Our junior high has an enrichment afternoon called Tech Thursday, much like the elementary’s University of Wednesday. Marisa and I just completed two sessions on xeriscape and botantical drawing. First, I explained the principles of xeriscape (drought-tolerant landscaping) and talked about our plans to have students help us plant a “demonstration garden” on the slope edging the school garden.
Then I introduced a handful of “rockstar” plants. I gave a little natural history and botany for each.
Mouthing off about ceanothus, deer grass and salvia
Then, to help students really look at the plants, Marisa took over and talked about the art of botanical drawing.
Students then began to sketch. Our hope is that they learned a bit about this style of drawing. We also hope that they have learned a few plant ID’s, having looked so carefully at the plants.
Two particularly great examples:
Last step! Kids in the after school Club Live program putting them in the ground…in the drizzle! 
WOW, just wow! You always amaze me and today those drawings really did the trick 🙂 What an amazing program.
*anna
Admittedly, these are the best of the bunch…but yes, we had some great outcomes. Today we put in the rest of the plants so now we have a very nice native collection going!
Aren’t these kids fortunate to have such dedicated mentors! The students will no doubt get a great start in appreciating nature and art together.
It has been fun to have “spaces” in the school day to bring in further enrichment. This was an experiment, but I think it works well. Here’s to art and nature!
oops–that is Laural, not Lauren (aptly named) so sorry.
Ceanothus is my personal favorite — love that you will have some on a slope…so pretty in Spring. Kudos to David and Lauren –beautiful drawings!
T,
I’m starting to look at plants differently…Who Knew..”.not I “said the dad
Tell me about it….I took Rick and Gina to my Master Gardeners meeting and I talked about plants non-stop on the drive. A late-blooming interest of mine!