Kids Scoop News - April 2016

Going Green Earth Day is celebrated this month. Step in the green by learning these four ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

Tree Tragedy

The Earth Day Network reports that billions of trees are lost each year and this affects our planet in many ways. Learn the effect that tobacco has on trees and the environment.

April Showers Learn how the water cycle brings the rain we (and the flowers) need to survive.

How many flowers can you count on this page?

Take a walk outdoors and find the same number of flowers!

Meet the Worm Woman Mary Appelhof was known as the Worm Woman. Find out how worms can turn household trash into treasure.

LOVIN’ KID SCOOP NEWS IN MISSOURI VALLEY ~ MRS BARRY’S CLASS

2 IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY FOR A LIFETIME... BE A GARDENER. ~ CHINESE PROVERB

School gardens are an excellent way to make almost any classroom come alive. The hands-on experiences paired with the curriculum learning, help to build conceptual understandings in children. During the past year, we have shared ways that four area organizations: Riverside Elementary, Mater Dei Nativity, Lawton-Bronson, and the Norm Waitt Summer Y Camp have generated cross-curricular and multi-age lessons. This type of educational format provides children with an understanding of how area farmers work hard to produce food that is healthy. They have learned to value the farmers’ hard work and how these individuals care for their land, the plants and the animals in their charge.

Kid Scoop News Siouxland believes this demonstrates a real “sense of place” commitment.

Healthy eating begins at home. If we educate children about life long food choices, then they are more apt to follow through as adults. If they are able to experience, write about, read about, and discuss locally grown products, then as adults, they can help to share that knowledge.

In this issue, we address the need for students to know how to make a difference in our environment by accomplishing very simple and inexpensive actions at home and at school.

We’ve found that students who develop an understanding of farm to table concepts show a greater concern for their own environment. We’ve also found that attitudes about learning and school are very positive when the outdoor classroom is part of the curriculum.

We’ve reserved a section of the magazine this month for agrelated stories. As Iowa is part of the Midwest breadbasket region and a very important part of Siouxland, we were honored to visit with several farmers and ag- business folk to learn a little more about the variety of occupations and services provided in this field.

NICOLE SCHWEITZBERGER

JEANETTE HOPKINS

NIE Director The Sioux City Journal (712)293-4224 nicole.schweitzberger@lee.net

NIE Coordinator The Sioux City Journal (712)293-4328 jhopkins@siouxcityjournal.com

News: Speaking. ..................... 3-6 News:Environmentally Earth Day Ideas .....................................

3 Spotlight: Going Green. . .................................... 7-8 Spotlight: Going Green .................................. 4-5 Environment..................................................... 9-10 Environment: Tree Tragedy ............................ 6-7 Puzzles............................................................. 11 Geography: Tierra del Fuego .......................... 8-9 Farm to Table.................................................... 12-15 STEM: April Showers ............................... 10-11 Worm Woman .................................................. 16-17 Puzzles ........................................................ 12 Art Education.................................................... 18 Calendar........................................................... 19 ...................................................... 13 Calendar.

Rules Water of theCycle............................................ 20-21 Road .................................... 14-15 STEM: Environment: Worm Woman ....................... 16-17 Spring THoughts............................................... 22-23 Early Learners: letter T & number 10 ..............

18 Spotlight On Classrooms.................................. 24, 26-27 Geography: Argentina....................................... 25 Book & Web Picks ........................................ 19 Rules of the Road. ............................................. 28-29 20 Cool Links ....................................................

Book & Web Picks............................................. 30 Family Time .................................................. 21 Finance. ................................................................ 31 Try This At Home .......................................... 22 Early Learners. .................................................. 32 Lesson Idea of the Month ............................... 23 Family Activities............................................... 33 Answers ...................................................... 24 Answers............................................................ 34 Teacher of the Month........................................ 35

facebook.com/NIESiouxland on the web at NIESiouxland.com To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

© 2016 by Vicki Whiting www.NIESiouxland.com

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

3

Make a Difference for Our Planet!

Water is good for you.

But how you drink it can make a difference to the planet.

Making plastic water bottles and transporting them to stores uses a lot of fossil fuels and pollutes the environment. Reducing your use of plastic water bottles is an easy way to make the earth a cleaner place for generations to come.

Instead of buying water in a plastic bottle, use a refillable water bottle and fill it with tap water.

Recycle! Plastic water bottles can take hundreds of years to disintegrate. They pollute rivers, lakes and oceans. They fill up landfills.

Plastic Bottle Facts • Making bottles to meet America’s demand for bottled water uses more than 17 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel 1.3 million cars for a year. And that’s not even including the oil used for transportation.

