1
Ivy Green:
GUARDIAN OF
THE FOREST
Study Guide 2015
prepared by Jody Terio
"Fighting climate change and working to keep our air, land,
and water clean will ensure Ontario's prosperity
and quality of life for today and for future generations."
Glen Murray, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
2
March 1 2015
Dear Teachers:
Thank you for inviting us to your school for a performance of Ivy Green:Guardian of the Forest.
April is Earth month when we honour our relationship with the planet herself. And in
celebration of this abundant time of spring and awakening we introduce Ivy Green, a special
child who talks to flowers and animals. You will also meet other lovers of plants and nature,
Judith, the herbalist and Lawrence, Ivy's friend and through them, we understand the special
language of plants and animals.
I invented Ivy this past summer during a herb walk at the Women’s Herbal Conference in Maine
US where I attended outdoor workshops with 700 other women, on a variety of issues relating to
plants. It was clear at the time that I was amongst many who communicated with plants in their
own special ways and could offer a rich variety of knowledge each pertaining to her own
specialty. Having always been an avid gardener and following climate change and deforestation
issues for a long time, I wanted to write a play for younger students. It is simple and more about
loving forests than if I was writing for an older group who might be on the front lines of
environmental groups in a few years. But I do demonstrate in this play that when a forest is
being threatened however small and worldly insignificant it might be, there are ways that we can
be pro- active in keeping the forest
protected for future generations.
Bringing awareness to their need to be
guardians is going to benefit them in the
long term.
This is also a play about magic, music
and expressing love and that is what Ivy
teaches.
We use a positive childlike approach to
what our green spaces are doing for us
and what they offer us in food and joy
and beauty.
This play is most suitable for K - 4.
We have created a special website for Ivy
that is kid friendly and are hoping that
the website will active by the time you see the show. I will pass out information about the
website at your performance and hopefully after the presentation some of your students will be
interested in visiting Ivy there.
Jody TerioArtistic Director
email: littleredtheatre@yahoo.ca
3
To watch a child completely engaged in an arts experience is
to recognize that the brain is on, driven by the aesthetic and
emotional imperative to make meaning, to say
something, to represent what matters.
...from "The Arts Go to School", David Booth and Masayuki Hachiya
little red theatre provides a diverse selection of shows on different topics and we
think this is critical in terms of meeting curriculum needs. Taking part in this
presentation meets your Arts component, which includes Visual Art and Music as
well as Drama. Having theatre at your school greatly enhances student awareness
and is necessary for school CURRICULUM expectations. And this presentation
also fulfills your Science and Heritage component.
Through study of the arts, students learn about some of the
diverse artistic practices, both traditional and contemporary, of a
variety of cultures. They learn that they are part of a living and
changing culture. They also learn to appreciate the similarities
and differences among the various forms of artistic expression.
Science and Technology
THE NATURE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The primary goal of science is to understand the natural and human-designed worlds and refers
to certain processes used by us for obtaining knowledge about nature.
Science is a dynamic and creative activity with a long and interesting history of which many
societies have contributed their knowledge and understanding.
Scientists continuously assess and judge the soundness of scientific knowledge claims by testing
laws and theories, and modifying them in light of compelling new evidence or a reconceptualization of existing evidence.
Environmental education is defined as:
Education about the environment, for the environment, and in the environment that promotes an
understanding of, rich and active experience in, and an appreciation for the dynamic interactions
of:
4
The Earth’s physical and biological systems
The dependency of our social and economic systems on these natural systems
The scientific and human dimensions of environmental issues
The positive and negative consequences, both intended and unintended, of the
interactions between human created and natural systems
LET'S MEET IVY’S FOREST FRIENDS!!
HUMMINGBIRDS
Though they are some of the smallest birds in
the world, hummingbirds have big
personalities. These flying jewels captivate our
hearts and our binoculars.
We know about hummingbirds because of the
humming sound created by their beating wings
which flap at high frequencies audible to
humans.
