Making potpouri out of dried leaves, flowers and plants found in the garden

Core Skills Analysis

Potpourri

• The student learned about the concept of assortment and mixtures by selecting a variety of dried leaves, flowers, and plants for the potpourri.
• Through this activity, the student explored the sensory aspect of touch and smell, understanding how different textures and scents can be combined to create a sensory experience.
• The student gained knowledge about natural materials found in the garden and learned to appreciate the beauty of nature through the creation of potpourri.
• By arranging the dried components in a visually appealing manner, the student practiced the concept of design and aesthetics in a hands-on way.

Tips

Encourage the 7-year-old to experiment with different combinations of dried leaves, flowers, and plants from the garden to create unique scents and textures for their potpourri. Additionally, you can introduce the concept of preservation by discussing methods to dry and store natural materials for future use in similar activities. To enhance their learning experience, consider documenting the process of making potpourri through drawings or photographs, creating a visual diary of their botanical creations.

Book Recommendations

• The Flower Workshop: Lessons in Arranging Blooms, Branches, Fruits, and Foraged Materials by Ariella Chezar: This book provides a creative guide to arranging flowers and foraged materials, offering inspiration for incorporating natural elements into artistic projects.
• The Artful Year: Celebrating the Seasons and Holidays with Crafts and Recipes by Jean Van't Hul: A seasonal guide with craft ideas that involve natural materials, perfect for engaging children in hands-on creative projects inspired by nature.
• Nature's Art Box: From t-shirts to twig baskets, 65 cool projects for crafty kids to make with natural materials you can find anywhere by Laura C. Martin: A collection of nature-inspired craft projects using easily accessible materials, encouraging children to explore their creativity through natural elements.