Scavenger Hunt Living vs. Non Living

 

Yes, that is a curled up garter snake on a tray with some other random treasures. This week, kids explored the farm in search of living vs. non living items. You never know what will turn up with activities like this. Maybe its because kids are closer to the ground, but when they explore on their own, there are always the elements of adventure, learning and fun! 

 

What Kids Eat Around The World In One Week

Thanks to Time Magazine for this wonderful springboard into health and nutrition. This week, we added some social studies to our farm studies and took a look at how we compare to other kids around the globe. Cambridge University conducted a study, that identified countries with the healthiest diets in the world. Nine out of 10 countries are in Africa, where vegetables, fruit, nuts, legumes, grains are staples and meals are homemade. In the U.S.,  nearly 60% of the calories we consume come from processed foods and only 1% come from vegetables. If you want change, you have to educate the children, so that's just what we did. Groups of kids studied a photograph, from the Time series called, What Kids Eat Around The World and looked at what a child from another country eats during a week and made some comparisons. They shared the similarities and differences and made some connections to their own lives and the meals that they ate in a week. They filled the air with lively conversations and connected meals to healthiness.

It's Planting Time in Texas!

During the month of December, gardeners take a pause to rest and dream of their Spring gardens. January is when planting begins again and this week we started with onions. Next week it will be carrots, beets, radishes, and spinach. The kids did a great job planting onions. They are growing some for themselves, but also planting in the Giving Garden to donate to our partners at the North Texas Food Bank. Growing & Giving.., That's how we roll!