Instead of throwing a plastic water bottle into the trash, recycle! Plastic water bottles are turned into carpeting and even fleece clothing.

Recycling one plastic bottle can save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for six hours!

Let’s Talk!

Talk to your parents about ways everyone in your family can help the environment by reducing waste and saving energy. There are a few great ideas below.

See if you can work together to come up with at least 10 more.

• The energy we waste using bottled water would be enough to power 190,000 homes.

• Last year, the average American used 167 disposable water bottles, but only recycled 38.

Oil and Water Imagine a water bottle filled a quarter of the way up with oil. That’s about how much crude oil was needed to produce the bottle.

There are a lot of things kids can do to take care of our planet every day. Here are some great ideas:

Turn Off Lights

Take charge of making sure the lights are switched off in your house when you leave a room. This saves energy and money. And it’s as easy as flipping a switch.

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

Plant Something Plant a tree, a bush or a vine.

Lima beans are easy to grow and you can plant them in a small container. When the beans are ripe, you can share them with your family.

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Play Outside

When you play outside you aren’t using electronics. You get some good excercise and have fun. Save energy and play in the fresh air outdoors!

Use Less Water

When brushing your teeth, turn off the tap water. This can save up to 8 gallons of water per day per person. Some showers use up to five gallons of water per minute. Shorter showers can save a LOT of water. © Vicki Whiting April 2016

4 APRIL BRINGS US SHOWERS, WARM WEATHER, AND OUTSIDE FUN. ALONG WITH THOSE OUTDOOR GIFTS, ANOTHER GIFT WE CAN THINK OF IS THAT OF BEING PART OF A GROWING NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTALISTS. THIS MONTH WE ASKED THE STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND BUSINESS OWNERS TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON HOW THEY CAN HELP THEIR ENVIRONMENT. IRWIN PAINTING USES LEAD FREE PAINT PRODUCTS TO OUR DISCRETION. THEY ALSO HAVE AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS TRAINED TO ENSURE THE PROPER USE AND GUIDELINES OF LEAD PAINT. RECYCLED RAGS ARE USED ON THE JOB SITES OR AT THE SHOP. ONE OF THE BUSINESSES THAT HAS SHOWN A GREAT DEAL OF “GOOD OLD FASHIONED” RECYCLING THINKING IS THAT OF GRANNY’S STITCHES IN SIOUX CITY. LOCATED RIGHT ON FLOYD BOULEVARD IN THE LEEDS SECTION OF THE CITY, GRANNY’S STITCHES IS ALL ABOUT RECYCLING. VERY SELDOM IS ANY PIECE OF FABRIC, LININGS, OR MATERIALS THROWN AWAY. LIKE THE ARTIST SHE IS, JEANNE MATLOCK KNOWS FROM HER OWN CHILDHOOD HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO “SAVE” AND REUSE MATERIALS. HAND-CRAFTED ARTICLES ARE DESIGNED

BY INDIVIDUALS WHO FIND WAYS TO USE THE MATERIALS AROUND THEM. AT CHARLIE’S WINE AND SPIRITS CARDBOARD FLATS ARE RECYCLED BY GIVING THEM TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY FOR THEIR ANIMALS (CAT’S LITTER BOX) ALONG WITH RECYCLED NEWSPAPERS. WE ALSO HAVE A RECYCLE BIN WHERE THEY PUT ALL CARDBOARD BOXES, PAPERS AND ANYTHING THAT IS RECYCLABLE AND PAY THE COMPANY TO SERVICE THEM. THEY HELP THE ENVIRONMENT KNOWING THAT MOST OF OUR EVERYDAY CUSTOMERS RECYCLE THE CANS AND BOTTLES, ESPECIALLY THE NICKEL CANS THAT CAN BE TAKEN BACK TO THE RECYCLING BUSINESS AND RECEIVE THE DEPOSIT MONEY BACK. ANOTHER BUSINESS THAT WE KNOW IS AN ADVOCATE FOR RECYCLING WOULD BE BOOK PEOPLE LOCATED IN THE MARKETPLACE MALL. LITERACY ENTHUSIASTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD HAVE LONG HELD REVERENCE FOR HARD AND SOFT BOUND BOOKS WHICH ARE SHARED FOR YEARS WITHIN FAMILIES, LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS. WHILE THE E-BOOK MAY BE IN FASHION RIGHT NOW….BOOKS HAVE LONG BEEN CAREFULLY CREATED TO LAST FOR CENTURIES, MAKING THEM A PRETTY POSITIVE RECYCLING ITEM. OUR FRIEND AT BELLE TOUCHE SALONS, CHERI COSGROVE IS ALSO AN ENVIRONMENTALLY- MINDED BUSINESS PERSON. THE BELLE TOUCHÉ SALONS PROMOTE A STRONG STAND ON CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES BY SHARING THE AVEDA LINE WITH THEIR CLIENTS. ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS ARE DEVELOPED TO DIMINISH THE USE OF TOXIC MATERIALS FOUND IN MANY HAIR AND SKIN PRODUCTS AND REPLACE THEM WITH PURE FLOWER AND PLANT ESSENCES.

