Mission Hill: Grade 7-8 Program
Session 5: March 19 - April 16, 2014
Week 5: April 16, 2013
An aftershock of winter came today as there was a light dusting of snow this morning and the temperature is back near freezing! We had our lesson inside, and since the students were just coming back from a biking activity around the neighborhood, we went food-heavy with our lesson. We brought back the group-favorite apple crisp recipe, enjoyed some of Mr. Warner's homemade hummus, and even had a self-defense smoothie. As we sat and enjoyed our nutritious treats, we talked about a lot of things - from the food we were putting into our bodies to how we grow our brain and become smarter from doing things like math.
Thanks for all the help this week!
Thanks for all the help this week!
Week 4: April 9, 2013
With another beautiful day today, we spent most of the class outside getting the pockets up for what will be the wall garden. Thanks to Mr. Warner for drilling the holes in the wall so they would be ready for today! Everyone worked hard screwing the pockets to the wall. Hopefully it won't be too long before we have some soil and seedlings growing in our new garden.
As a post-work treat, we made our sprout salad. The carrots, cabbage, and home-grown sprouts give some great nutrients, and that thai-inspired dressing is a crowd pleaser!
As a post-work treat, we made our sprout salad. The carrots, cabbage, and home-grown sprouts give some great nutrients, and that thai-inspired dressing is a crowd pleaser!
Week 3: April 2, 2013
It looks like spring is finally here! In the middle of our lesson today we stepped outside to take a look at the wall for our wall garden. But first we started with some push-hands work. Everyone had a chance to work on shifting between their forward and back stances, and learned the importance of rotating to keep their opponent from gaining the upper hand. Flow like water!
Next, we planted some basil seeds into homemade seed starters - some used egg shells. Not only are we being economical and environmental, but the bits of egg still in the shells will add some extra nutrients to the soil.
After drawing out a plan for the wall garden while outside, we came back in to make our self defense smoothie. Delicious!
Next, we planted some basil seeds into homemade seed starters - some used egg shells. Not only are we being economical and environmental, but the bits of egg still in the shells will add some extra nutrients to the soil.
After drawing out a plan for the wall garden while outside, we came back in to make our self defense smoothie. Delicious!
Week 2: March 26, 2013
With only four students, we got a lot done! After some root practice, including front and back stances and some basic pushing with partners, we got right into some gardening. We looked at the root structures of some wheatgrass, and could even pick it up, soil and all, with out any of it falling apart. Those roots are strong! Next we had the students plant some wheat berries in a recycled plastic bottle. With the side cut out, it makes a perfect vessel to grow some fresh wheatgrass. We gave the students some wheat berries and challenged them to come back with wheatgrass in their own recycled container. Finally, we made our energy crisp recipe. You can't go wrong with apples, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, and honey! While enjoying our treat, we discussed our project for this session: beginning a wall garden in the school courtyard.
Week 1: March 19, 2013
We only had eight students today, but then we found out that three are doing another program starting next week! Hopefully with the small group we can be productive and get a new gardening project going. We did some basic stance work, with the students learning how to find their root. Eventually we'll have them use their root to compete at push hands.
They helped us make some dragon water and learned how refreshing it is, while still being good for our bodies.
They helped us make some dragon water and learned how refreshing it is, while still being good for our bodies.