ML Interest Tag: plant

How to Turn a “To-Do” List Into a Teachable Moment

By Gay Cioffi

When I sit down to write my daily “to-do” list – yes, I’m old school, no iPhone notes for me – my three-year-old granddaughter asks to make a “to-do” list too. I gladly oblige, making paper and markers available, for several reasons, since such an activity is loaded with learning.

To begin with, she is being introduced to the concept of planning. It seems like a sophisticated enterprise, but even young children can and should practice planning. Whether it’s envisioning what two or three activities to do next, or thinking about what they will do when they get to the playground, when given practice with planning, children are exercising both their memory and their imagination. It also helps in the social realm as well, as they can be prepared emotionally for what’s coming up.

Next is the potential for speech and language development. Saying to children, “hmm, let’s think, what do we usually do after breakfast?” gives them practice with both receptive and expressive language. Asking them to name the activities that are part of their daily routine provides practice with articulation and increased vocabulary. Real dialogue can emerge from such conversations, and rather than just a question and answer period, children may even volunteer their most and least favorite daily activities, which elicits even more practice with language.

Finally, by making a graphic representation of the things they are going to do, even a representation that is just a series of lines and scribbles, the child is participating in the early stages of writing, which is, after all, the process of using symbols to communicate thoughts and ideas. Planting these seeds early provides a firm foundation for future learning in reading and writing.

So whether you are making a grocery list, or notes to yourself about what needs to get done today or this week, consider asking your child to join in. It’s what educators call a teachable moment. Plus it’s fun too!

I am a parent and grandparent with over four decades of experience in early childhood education. I share my passion, wisdom and experience, with parents and the people who care for and about children at Little Folks Big Questions, where we're out to answer the questions parents face in today's world.

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The Tree That Inspired Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax” Has Fallen, but It’s Not All Bad News

by Shahrzad Warkentin

It would appear that the Once-ler has struck in La Jolla, California where sadly the tree that inspired Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax has fallen.

Theodor Seuss Geisel, or as the famous author is more commonly known, Dr. Seuss, was rumored to have designed the whispy Truffula trees at the center of The Lorax around a beautiful Monterey Cypress tree that stood outside the window of his home in La Jolla. On Jun. 13 the tree, which may have inspired the iconic story about the importance of protecting nature, fell down.

The tree was healthy and estimated to be between 80 to 100 years old according to San Diego Parks and Recreation spokesman Tim Graham. “We did want to make it clear that the tree was not dead when it fell,” Graham told TODAY. “It did have some termites, but was generally in good condition.”

While the Once-ler would certainly be a likely culprit, it remains a mystery what happened to the tree. In the true spirit of Seuss’ story, however, a new tree will be planted in its place. According to Graham, in addition to planting a new tree, the city is looking to give the fallen trunk a new life by repurposing it.

“We really have no idea if Ted based the truffula trees on this particular tree, but regardless we are saddened to hear that this beautiful tree has fallen down, as we are when any tree that has lived for decades falls,” said Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises in an emailed statement. “That said we are happy to hear that the park district has plans to plant a new tree and hope that this new tree has the opportunity to grow and delight park goers for years and years.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Amazon

 

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Celebrate Arbor Day by Helping the Folks at AccuWeather Name a Tree

by Erica Loop

With Arbor Day right around the corner, a group of AccuWeather employers decided to celebrate early by planting a Dwarf Alberta Spruce in front of their State College, Pennsylvania office building. If you’re wondering why an office tree-planting party got so much attention, read on for the deets on what the AccuWeather team did to up the adorable factor and make Arbor Day even more fun!

So why did the PA-based office staff decide to green their outdoor area? When the AccuWeather team brainstormed ways to celebrate both Earth and Arbor Days, they landed on an action that would help the environment in several seriously significant ways—planting a tree.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwXbMiAlLRh/

After planting the tree, the team decided their new addition needed a name. Instead of nicknaming the Dwarf Alberta Spruce themselves, they came up with a few potential ideas for the general public (that’s you!) to choose from.

The oh-so-creatively cute names include Spruce Springsteen, Alberta Clipper, Forrest Stump, Treeyoncé, and Albus Dumbledwarf. Obviously the majority of the names are based in pop culture, with one exception. Unlike Spruce Springsteen or Forest Stump, Alberta Clipper doesn’t come from a music icon or epic movie. The folks at AccuWeather are, of course, majorly into all things atmospheric. An Alberta Clipper is a winter storm system that starts in or near Alberta, Canada and sweeps down into the United States, quickly spreading cold Canadian air and snow.