There are between 325 and340 species of
hummingbirds. This family has the second
greatest number of species of any bird family
on Earth.
Many plants pollinated by hummingbirds
produce flowers in shades of red, orange and
bright pink although the birds will take nectar
from flowers of many colours. All
hummingbirds depend on flower nectar to fuel
their high metabolisms and hovering flight.
With the exception of insects, hummingbirds
while in flight have the highest metabolism of
all animals, a necessity in order to support the
rapid beating of their wings during hovering
and fast forward flight. During flight, oxygen consumption per gram of muscle tissue in a
hummingbird is approximately 10 times higher than that seen for elite human athletes.
Hummingbirds consume more than their own weight in nectar each day and to do so they must
visit hundreds of flowers daily. They are continuously hours away from starving to death and
5
can store just enough energy to survive overnight. They are capable of slowing their
metabolism at night or when food is not readily available, entering a hibernation like sleep state
known as torpor and the body temperature falls from 40 degrees to 18 degrees celsius. Ontario
enjoys many visits by the Ruby-throated Hummingbird(Archilochus colubris)
Description: The adult male is easy to identify in good light with his spectacular ruby red gorget
(throat) and emerald green back. His tail is entirely green and has a deep V-shaped notch. The
male is smaller than the female with a shorter bill. The adult female has an emerald green back
with a white throat and breast. Her tail is shorter than the male and more rounded with white tips.
Immature males and females are almost identical to the adult female and very difficult to tell
apart except when the young male is starting to grow gorget feathers.
SOLOMON’S SEAL
Solomon’s Seal (polygonatum biflorum) is an elegant
plant native to North America. The slender, arching
stems have alternating lance-shaped leaves that are
either green or tipped with white. The small, tubular
white flowers dangle underneath the leaves. More
mature plants tend to have more flowers and are a bit
more showy. Solomon's Seal is a medicinal herb that
has diverse healing properties. It can be used as a herbal
tincture (best use), salve, tea or supplement. As an
alternative medicine, it gives relief, healing or mending
to sports injuries and other acute injuries related to tendons, joints, ligaments, bones, bruises,
connecting tissues, cartilage, osteoarthritis, etc. It also soothes and repairs gastrointestinal
inflammation and injuries. It is effective for feminine issues, such as menstrual cramps, PMS,
bleeding, and the like. Additionally, it is known to lower blood pressure, relieve dry coughs, and
to increase concentration and mental clarity.
Solomon's Seal has a rich history that goes back many hundreds of years. Herbalists and healers,
both in Europe and North America and the Far East, for centuries have written about its diverse
effects on numerous conditions. On one hand, it seems to be a "miracle plant," and numerous
practitioners consider a bottle of tincture or a jar of salve to be an absolute must in one's
medicine cabinet or emergency kit.
BIRCH TREE by Anna Fernandez
This site brought to you by The School of Natural Healing & Christopher Publications
Few trees have been so important to so many people. Historically, Birch (Betula papyrifera) was
the most important tree to many indigenous people across the northern latitudes around the
6
world, increasing the quality of life of people for thousands of years. The fact that the Birch tree
varies in thickness and can be split in numerous layers and has a resinous inner bark which
makes it waterproof and resistant to decay, makes it an extremely
versatile tree. One of its great uses was for shelter. Indigenous
people of United States and Canada used Birch to make Wigwams,
Tee-pees and other structures for living. Probably the most well
know use of Birch is its use in making Canoes. Canoes have been a
part of cultures around the world for many hundreds of years. The
Anishinabeg (natives of what is now Michigan) had their own
version of the Birch Bark Canoe. It was important to peel the bark
in “one continuous sheet, usually in late spring or early summer
when the actively dividing cambium causes the bark to loosen.”
The selection and peeling of trees often was a family affair
accompanied by a religious ceremony during which the spirits of
the forest were offered thanks and asked to provide protection and
strength.” The Anishinabeg would then roll up the peeled bark
inside out. The inner side is the waterproof side that was in contact
with the water when canoeing. Because of its horizontal grain, the
bark would not split lengthwise and could be sewn together. Peeled
bark was a valuable commodity and was often traded for other goods.
