• Potatoes are underground stems called "Tubers."
  
• The eyes on a potato are tiny buds with a small scale-like leaf beside each eye.
• We get Vitamin C and Vitamin B6 (which helps form red blood cells) from potatoes. They are also a good source of carbohydrates, fiber and potassium.
• Potatoes are from the 'yellow group' of the 'rainbow' of vegetables that we should eat every day. They help maintain a healthy heart and eye sight along with a healthy immune system.
• Potatoes are the USA's Number One Veggie Crop!
  
• In 1995 NASA grew the first vegetable in space - it was a potato!
• Potatoes are sometimes called spuds - referring to a 'spudder,' which is the spade like tool used for digging up potatoes.

On their way to the Life Lab Science classroom to learn about some important underground vegetables, Life Labbers were eager to check out some of the above ground vegetables that are flourishing right now in the garden. Kale, Broccoli, Khol Rabi and Cauliflower are all just about ready for harvesting.

After settling down in a circle, students showed off their knowledge when Sarah asked: Why are roots important to plants? Hands shot up in the air.

 “They anchor the plant.”

“They take nutrients up from the soil!”

“They act like a sponge.”

 “They pull water from the ground!”

These second graders are really in touch with their roots!

Next they examined a diagram of the root system and then discussed some important ‘root’ vegetables before reading a funny story about a crafty rabbit and hungry bear called Tops and Bottoms, by Janet Stevens. Inspired by the beautiful illustrations of this Caldecott-winning book, students then headed over to the art table to work on radish and carrot ‘still life’ drawings.

Afterward, students were eager to taste root vegetables. Slices of Jicama, Carrots and Radishes were passed around, but students were even more excited to hear that this was only the appetizer because next they’d be making the main course: Pizza!

As students enthusiastically assembled their individual pizzas, Sarah and I talked about how exciting it was to see the kids putting the final touches on what represented the conclusion of a full “cycle” in the Life Lab Science Garden. These same students had planted and tended the Pizza Garden, harvested the wheat, milled the wheat by hand, and after a brief stint in the faculty room oven—the pizzas were delivered to the classroom at snack time for them to eat and enjoy.

Q: How many new potatoes can you grow from one old potato?

A: Lots and lots!

    Today in Life Lab, students learned about one of our favorite tubers, the potato. Did you know that potatoes are the number one crop grown in the United States and that potatoes are rich in vitamin C and B6 and help support the immune system? Sarah explained the definition of the word “immune,” which means to “protect,” and students discussed how a healthy immune system helps protect the body against illness.

    We read a book called Two Old Potatoes, by John Coy, about a father and son who cut two old potatoes into nine pieces and planted them in the garden. From those nine pieces, they harvested 67 potatoes! We then learned how to cut, using our ‘bear claw’ grip, and divided up a bag of old potatoes. Students were careful to make sure that each section they cut had at least one 'eye.' They planted 20 pieces of potato. Last year our potato bed produced hundreds of potatoes, and we are hoping for a great crop again this year. The potato ranks at number 15 on the Environmental Working Group’s Highest Pesticide Loaded Foods list, so we are thankful that our climate supports such an abundant crop of organic potatoes. (Peaches and Apples weigh in at the top of the pesticide load list) If you’d like to see the list visit: http://www.foodnews.org/fulllist.php

    After planting, many children looked around and discovered that the kale plants as well as broccoli and khol rabi are all thriving. Rain drops glistened on the big green leaves of the kohlrabi and it was fun to look for where else last night’s rain had collected. Our rain collector barrel is filling up rapidly!

January 7, 2010

Most of the tasters preferred

the Life Lab 'brand,' and all of them agreed Popcorn is really yummy!
    After the Taste Test, students ventured out into the garden to pull out the Strawberry plants. Students removed

ek and all of us encountered frost which made Weather a very exciting topic for discussion in the Life Lab classroom today. Esme reported that her dog's water was frozen. Delaney had fun shattering some ice that she discovered outside. Scout told us that his grandmother called to report six new inches of snow on her railing! He was very excited about visiting Grandma's house for some sledding after hearing the news.

The students read the daily lesson plan out loud and we learned how the word 'cycle' is related to the word 'circle'. Students then identified some of the cycles we have talked about in Life Lab. We discussed the life cycle of butterflies, plants and seasons. Our lively discussion even led us to the eternal question: Which came first the chicken or the egg? Sarah said we didn't have enough time in Life Lab, but suggested this was a great question to discuss at the dinner table.

