Hello all,
Sorry its been so long, Duncan and I have been having a well deserved break after the degree show. Its amazing how much this degree takes it out of you!
Anyway, Duncan and I are back in school on wednesday this week to do some pruning, drop off some planter boxes that were used in the degree show and do some general tending to the garden with the children.
The prize for the best garden is decided soon, so everyone needs to be helping out and weeding and pruning with us to make sure you stand the best chance of winning! Don't forget the winning team gets an ice cream each and the winning teacher gets a day off! Yipee!
Really looking forward to seeing you all and how the garden has progressed.
See you soon,
Emma
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Monday, 30 May 2011
The Degree show is up, Hurrraaahhhhh!
After a rather stressful few weeks, the degree show is finally up! The private view, which all of College Rd Primary school are invited too is Friday 10th June 2011 starting at 8pm. Come along and see your work in a gallery!
If you cant male it that night, don't worry as the show is open for 2 weeks, everyday until the 24th June 2011. Its free to get in, and there is loads to see!
See you soon!
Emma
If you cant male it that night, don't worry as the show is open for 2 weeks, everyday until the 24th June 2011. Its free to get in, and there is loads to see!
See you soon!
Emma
Thursday, 26 May 2011
A Big Thakyou
Emma and I have had a wonderful time with you all. We hope you have too and will remember your time with us; growing from seeds plants to create your own garden and the amazing art work you have done over the past three days, see previous post by Emma. We also thank all the staff at College Road Primary for their much appreciated support, allowing us time in a very busy time of the year to run our workshops. This is not a goodby we will be back, for now we are rushing around like mad things getting our exhibition together
Duncan and Emma
Duncan and Emma
Year 1 Arty Days
Monday, wednesday and thursday of this week, Duncan and I came into college rd primary and involved the kids in some arty activities to get them thinking about how the sowing seeds project can in fact be considered as art. In this post you can see the work that the year one class produced. Monday we started with looking through various art books and picking pictures we wanted to do observational drawings from. We followed this by exploring which words described how we felt when we look at or take part in art activities.
Wednesdays session focused on producing leaves describing what we have learn and enjoyed most about the sowing seeds project, on the leaf's other side we drew a picture to represent the sentence. These will be hung off a real tree in Duncan and I's exhibition space for all to see.
Today (thursdays session) we have been potato printing, something which has gone down very well, in particular with the year one class. Using potato stamps cut into shapes of flowers and leaves the children of year one produced some inspiring garden pictures in their art journals.
Along with the work Duncan and I have produced, much to the children's delight, we are also displaying all the children's books within our exhibition. Well done Year one! 
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Banana Cake recipe!
Tomorrow Duncan and I are going in to do the last of our 3 'Art days' with years 1 & 6 (which we will tell you about in another post) however in tomorrows session not ony are we going to do some potato printing but we are also going to taste some homemade (by my fair hands, of course) Banana Cake!
I have included the recipe here, so if it gets a popular reaction you can recreate it at home!
Ingredients:
270g soft light brown sugar
2 eggs
200g ripe peeled bananas (the riper the better!)
280g plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
140g butter, melted
Method:
1) preheat the oven to 170'C (325'F) Gas 3
2) Put the sugar and the eggs in a bowl and beat together with either a spoon and you muscles, or, alternatively use an electric whisk! Beat until well incorporated and then add the mashed bananas and mix those in too.
3)Add the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon to the sugar mixture. Mix it thoroughly until all the dry ingredients are well mixed in.
4) Pour in the melted butter and beat until all the ingredients are incorporated.
5) Pour the mixture into a prepared (greased and lined with baking paper) loaf tin and level out. Bake in a preheated oven for about an hour, or until firm to the touch and a skewer inserted comes out clean.
6) Leave the cake to cool slightly in the tin before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
This yummy cake should do about 10 slices, and will be gone in an instant in any household! Children make sure you have help from adults with hot things, and use of any electric whisks!
Enjoy,
Emma
I have included the recipe here, so if it gets a popular reaction you can recreate it at home!
