Holly is an author, storyteller, and Florida Master Naturalist who loves to share heritage skills taught to her by her grandmothers. Florida has been her family home for generations and preserving that lifestyle for the future is her goal. Holly enjoys coming alongside women to share skills and help them discover their own natural gifts and talents.
By Holly Giles |
Week 2: Complete Wildflower Watch worksheet. Examine a wildflower field guide. Notice the many colors and varieties. Take a walk and look for wildflowers. Bring home a few to dry in a flower press. Read aloud Miss Rumphius. Discuss the plot. What gift did she give to her town? What difference could you make with a […]
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By Holly Giles |
Read: Miss Ladybird’s Wildflowers A wildflower is a herbaceous species growing naturally in a state’s ecosystem since the 1500’s or earliest documented record. Beautiful wildflowers serve many purposes. Food and nectar sources for bugs and insects shelter for insects places to lay eggs overwintering for insects Having wildflowers […]
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By Holly Giles |
Six-Week Unit Planner Week 1: Have children complete What is a Flower? Begin the Wildflower Watch project, Read aloud Miss Ladybird’s Wildflowers. Discuss what Ladybird Johnson did to make a difference. Week 2: Complete Wildflower Watch. Examine a wildflower field guide. Notice the many colors and varieties. Take a walk and look for wildflowers. Bring […]
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Wildflower Watch is an expanded unit based on a portion of chapter 2 of Blaze New Trails and the Student Companion. This six-week unit is formatted for a once-a-week lesson. It is structured in this manner to allow time to plant flower seeds and observe growth to complete the lessons. As always, adjust the time to […]
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Poetry is an integral part of any language arts program. Learning the cadence of words, rhyming, and storytelling. Reading poetry aloud is an effective way for children to learn and enjoy. Our poetry entries also make good starting points for copywork in each section of the lesson modules. Millions of Strawberries Genevieve Taggard Marcia […]
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Why we should learn: How do fruits and vegetables grow? Seeing fruits and vegetables growing on a tree, bush or vine can help children understand where food comes from, outside of a jar or can. U-pick farms are excellent resources to see how food grows naturally. Including children in food purchasing and preparation at a young […]
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A Lesson at the Orange Grove Have you ever been to an orange grove? Oranges can be found growing in Florida and California. A few can be found in other states but they are susceptible to cold weather. Picking food of any kind is fun and rewarding. Being part of the food you eat can help […]
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During the rainy season, we always find the most interesting mushrooms growing right in our backyard. Going on a mushroom hunt can be a fun project. Mushrooms belong to the kingdom classification, Fungi, which is separate from plants. Earning its Keep Fungi are an amazing part of the decomposition and recycling process in the earth. […]
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Wood burning is a fantastic handicraft. Using a burning tool should be supervised by an adult at all times. We have enjoyed making tags, ornaments, drawings and even a tic tac toe board from burning wood. The ornaments we are demonstrating are fun and such a special gift for the family. Chose a pattern […]
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Fabric hoop ornaments are easy and fun. Children of all ages can participate in cutting fabric and tying the fabric strips onto jar rings, curtain loops, and even old embroidery hoops. This is definitely a use-what-you-have project. What you will need: Rings of any kind. We used old jar rings but be creative and re-use […]
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