Students’ Thoughts on the Environment Pollution in the United States is a major problem in our country. Pollution harms our planet and diminishes the ozone layer which creates an increase in ultraviolet radiation. In 2010, Americans produced over 250 tons of garbage and waste. The amount of waste has increased every year. There are many ways to combat this growing issue on our planet. A popular way to help our planet is by recycling.

Recycling is using waste materials that would otherwise be thrown away and converting them into new products. Recycling has many benefits including limiting the amount of waste and garbage that goes into our landfills and waste management centers. The biggest benefit of recycling is it helps our planet and saves energy.

David Pithan Mater Dei Grade 8

We know we need to recycle. We recycle every day by throwing trash where it belongs, and paper where it belongs. We also pick up trash on our playground.

These are some ways we know to recycle.

Aidan Nodland Grade 1 Recycling is helpful. First we need to sort our trash.

Next we need to try and use less trash. Last we need to do it at home and at school. I know recycling is important.

Gunnar Nodland Grade 1 We recycle in our classroom. We use trash cans for trash and paper. We make sure we recycle paper.

Recycling is important.

Lucy Nodland Grade 1 Many people don’t care about litter, but you should.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, “Litter is waste or To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

rubbish that is discarded improperly”. $11.5 billion has been spent just cleaning up litter. Also, nine billion tons of litter ends up in the ocean every year. Litter is one of the top ten world problems. 75% of Americans say they have littered since 2011. The most common types of litter are cigarette butts and fast food garbage. Men are also more likely to litter than women. Most people who litter are between the ages of 18 and 34.

When you litter, you are endangering the next generation. In 2013, seven million pounds of litter was removed from roadsides just in North Carolina.

Usually, one mile of highway contains 16,000 pieces of litter. A discarded cigarette butt takes 12 years to decompose. People often use excuses for littering.

Many people litter for the following reasons: The area is already messy The garbage cans are overflowing The garbage cans are for certain types of trash My neighbors litter, so why can’t I? It’s just one paper People are starving in Africa, so why should I care about littering!!

The garbage can is too far away.

Let’s think of reasons why we should care, and take action!

Isaac Roerig Mater Dei Grade 8 It is important to keep our world clean; Doing that is easy, if you know what I mean.

You could always plant trees, Or plant flowers for the bees.

Trees put oxygen back on the planet, Our earth is important so we must save it.

Outside you smell flowers of every kind, Or maybe a river or anything you find.

And the feeling you get when you walk outside, www.NIESiouxland.com

Could be just enough to make your smile spread wide.

So why would you not want to save our earth?

Just think of all our world is worth!

Lily Graham Mater Dei Grade 6 Look out a window. How many trees can you spot?

It may be about a dozen or so, right? Have you ever taken the time to realize how important trees are to us?

Trees aren’t just fun to climb on; they give us clean air, too! They are also important to animals. Trees serve as homes to birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and many other woodland animals. Without trees, they wouldn’t be able to protect themselves, raise their young, or store food.

So what can you do to protect our plant friends? You can grow trees in your yard or a public place (but get permission first!!) to keep the tree population up.

Visiting a nature preserve is a nice way to appreciate the great outdoors, with its various animals, beautiful scenery, and never-ending family fun!

Sarah Engle Mater Dei Grade 8 A total of about 60 billion plastic bottles are wasted per year. That is a great deal of plastic. You can make a difference in reducing the amount that is wasted.

Just recycling one bottle a day will help. You can also reuse some of them. You can make flower pots, chandeliers, baskets, and many other things out of plastic bottles. I personally like to make flower pots out of them. I like to just cut the top part off. Then I choose the color of spray paint that I desire, and I spray away!

Even though plastic bottles can be recycled, most end up in landfills or littered. Consumers use a whopping 24 billion bottles per year, just in the U.S. Americans © Vicki Whiting April 2016

5 recycle only about one out of six plastic bottles. When you throw away a plastic bottle it will sit in the landfill for about 100 years before decomposing.

