Library
We plan to have a lot of fun this year with our group of children. For those of you who are new to this site, the Library Learning Patch - Children Discovering Nature, is a joint project between the Red River County Public Library (Sponsored by the Friends of the Library) and the Red River Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist organization. Master Naturalists will teach the children about the natural world around them by reading library books, as well as providing hands on experiences while growing vegetables.
Week One:
The first week we read the book, How Groundhog's Garden Grew.The children loved the beautiful illustrations. A delicious snack of "dirt cake" complete with earthworms was enjoyed while learning about different types of soil and which one is best for gardens. Each child held samples of sand, silt, and clay, and compared them. Then out to the the garden--tilling, raking and smoothing the soil to get it ready for planting. They also made paper pots out of recycled newspaper. Sunflower and basil seeds will be planted in these pots for later transplanting to the garden. Notebooks were issued to each child. They will keep a journal, as well as adding information each week. The children made mini-books about soil characteristics. Mini-books will be made each session and then compiled into a lap book for the children to keep.
Week Two:
The second week was very busy. We first read the book, Yucky Worms. They discovered that earthworms are fascinating creatures. As you can see from the photographs, these were definitely a hit! We planted our sunflower and basil seeds in our newspaper pots. Then out to the garden--the children planted lettuce and radish seeds. They also planted onions. What fun! After watering the new plantings thoroughly, the earthworms were released. It was fun seeing them work their way into the soil. We discussed how the earthworms benefit the soil.
Week Three:
From Seed to Sunflower was the book of choice this week. The children were also encouraged to check out other books about the subjects being studied this year. The library has a great collection of nature books for children. We made mini-books about seeds we planted, as well as ones showing what plants need to live. Their snack this week featured different kinds of food that have seeds--apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, strawberries, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Lima beans were opened to view the tiny seed within them. The newspaper pots were checked--some of the sunflowers and basil had sprouted. Then out to the garden--our radishes and lettuce were up! Hurrah! The children weeded, planted more lettuce, and then watered everything.
- Winter In The Vegetable Garden
Don Weber and Puwen Lee have been busy getting the Central Library vegetable garden ready for winter. Two weeks ago, they transplanted the mixed lettuce seedlings (originally planted as seeds in the raised bed garden in August), both inside and outside...
- Library Learning Patch Nature Club
Our third year of Library Learning Patch Nature Club has begun. We have changed our name this year to more accurately reflect the purpose of the program, teaching children about their natural world. This nature club is a joint effort...
- Sign Up Time--library Learning Patch - Children Discovering Nature
It's signup time again for our nature club, Library Learning Patch-Children Discovering Nature. Children ages 6-9 are invited to sign up through January 26, 2013. This program is co-sponsored by the Red River County Public Library and the Red River...
- Sign Up Time For Garden Club
The Red River County Public Library and members of the Red River Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists are offering the Library Learning Patch again this year. Children from grades 1-5 are invited to sign up at the Library from January 9-27. The...
- Parts Of Plants
Session 3 The Library Learning Patch Kids learned about what parts of plants are edible and then got to sample the examples. Edible plant parts include:Leaves (lettuce)Stems (celery)Flowers (broccoli)Seeds (sunflower)Fruit (apple)Roots (carrot) The...
Library
Library Learning Patch - Children Discovering Nature
We plan to have a lot of fun this year with our group of children. For those of you who are new to this site, the Library Learning Patch - Children Discovering Nature, is a joint project between the Red River County Public Library (Sponsored by the Friends of the Library) and the Red River Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist organization. Master Naturalists will teach the children about the natural world around them by reading library books, as well as providing hands on experiences while growing vegetables.
 |
| We're Ready To Learn! |
The first week we read the book, How Groundhog's Garden Grew.The children loved the beautiful illustrations. A delicious snack of "dirt cake" complete with earthworms was enjoyed while learning about different types of soil and which one is best for gardens. Each child held samples of sand, silt, and clay, and compared them. Then out to the the garden--tilling, raking and smoothing the soil to get it ready for planting. They also made paper pots out of recycled newspaper. Sunflower and basil seeds will be planted in these pots for later transplanting to the garden. Notebooks were issued to each child. They will keep a journal, as well as adding information each week. The children made mini-books about soil characteristics. Mini-books will be made each session and then compiled into a lap book for the children to keep.
The second week was very busy. We first read the book, Yucky Worms. They discovered that earthworms are fascinating creatures. As you can see from the photographs, these were definitely a hit! We planted our sunflower and basil seeds in our newspaper pots. Then out to the garden--the children planted lettuce and radish seeds. They also planted onions. What fun! After watering the new plantings thoroughly, the earthworms were released. It was fun seeing them work their way into the soil. We discussed how the earthworms benefit the soil.
 |
| We love worms! |
From Seed to Sunflower was the book of choice this week. The children were also encouraged to check out other books about the subjects being studied this year. The library has a great collection of nature books for children. We made mini-books about seeds we planted, as well as ones showing what plants need to live. Their snack this week featured different kinds of food that have seeds--apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, strawberries, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Lima beans were opened to view the tiny seed within them. The newspaper pots were checked--some of the sunflowers and basil had sprouted. Then out to the garden--our radishes and lettuce were up! Hurrah! The children weeded, planted more lettuce, and then watered everything.
 |
| Carefully planting our seeds! |
Next week we will have fun making our scarecrow!
?
- Winter In The Vegetable Garden
Don Weber and Puwen Lee have been busy getting the Central Library vegetable garden ready for winter. Two weeks ago, they transplanted the mixed lettuce seedlings (originally planted as seeds in the raised bed garden in August), both inside and outside...
- Library Learning Patch Nature Club
Our third year of Library Learning Patch Nature Club has begun. We have changed our name this year to more accurately reflect the purpose of the program, teaching children about their natural world. This nature club is a joint effort...
- Sign Up Time--library Learning Patch - Children Discovering Nature
It's signup time again for our nature club, Library Learning Patch-Children Discovering Nature. Children ages 6-9 are invited to sign up through January 26, 2013. This program is co-sponsored by the Red River County Public Library and the Red River...
- Sign Up Time For Garden Club
The Red River County Public Library and members of the Red River Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists are offering the Library Learning Patch again this year. Children from grades 1-5 are invited to sign up at the Library from January 9-27. The...
- Parts Of Plants
Session 3 The Library Learning Patch Kids learned about what parts of plants are edible and then got to sample the examples. Edible plant parts include:Leaves (lettuce)Stems (celery)Flowers (broccoli)Seeds (sunflower)Fruit (apple)Roots (carrot) The...