Ms. Chaides' 4th Graders Review Native Plants

This week Ms. Chaides' 4th graders reviewed the names of some California native plants that are used by local Native Americans.

We played a game: I brought in pieces of various plants and asked them to identify them. I also gave hints about others.  I brought in pieces of California poppy, white sage, monkey flower, deer grass and California sagebrush.  I had the students write down the names of the plants on a piece of paper.

I also introduced a new plant, woolly blue curls. Once we had the names listed, I put down identifying facts on the white board, not in order, and asked the kids to match them to the name.
Some creative students also drew pictures of the plants.



I think everyone knows that deer grass is woven to make baskets.  There is a large deer grass plant in front of school and many in the patio native garden. The second easiest plant to remember might be white sage, which is located right outside their classroom and which is tied in a bundle and burned during ceremonies.

At the end of the lesson I served kale chips, an always popular treat. Recipe: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take 1 or 2 bunches of kale washed and torn in small pieces, place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper, toss with olive oil and salt. Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes until crisp at the edges.

Marquez 2nd Graders Celebrate International Compost Week

This week each 2nd grade class visited the compost bins and added either green scraps or brown scraps to the them. This reinforced the lesson in Compost Stew the book that their teachers had read to them.

We now have two bins in the upper yard area-one is a worm bin and the other is a tumbler. The worm bin seems to be the favorite one for the children to use-perhaps because of the red wrigglers in it. They enjoyed looking at the worms. Many of them enjoyed touching them.  Their "bedding" is primarily strips of newspaper, small pieces of cardboard and dirt.

The composting process reinforces the lesson on decomposers of many months ago. Worms eat decaying plants, all fruits and vegetables that are kitchen scraps, egg shells, coffee grounds,etc. but not dairy or meat products.

The hands-on experience of each child adding something to the bin ensures that they'll know at least one thing to add to the compost bin.

We discussed that composting is a way of recycling food scraps instead of putting them down the disposal or throwing them out in the trash.

Checking out the worms

2nd and 3rd Grade Garden Club Members Help in the Garden

This week some 2nd and 3rd graders helped weed and plant in the lower garden at their lunch recess. Many kids enjoyed digging up the weeds! 2nd graders planted onion, pepper, lettuce and basil seeds as well as some tomato seedlings in two salsa beds. Lettuce and basil are companion plants for tomatoes.  3rd graders planted Renee's Garden purple pole beans, pumpkins and corn in the Three Sisters beds. These are companion plants that were and are still planted by many Native Americans.

Other students also helped by planting herbs in the sensory bed.  They added chives, sage, and thyme. They also added some scented geraniums.

Thanks to our parent volunteers who helped today!