Anderson, Lena and Bjork, Christina, Linnea in Monet’s Garden, 1993, First Run Features, New York.

This 30 minute video is based on the book Linnea in Monet’s Garden. It is the charming tale of a little girl’s love of the art by Impressionist Claude Monet. It combines animation with photographs of paintings by Claude Monet. The story unfolds when Linnea and her friend Mr. Bloom set off to Paris and then to Monet’s garden in Giverny. They compare the real places in the Museum and Gardens with favorite paintings. The video is a unique blend of imagination and education, teaching children about the art and life of one of the most important painters of the 20^th century, visiting museums, and more. Highly recommended for combining art education with plant study.

Gittleman, Philip, At The Met: Flowers and Gardens, 1983, ABC Enterprises, Inc. Boston, MA.

While this video is geared to older students, say 12 and up, our little three year old watched bits of it. It guides the student through the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Great Hall to the living Medieval garden of The Cloisters. The Cloisters was designed to enhance the Met’s famed Unicorn Tapestries. The gardens were created to mirror the gardens in the tapestry including the plants selected. Students will learn about some of the symbolism of various plants and watch the arrangement of some of the beautiful floral arrangements in the museum. Discussion and scenes are played against a backdrop of classical music.

The Creation Discovery Series: God’s Power Plants, Moody Institute of Science, 30 minutes.

This video is a Christian alternative to Bill Nye the Science Guy. Geared to the 8 through 14 set, it features the Power Plant Kids and Professor Schnaegel. The kids and professor explore God’s wonderful world of plants. Covers photosynthesis, plant growth and development and symbiotic relationships. In places this video is too fast paced and the children hard to understand.

Note: Contains rock music.

The Plow That Broke The Plains, WPA Archive Films

This is an interesting WPA film about the importance of soil conservation. This dramatic black and white film shows excellent shots (actual not staged) of the dust bowl. Describes the human suffering caused by poor farm management and draught. Excellent source for bringing history into your study of soil conservation and symbiotic relationships. Geared to adults; interesting to 4^th grade and above. If your library does not have this film, get it through interlibrary loan Sno-Isle Library System, Edmonds WA.

Moody Science Classics: God of Creation, Moody Video, Chicago, IL 28 minutes. [1-57567-037-2]

This is a classic filmed in the early 60s. Very educational and inspirational. It begins with creation and the solar system. About 7 minutes into the video it explains photosynthesis and the importance of plants. This segment features microscopic views of plant cells and wonderful time lapse photography. The next segment shows the actual process of a caterpillar forming a chrysalis and then coming forth as a beautiful butterfly. This film is broader than the topic at hand, but definitely worth the time. While geared to older students, our preschooler was mesmerized by the entire video.

The Wonders of God’s Creation: Planet Earth Sanctuary of Life, 1993, Moody Institute of Science, Chicago, IL, 65 min [1-57567-053-4]

The main purpose of this video is to show that the earth and all that it contains could not have just happened. It begins with quotations from famous scientist (e.g. Einstein, Newton) which testify to God’s Creative hand in our World. The first half of this beautifully orchestrated video concentrates on the life giving force of water. It mainly is related to chemistry. The second half, (beginning at approximately 38:48) discusses the life sustaining power of plants and how seeds guarantee their continuation of species making it appropriate for study of genetics. Wonderful aerial photography coordinated with fantastic music enhances the entire presentation. Great for family viewing: simple clear presentation, yet does not talk down to viewers. Uses accurate scientific vocabulary.

Audio Tape/CDs

Jack and The Beanstalk, 1991, Rabbit Ears Productions, Inc., Rowayton, CT.

This is a great version of the classic tale. Narrated by Monty Python’s own Michael Palin it is true to its decidedly English origins. He shows his talent for vocal interpretation, playing all the roles artfully. The musical interludes and backgrounds music by Eurythics’ Dave Stewart adds to the excitement of the story. Everyone in the family will enjoy listening to this rendition of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Lyrical Life Science Volume 1, Sing ‘n Learn, Dallas, TX, (1-800-460-1973)

This clever tape done to familiar, traditional tunes has facts of science put to music to enhance the ability to learn this information. Includes: The Scientific Method, Introduction to Life Science, Viruses, Bacteria, Protozoan, Vascular & Non-vascular plants, Invertebrates, Vertebrates, Genetics. Includes an 80 page book containing lyrics and music for each song, and explanation of the concepts, and nearly 200 scientific drawings.

Lyrical Life Science Volume 2, Sing ‘n Learn, Dallas, TX, (1-800-460-1973)

This is a systematic study of facts about biomes, ecology, ecosystems, and mammals. Songs are sung to the toe-tapping tunes such as "Erie Canal", Aura Lee, Home on the Range, The Yellow Rose of Texas, etc. The accompanying text includes the lyrics and over 200 original illustrations.

Games

Don’t Bug Me, Aristoplay, Ann Arbor, Michigan,

A board game for grades K-3.

The Pollination Game, Ampersand Press, Bainbridge Island, WA,

A card game for ages 8 and up.

The Farming Game,

A game that teaches some of the business and economic principles of raising crops. Grades 5 and up.

Computer Software & Games

Imagine Your Landscape: Update Your Landscape With Living Pictures, 1997, Visual Applications, Inc., Kansas City, MO.

This CD was purchased to help with my landscape design, but I found it had a great botanical reference guide. This library provides actual photographs of the plants, as well as growing information. As far as a landscaping tool it is also unique. It has you scan in photographs of the area you wish to landscape, then you work on the possibilities on screen. It even allows you to work with only a portion of your photograph and erase

SimFarm, 1997, MAXIS, Orinda, CA.[0-7845-1463-1]

Ó 1998 by Beverly L. Adams-Gordon