Skinner said that this is the fourth year her floral classes have created Homecoming mums. She said this project is the first one her students complete each year and it builds their confidence in design.
“Homecoming is always a big deal in Texas, and it is a great first project for students,” Skinner said. “It seems to get them hooked on this class.”
Skinner said her class begins the project by creating “mini-mums.” This helps the students practice the fundamental parts of mum making, as well as creating the large, intricate braids on a smaller scale.
After creating the “mini-mums,” Skinner explained the classes move onto the larger scale mums and garters.
“Students have the option to make their own mum individually or they can partner up with a friend,” Skinner said. “Some of the mum braids require over eight yards of ribbon and that can be intimidating, therefore we start with mini-mums and work our way up to the real-sized mums.”
Skinner said that because the creation of Homecoming mums are the classes first projects, the confidence gained carries through for the rest of the class.
“With making homecoming mums and garters I feel like my students have a boost in confidence when they see what they have created,” Skinner said. “Which makes it easier when we move into fresh flower arrangements.”
Skinner said that many of her students enjoy creating the mums and garters.
“If a student wants to learn a different braid, we will try to learn it together,” Skinner said. “I have even had a few students teach me new braids!”
Over the last few years, students have made their own mums and garters, but next year Skinner hopes to allow the students to sell their Homecoming mum creations to the public.
Skinner said she knows that many of her students will not go on to become florists after high school, but she believes that she instills more than floral design into each student in her class.
“They learn about good work ethic,” Skinner said. “Having a good work ethic can help my students in their other classes and in their future careers. They also learn about working with others and having good customer service. I also show them how to use math in the real world by calculating the price of materials, labor, and tax.”
Skinner said her class also uses many of the elements of the SERVE model while they create Homecoming mums.
“While creating our mums we really demonstrated engagement and encouragement,” Skinner said. “The students have to work together to create different braids which can be very frustrating. My students have been able to listen to each other and help each other out. It has been amazing to see them help and encourage each other through this process.”