Then we went to George Washington Carver's greenhouse, where we saw peanuts (which are not nuts--they are legumes). They also told us about the story of the "Three Sisters Farming". Apparently the Native Americans planted corn. Then beans so they could grow up the corn. Then sweet potatoes around the base because the bugs would stay away from the potatoes' sticky leaves.
We don't often take field trips with our cover school group, but today they went to the Botanical Gardens to learn about George Washington Carver, and it was free! So we went along. The Docent (lady from the gardens who was in charge of the group) read a book to the kids and then they played a game. EJ was a Cotton kid. The Peanut kids lined up on the left, and the Farmer kids lined up to the right. "Grow, Cotton, Grow!" As they proceeded across the field, they absorbed nitrogen out of the soil (a.k.a. they picked up rubber balls spread out on the grass). "What would happen if we planted cotton again? Would there be enough nitrogen in the soil to grow another crop? Let's try! If you don't get nitrogen, Wither and Die!" Then the Farmer kids went across the field, "Plant, Farmers, Plant!", dropping nitrogen as they planted peanuts. Then, "Grow, Peanuts, Grow!" and they dropped nitrogen also, so then, "Grow, Cotton, Grow!" so that the teachers didn't have to pick up all the rubber balls. Then we went to George Washington Carver's greenhouse, where we saw peanuts (which are not nuts--they are legumes). They also told us about the story of the "Three Sisters Farming". Apparently the Native Americans planted corn. Then beans so they could grow up the corn. Then sweet potatoes around the base because the bugs would stay away from the potatoes' sticky leaves. If you have noticed in all these pictures, EJ is next to this kid in the striped shirt. Well, turns out they know each other! They go to the same Trail Life (like boy scouts). Then we made our way around to another little field where the Docent talked about different edible plants. She passed out cards with pictures and had each kid find one. After the field trip was over, we were going to go to the zoo (right next door), but EJ's friend and his family had never been to the gardens before, so we tagged along and visited the rose garden and the Japanese gardens. It was so much fun! P.S. Sorry the pictures are blurry. I forgot my camera and had to use my phone.
3 Comments
Ali
11/5/2014 07:22:32 am
Looks like lots of fun! What a creative way to explain the need for rotating crops!
Reply
Red on Black
11/5/2014 08:20:56 am
Believe me--if the animal Garden went on the field trip, it would be "Garden's" not "Gardens"! Maybe I should have named it "The Gardens" instead. :-)
Reply
Mom
11/5/2014 07:26:24 am
Love that you had a good time--and the weather was perfect! Glad EJ found a Trail Life friend to buddy with! And loved's Ali's comment! LOL
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Who am I, you ask?
In 2006 I had a stroke, and every day my husband encourages me to use my remaining brain cells to the best of my ability. I love to organize, make crafts, and go on adventures (safe ones). I hope that through my blog posts, you will be encouraged to accept and make the best of challenges God throws at your life. Categories
All
Archives
April 2022
|