Workbook

30May 2023 by catbird 3 Comments
Telling Time with the Sun

Telling Time with the Sun

Learning, Play, Summer Solstice
One of the most interesting ways that humans have used the sun over the years is to tell time. You'll find two projects that focus on creative ways of telling time in my Summer Solstice book, but here are two more ways you can explore this idea. Make a Sundial Shadows are the shortest they will be all year on the Summer Solstice which makes it a practical and fun time to make a sundial. You'll need something to serve as the "gnomon" which is the the piece that casts the shadow, and then you'll need something to record the position of the shadow every hour on the hour. We are using rocks here, but you can use whatever you want/ have available. Materials: rocks (or some other object of…
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30May 2023 by catbird 2 Comments
Summer Solstice Flower Crowns

Summer Solstice Flower Crowns

Garden, Nature Art, Nature Collection, Play, Summer Portfolio, Summer Solstice
One of our favorite traditions on the Summer Solstice is to make and wear flower crowns! In our part of the world this is when flowers really start to bloom and show off. You can weave crowns with the same technique we used to make May Day Garlands here, but this is best done with things that have long stems like dandelions. Our preferred method is to make a wreath from honeysuckle or other vine and then embellish with other flowers. That way you can use things with shorter stems and it's a bit simpler. Weaving Flower Crowns Materials: flexible vines-- we always use honeysuckle flowers Method: Loop a few vines into a circle that fits on your head. You'll want 3-4 loops and can use more than one vine…
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28Apr 2023 by catbird 1 Comment
Maypole Happiness Trees & Garlands

Maypole Happiness Trees & Garlands

Craft Project, May Day, Nature Art, Play
The last Friday in April is Arbor Day in the United States. (There are several other Arbor Day observances in other countries as well!) I knew I was going to do a May Day post on Arbor Day so I immediately thought of maypoles which were once made from trees. Arbor Day is a day to celebrate and plant trees and I was immediately reminded of an old project we did during covid lockdown to celebrate special trees. Everyone choose a tree that was special to them, in their yard, in a park or somewhere they went every day and decorated it with natural or compostable decorations. We called them happiness trees, in part because they brought joy to others during lockdown. As a part of that project we researched…
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27Apr 2023 by catbird 1 Comment
Fairy Houses

Fairy Houses

May Day, Nature Art, Play, Spring Portfolio
May Day is said to be a fortuitous time to leave gifts and offerings for the fae. To celebrate we always make a point of building some fairy houses and leaving them some spring flowers and baubles. My kids will build fairy houses independently for hours... In fact, maybe I should be leaving a gift for the fairies! They construct ever growing fairy villages and encampments with different types of buildings, an armory (yes those are fairy swords..) and hidden storage bunkers. There are markets and food storage- what more could a fairy need? The kids spend the day outside being creative and getting fresh air and I don’t need to worry about the fae poisoning my cattle… traditionally many May Day/Beltane rituals were designed to ward off or appease…
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27Apr 2023 by catbird 1 Comment
May Day Bouquets

May Day Bouquets

May Day, Nature Collection, Play
My little guys love to deliver flowers to the neighbors on May Day. The goal is to leave the bouquet on their doorstep, ring, and then run off before they see you. Last year, they got caught at one house, but were otherwise undetected. They were extremely proud of their ninja skills and we got to watch one of our neighbors find their bouquet. The look of joy on their faces was amazing!!!May Day is on May 1st each year. It's the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. In some climates it is the start of summer, in mine it’s really the midpoint of spring. Flowers are starting to bloom, asparagus is beginning to pop out of the ground and the chance of a freak snow…
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19Apr 2023 by catbird No Comments
Recycled Bottle Chandelier

Recycled Bottle Chandelier

Craft Project, Earth Day, Play, Recycled Materials
I generally refuse to buy plastic bottles and try to never buy water in plastic bottle, but every now and then it's unavoidable. Because I know that I'll end up with some every now and then (and will have tons after a clean up!) I am always on the lookout for interesting ways to reuse them. This chandelier is one of my very favorites! It's simple, easy to make and looks stunning. It's also a great project for a group if you have a class, coop or family gathering or some sort. Everyone can decorate a bottle or two and then they all come together to make something greater than the sum its parts. painted bottles ready to be hung the bicycle wheel frame Recycled Bottle Chandelier You can use…
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16Apr 2023 by catbird No Comments
A “Cake” for the Earth

A “Cake” for the Earth

Earth Day, Garden, Play
I cannot claim credit for this project, it was my son's idea several years ago. When I asked him what he wanted to do to celebrate Earth Day he said he wanted to make a cake for the trees. (He is very cake focused.. lol) We decided that the type of cake a tree would like would be made out of compost and things that trees like with a little decoration. He was and continues to be a champion mud pie maker, so we just adapted his usual process slightly by using compost. You can add coffee grounds, eggshells, comfrey leaves (or any leaf that will decompose and me nutritious) or even scraps from your compost bin. Arrange the layers of your cake in a bowl or tin and make…
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16Apr 2023 by catbird 1 Comment
Recycling Bin Drawing Machines

Recycling Bin Drawing Machines

Craft Project, Earth Day, Learning, Play, Recycled Materials
This is a great clean out the recycling bin type of project- you can use just about anything. The only thing you really need are dollar store electric toothbrushes, and if you plan ahead you could use an old electric toothbrush that really was destined for the trash. The toothbrushes are a simple way to get a motor for your drawing machine. If you are working with older children, you can also build more complex motors from electrical components, but the toothbrush does the job nicely. So what is a drawing machine and why would you want to build one? In contemporary art, a drawing machine is defined as any sort of apparatus that assists or replaces a human in drawing. Artists have lots of reason for making drawing machines,…
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