paste Sequencing
Glue the strips in the correct order below:
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
2. Reflection Questions
- What happened first in the story? ____________________________________________________________
- What happened last in the story? ____________________________________________________________
- How did you know which event came next? ______________________________________________________
3. Draw & Write
Draw your favorite part of the story in the box below.
[___________________________________]
Write one sentence about your drawing:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Answer Key
Apple Fest Sequencing Answer Key
1. Correct Order of the Story Strips
Below is the sequence from beginning to end. Teachers can show or refer to each strip by its picture or description.
- Picking Apples at the Orchard
• Students arrive under the apple trees and pick bright red apples from the branches.
Reasoning: This clearly shows the first action—gathering apples directly from the tree. - Filling the Baskets
• Students place the picked apples into baskets on the ground.
Reasoning: After picking, the next logical step is collecting the apples for carrying. - Carrying Apples to the Festival Booth
• Students carry their full baskets toward the festival tent or booth.
Reasoning: Once the baskets are full, students move them to the festival site. - Enjoying the Apple Festival Celebration
• Students taste apple cider, play games, and dance at the festival.
Reasoning: The story ends with the festival fun—clearly the final event.
2. Sample Answers to Reflection Questions
- What happened first in the story?
Sample Answer: “First, we picked apples from the tree.”
Thought Process: Look for the picture where students are standing under trees reaching for apples—this is the story’s beginning. - What happened last in the story?
Sample Answer: “Last, we enjoyed the apple festival with games and cider.”
Thought Process: Identify the picture showing the festival celebration—this event wraps up the sequence.
- How did you know which event came next?
Sample Answer: “I looked for clue words like ‘first’ and ‘last,’ and I thought about what you do next after filling a basket.”
Thought Process: Students use narrative flow—first you pick, then you collect, then you bring your basket, and finally you celebrate. They also notice visual cues (apples moving from trees to baskets to festival) and ordering words.
3. Drawing & Writing Sample
- Drawing: A student might draw themselves under a tree picking apples or dancing at the festival.
- Sentence Example: “I liked picking the shiny red apples the best.”
Teacher Note: Encourage students to label their drawings and write a complete sentence that matches their picture. Offer scaffolds (word banks, sentence starters) for writers who need extra support.
Worksheet
Apple Character Template
Name: ___________________________ Date: ___________________________
Instructions
- Color the apple body, leaf, and stem pieces.
- Cut along the solid lines.
- Glue the leaf and stem to the back of the apple body.
- Attach a popsicle stick to the back to make your apple puppet.
Pieces to Cut
Apple Body
┌────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ APPLE BODY │
│ (Color me & cut me!) │
│ │
└────────────────────────────┘
Leaf
┌──────────────────┐
│ │
│ LEAF │
│ (Color & cut) │
│ │
└──────────────────┘
Stem
┌──────────────────┐
│ │
│ STEM │
│ (Color & cut) │
│ │
└──────────────────┘
(You will also need a popsicle stick—not pictured.)
Apple Fest Sequencing Strips
Instructions: Print and cut along the solid lines to make four individual story cards. Mix them up and then arrange them in the order the events happen in the apple festival story.
--- cut here ---
Card 1
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ [ Draw the first event here ] │
│ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Picking apples at the orchard.
--- cut here ---
Card 2
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ [ Draw the next event here ] │
│ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Filling baskets with the apples.
--- cut here ---
Card 3
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ [ Draw the next event here ] │
│ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Carrying baskets to the festival booth.
--- cut here ---
Card 4
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ [ Draw the final event here ] │
│ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Enjoying the apple festival celebration!
Make sure each card is cut out as its own strip.