Ms Kari's Summer Green Thumbs

Spider in the Roses at Hiawatha School

I have been engaged in preserving and teaching about nature, plant and animal life, and how all life is interconnected since 1978! More about this on the Sustainable Urban Environments Pages. With a Masters in Teaching and years of experience Summers are fun and educational for the Green Thumbs.

Through the Summer Green Thumbs program I have worked specifically with school aged children in the greater Longfellow community of Minneapolis. Children learn to identify, understand, and utilize plants they come accross every day in their community. They explore their place in the cosmos, express themselves through art, music, and writing. They will use a variety of tools from computers to quills, from trowels to pianos!

**In 2005, the children's work will feature in the "Plants as Medicinals" workshop August 12 for the Community Garden Association of America Conference in Minneapolis!**

Photos of our work week

For the Conference Workshop

Typical Greenthum Schedule 2005:
Like the 2004 classes, these will follow a "Harry Potter" style curriculum.
We start each morning at 9 am and go until 4:30 pm Children bring their own lunch and a snack to share. Tuition is negotiable.

Streaching and tai chi basics, walks to the river, parks, biking and swimming are all part of the fun. We will work in and visit various community garden spaces. We will visit museums including the MIA.

2005 Week Descriptions/photos/links

We Study:

Herbology - plant, tend, and harvest, study and use the variety of plants surrounding us in this urban environment. Frequent trips to the Minnehaha Avenue Community Garden's Medicinal Garden will provide learning and materials for "potions." We also study composting and work with our bantam hen, Katie. We discuss our duty as humans to the earth and ways to create a sustainable (balanced) relationship to earth and eachother. Reference books, drawings, sample collection, categorization, internet searches, discussions with neighborhood herbalists...many resources will be used.

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 usually involves sewing bags for sachets, measuring, writing and following recipies, use of substances such as vinnegar, witch hazel, rubbing alchohol, and observing and writing our findings.

Astronomy/Astrology - this includes moon phases, reference charts, biodynamic plant energy alignment with planets and a study of their own birth star chart. Kids will compare their Western Chart and their Vedic Chart! We will keep track of where the planets are and how they affect plant and animal life.

Runeology - Rune shapes can be found in nature. Children will research on line and in museums, hand outs, and hands on practices help children learn about Norse Mythology, Cosmology, and the Rune Alphabet. As the summer goes on each child will make an art project of their runes and trees. Possibly even create their own rune set.

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.

The Greenthumbs learn to use these resources and more!

Here are Some More of Ms. Kari's Green Classrom Ideas for you to use!

My Resume