LAVENDER
Lavender is an herb native to northern Africa and the
mountainous regions of the Mediterranean. The herb is
highly regarded for skin and beauty and is commonly
used in fragrances and shampoos to help wash and
purify the skin. In fact, the word lavender originally
stems from the Latin word ‘lavare’ which means "to
wash".
Lavandula (common name lavender) is a genus of 39
known species of flowering plants in the mint family,
Lamiaceae. It is native to the Old World and is found from Cape Verde and the Canary Islands,
southern Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to
southeast India. Many members of the genus are cultivated extensively in temperate climates as
ornamental plants for garden and landscape use, for use as culinary herbs, and also commercially
for the extraction of essential oils. The most widely cultivated species, Lavandula angustifolia is
often referred to as lavender, and there is a colour named for the shade of the flowers of this
species.
7
ECHINACEA
... is a genus, or group of herbaceous flowering plants in
the daisy family, Asteraceae. The echinacea genus has
nine species, which are commonly called coneflowers.
They grow easily in eastern and central North America,
where they are found growing in moist to dry prairies
and open wooded areas as well as in regular gardens. .
They have large, showy heads of composite flowers,
blooming from early to late summer. The generic name
is derived from the Greek word ‘echino’, meaning "sea
urchin," due to the spiny central disk. These flowering
plants and their parts have different purposes. Some
species are cultivated in gardens for their showy flowers, and some are traditionally used to treat
and prevent common cold, flu, and other infections.
JEWELWEED: Impatiens capensis
The Jewelweed plant has been used for centuries in North
America by Native Americans and Herbalists, as a natural
preventative and treatment for poison ivy and poison oak;
and is a folk remedy for many other skin disorders.
Jewelweed is best known for its skin healing properties.
The leaves and the juice from the stem of Jewelweed are
used by herbalists as a treatment for poison ivy, oak and
other plant induced rashes, as well as many other types of
dermatitis. Jewelweed works by counter-reacting with the
chemicals in other plants that cause irritation. Poultices and salves from Jewelweed are a folk
remedy for bruises, burns, cuts, eczema, insect bites, sores, sprains, warts, and ringworm.
A great website for you and your students to visit!!
PROTECTTHEFORESTS.ORG;
A LITTLE ABOUT THE WORK OF GREENPEACE!
We campaign for forest protection because, without healthy, thriving forests, planet Earth cannot
sustain life. As much as eighty per cent of the world's forests have been degraded or destroyed.
Greenpeace is campaigning for zero deforestation by 2020 to protect what is left of these
extraordinary ecosystems.
8
But the importance of forests stretches far beyond their own boundaries. Forests help to regulate
the Earth's climate because they store nearly 300 billion tonnes of carbon in their living parts roughly 40 times the annual greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.
When they're destroyed through logging or burning, this carbon is released into the atmosphere
as the climate changing greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. The destruction of forests is responsible
for up to a fifth of the world's greenhouse gas emissions - more than every plane, car, truck, ship
and train on the planet combined.
Forests also regulate water flow and rainfall so we depend on them to grow our crops and food.
The loss of forest in one part of the world can have severe impacts in another; forest loss in
Amazonia and Central Africa can severely reduce rainfall in the USA Midwest, for example.
With so many of the world's forests already destroyed, we urgently need to protect what is left.
Yet industry is still relentlessly converting forests into disposable products that end up in our
shopping baskets - while pushing species to the brink of extinction, destroying the lives and
livelihoods of forest communities and exacerbating global climate change.
Greenpeace is campaigning for zero deforestation, globally, by 2020.To achieve this, we
challenge destructive industries to change their practices, and we inspire consumer action to
demand that our food, paper and timber products aren't linked to forest destruction.
We lobby political power holders to take the co-ordinated international and local political action
that's needed to protect the world's forests, the rights of the people who depend on them,
biodiversity and the climate.
