We had an amazing time with the Cherry Blossom Unit Study at Co-Op. One mom supplied us with National Park Service Handouts from the Cherry Blossom festival, thank you Mrs. N. Another mom brought a video about the Blossoms, thank you Mrs. M. While another mom lead the class in craft techniques. The kids had some very creative interpretation of the Cherry Blossoms. The Student went for a Zen minimalist technique that was beautiful. 

Books about the Cherry Blossoms:

Thea Stilton: And the Cherry Blossom Adventure by Geronimo Stilton

Japanese Traditions by Setsu Broderick and Willamarie Moore

Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth

Cherry Blossoms Say Spring by Jill Esbuam

Eliza's Cherry Trees: Japan's Gift to America

 

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms 2013 Unit Study and Co-Op Plans

A sure sign that spring has arrived in Washington DC is the sighting of Cherry Blossoms. It is annual event that brings millions into the district as well area residents out of the winter hiding places to enjoy this natural notice that winter is behind us. It is one of the most beautiful experiences here in the district. This year’s blossoms were slow bloomers because of the cold weather. Once they arrived it was amazing.

So what is all this excitement over a cherry tree and Washington? First here is a little history …

The first two of the 3,000 trees donated by Japan to the United States were planted on March 27, 1912, by first lady Helen Taft and the wife of the Japanese ambassador. The planting was marked with a small story in the newspaper. Over the next eight years the rest of the trees would be planted around the Tidal Basin and in East Potomac Park. 

Today, 100 years later, hundreds of thousands of people come to Washington each year just to walk under the gently arching branches of the Yoshino, Akebono and Kwanzan trees. 

Many people, maybe including you, can’t imagine Washington without the cherry trees. But we probably wouldn’t be enjoying them today if it weren’t for Eliza Scidmore (pronounced Sid-more). In 1885 she visited Japan, where she first saw cherry trees. She returned to her home in Washington and spent the next 24 years pushing for the planting of cherry trees in the nation’s capital. She had no luck until she wrote a letter in 1909 to Mrs. Taft, the wife of President William Howard Taft. She loved the idea, and soon the plan for the plantings was underway. Scidmore was there when Mrs. Taft planted the first trees. 

And the rest, as they say, is history. Beautiful, beautiful history. — Tracy Grant, Washington Post 

Additional History Resources:
National Park Service
Cherry Blossom Festival

Hanami (a traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the cherry blossoms in bloom) and the 'National Cherry Blossom Festival' (an American festival held in Washington D.C. in remembrance of the occasions in which Japan gave the United States thousands of cherry blossom trees as a symbol of friendship). Every year millions attend this festival to enjoy the blossoms. A millions more enjoy viewing the “Cherry Blossom Webcam.”

Here are some photos of our Hanami last week.

http://www.nps.gov/cherry/upload/0.060_XT90_13663_NAMA_2_1.pdf

If you would like to extend you Cherry Blossom experience please check out the National Cherry Blossoms’ website for actives including earning a Girl Scout Patch.

Here are the tentative plans for our co-op lesson:

•  First we talk about the History of the Cherry Blossoms in DC
•  Then talk about the art project that we are doing 
•  3 make your own cherry blossoms:
•  The guys will love these scrolls http://artprojectgirl.blogspot.com/2011/05/cherry-blossom-scrolls.html 
• http://www.docstoc.com/docs/79339520/Cherry-Blossom-Tree-Instructions-This-colorful-craft-encourages
•  http://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/cherry-blossom-art-from-a-recycled-soda-bottle/ 
• http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cherry-Blossom-Art-Using-the-Bottom-of-a-Soda-Bottle
•  Each person does their own work of art 
• Then we talk about a brief history of the library 
• Ask them about what they like about the library
•  Then make giant "Thank You" card for the Children's Library team with Cherry Blossoms 

Also there will be microscopes the set up a Cherry Blossom science station to examine the petals and buds of samples.

 

Happy Pi Day- Homeschool Celebration

Happy Pi Day!

We will be celebrating Pi Day with Co-Op friends.  We are scheduled to complete scavenger hunt, share treat and several Pi themed games.  At 3:14 pm we will sing Happy Birthday to Einstein.

We will post all the fun later.  But here is a peek how we kicked off Pi Day.

Homeschool Co-Op: Homemade Christmas Gifts

Our weekly co-op has done a great this semester in focusing on giving. The kids have done a great job giving this year with cards sent to the Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes and over 10 boxes full gifts for Operation Christmas Child.  In that spirit of giving this week we focused on homemade gifts for relatives and friends. 


Station 1- Clay decorations:

http://niccolaontuesday.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/3-tuesdays-till-christmas.html
http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2010/12/snowflake-christmas-tree-ornaments.html

• Rolling Pins
• Christmas Cookie Cutters
• Buttons
• Quick Drying Crayola clay
• Paint Brushes
• Paint
• 
  

Station 2- Ribbon Tree Christmas Card for Kids
http://blog.memetales.com/2012/12/ribbon-tree-christmas-card/

• Sheet of thick paper/card
• Curling Ribbon
• Star
• Tape
• Glue
• Scissors

Station 3- Christmas Shrinky Dinks (kids 7 and older)

 
Station 4-Thumbprint Reindeer Card
http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2010/12/dubien-family-la-thumbprint-reindeer.html

• paper
• brown paint
• brown marker
• googly eyes
• black and red construction paper
• glue
• scissors

The plan was to do each of the activities in stations with 3-6 kids at each station. Well that was the plan but the kids (as kids will do) split into their regular groups of close buddies. We had a mom at every table to hang out with the kids as well as help out. It went smoothly and everyone seemed to have fun. The boys did all the crafts and for those with boys you know getting them to do crafts is like pulling teeth. But boys being boys we got some interesting takes on traditional Christmas themes.

 Like these snowboarding robotic Cyclops reindeer.

Or these beautiful multicolored clay ornaments.

 My personal favorite was the Ninja Elf. As stated by my son " Because you need stealth to be an Elf."

It was a great day with great families whom we love.