April showers...May flowers

Teaching Pre K-8, Apr 2002 by Laminack, Lester

Spring is on the way and now is the time to begin planning for those beautiful blooms. A flower garden can be a wonderful way to help your children learn about making a plan and following through. This project can provide opportunities for discussions about insects and weeds and caring for the environment. And, you can have some nice bouquets on your kitchen table! Here are some tips to get started:

* List the flowers that will thrive in your area.

* Note the varieties, specific needs for sunlight or shade and amount of water or type of soil.

* Decide the dimensions of your flowerbed or box.

* Using graph paper, make a "map" of your garden. Use crayons or colored pencils to illustrate where the different colors in your garden will be.

* As you prepare your garden plan, make note of the directions on the seed packets. You'll want to make note of the suggested planting times for each variety in your area.

* Make a garden calendar and mark the date you plant and the expected date for first blossoms This can usually be found on the seed packet.

* While you're waiting, use the calendar to record watering, first sprouts, first buds, first blossoms and colors.

NO FOOLING!

April 1 is the day kids will be looking for an opportunity to play a joke on someone. Take advantage of that sense of humor and dig into the history of joke playing. To learn more about the history of the day, and to find great April Fool's recipes, crafts and activities, check out these websites:

www.web-holidays.com/fools

http.//ask.yahoo.com/ask/ 20000613.html

www.usis.usemb.se/Holidays/ celebrate/april.html

Lester Laminack is Professor and Head of Elementary and Middle Grades Education at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. E-mail: laminack@mail.wcu.edu