Hannah Fitzpatrick Mater Dei Grade 6 There are so many things happening with the environment lately but people don’t focus on the good things going on around us in the world. For example it should start raining soon, so that’s really good for farmers. Also, it’s going to start getting warm, which is really good to go outside and enjoy especially with the sun out. It’s weird, because it’s only the beginning of spring, but I’m not complaining. With everything going on with the world, people don’t focus on the beauty of nature, like the trees’ leaves finally turning green, or the grass finally showing, or maybe even people going outside more often. It’s really exciting to be able to go outside more often, without worrying about getting sick. It’s even better that I don’t have to look like a walking marshmallow in the snow, until next year.

Daytona Bahmer Mater Dei Grade 8 Trees are as important to humans as food and water are. They keep our city cool and clean. One tree can clean toxic emissions from the dirty air exhausted from an average car being driven 4000 miles. Trees produce 30% of oxygen on earth, the other 70% is produced by plants in the ocean, trees provide shelter, food, recreation and beauty. Do you really want a bad environment? Think before you litter or before you cut down trees, you could save lives!

Rachelle Klein Mater Dei Grade8 It is important to plant trees. Trees are being cut down faster than they can grow. We need trees to survive, they help clean the air and provide oxygen. They also provide shade on hot sunny days. You can also do fun things with trees. You can climb them all the way to the top or make a tree house. It is very simple to help out and plant a tree.

Last year my family planted a tree in our backyard.

All we had to do was buy a tree, which we got from Earl May, and then Earl May planted it for us. There are many organizations that are helping to plant trees.

There is this one organization called American Forests.

Jenna Rethman Mater Dei Grade 8 Do you have trees in your yard? If you do you are helping your environment! It is very important to replant trees! When you plant a tree you are making more oxygen in the air! This is very important because we breathe in oxygen which trees give off.

Confused? I will explain. We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Trees do just the opposite; they take in carbon dioxide and let out oxygen. That way we can have more oxygen to breathe.

Oxygen is something that can run out like water or oil. You never know, maybe one day we will run out of oxygen. Your kids and grandkids might not have oxygen or not have energy. This is why scientists are finding new ways to make energy like solar energy or hydro cars that run on water and little oil. We are finding new ways to help are planet.

Laura Murray Mater Dei Grade 7 Overuse of plastic bottles is a major problem that To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

needs to be resolved.

Just last year Americans used over fifty billion plastic bottles!

In the U.S. today 1,500 plastic water bottles are consumed every second!

There are many reasons that this is a major problem for humans, the environment, and the animals on our planet. The human impact is that the bottles contain BPA. BPA is a chemical that has been proven to give you a list of health problems including, stopping of growth, and types of cancer, early puberty, tumors, and many more problems.

Last year a study by One Green Planet found that 96% of women have BPA in their bodies today. The animal impact is that the plastic bottles are currently not recyclable and they wind up at the bottom of the ocean. Animals mistake them as food. One albatross was recently found dead on the shore of a Hawaiian island with 119 bottle caps in its stomach. Also, a whale was found dead on a North American beach recently with a plastic gallon bottle which had gummed up its small intestine. The animal’s body was full of plastic material including other plastic bottles, and bottle caps. The environmental impact is that it uses a huge amount of fossil fuels to make plastic bottles, and it takes a human lifetime to decompose!

Bailey Logan Mater Dei Grade 6 Imagine holding a little tree in your hand, about to plant it, with that feeling of doing something good for the world. Trees do so much for everybody like give us oxygen, make a habitat for wildlife, and make our world look beautiful. But sadly, lots of them are getting cut down for stuff we use every day. Some day we will need those trees and ever one will regret cutting them down.

Replanting trees is very important. Three billion trees get cut down every year. Without the people who replant trees, there wouldn’t be as many as we have today. Many companies cut down 10,000 trees every week. That’s 520,000 a year for just one company.

Karlie Stoos Mater Dei Grade 7 Replanting trees is very important. Deforestation is a very big problem in rain forests in places like Brazil.

Deforestation is getting rid of cool plants and animal habitats. Pollution is also killing plants and animals and it is polluting the air which we breathe.

One thing that you could do to help are getting trees and planting them. Trees produce oxygen so if all the trees are gone, there will be limited oxygen. You can buy a tree and plant it in your back yard or someplace where it is available. Joe Adams Mater Dei Did you know that there are millions of pieces of trash that are on the ground every day?

Today I am going to tell you about how to control trash. First you should use the garbage to throw away www.NIESiouxland.com

your trash. On the other hand I live in the country and I burn my trash. Have you ever heard of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle?

