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Click the book, sit back and watch this story, (run time 8 min). The Empty Pot, is written by Demi and read to you by Rami Malek.
Window Sprouts
Materials: Plastic zip lock bag or plastic wrap folded from the bottom and taped at the sides; paper towel; seeds (bean or other), construction or other paper; scissors, ruler, pencil or markers, tape.
What to do: Cut a house shape out of construction paper. In the middle of the house cut a big window so that when you tape it to your ziplock bag you can see as much of the bottom, sides and top of the bag as possible. Use your ruler to mark lines with your pencil along the side of your house so that you can see how fast your seed is growing!
Fold a piece of paper towel so it fits in your bag and put some water on it so that it is damp. Place your seeds (3-4) in the bottom portion of your bag so that you can see them. Tape the bag to your house shape and tape to a sunny window. Make sure that the towel stays damp and measure your seed's growth.
Living Playhouse
It’s easy to grow a sheltered play space with either giant sunflowers or pole beans. Simply plant seeds in a circle big enough for two (or more!) people and be sure to leave a section that will eventually be a door. Once the plants are up, add tall stakes and tie them together at the top to form a cone shape.
The seedlings will grow through the summer and create a shady nook by summer’s end. Even grown-ups may find it the perfect place to tuck away and read this summer!
Hammered Leaf Designs
Materials: Rough paper (watercolour) or cotton, various leaves, flower petals, hammer or rock (watch your fingers!)
What to do: Go for a walk and collect your materials. Experiment with different leaves, stems and flowers. Put material or paper on a hard surface such as a cutting board or wood slab. Arrange your leaves and cover with a paper towel. Hammer (not too hard) and check your progress by gently lifting the paper towel. Once you see a distinct imprint on the paper towel you can gently remove the smashed leaves from your base paper/material and see your design. Make sure that you remove all of the plant material just leaving the design. Click the picture for more information.
Science Challenge
This seed is like a mini climatologist! Make a pinecone hygrometer to measure the moisture in the air. Click the picture to learn all about it.
"Pop" the corn seed
Jumping Popcorn – fill a shallow bowl or plate with prepared popcorn and hold it while you hop from one end of the yard to the other. See how much you can keep on the plate. The birds will eat the popped seeds that you drop!
Virtual Visit
We are partnering with Farmer Cam!
Join the Library as we visit Cam on the fertile soils of the Skeena River valley. He grows vegetables, microgreens, herbs and flowers. Click the picture for a spring tour of his plants and learn about the seeds he grows.
Survival - Plant Style
Click the picture to take a trip to a tropical forest and learn about plant adaptations.
Kitchen Inventor's Rice Pudding
Did you know that rice is actually the seed of a special type of grass? It has several stalks with long flattened leaves. At the end of each stalk is a fan-shaped head made up of green and yellow flowers. These flowers produce the grains of rice.
Get Ready: Wash, wash, wash your hands!
Gather ingredients: Leftover rice, milk (or other milk substitute), sweetener– honey or maple syrup, salt, options: Cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom, ginger, cocoa powder, additions: fruit, raisins.
Gather your supplies: Pot, spoon, measuring cup
Measure leftover cooked rice into a pot and add an equal amount of milk. Heat until boiling. Turn the heat down to medium low and add honey or maple syrup to taste along with a generous pinch of salt. Then add any extra flavours that you like: a dash of cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom, ginger, or even cocoa powder.
Keep stirring (and tasting!) for about 15 minutes until it is soft and creamy. You can add more milk as you go along for creaminess.
When it’s done you can add fruit such as raisins or bananas or top with a dollop of jam! Enjoy warm or cold. Don't seeds taste great?