Next Sarah introduced us to the Weather Cycle chart. Students learned some new terms: evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection.

After listening to Sarah explain the Weather Cycle we put on our dancing shoes and did the Weather Boogie together compliments of the Banana Slugs CD. Ask your child to teach you the moves—the Weather Boogie is a fun way to warm up on a cold day!

A Gift For You... Narcissus

Lovely Lettuce

Students harvested red and green leaf lettuce today. Students also weeded and helped to plant two cover crops, Fava Bean and Red Clover. The focus of today's lesson was nutrients. We talked about how 'cover crops' are not grown for us to eat, but actually feed the soil* (*see December Dirt World).

Jo washed and prepped the lettuce while Sarah discussed the essential nutrients we get from eating lettuce and provided some fascinating facts about the history of this important staple in a healthy diet.

• Two cups of lettuce provides VITAMINS K,A AND C.
  
• Vitamin A for healthy vision.
  
• Vitamin K for healthy bone growth.
  
• Salad greens are the oldest known vegetable.
  
• Egyptian tomb paintings featuring lettuce date back to 79 A.D. (WOW!!  The kids all thought that was cool!!!)
  
• Lettuce was among the first vegetables brought to the New World by Christopher Columbus.
  
• California is the Number One producer of lettuce in the USA.

Sarah reminded us to "Eat a rainbow of fruits and veggies every day!"

Seeds! Seeds! Seeds!

Our scientists unlocked the secrets of seeds today in Life Lab. Sarah read a rhyming book that described interesting ways that different seeds spread themselves around. Students played a guessing game to try and figure out which seed was being described. We learned that coconuts float on the ocean. Maple tree and dandelion seeds travel on the wind. Berries and acorns catch a ride with animals. Some seeds use our shoes, pets and clothing as transportation! 

We talked about how some seeds are edible and others are not. Everyone had a chance to share what seeds they liked to eat. Pumpkins seeds and popcorn were the big winners. Another favorite was Edamame (steamed soy beans). Students made the connection that beans, peas and rice are also seeds. Many were surprised to discover that rice was a seed. Sarah explained that rice is a seed in the grass/grain family. Students then came up with another popular seed in the grain family that many of us eat—wheat!

Students then had the opportunity to dissect a Lima bean. We defined ‘dissect’ and discussed some more scientific terms including monocot and dicot as well as the parts of the seed, the embryo, endosperm and the seed coat. We learned how all the parts of the seed work together to grow the new plant.

Using a magnifying lens, each student identified the parts and labeled a seed diagram. They then measured the seeds and described key characteristics to create a lab report.

 After finishing this job, students moved on to sorting and classifying a large collection of colorful seeds.

“What are some of the ways we can sort?” Sarah asked.

 “By Kind! Type! Color! Size! Texture!” They shouted. 

If only we could get them this excited about sorting their socks...

Life Lab is a great place to learn about science, but did you know that  lessons also incorporate reading, language, nutrition, history, math, geography, and creative arts? One of the advantages to learning in the garden is that students are engaged in hands-on activities. As students work in the garden, their learning transforms into an experience. Learning by 'doing' is one of the most effective ways to teach.

Sarah begins Life Lab by having students read the daily Life Lab agenda out loud. They then discuss new words and concepts introduced in this reading to prepare for their 'work' in the garden. Many introductions include a brief history of the seed or plant that students will be planting or tasting. As students learn about the origins of food, they also learn about geography because many of our important plants come from far away places like India and Iran. Since so many of the vegetables and fruits we eat have a long history of feeding people, Sarah also gets students thinking about historical time frames.

This week Jo Emeny Smith helped students prepare beds for planting. Working in small groups, students rotated from toiling in the soil to working in the Life Lab classroom where Sarah had them compare and contrast four different samples of dirt. Sarah talked with students about the five senses and led them on a sensory exploration of the soil samples. Students were then asked to come up with adjectives to describe their findings. Working with one pair of students at a time, Sarah helped students assemble their adjectives into a poem. These "Odes To Dirt" were fun to create and really fun to read!

Jo collected a couple of poems written by 2nd grade students for you to read:

October 16, 2009

Bountiful Harvest