Ingredients:
270g soft light brown sugar
2 eggs
200g ripe peeled bananas (the riper the better!)
280g plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
140g butter, melted
Method:
1) preheat the oven to 170'C (325'F) Gas 3
2) Put the sugar and the eggs in a bowl and beat together with either a spoon and you muscles, or, alternatively use an electric whisk! Beat until well incorporated and then add the mashed bananas and mix those in too.
3)Add the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon to the sugar mixture. Mix it thoroughly until all the dry ingredients are well mixed in.
4) Pour in the melted butter and beat until all the ingredients are incorporated.
5) Pour the mixture into a prepared (greased and lined with baking paper) loaf tin and level out. Bake in a preheated oven for about an hour, or until firm to the touch and a skewer inserted comes out clean.
6) Leave the cake to cool slightly in the tin before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
This yummy cake should do about 10 slices, and will be gone in an instant in any household! Children make sure you have help from adults with hot things, and use of any electric whisks!
Enjoy,
Emma
Sunday, 22 May 2011
day 2 planting
Emma and I enjoyed another good day planting out lots of vegatables and flowers years 5 and 6 worked hard and appeared to have planted more plants than the years 1,2 and 4 on the previous day.Well done all.There are much more to be planted so if you have any spare time get out there planting its your garden.
The two larger plots will be boarded out to make raised beds so next year they need to be filled with top soil or good compost.Emma and I are back in teaching art with years 1 and 6 next week starting monday 23rd May next week.Below are more photos of everyone spending time in the garden.Well done keep up the good work.
Duncan and Emma
The two larger plots will be boarded out to make raised beds so next year they need to be filled with top soil or good compost.Emma and I are back in teaching art with years 1 and 6 next week starting monday 23rd May next week.Below are more photos of everyone spending time in the garden.Well done keep up the good work.
Duncan and Emma
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Planting Out Day 1!
On Thursday, Duncan and I went into school and planted up with years 4, 2, 1 and Reception. We got loads of plants in the ground and the garden is starting to look really established! Years 4 and 2 also tried Radishes' straight from the ground and used words such as, Peppery, Spicy, Hot, Tasty, Brilliant, Disgusting, Lovely and Crunchy. For the most part the radishes got a rather good review!
Below are just a few pictures of the four year groups plots and how they are developing!
Below are just a few pictures of the four year groups plots and how they are developing!
Thursday, 19 May 2011
A Hard Days Digging
Last night myself and a big group of friends, family and other helpers all pulled together to finally get around to digging the garden over. With rocks the size of boulders, bits of glass, weeds, and many other foreign bodies, this is a job that cost all of us blood sweat and tears!
I have included some pictures below of all the people that came to help out. Both Duncan and I would like to say a MASSIVE thank you to all of you! Especially with our degree show fast approaching we really could not have done it without you!
I have included some pictures below of all the people that came to help out. Both Duncan and I would like to say a MASSIVE thank you to all of you! Especially with our degree show fast approaching we really could not have done it without you!
Monday, 2 May 2011
Spinach and Cheese Muffins
The Spinach and Cheese muffins were a surprise hit with the children of College Rd primary school. Below is the recipe for you to recreate them at home. Just ask for adults help when you put them in and out the oven and with any chopping too!
Ingredients:
30g Butter
1/2 Small Red Onion, Chopped Finely
360g Plain Flour
2 1/2 Tspns Baking Powder
1 Tspn Cayenne Pepper
250g Cheddar Cheese, Grated
220ml Whole Milk
1 Egg
130g Baby Spinach Leaves
Method:
1) Preheat the oven to 170'C (325'F) Gas mark 3.
2) Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, then fry the onion until cooked. Set aside.
3) Put the flour, baking powder, cayenne and cheeses in a large bowl. In a separate bowl mix the milk and egg together, then slowly pour into the flour mixture and beat with a handheld electric whisk until all the ingredients are well mixed.
4) Stir in the onion and spinach with a wooden spoon until evenly dispersed.
