What's included
4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
*All "busy-work" and commenting in the classroom is optional in this class. Over the course of four weeks, students will both learn about the nature and botany of several herbs before using their artistic skills to incorporate the herbs into a nature scene. This will help students who learn more visually to be able to best grasp where herbs are located and be able to spot them not only in gardens, but also out in the wild. While this class has strong artistic portions, it primarily focuses on the botanical and natural sciences of these plants. Week 1: During the first week, students will learn about a selection of herbs (about 5) and the weather and locations which they grow in. Over the course of several days, they will be able to learn about what these herbs do within the fantasy world of Warriors as well as how they are currently used in the real world (e.g. as teas, in scented candles, to season food, etc.) They will reinforce their learning by playing games and participating in activities to best remember how each herb is situated in the natural world. As a teacher, I will post lectures. Towards the end of class, I will also post a scavenger hunt, where students will be able to locate the herbs that they have just learned about. This is when students will also first begin to structure the first of their two herb art pieces. During the first week, they will start on the background of their selected herb, beginning to detail where the herb is located (mountains, forest, desert, etc.) Examples from the teacher will also be posted to best give students all the visual assistance to learning possible. Week 2: Once the second week starts, we will begin to learn about the more detailed parts of the herbs and what they need for care. This is when students will be able to work on the finer details of their picture, adding in the herb itself. But we will focus on more precise details, like what sort of soil a herb needs, how much sunlight to grow, when the flowers bloom, and what seasons are best for the plant to grow. This will add to the detail of the student's artwork. To reinforce the shared learner experience, a bingo card will be made for students. Learners will compete with each other to try to get a bingo on their card. They will be able to use the bingo card on both an example picture which I have made as well as other student's artwork. At this point, I will also have further written lectures to best give visual references to where and how herbs are grown. Students will be able to see a life-cycle of a herb and when it is best to pick it. Week 3: For the third week, learners will have completed their first piece of herb artwork. During this point of class, learners will be able to start a second piece of art for the second phase of the class experience. During this second portion of the class, learners will be focusing on trees which are considered "herbs" in the Warrior world. First, we will learn what is and is not considered an herb, but what is popularly called that within Warriors anyway. Then we will be able to play a game, where students will be able to work among themselves to identify what is and is not an herb. This will be when they will be able to start on their second piece of art. Much like the first time, they will be accompanied by a lecture detailing the environment visually of where each tree is located and how it best grows. Then they will be able to start their drawing to work out the scene in which the tree appears. For further interactions, there will be a fun kahoot game to close out the week. Week 4: For the final week, students will be able to work on the last portion of their scene. During this point, they will learn when the tree is used in Warriors (Winter, Spring, Fall, or Summer) and what parts of it the Warrior Cats use the most. Students will then be given a fun scenario, where they will be given a map, and from that map they can work out where the trees we have discussed are primarily located (what countries or what states). This will allow students to be able to see that these plants are sometimes quite close to where they live and that they can keep an eye out for them on their trips. After this search is completed, students will have a chance to interact with the teacher by playing 'teacher' themselves. During this portion of class, they will be asked to give a scenario to both the teacher and to other students in class. This scenario will be either on where to find an herb or by creating a situation where the herb would be needed. From there, the students and teacher will try to work out which herb would best fit the scenario. By this point, students will have finished their last picture, finalizing the details of their art.
Learning Goals
Learners will be able to draw and illustrate a number of herbs as well as identify plants and work out where they are located in the wild.
Syllabus
4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Week 1
Lesson 2:
Week 2
Lesson 3:
Week 3
Lesson 4:
Week 4
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The Warriors series by Erin Hunter contains death and violence. The herbs described in this class are used in relation to this violence. Warriors is a series directed at 8-12 year olds. Parents are best aware if Warriors is suitable or not for their children. Herbs are also to be noted no substitute for medical care and are mentioned in this class from purely a botanical and historical use focus.
Sources
Warriors by Erin Hunter is used for inspiration.
Just like one of the Erin Hunters, I feel it suitable to mention that many of these herbs are taken from Culpeper's Herbal Remedies by Nicolas Culpeper. This is used as historical reference, not as a guide for actual medical care.
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have taught four other classes on Outschool which discuss this subject in detail. I take this class from a historical and botanical perspective, describing how herbs were used in history, as well as biomes/weather that these plants are located in. I make it quite clear to students that these herbs are not to be used for medical purposes, while empathizing the fantasy aspect of their uses in the book.
Reviews
Self-Paced Class
$5
weekly or $20 for all content4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
Completed by 2 learners
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Ages: 10-15