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Ms Kari's Summer Greenthumbs - 2000 to 2006
I developed this Summer
Greenthumbs program for school aged children in the greater Longfellow
community of Minneapolis.
Goals include: to identify, understand, and utilize plants they come accross
in every day life, find connections between plants, environments, and
the greater world, and to access nature through movement and music. These
combine to create emotional balance, a sense of connection, and empowerment.
Daily field trips to the Mississippi river, various community garden spaces, and parks within walking distance and morning tai chi ensure that each child is getting physically fit.
Class choices:
Herbology - each child has a 2 x 2 plot to plant, tend, and harvest.
We study composting and care for three free-range chickens.
Runeology - each child recieves a note book and hand outs to assist them. As the summer goes on each child will make an art project of their runes and trees.
Atronomy/Astrology - this includes moon phases, reference charts, biodynamic plant energy alignment with planets and a study of their own birth star chart.
Potions - it all begins with intention, what is the potion for? Then children explore volumes of reference materials to find plants that help in the intended way. The products are mostly vinnegars and bath salts. This also involves sewing bags for sachets.
Music - is a natural way for children to integrate their knowlege on a deeper level. We will learn songs together and sing often. In addition, each child can choose to learn piano, guitar, recorder, and drums.
Sustainable Urban Environments
In 2000, my second grade son responded to my question, "Do you know the pledge of allegiance?" with this:
"Yes!
It goes: I pledge allegiance to the Earth, the planet on which I live,
and to fresh air, clean water, healthy soil, life giving plants and all
the animals I accept my duty to be an honorable citizen of this Earth
with respect and consciousness toward all."
This was taught to his class at Hiawatha Community School in Minneapolis. I am so proud of this. It is essential to teach our children to understand and live up to this pledge. We should be so much further ahead in sustainable energy and environmental consciousness. I knew about this in the 1970's. Why is our soil barren and our rivers still undrinkable?
In response to the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge being opened up for Oil Drilling my 9 year old son said to me, "Mom, maybe President Bush doesn't know that trees give us oxygen. Should I write and tell him?"
"Yes, do." How pro-active!
These are the projects I worked on from 2000 - 2006 and they are still doing the work of the Earth pledge today in inner city Minneapolis.
Sustainable Medicinals in an Urban Environment - A collaboration with Sandra Arseth, funding and support from United Plant Savers, Minnehaha Avenue Community Garden, Local Herbalist Lise Wolff and others.
Minnehaha Avenue Community Garden - Self sufficiency in organic food production and medicinal herbs, sustainability in development and the educational needs of the whole community about Urban Sustainability are being addressed through these projects.
Hiawatha School and School Park Green Space