Plastic bags were introduced in 1977. According to my research, five trillion plastic bags are used every year worldwide, and approximately 10 percent will find their way to the ocean. Most are not recycled, and those that are not will take centuries to degrade. What can we do?
One Plastic Bag. is a true story about how a young woman found an innovative way to use plastic bags, thereby making a difference in her community. Go here for full screen viewing.
It is best if we reduce the use of single-use plastic bags, but what are some other ways that can we reuse or repurpose them? Some suggestions follow, but task your students or children with brainstorming more. View full screen here.
I’ve been working in my gardens spreading mulch and almost walked by this lacewing because I thought it was a seed.
When my camera zoomed in on this “tiny perfect thing,” I was surprised at the complexity. Just look at those compound eyes and the patterns on its body and lacy wings.
“The beauty of the natural world lies in the details.” (Natalie Angier)
Are lacewings a welcome visitor in gardens? Yes! They are even released as a natural means of eliminating unwanted pests. Go here to view full screen.
Check out this new book about a grandfather searching for insects with his grandchildren:
On a recent post, I shared how I have been restoring linens and doilies. I also inherited my grandmother’s sewing box filled with all kinds of novelties, including buttons. They are little pieces of art, and I was curious about their history. Studying buttons is a multidisciplinary exploration, connecting history, art, math, and science (button material and construction.) What do you know about buttons?
Some Fun Facts
Buttons were originally used for decoration, not fastening. Until the 19th century, buttons were found primarily on men’s clothing. Women’s clothes were fastened with laces and hooks and eyes. Wearing decorative buttons was seen as a sign of prosperity.
Through history, buttons were made of fabric, bone, metal, glass, horn, painted enamel, wood, celluloid (the first plastic), ceramic, ivory, and shells!
Buttons remain the best-selling fastener and are preferred over zippers.
I am learning, but I think these are some of my oldest buttons. Buttons were so valuable that when a garment wore out, the owner would cut off the buttons and save them.
These buttons are twentieth century. Zoom in and look at the patterns! Note the colors and geometric designs.
For a deep dive into button history, check out this video from a button museum. Go here to view full screen.
Children will enjoy sorting and classifying buttons by attributes such as color, size, shape, and number of holes. Count your sets and compare using math terms like more and less. Add the sets of buttons together.
Teach your child how to sew a button onto a piece of fabric. Such a great life skill! For your youngest learners, place articles of clothing on a table with various sizes of buttons and task them with buttoning and unbuttoning them to develop fine motor and self-help skills.
Corduroy, a classic tale, recounts how a small toy bear loses a button off his overalls and searches for a new one. Use it as a mentor book for identifying story structure – characters, setting, problem, and resolution. Go here to view full screen.
Because there are so many changes during spring, use this time to enhance observation skills and to develop a sense of awe and wonder. Check out this new story, Noticing, by Kobi Yamada, a well-loved author. The watercolor illustrations are especially engaging.
These are the subjects that I recently noticed as I wandered along the woodland paths. Noticing leads to curiosity, a critical prerequisite for learning and discovery. As you look at the photos, what do you notice and wonder?
There have been times when I’ve unexpectedly stumbled across a bamboo forest, and there is just something enchanting about walking through the towering stalks. When my husband and I visited Italy last fall, we happened across bamboo on the grounds of a villa.
Did you know that Bamboo is not a tree, but is actually classified as a grass? Bamboo is used for so many purposes because it is renewable and durable. Go here for a list of bamboo products for eco-minded people. Its strength makes it ideal for furniture and other construction purposes. Bamboo is also a food source for pandas, chimpanzees, and gorillas.
Watch the following video to learn more about “this wonder of nature.” Go here to view full screen.
Growing bamboo sprouts in water is a simple gardening activity for children.
For artists of all ages and skills, try painting bamboo. Go here to view full screen.
I’ve been restoring antique linens that I inherited. Oh, how I wish I knew which hands crocheted each one. The beauty of these doilies is remarkable and what a fun way to learn math! The maker would also need excellent fine motor and focusing skills. They remind me of the intricate patterns in snowflakes. Many of the doilies I have are larger than these and in a variety of shapes.
Learn more about the history of the Doiley from Junkbox Treasures here and Wonderopolis here. I cleaned my vintage linens with Mama’s Miracle Linen Soak, an amazing product that has removed all the brown storage stains. What is the science?
The doilies were popular during the Victorian period. In one of the videos I watched, the antique dealer stated that doilies are making a comeback!
Get ready for the total solar eclipse which will be observable on April 8. Go to the NASA site here and the Great American Eclipse site here. Check out Tinkergarten’s eclipse activities here. Don’t forget ISO certified viewing glasses!
The following story, Eclipse by Andy Nash, was published recently about a father and a son who observed the eclipse together in 2017. It is told from the son’s perspective. Such fun illustrations!
I come across all kinds of fungi in the woodlands, but this one was new to me, and it was only on two trees. I like sharing new phenomenon with you. What do you think? Can you identify it?
How would you describe a squirrel? Words such as persistent, acrobatic, determined, and trickster are my first thoughts. I remember my dad waging war to keep them off our bird feeders and to his frustration, with little success. My favorite attempt was when he greased the pole, but these clever rodents were still able to reach the birdseed. My backyard is wooded, so I use suet feeders which until today had not attracted squirrels. It was entertaining to watch him try to reach the seed. Watch the antics here.
Staring Contest
Go here to view full screen. A fun engineer mentor text! Identify the character traits of the main character.
Waterfalls are often the destination on a hike or a beautiful surprise encountered on a woodland adventure. I recently visited Amicalola Falls which is Georgia’s tallest waterfall and the highest cascading falls east of the Mississippi River. Other photos below include waterfalls I saw in Montana. There is something about water that is peaceful, yet powerful!
Let’s learn more about waterfalls. Go here to view full screen.
Read more about waterfalls from National Geographic here.
