Reading a garden - A word garden?

Sound intriguing?  Why, yes!  Check out the article from Educational Leadership - http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/jun12/vol69/num09/Reading-a-Garden.aspx#wordgarden.  The article talks about how gardening with students can lead to stronger reading, connect knowledge about plants, animals, and ecosystems with personal experience and as a natural way to develop an understanding of science.  The article gives some example approaches to follow:  Choose books with gardening as a key element (there is a list of books at the end of the article); Teach nonfiction features; and Create garden signs.  The article focus on the efforts at Saint Michael's College in Vermont.  Check out the video at the end on the "word garden".  You can also check out the website The Teaching Gardens of Saint Michael's at http://academics.smcvt.edu/gardens/Home.html

FOOD for FINES!

I know what you are thinking ---- in the middle of summer ----- YES!  For ONE, we get back resources before ----- dare I say it ----- school begins again ----- SECOND, we are participating in Unity Day on Saturday, August 18th and we always donate food to a local food pantry and THIRD, food pantries need food all year long!  SO ---- bring a non-perishable food item with your overdue resources and we will waive your fine!   You have to hurry, we are offering FOOD for FINES from MONDAY, AUGUST 1ST TO FRIDAY, AUGUST 17TH!

FREE WEBINAR!

ASCD is offering a free webinar with ASCD author and expert Howard Pitler on August 7th at 3 pm ET.  Based on ASCD's Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, you will get ideas on how technology can invigorate your lessons and increase student motivation and interaction.  To register for the webinar follow this link:  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/490596952.  We have the first edition of the the book Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, 2007 - 371.33 PIT.  The 2nd edition of the book is coming out on August 6th and while we do not have it --- we will be ordering it!  Sooooo, in the meantime, register for the webinar!

Nutrition, Gardening, Marketing and Sales Lessons at Youth Farmers Market

Eco Possum gardeners and a customer at the
Youth Farmers Market outside the Habitat
for Humanity Restore in Loveland.

Radishes and greens sold by Eco Possum
members at Youth Farmers Market.

Hmmm, do you see a "growing" trend lately with the blog?  Why, yes ---  check out this article from Colorado were elementary and middle school students (love the name of the group "Eco Possum") are participating in a summer internship program where they grow vegetables and sell the produce at a local farmers market.  In addition to learning about gardening, marketing and sales, the interns also research the nutritional benefits and uses of the vegetables!  Salad anyone?

Sixth Graders Create Food Walls!

Okay, continuing with our theme here --- FOOD --- check out the article and video by New York City sixth grade science teacher Steve Ritz who has created food walls with his students.  According to the article they grew enough fruits and vegetables to feed 450 people.  Food walls are an emerging trend in urban agriculture and are being used where residents have limited-to-no access to fresh produce.  Check out the article and video at http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/post/painting-over-a-food-desert/2012/07/12/gJQAV3kPfW_blog.html

Outdoor classroom in South Berwick Maine

Kate Smith, a music teacher at Central School in Berwick,

shows blueberry bushes to school district business

manager Randy Stewart and Principal Nina D'Akan,

during a brainstorming session July 9 about uses for the

 school's Outdoor Classroom.

Check out the article that describes the efforts of Central School and their Outdoor Classroom!  Wow, the whole community is getting involved ---- landscape architect, chefs, students, a family practice, families, local businesses ---- you get the idea.  They are even harvesting the week's produce and then selling it at the Hot Summer Nights Concert Series on the front lawn of the school!

Check out the article in the Seacoast Online http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120712/NEWS/207120385/-1/NEWSMAP