We work alongside indigenous communities at the frontline of forest destruction - in the
Amazon, the Congo, Indonesia - to investigate, document, expose and take action against forest
destruction.
With the help of hundreds of thousands of supporters, we've won some amazing victories.
Deforestation of the Amazon for soya and beef has significantly reduced due to the soya and
cattle moratoria, the Great Bear Rainforest in Canada has been protected and is being sustainably
managed, 80,000 hectares of northern Finnish reindeer grazing forests have been protected, and,
thanks to pressure from our supporters, multinational giants like Nestlé and Unilever have
changed their palm oil sourcing policies to help protect Indonesia's rainforests and peatlands.
In recent years, the possibility of a global political framework to reduce emissions from
deforestation and degradation (REDD) has moved firmly onto the international political agenda.
Greenpeace is campaigning for the right deal - which, if achieved, could benefit biodiversity,
people and the climate as well protecting the world's forests.
9
THE OAK RIDGES MORAINE
The Oak Ridges Moraine is an ecologically important geological landform in the Mixedwood
Plains of south-central Ontario, Canada. The moraine covers a geographic area of 1,900 square
kilometres (730 sq mi) between Caledon and Rice Lake, near Peterborough. One of the most
significant landforms in southern Ontario, the moraine gets its name from the rolling hills and
river valleys extending 160 km (99 mi) from the Niagara Escarpment east to Rice Lake. It was
formed 12,000 years ago by advancing and retreating glaciers (see geological origins, below).
The moraine is currently a contested site in Ontario, since it stands in the path of major urban
development. The Oak Ridges Moraine is a pair of large ridges composed of four elevated
wedges. It is bounded to the west by the Niagara Escarpment, a cuesta which was critical to the
formation of the moraine, and to the east by the Trent River and Rice Lake. The four wedges
(Albion, Uxbridge, Pontypool and Rice Lake from west to east) formed in stages, though some
synchronous formation also occurred at an early period of formation. The moraine peaks at the
Uxbridge wedge, generally rising from east to west, a result of the moraine's west-to-east
formation. That is, the western portion of the moraine received earlier and more frequent
sedimentary deposition than the eastern portion, as the ice lobes which controlled the moraine's
eastern formation slowly retreated. The Rice Lake wedge is separated from the other wedges
where the Oak Ridges Moraine intersects Rice Lake.
Simple Steps to a Sustainable Garden
Gardens are important wildlife sites. A little effort can ensure your garden stays beautiful
without harming the planet. Many of us think of our gardens as our refuges from the world but
our attempts at turning our own little patch into an idyll can have far reaching and detrimental
consequences.
Below are ways you can make a real difference.
Respect Nature
Encourage wildlife in your garden
*put up nest boxes, build a pond
*plant a wide range of native flowers and plants.
Save Energy & Water
*Avoid using a hose where possible, use a watering can or buckets of water.
*Invest in a rain barrel to collect rainwater to use in the garden.
*Try to water plants in the morning or evening instead of in the heat of the day This will enable
the water to soak through to the roots, rather than simply evaporate.
*Let your grass grow a little longer, it will require less water.
10
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
*use organic and environmentally friendly fertilisers and pesticides - organic gardening reduces
pollution and is better for wildlife. Chemicals will eventually end up in the sea and can
upset the delicate balance of lifecycles.
*Reuse plant pots and other items to make unusual features in your garden.
*Start a compost heap or wormery - these recycle organic waste, including food, and produce
excellent compost.
Purchasing
*Respect nature – try to use dark based compost, not peat that is irreplaceable. If you are unable
to use your own compost, alternatives are available in most garden centres and DIY
stores.
*Only buy garden bulbs from cultivated stocks.
*Grow your own food – This is the best way to ensure you know what you’re eating, and it cuts
down on wasteful packaging and transportation.
