Remote learning week #5 - Wildflowers

Hello Barnacles and Bees Learning Community, 

I hope that your world is bursting with color, and that it is a welcome balm in this time NOT spent in the company of people. But as far as company goes, beautiful plants are not bad...they are great listeners, and can smell beautiful. 
 This week I have split the activities into three categories to keep it nice and simple: "outside", "inside", and "leave them to it"
 Outside:

1. Dandelion Syrup
Below are some LOVELY pictures from our dear Megan and her kiddos showing us all how to make dandelion syrup. She says and I quote "It tastes pretty good. It is very sweet." Enough Said
Step 1: Go walking and find 100 dandelions
(rest of the steps are under "inside" if you are interested)

2. Nature Headdresses: 
- Create a paper headband your little one by wrapping thick paper into circle and staple in place
- attach tape sticky side out and then have them stick wildflowers to it as they go about on their walk 

**Paisley did a variation of this when she had her helmet on the other day and it was so cute. She looked for every color of the rainbow and then had us stick it through each hole in the helmet

Leave them to it: 

1. Flowers and Journal Time
- Tape any flowers in their nature journals and have them draw it during their sit spot time
- Try to find all the colors of the rainbow and construct one when you get home

2. Wild Flower Designs 
- Take the flowers you found on your hunt, or whilst out collecting dandelions, OR if you are at a park space just use what is around you. I did this this morning and for myself, an adult, I found it very relaxing in the midst of a lot of stress. Paisley LOVED it 

Megan and her family took us through the process of "How to make Dandelion Syrup"

Inside
1. Flower Pressing
Take the blossom and place between sheets of wax paper and then place something heavy on top for 7 days and see what kind of flower pressings you get. 
2. Dandelion Syrup Cont'd
Step 2: 
- Wash them thoroughly, cut the petals off and put them on a kitchen towel to dry
- When dry, put the petals in a pot and cover them with water. Bring them to a rolling boil for about one minute. Remove from the heat and cover. When cool, put them in the fridge to steep overnight. 
Step 3: 
- Next day, sieve the petals from the water--using a spoon to press the petals with a spoon to get all the juice out. 
-Use the juice in the pot, add sugar, lemon juice and simmer, covered on low heat until it has thickened, stirring occasionally. The MORE sugar, the THICKER. 
- Check consistency after an hour, did a spoon into the syrup and it will be thick enough if it sticks to the back of the spoon
- Store in the fridge up to 3 weeks

I do hope that each of you is thriving where you are planted for the time being. Speaking to our families, if you are not thriving, and you feel a lack of support, please do feel free to contact me via email. Just a drop off and pick up I want to check in with you and see how you are! 
 Take care out there, soak in that Vitamin D like it is going out of stock,

​Robin

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