General Plantation Activity
Objectives
Students will identify uses of Spanish moss from the time of the Timucua Indians to the present.
Age
4th-6th grade
Enhances
LA.A.2.2.2, SS.D.1.2.2, SS.B.2.2.2
Time and Place
Classroom pre-visit activity, 30 minutes
*there are two question/activity sheets to choose from
Worksheets
Reading Page pdf (93k); Activity Sheet 1 pdf (100k); Activity Sheet 2 pdf (66k)
These files must be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
To download this program (free of charge), click here.
Procedure
Students will read about Spanish moss and its uses over time, and then answer questions (activity sheet 1) or look at pictures and then write a one line sentence about how Spanish moss could be used by or for the items shown (activity sheet 2).
When your class visits Kingsley Plantation, have your students look for Spanish moss in the trees. Be sure to mention that Spanish moss has tiny bugs that live on it called chiggers or red bugs that cause an uncomfortable itch if they get on your skin. Before Spanish moss can be used by humans it must be treated to remove the bugs. Indians and early settlers often boiled the moss or laid it on a rack over a smoky fire (making sure it didn't catch fire!) to kill or remove the bugs.
Evaluation
Answers to questions from:
Activity Sheet 1
1) "Itla-okla" and "tree hair"
2) French from France, Spanish from Spain
3) Spanish moss is an air-feeding plant.
4) Spanish moss does not harm the plant, in this example the Live Oak.
5) Moist, sunny
6) Carried by wind, carried by animals, carried by birds
7) Timucua women used the moss to make skirts or apron-like clothing; furniture upholstery; medicine
Activity Sheet 2
Timucuan woman - skirt of moss
Medicine - moss is being experimented with to treat diabetes
Bat (Seminole) - uses moss to roost in to keep the hot sun off
Nest - birds use moss for nesting material
Chair - fine furniture is often stuffed with moss
Cow - moss used for feed
