This is a photo of a fig bonsai tree taken at the Morikami Japanese Garden in Delray Beach, FL. This area was once home to the Yamato Colony, a Japanese settlement in Florida during the early twentieth century.

The photo raises many questions that overlap science, social studies, and art. Here are just a few to get started:

• Why is the tree so small? Is it a special kind of tree or would it grow large in other conditions?
• What does a tree need to grow to its natural size?
• Why would someone want a miniature tree?
• What does the tree have to do with the principles of design we talk about when doing art projects?
• Why is there a Japanese garden in Florida? That’s a very long way from Japan.
• What are the connections between the experiences of the Yamato Colony and other historical events we study? (Growth of railroads, the economic crash in the 1920s, World War II)

Since this is the beginning of the school year for many of our newsletter readers, I got to thinking that a year-long bonsai project could be an interesting idea—especially for classrooms without access to an outside garden plot due to location or climate. Depending on available window space and lighting conditions, a single bonsai tree could be created, groups of students could plan and care for a tree, or every student could create and care for a tree during the year and have a very special present to take home at the end of the year for Mother’s or Father’s Day.

Each plant is a unique work of art. Your students’ first attempts at bonsai might not exactly rival centuries-old specimens cared for by master gardeners, but they’ll be just as special to them and will be a hands-on application of textbook learning across several subjects. The year-long responsibility for taking care of their tree is a valuable experience in itself and just might lead to a future hobby.

Care would have to be taken to select trees that would do well inside with the available light, but there are many online sources of information available regarding the selection of plants. You’ll also find a variety of sources on bonsai technique. Here’s a lesson plan and student worksheet from the Pacific Bonsai Museum that you can adapt for use with your students: Pre-Visit Lesson Plan.

Your students may also enjoy viewing these photos for ideas:

I’d love to see photos of your classroom bonsai projects! Email them to [email protected].