Kisharon School LK teacher Ella Weil and Guy Monzston, of Homebase in Haringey, made the children’s Tu B’Shvat lessons this year some of the best ever.

Ella wanted to demonstrate to the three classes she teaches – Purple, Yellow and Pink – the differences between plants and trees and went to Homebase, where she shops, for inspiration.

Ella said: “I said I worked in a school for special needs children and Guy, who runs the plant section, couldn’t do enough to help. I asked for some plants to show the children. He gave me azaleas, alpines, sage and many more. I had so many I could barely carry them all. The children are going to write to thank him.”

Ella supplemented her haul of plants with twigs, branches and fallen sections of bark which she gathered from Alexandra Palace.

Adding botanical input to the lessons, she showed the children the differences between plants and trees – looking at their stems, branches, leaves, flowers and roots.

Next the children planted herb and lavender seeds in individual pots which they have taken home to tend carefully over the half-term holiday.

“They wanted to plant trees, but I had to explain that just wasn’t possible and they had to make do with seeds instead!” said Ella.

Later the children had 15 fruits to discuss and sample.

Ella said: “We had familiar fruits like kiwi, apple, pear, orange and grapefruit but also pomelo and sharon fruit which many had never tasted before. Together we talked about different tastes and textures.

“Having all the greenery in the classroom added extra interest and atmosphere to the lessons. There really was lots going on and I hope the children really enjoyed it.”