How can you vote for your fave name? Visit the AccuWeather website for more info on picking the company’s newest tree’s name!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: JuergenPM via Pixabay

 

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Joanna Gaines Wrote a Children’s Book with Her Kids & You Can Pre-Order It Now

by Karly Wood

Now that there’s an upcoming Joanna Gaines children’s book, we can officially say the mom of five is beyond busy. In the last 12 months, Gaines said goodbye to her longtime show, Fixer Upper, welcomed her fifth child, Crew, continues to wow us with her baking skills on Instagram—and apparently has been writing her first children’s book, We Are the Gardeners.

The beautiful new book is co-written by JoJo and her kid  and shares the story of the family’s adventure in starting their own garden. Illustrated in gorgeous watercolors by Julianna Swaney, readers young and old can follow the gang as they navigate failures, mischievous bunnies who eat everything and learn that starting a garden can be a rewarding challenge.

Anyone who has seen an episode of Fixer Upper has probably glimpsed Gaines in her greenhouse or helping her kids with planting, so it’s no surprise she chose to share her passion through a book. It’s her hope that she can inspire young kids to develop a love of gardening, just as she’s done with her own children.

We are loving the sneak peak Gaines shared on her Instagram. Head to Amazon to pre-order your copy of We Are the Gardeners, just in time for its Mar. 26, 2019 release date.

––Karly Wood

 

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It’s So Easy Being Green: 15 Earth Day Celebrations

by kim orchen cooper

Little tree-huggers, take note: Earth Day is on Wednesday April 22, and there are loads of LA activities that will educate while you celebrate. From river cleanups to festivals, a party with Fairy Mother Earth and super blooming hikes, here are our 15 favorite ways to hop on the reduce/reuse/recycle (eco-friendly electric) bus.

Not Your Last Resort

Spend the day enjoying just how gorgeous our earth is at this seaside resort with spectacular views. For kids there are storybook reading and workshops highlighting how to recycle and compost at the Educational Green Wall. There’s also a wildflower planting station and Earth Day hikes, and grownups can join in the Kelp Forest Kyak Cleanup. Venture down the cliffs to play in the tidepools, and then end your day with an outdoor dinner as the sun sets. Learn more about this event.

When: Saturday, April 22 at various times
Where: Terranea Resort, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes

photo: Terranea Resort

How will you honor our planet this year?  We’d love to know; meet us in the comment section below!

—Kim Orchen Cooper

 

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A Mini Redwood Forest Is Growing in Brooklyn

by Mimi O'Connor

Not just one tree, but many, many trees are growing in Brooklyn, thanks to the Public Art Fund and renowned artist Spencer Finch. “Lost Man Creek”, a large-scale, long term installation in the middle of the borough’s MetroTech Commons opened this weekend, and we stopped by to check it out.


What It Is
Tucked away at the eastern triangular lawn of MetroTech Commons, “Lost Man Creek” is a living artwork that recreates, at a 1:100 scale, a 790-acre section of the Redwood National Park in California. To create the piece, Finch, who often makes large-scale pieces that incorporate nature literally or figuratively, partnered with the Save the Redwoods League, which provided topographical and canopy height maps of a section of the protected forest. The impressive work took six week to install.

The result is a recreation measuring 4,500 square feet that features 4,000 young Dawn Redwoods. The trees will be provided with optimum living conditions in the urban environment thanks to specific planting techniques and an irrigation system. At the conclusion of the free, public exhibit, the trees will be rehoused.

From Above or Below
Aside from being a quite beautiful and soothing sight in a city environment, “Lost Man Creek” also provides visitors with the unique opportunity of being able to view the canopy of a Redwood forest from above. A viewing platform, accessed by a few easy flights of stairs enables one to look down on the installation, and if you think about it the right way, it’s a giant’s POV. (Less fantastical: the view from an airplane.)

To help give a sense of the scale of a real Redwood forest, a sign on the viewing platform points out that an actual Redwood would tower over the nearest, very tall building in the plaza.

You can also walk the perimeter, taking in the hills and valleys of the topography, as well as the rich soil and thousands of young plants up close.

In For the Long Haul
This forest will literally put down roots. The longest running partnership between the Public Art Fun and the Forest City Ratner Companies, Lost Man Creek will run for a year-and-a-half, so you’ve got time to catch it — and see it grow.

