A Maze of Maize
Ages 2 and up (two 60 minute sessions to create)
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Objectives
- To add variety to the garden plan
- To teach proper seed spacing
- To learn to use measuring devices
- To understand why certain seeds are planted at different depths
- To encourage exploration, imagination, and enjoyment
Materials:
- Corn Seed – (These are usually covered with the fungicide Captan unless they are organic seeds, the teacher should handle the seeds wearing plastic gloves)
- Hole Measuring tool
- Turf grass Drum roller
- 10’ x 1” sticks to make a teepee
- Two other adults
- Hoe or metal rake
Set up:
Create a measuring tool with two sticks. Attach string, two inches up each stick and 12” apart. See photo. Use the roller to create the pathways for the maze on newly rototilled ground. The pathways will help the children know where to walk and where to make the holes for the seeds. Place the teepee in the center of the maze. Talk with the children about mazes before bringing them out to plant. Have them draw a few mazes on paper. Give them some mazes you drew ahead of time and help them go through the maze with a crayon. Introduce the idea of planting a maze in their garden.
Part one:
Once in the garden, the children will use the hole- measuring tool to ensure that the plants will be 12 inches apart and 2 inches deep. One adult should help them create the holes along both sides of the path in the fluffy rows. The second adult can follow and add 3 corn seeds to each hole. The third adult can walk behind the second adult and cover and tamp the seeds in, with a hoe or metal rake. Side dress the corn rows with blood meal and work it into the soil. Have them plant morning glory seeds or pole bean seeds around the base of the teepee. Put a layer of straw or hay in the floor of the teepee to sit on and keep weeds from growing. Water the seeds in well.
Part two:
As the corn grows, the children will begin to see the development of the maze. Have them make a sign for the entrance of their maze.
Questions:
Everything relating to corn and it’s development.
Everything about seeds and their germination. See section 1.
Corn Husk Dolls
When the corn ears are just starting to” silk”, pick the two flowers from one of the corn stalks. (the top “the tassel” is the male flower that carries the pollen, and the ear of corn is the female flower that contains the pistils which we call silk). Have the children carefully dissect the female flower, one husk at a time and look at how each of the pistils go to one kernel of corn. Corn is pollinated by wind. That’s why we plant it close together in blocks or in threes.
After the dissection, follow the directions below and use the husks to make simple corn husk dolls. Dry the silks and use them for hair.
Take four cornhusks and arrange them as shown in. Fig. 1
Using a small piece of string, tie the straight ends together tightly. Fig 2
Trim and round the edges with scissors. Fig. 3
Turn upside down and pull long ends of husks down over the trimmed edges. Fig 4
Tie with string to form the head. Fig 5
Take another husk, flatten it, and roll into a tight cylinder. Fig 6
Tie each end with string. This forms the doll’s arms. Fig 7
Fit the arms inside of the long husks, just below the “neck”. Fig 8
Tie with string, as shown, to form a waist. Fig 9
Drape a husk around the arms and upper body in a criss-cross pattern. Fig 10
Take four or five husks, straight edges together, and arrange around waist. Fig 11
Decide if you want a male or female doll.
Female: Tie with string Fig 12
Male: Follow Fig 13 to form legs. Tie legs with small strips of husks or string.
Decorate with yarn or dried corn silk.