5) Spoon the mixture into the paper cases until two-thirds full and bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until deep golden and the sponge bounces back when touched. A skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean.
6) Leave the muffins to cool slightly in the tray before turning them out on a wire rack to cool completely.
Ingredients:
30g Butter
1/2 Small Red Onion, Chopped Finely
360g Plain Flour
2 1/2 Tspns Baking Powder
1 Tspn Cayenne Pepper
250g Cheddar Cheese, Grated
220ml Whole Milk
1 Egg
130g Baby Spinach Leaves
Method:
1) Preheat the oven to 170'C (325'F) Gas mark 3.
2) Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, then fry the onion until cooked. Set aside.
3) Put the flour, baking powder, cayenne and cheeses in a large bowl. In a separate bowl mix the milk and egg together, then slowly pour into the flour mixture and beat with a handheld electric whisk until all the ingredients are well mixed.
4) Stir in the onion and spinach with a wooden spoon until evenly dispersed.
5) Spoon the mixture into the paper cases until two-thirds full and bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until deep golden and the sponge bounces back when touched. A skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean.
6) Leave the muffins to cool slightly in the tray before turning them out on a wire rack to cool completely.
Carrot and Courgette Muffins
Listed is the Carrot and Courgette Muffin recipe that was tasted by the school children of College Rd Primary school on the 28/4/11. Have fun recreating this at home and sharing them around, but children, make sure you have help from adults with any chopping. Also make sure adults put the muffins in and out of the oven - we don't want any burnt fingers!
Ingredients:
2 Eggs
200g Soft Light Brown Sugar
80ml Sunflower Oil
260g Plain Flour
2 Tspns Baking Powder
2 Tspns Ground Cinnamon
80ml Natural Yoghurt
1/2 Tspn Vanilla Extract
120g Shelled Walnuts, Chopped
250g Carrots, Grated
120g Courgette, Grated
Method:
1) Preheat the oven to 170'C (325'F) Gas mark 3.
2) Put the eggs, sugar and oil in an electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat on a slow speed until well combined. In a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking powder and cinnamon, then add to the egg mixture. Beat until everything is well incorporated.
3) Add the yoghurt and the vanilla extract and mix through until well combined. Stir on the walnuts, carrots and courgettes with a wooden spoon until evenly dispersed.
4) Spoon the mixture into the paper cases until two-thirds full and bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until deep golden and the sponge bounces back when touched. A skewer inserted should come out clean.
5) Leave the muffins to cool slightly in the tray before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Ingredients:
2 Eggs
200g Soft Light Brown Sugar
80ml Sunflower Oil
260g Plain Flour
2 Tspns Baking Powder
2 Tspns Ground Cinnamon
80ml Natural Yoghurt
1/2 Tspn Vanilla Extract
120g Shelled Walnuts, Chopped
250g Carrots, Grated
120g Courgette, Grated
Method:
1) Preheat the oven to 170'C (325'F) Gas mark 3.
2) Put the eggs, sugar and oil in an electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat on a slow speed until well combined. In a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking powder and cinnamon, then add to the egg mixture. Beat until everything is well incorporated.
3) Add the yoghurt and the vanilla extract and mix through until well combined. Stir on the walnuts, carrots and courgettes with a wooden spoon until evenly dispersed.
4) Spoon the mixture into the paper cases until two-thirds full and bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until deep golden and the sponge bounces back when touched. A skewer inserted should come out clean.
5) Leave the muffins to cool slightly in the tray before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Ham & Mushroom Muffins
Here is the recipe for the Ham and Mushroom Muffins given out on the 28/4/11. It is a really tasty treat, just make sure you have help from adults with any chopping and let them put the muffins in and out of the oven! We don't want any burnt fingers!
Ingredients:
50g Butter
1/2 Small Onion, Finely Chopped
80g Button Mushrooms
360g Plain Flour
2 1/2 Tspns Baking Powder
250g Cheddar Cheese
220ml Whole Milk
1 Egg
80g Smoked Ham, Finely Chopped
Sea Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Method:
1) Preheat the oven to 170'C (325'F) Gas mark 3.
2) Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, then fry the onion and mushrooms until cooked.Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
3) Put the flour, baking powder, and cheese in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the milk and egg together, then slowly pour into the flour mixture and beat with a hand held electric whisk until all the ingredients are well mixed.
4) Stir in the onion, mushrooms, and chopped ham with a wooden spoon until evenly dispersed.
5) Spoon the mixture into paper cases until two-thirds full and bake in a preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until deep golden and the sponge bounces back when touched. A skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean.
6) Leave the muffins to cool slightly in the tray before turning out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Ingredients:
50g Butter
1/2 Small Onion, Finely Chopped
80g Button Mushrooms
360g Plain Flour
2 1/2 Tspns Baking Powder
250g Cheddar Cheese
220ml Whole Milk
1 Egg
80g Smoked Ham, Finely Chopped
Sea Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Method:
1) Preheat the oven to 170'C (325'F) Gas mark 3.
2) Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, then fry the onion and mushrooms until cooked.Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
3) Put the flour, baking powder, and cheese in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the milk and egg together, then slowly pour into the flour mixture and beat with a hand held electric whisk until all the ingredients are well mixed.
4) Stir in the onion, mushrooms, and chopped ham with a wooden spoon until evenly dispersed.
5) Spoon the mixture into paper cases until two-thirds full and bake in a preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until deep golden and the sponge bounces back when touched. A skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean.
6) Leave the muffins to cool slightly in the tray before turning out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Growing in the garden.
Hello All,
Duncan and I have been busy today transporting to and from College Rd, ready for our day of teaching tomorrow. The plan is to fill a planter box (one per class) with all the plants that have started maturing and now need more space! We are both also splendidly excited about viewing all the 'Ideal Garden' drawings that the children have created.For now though, i will leave you with some images of things sprouting up in the garden, and house, and windowsill(s)...come to think of it everywhere in the house is covered in seed trays! Yippee!
Emma
Duncan and I have been busy today transporting to and from College Rd, ready for our day of teaching tomorrow. The plan is to fill a planter box (one per class) with all the plants that have started maturing and now need more space! We are both also splendidly excited about viewing all the 'Ideal Garden' drawings that the children have created.For now though, i will leave you with some images of things sprouting up in the garden, and house, and windowsill(s)...come to think of it everywhere in the house is covered in seed trays! Yippee!
Emma
Thursday, 21 April 2011
A New Discovery!
Today i have been looking through many artworks to pick some of my favourites for front covers, when i came across Giuseppe Arcimboldo. This painting 'Vertumnus (Emperor Rudolph II)' was created in 1590, and I love how he has depicted his subject through a variety of different fruit and vegetables.
This painting will be definitely the front cover to some ones book. Along with Arcimboldo i also plan to use works by well known artists Paul Cezanne & Vincent Van Gogh, but also more modern artists such as Patrick Caulfield, and the fabulous prints created by Angie Lewin.
Happy Gardening (particularly in this lovely weather!)
Emma
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Progress report
Emma and I are working hard making the planters, seven for College Road primary School and possibly six extra-to be used in our exhibition. The material we are using is used wood from disassembled pallets, this is labor intensive work, taking care to remove nails and not damage the wood.These pallets are collected from local businesses free of charge, recycling in place of dumping them. I have been sowing seeds at home where I can keep a look out for the dreaded slugs and being able to water them when necessary. Hopefully these will be ready for planting out on 28 April so there is plenty to do on the day. Emma and I will be demonstrating transplanting seedlings to pots for planting out. If time permits, we will be assessing the plant boxes that surround the covered area in the playground, one for each class to plant up and take care of (remember the prize). As you can see from the photographs we have been sowing seeds, there will be plenty to do.The next stage for Emma I will be to organizing the creation of the garden, using the strong muscle power of student volunteers from the Plymouth University plus parents and grandparents, more on this and the garden club later.Till the next time Duncan
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Update!
Apart from my little entry a moment ago about the SIFE dinner, it feels like ages ago since i updated you all with the general progress of the project. So i will try and get you up to date without rambling too much!