Intrigued by Finch’s work? He’ll be giving a Public Art Fund Talk at the New School on November 16 where he will focus on his various public and large-scale installations.

Lost Man Creek
Through May 13, 2018, dawn to dusk, daily
Tickets: Free
MetroTech Commons (Between Jay Street and Flatbush Avenue at Myrtle Avenue)
Downtown Brooklyn
Online: publicartfund.org

What’s your favorite public art in NYC now? Share it in the comments below! 

— Mimi O’Connor

 

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HGTV’s Joanna Gaines Shares a Sweet Message All Parents Need to Read

by Red Tricycle

HGTV’s ‘Fixer Upper’ star Joanna Gaines not only nails the home design gig, but turns out, she’s a pretty awesome parent, too! The ‘Fixer Upper’ mom of four posted an inspiring message on her Facebook page, and it’s giving us all the feels.

Joanna wrote about a blue butterfly bush that she planted for her daughters when they first started renovating their farmhouse five years ago — and forgot about until now. Read the full story and the advice she gives below.

All Photos: Joanna Gaines via Facebook

“There’s an Adonis blue butterfly bush I planted by the girl’s window almost five years ago when we were renovating the farmhouse. I wanted butterflies by the girl’s windows that they could see and enjoy. I never told them about the bush and honestly I forgot about it over the years. This morning I found my little Emmie sitting by her window looking excitedly at the bush and saying “Here she is! My little hummingbird comes every morning mom!” First, I didn’t know she looked out for her bird every morning. Second, I forgot all about the bush and never told her if she looked out the window she would see the prettiest butterflies and hummingbirds gathered around it. It’s hard not to think this is a lot like parenting… You sow seeds early on and work hard to be intentional and then over time you move on to new lessons and challenges. Then one day you look up and the seeds you planted in your little children’s hearts are now in full bloom. Be encouraged today to keep pressing in and tending to their hearts. It will be worth it.“

Joanna is our total #momcrush.

What seeds are you planting in your child’s life? Let us know in the comments below!

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Shoe Me the Way: 3 Cool Ways to Upcycle Old Shoes

by Amber Guetebier

Kids outgrow (and wear out) their shoes faster than you ever thought possible. Passing shoes down to the next generation is always a great idea, but sometimes the shoe won’t fit. If you’ve got a pair or two of tiny shoes hanging around the house, try one of these clever ways to reuse them. Scroll down for the details.

photo: Our Enchanted Garden via flickr 

Rainboot Shoe Planter
You may have seen other shoes used as planters but the rainboot is the best because of its depth and water proof-ness. All you need to do is drill a small hole or two in the bottom to let water drain, fill up with a light potting mix and plant. We recommend planting a small annual flower, like johnny-jump-ups, or something that doesn’t require a ton of growing space like a succulent.

Baby Shoe Pincushion
We are in love with Wendy at Handmade Harbour and her many amazing ideas, but we find her baby shoe-into-a-pincushion plan too cute to resist. Preserve that tiny shoe for years to come by getting the tutorial here.

Shoe Door Stop
This works great for a single shoe that has more life in it than it’s companion (in other words, the one with less of a hole in it), and ideally a boot of some kind. You’ll need an old pair of tights or trouser socks: something on the thinner side is best. Fill it up with pea gravel or sand (putting this in a sock helps prevent curious hands from digging in). Tie the sock off well and slide into the shoe: be sure to put the knotted end into toe. Voila! 

Got a great upcycling-shoe idea? Share it in the comments! 

—Amber Guetebier

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8 Frightfully Easy Halloween Cupcakes

by Erin Lem

Witches and ghosts and things that go bump in the night? If you have a taste for all things Halloween, you’ll eat up these cupcake ideas. We put together some creative (and deceptively easy!) designs that are inspired by the spooky season.

Ghoulish Graveyard

What you'll need: crumbled chocolate wafers, pumpkin shaped candy corn, vanilla wafers and chocolate frosting.

What to do: After covering her chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting, Erin crushed chocolate wafers and sprinkled them over the frosting as "dirt." She set a pumpkin shaped candy corn on top and wrote "RIP" on the vanilla wafer before planting it in the "graveyard."

Which cupcake is your favorite? Let us know in the Comments!

— copy by Erin Lem; photos by Christal Yuen; cupcakes decorated by Erin Feher and Christal Yuen

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