*Use natural materials (paints, wood, upholstery) where possible and avoid concrete which is not
eco friendly
Health
*Spending time in the garden is an excellent way to get exercise and fresh air
*Remember to spend time relaxing in your garden, put your feet up and enjoy the benefits of
your hard work
TIP: Encouraging wild life to live and feed in your garden is great natural pest control and is
increasingly important as natural habitats are lost in the wild.
More great gardening info on the following website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/organic_wildgardens1.shtml
STUDENTS CAN TRY THIS QUIZ ON THE COMPUTER IN YOUR
CLASSROOM!!
http://www.greengrin.co.uk/
This quiz asks you a few little questions about your life and your feelings to help us work out
how you score on our Green Grin-o-meter.
Your score will be made up of three parts: Happiness, Health and your Ecological Footprint.
Each of your scores will be given out of a total of 5. For health and happiness, 5 is the best score
and a score of 1 tells us that there’s room to make some changes!
11
Your ecological footprint tells us your impact on the environment, by causing pollution and
using resources. So the lower your ecological footprint is, the better and the less damage you
cause for the environment.
Another great site for you and your students to visit!
http://www.recyclezone.org.uk/
Suggested Reading For Teachers:
‘This Changes Everything’ by Naomi Klein
A long and thorough look at the history of the issue of climate change and its connections with
capitalism. It isn’t depressing!! And did I say ‘thorough’!! You will not be left confused or in
doubt.
'The Language of Flowers' by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
This book brings a heightened awareness of the subtleties around the origins of flowers in the
Victorian England sense, their hidden meanings for example, how thoughts are provoked by
different colored roses and why sunflowers make bad wedding flowers. It is a primer in the
language of love.
'Ecoholic' by Adria Vasil, slightly dated as it is written in 2007 but many of the details still
apply. Lots of tips for greening your life.
'Sleeping Naked is Green' by Vanessa Farquharson
This is a charming and funny account for a person committed to going green. Vanessa takes the
365 day challenge to make one change in her life every day to make it more green.
12
WORKSHEET FOR STUDENTS
NAME: _______________________
GRADE:_______________
IVY GREEN: GUARDIAN OF THE FOREST
1.
What are some of the messages in this story?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
2.
Why do you think that Ivy could understand the language of flowers and animals?
______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
3.
Do you understand the language of flowers and animals?
_____________________________________________________________
4.
If yes, which ones?
_____________________________________________________________
5.
What was your favourite part of the play and why?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
6.
Draw a picture of your favourite scene in the play in the box below.
7.
If you could write your own play, what would it be about?
_____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
13
anansi anansi
anansi
anansi
anansi
"It is better to
believe thananansi
to disbelieve,anansi
in so doing you
bring everything
to the realm of
possibility." Albert Einstein
We love to see your students’ impressions!! Send in your pictures and
worksheets to:
little red theatre
25 beaty avenue
toronto m6k 3b3
Audio CDs of many of little red theatre’s plays are available
on the little red theatre website: www.littleredtheatre.on.ca
4 Titles are available at the present time:
THE SNOW QUEEN
THE NAME OF THE TREE
THE NIGHTINGALE
THE UGLY DUCKLING
GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE CANADIAN BEARS
ABOUT LITTLE RED THEATRE:
Little red theatre was established in 1988 with the mandate of bringing professional
level theatre productions to young people. The company was founded by Jody Terio,
who has remained as Artistic Director since the organization’s inception.
Little Red Theatre produces mixed and sometimes multi-media performances of
puppetry, music, dance and theatre, and tours theatre productions throughout Ontario.
Productions are aimed at a Kindergarten through Grade 6 and are presented at schools,
libraries and special venues.
Each year, Little Red Theatre strives to create original work inspired by great fairy
tales and stories, and issues that children struggle with.
Little Red Theatre performances are full theatre productions with an emphasis on
high quality costumes, sets, visuals and great sound. We have 32 shows in our
repertoire!!
Since 1992, Little Red Theatre has been a non-profit registered charity and has financed
its productions through performance fees and charitable donations. The lion’s share of
revenues are earned, but additional funds are required to upgrade productions, increase
artistic fees, and improve marketing efforts.