Duncan and I had our second day at College Rd Primary on the 5th April, which was really just a general catch up to check they were all looking after the seed trays we planted with them in the previous workshop. It was fab to see the plants emerging, lots of Beans and Lettuces in particular! We also checked in with their researching skills as the previous homework was for the class as a whole to research a particular vegetable - i must admit i was most impressed with Foundation class, who even gave us a demonstration of how Carrots grow, and how their leafy tops wave around in the wind!
The next homework we have set the children, is for them all to draw their perfect gardens, looking at what fruit and vegetables they would like to include, whether the garden would have a certain theme or colour pallete. What insects they do and dont want to attract, and for the older children we have asked them to think about how they could include companion planting too! Lots for them to think about, however they do have the whole Easter break, until our next visit on the 28th April. I am really looking forward to the drawings we recieve!!! The winning classes drawings get to pick a fruit bush of their choice for their allotment patch!
As for my work at home, i have been making up the gardening journals for the children of gardening club - as we are aiming for this to start after Easter. I had to transplant my little Spinach and Lettuce seedlings into bigger pots as they had outgrown their allocated space in my garden and have also been trying to source more recycled wood to make planter boxes, and raised beds. Homebase have kindly said we can have some old pallets which i plan to pick up on Thursday, if i can fit them in my car! It is currently overloaded with spades and seeds, compost and wood, not to mention all the other stuff it usually houses - coats and boots etc etc.
For the moment i think that is all i have to tell, we get access to the garden in less than 3 weeks now - so the final countdown is on and Duncan and I are racing around to try and get this garden as good as it can possibly be! I won't leave it as long until i update you next, that way hopefully my ramblings will be in small bite sized, managable chunks!
Speak soon, Emma.
Duncan and I had our second day at College Rd Primary on the 5th April, which was really just a general catch up to check they were all looking after the seed trays we planted with them in the previous workshop. It was fab to see the plants emerging, lots of Beans and Lettuces in particular! We also checked in with their researching skills as the previous homework was for the class as a whole to research a particular vegetable - i must admit i was most impressed with Foundation class, who even gave us a demonstration of how Carrots grow, and how their leafy tops wave around in the wind!
The next homework we have set the children, is for them all to draw their perfect gardens, looking at what fruit and vegetables they would like to include, whether the garden would have a certain theme or colour pallete. What insects they do and dont want to attract, and for the older children we have asked them to think about how they could include companion planting too! Lots for them to think about, however they do have the whole Easter break, until our next visit on the 28th April. I am really looking forward to the drawings we recieve!!! The winning classes drawings get to pick a fruit bush of their choice for their allotment patch!
As for my work at home, i have been making up the gardening journals for the children of gardening club - as we are aiming for this to start after Easter. I had to transplant my little Spinach and Lettuce seedlings into bigger pots as they had outgrown their allocated space in my garden and have also been trying to source more recycled wood to make planter boxes, and raised beds. Homebase have kindly said we can have some old pallets which i plan to pick up on Thursday, if i can fit them in my car! It is currently overloaded with spades and seeds, compost and wood, not to mention all the other stuff it usually houses - coats and boots etc etc.
For the moment i think that is all i have to tell, we get access to the garden in less than 3 weeks now - so the final countdown is on and Duncan and I are racing around to try and get this garden as good as it can possibly be! I won't leave it as long until i update you next, that way hopefully my ramblings will be in small bite sized, managable chunks!
Speak soon, Emma.
SIFE Promotional Dinner.
I have just been emailed over images from the promotional dinner Duncan and I took part in on 31st March, so i thought i would share them with you all. The dinner was to raise awareness and money for SIFE's main project START which helps refugees in Plymouth. Nevertheless lots of smaller projects such as Sowing Seeds were invited along to share some of the limelight and expose our projects to new audiences. There were lots of silly games, and a plentyfull amount of food and overall the evening raised over a thousand pounds for START. Duncan and I met lots of new people which we hope to turn into friendly faces to help out with the project. Emma.
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