Day 357: lessons in the garden

Our garden is bursting right now (perfect timing since we are headed out of town for the big family float trip in just a few days!). But I am finding that the best thing about having the garden these days is the teachable moments that are popping up everywhere!

1. Weeds! Sam and Avery have been helping me weed. Yes, we have lost a few carrot plants as I cannot quite teach Avery what not to pull yet. But Sam is really quite handy with helping to weed. If I keep her in an easy area, like around the pepper plants or tomato plants, she can easily see what plants not to touch (because they are huge and surrounded by a cage!) and which ones to pull. But the best part about weeding with Sam was trying to tell her what a weed is exactly. Why is grass a weed when it is in the veggie garden but not a weed in the middle of the lawn? It was pretty fun and interesting trying to explain the idea that some plants we want in one place but don't want in another place. And that a "weed" is any plant growing somewhere that we don't want it.

2. Bugs! Pretty self-explanatory but we have been having so much fun with all the bugs and worms that are popping up in the garden. Love watching how excited the girls get when they find something. You can just never have too many good quality bug spottings.

3. Roots! We transplanted a few plants recently and Sam loved loosening up the roots and playing with them before we put the plants back in the ground. It led to great conversations about what the roots do for the plants. Today we found a great book at the library to build on her interest in the roots.

What Do Roots Do? by Kathleen V. Kudlinski. This is an incredible informative book aimed at the early learner. The information is basic and the text very descriptive which makes it very easy for even a three year old to understand the functions of plant roots. And it rhymes!

What lessons are your kids learning in the garden this season? How do you connect other things like books, art and learning to the choirs and maintenance of the garden?

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The Nitty Gritty!

What is it with books that rhyme? I am obsessed and my kids just love them! I have the best luck in getting both girls to sit still and listen to a much longer book when it ryhmes. I am not a reading expert so I don't get it but I know it works!

So, one more great rhyming book that is a fun learning tool with the garden is What Kinds of Seeds Are These? by Heidi Bee Roemer. This is a very cute and informative look at seeds. The rhyming parts describe the seeds and where they can be found and then the next page will have the answer as to what plant that particular seed comes from. Sam doesn't know all the plants they were describing so I think the book was a little over her head but she still sat interested and listening the whole time!

One last thing and then this tired mamma is off to bed...is anyone else SO SICK OF THE RAIN? Where are my sunny, pool appropriate, great for shady hikes, kind of summer days? We have been in the low 60s and raining for far too long now and I am getting very frustrated!!!!  Just had to get that off my chest.

Also, (okay I lied, this makes two more things!) I am tired of not having a camera and am REALLY hoping to get it fixed asap.

Good night!

 

Comments

[Angela]

Love the garden. Our has barely gotten started because of all of the rain and cold. Stop already! Have an awesome trip!

[where can I buy diclofenaconline]

Our garden is bursting right now (perfect timing since we are headed out of town for the big family float trip in just a few days!). But I am finding that the best thing about having the garden these days is the teachable moments that are popping up everywhere! 1....

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Every once in awhile my husband and I split up the kids and each take one for the day. It's nice for us to get to focus on just one other person, and it's nice for the boys to get to be the only one focused on.