GARDENING AND NATURAL HISTORY: HOMESCHOOL COURSE (10-14 year-olds)
GARDENING AND NATURAL HISTORY
Thursdays Beginning September 16 - November 19, 2021
2825 8th Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76110
$180 OR Pay-As-You-Go for $20 per class
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
If you have questions please email to: info@elizabethanna.net
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Gardening and Natural History is a project-based course inspired by the watchful observation of Charlotte Mason's nature studies and the hands-on practical life work of Montessori's Erdkinder.
Most classes (weather permitting) are held outside. All the classes are hands-on and they will have something that they bring home with them - a plant, seeds, a pressed flower, food from the garden, etc.. Each class is divided into thirds:
- Short presentation of what that day will hold.
- Animal care and plant care and weekly inspection of plots and observation/nature study areas and work in their nature and specimen journals is done.
- Main focus of the week - planting, projects, fauna, etc., is done with a recap and optional picnic lunch (brown bag) in the gardens or shop.
(There will be another adult in the shop but it is also recommended that one parent each week stays to participate with your child(ren).)
Planting Days: Students will learn the recommended planting for each month, as well as, what is harvested and what needs attention. They will be given a monthly planting calendars and worksheets to design and maintain their own home garden plots and harvests. They can record their findings and at the end of each season, each student will have a record of their own plot, what worked, and what didn’t so they can plan for next year.
Fauna Days: We will study the animals on the urban farm and the creatures that inhabit the gardens. In the fall/winter semesters study will revolve around the microscopic composters and the biological, chemical and fungal makeup of the soil. Later on the focus will be on the beneficial insects and pollinators, and finally birds, reptiles and the role they play in the garden.
Returning students in the winter quarter will focus on urban animal husbandry and begin to design a new duck area with a pond.
Field Work Journals /Tend Grounds: The Fieldwork/Botany Journals are the students ongoing record of the animal and plant identification and observation. We will use the Botanical Research Institute’s ID papers and observe a specific area that the student has chosen to observe and record throughout the fall months. The students will tend and sketch their specific area and journal.
MATERIALS: Gloves, gardening aprons (or a large, old shirt) are recommended. A cleaning station will provided as well as an outside bathroom. The syllabus, first assignment and a liability waiver will be emailed after registration. Please bring the waiver back before or one the first day of class. :)
Recommend to bring:
- gardening gloves
- garden apron (or a large man’s t-shirt or button down)
- 2” binder
>> Class is limited to 10 students <<
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Kirsten is the owner of GTF and a certified permaculture designer certified through the Permaculture Institute of Australia when she hosted Wayne Weiseman to teach Fort Worth's first course and met Elizabeth. Over the past 11 years she has worked as a garden and farm educator in schools, as a farm and greenhouse manager and founded Good Tilth Farm and Nursery in 2015 to feed and teach people. Her roles at Elizabeth Ann's have ranged from greenhouse management, designer and in education and outreach. She is currently studying Korean Natural Farming.