Our "Herb"an Jungle

What is an urban jungle? Well...it is the city. It refers to the streets, alleys, and subway systems, as well as the inner-city neighborhoods, playground, and schools. It can also be seen as a decaying industrial section of town. However, we want to redefine an urban jungle. Yes, we live in a city, and maybe even in one of the harder areas of our town...but that does not define our school. Our kiddos here are over 80% free and reduced, but that does not label us. Our farm to school grant proved that even if our families struggle a bit, we as a school community want to teach our students how to learn healthy eating habits, how to create a school garden, and learn the value of  being outside, actively learning in our outdoor classroom.

People ask me, what next for your school garden. First it is our school garden. One where we are always learning something we can take with us outside of our garden. From GMO's to plants going to seed. Perennials vs. Annuals or even growing seasons and what vegetable look like (I had volunteer teens in the garden this week that didn't know what vegetables we were even picking, yikes!) The garden is a tool to teach kids life skills! Our next goal, to make sure we create a fun learning atmosphere in our garden...in comes the "herb"an jungle. We planted herbs throughout our perennials that we will use to cook with, understand their value, and add to the bounty of our garden. We are hoping to connect the high school art department and shop to make large scale animals that we can place within the garden. Then hosting an art show to get more community members to see what we are doing. Check out our herbs...chocolate mint, orange mint, sage, thyme, chevil, rosemary and more! Next week, we will be making sun tea with our herbs! Stay tuned for what we will make to eat on Tuesday!

Book Talk Tuesday...Tops and Bottoms

Time for a book talk. Thanks to Mrs. Jump's Class for hosting this linky!


This book is one of my favorites for many reasons. For one, it is turned sideways to read...how fun. Two, it teaches some good lessons. Three, it gets kids in our garden and connects them to great book. Here is a video to watch the reading of the book. Then you'll know why this is one to have in your collection!

      I also have a fun freebie for you that I made for my gardening class this week. Enjoy!

Tops and Bottoms Freebie

Monday Meet Me!

This week... the last week in the series of summer linkies with Teaching Tribune, we are getting to know each other a bit better. Some of the questions were easy...and some were hard. My daughter is still feeding me names that I should be. We are down to Amaya and Avery. I still like Violet after my grandma...who was also my best friend. Thanks Teaching Tribune for getting us all together!

1. I loved playing school, but a close second was catching tadpoles in the pond or Barbies and Dawn dolls. Still have them. Anyone have a Cher doll...have her, too.

2. Fun trying to think of names. I kind of am okay with Renee, but boy are there some bad ones on the top list.

3. And this was coming from a first grader. This was followed by the little kindergartner who in the garden told me he had to pee. I told everyone to line up to go back into class...letting him go after we walked back in...he walked to the door and peed right on the mat going in. All we could do was walk around it...guess I was glad he peed outside and not in the room. I also recall doing a web search with a student and up popped a wrong picture...I hurled myself in front of the screen. Yikes.

4. I love historical fiction romances. I love Pride and Prejudice and that time period. Would love to meet her...she reminds me of me.

5. One sister that is 37. Six years younger...do the math. I am getting O...L...D...

6. I worked in a restaurant for six years putting myself through college. It was a breakfast place and boy they sure did a great job! Loved the German Apple Pancake, but it took over 20 minutes to cook, so I would go for eggs bennie or Crepes with this amazing sauce...orange suzette.

Some of these answers date me. Oh, well. Nostalgia is always fun. I am going to get out my Bionic Woman game for a round with my kids. Have a great week!

Throwback Thursday

Okay, so I can't count how many times that I have read on a blog that your first few TPT products are funny to look back at. I agree. So this last week, I focused on sprucing some of them up. I started with this post way back in DecemberHuman Body Rewind . Haven't been blogging this long...blogger buds. I am linking up today with The Teaching Tribune and Teacher's Desk 6 for throwback Thursday!

                       

Here is my new and improved TPT unit. I added a ton of stuff that I worked on with my own 4th graders, but didn't seem to have time to add. I can't wait to use it again this next winter. Kids love scavenger hunts and games. The first round all I had was the QR posters which was nice, but now BAM! I am going down the line and learning from all of you how to make my products better. Thanks a ton!

QR Code Skeletal System Review

Have a great Thursday. It is finally a bit warmer. Time for some boating, swimming, and  relaxing!

Wordless Wednesday, Gotta love Up North!

Ahhhh! Time to take a break from the hustle and bustle of life. Thanks to A Little Sugar And Spice for this fun linky!

Peace and quite by the lake! No words to describe the tranquility!

What does relaxing look to you?

Wow...Currently, July

Linking up with Farley, over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade. Hope her July is smoother! I was thinking about my June.

Where has the time gone? Oh, yea we didn't finish school until June 11th. One week of College for Kids, last week baseball tournaments, and now, Viola...July is here. Where does the time go?
Here is what my family is up to...

Kid 1=going through a break up, working as a waitress to pay for college, doing alright on her new path, waiting to find a new roommate.

Kid 2=being nanny to two kiddos everyday, trying hard to pay for college, she will be a senior this year, and finding time for volleyball, softball, and her honey. Senior pictures turned out great!

Kid 3=starting a youtube channel is top on her bucket list (makeup stuff...funny how I don't wear any most days), doing her sister's face in gold sparkles, check it out...moving on to high school, wow...they are getting so big! Doing plyos to get in shape for volleyball and track.

Kid 4=9 straight days of baseball. All-stars, City Tournament, Traveling team...I am not really one of those nutty parents that over does it, but we didn't think our 11 year old would make it on the 12's team...he did and that added quite a few games. He held his own with a double and a single and batting 2nd!

As for me...

On to July. What am I currently doing?

Enjoy the 4th and your time off!

We Love Books!

Thanks again to Mrs. Jump's Class for hosting this linky party! I have been checking out a ton of books this summer. I found a fun one for our olders that is timely. We are learning about pollination and the decline of the bee population in our garden club. We are also looking for ways that our four and fifth graders can tie reading, writing, and science together. This book, is a great resource for students to understand and then take a stance on the issues that are presented.

Here is a bee freebie for you!  I also have a great site for tons of lessons and ideas that I found as I was researching! Check it out at: Pollinator.org

Bee Freebie

It's July...Bee happy!