Reduce- make smaller or less in amount or size.

Reuse- use again or more than once.

Recycle- use again.

Remember to do all of these things everyday all day.

Ireland Uhl Mater Dei Grade 6 Did you know every 2000 pounds of recycled paper can save 17 trees? In America, we throw away 2.5 million plastic water bottles every hour. In the United States, less than 35 percent of all families recycle.

Recycled glass can be remanufactured an infinite amount of times. Americans throw away so much paper that we could build a 12 foot high wall from Seattle to New York.

Here at Mater Dei we recycle all paper, cardboard and plastic. In each classroom there are recycling bins and garbage cans. We have students go around and empty the recycling bins in each classroom.

Colby Wilmesherr Mater Dei Did you know a tree can grow as high as the Empire State Building? Just kidding, that’s not possible. The tallest tree is the world is the California Redwood. It stands as tall as 379 feet. There are more than 23,000 kinds of trees in the world. Trees can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and take in one ton of carbon dioxide by the time it reaches 40 years old.

One large tree can lift up to 100 gallons of water out of the ground and into the air in a day. Over 5,000 products are made from trees. Trees are the largest living organism in the world. Most trees don’t have a tap root. The root only goes about 12 inches into the soil. Hopefully, you grow more trees to keep America green.

Ryan Hanson Mater Dei How many empty water bottles do you see out in the street littered? I see a lot almost every day. There are so many ways that you can recycle or reuse plastic water bottles. One way is to poke holes through the lid with a sharp pin, so you will need your parents’ help for that. Then you can fill it up with water and use it to water the flowers or the vegetables in your garden. Did you know that we waste about 38 billion water bottles every year? All those empty bottles can become hazards for animals in a habitat that think its food and try to eat it. Also, most of these bottles just end up in landfills when they could be recycled into new reusable items. It’s really important to recycle, because if we let all of our garbage roam free, the earth would be a disgusting land of filth. Would you want to live in a land of smelly old garbage? I sure wouldn’t, so recycling is really important for us and the environment around us.

Greta Rosno Mater Dei Grade 8 Replanting trees has been a challenge that the world faces today. We are in an age where trees are dying a lot faster than they are growing back. Here are facts that will inform you just how helpful trees can be. An average size tree produces enough oxygen in one year to keep a family of four breathing. Three trees planted in the right place around buildings can cut © Vicki Whiting April 2016

6 air-conditioning costs up to 50 percent, and can increase the value of property. Houses surrounded by trees sell for 18-25 percent higher than houses with no trees, which is a big difference.

Although replanting trees may sound easy, there are a lot of factors that are making it hard to grow trees. For example, forest fires in the past years have destroyed millions of trees making natural regeneration nearly impossible. This has left the Forest Service with a backlog of more than one million acres of forest land in need of replanting. It increases every year with each disaster that falls upon trees. Taking this into consideration, many organizations are creating programs to replant trees, so don’t lose hope!

Nico Ordonez Mater Dei Trash is not supposed to last, It should be in the past.

Throw away your trash, And don’t try and make it cash.

Don’t drop it on the floor, Make it into something new; like a door.

I try to make the world look like new, Everyone can do it, too.

I make things turn to new hues…

And so can you.

Control your trash that’s what you do, And together, make the world look pretty, too.

Jack Van Holland Mater Dei What is litter? According to the Webster Dictionary litter is trash, such as paper, cans, and bottles that

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are left lying in an open or public place. But why do people litter? People litter for many reasons such as…

Laziness The garbage cans are already overflowing.

The garbage cans have a note stating that they for specific trash only.

The garbage can is too far away.

The list could go on forever. People could find countless excuses to throw a piece of trash on the ground instead of taking the short amount of time to find a trash can, but what people don’t realize is that litter can have many effects like…Littering can spread diseases to wild life and causes pollution. It contaminates our water. So do yourself and others a favor, throw trash away, but limit the amount of trash you have.

Dylan Harrington Mater Dei Pollution in the United States is a major problem in our country. Pollution harms our planet and diminishes the ozone layer which creates an increase in ultraviolet radiation. In 2010, Americans produced over 250 tons of garbage and waste. The amount of waste has increased every year. There are many ways to combat this growing issue on our planet. A popular way to help our planet is by recycling.

Recycling is using waste materials that would otherwise be thrown away and converting them into new products. Recycling has many benefits including limiting the amount of waste and garbage that goes into our landfills and waste management centers. The biggest benefit of recycling is it helps our planet and saves energy. There are many products that can be recycled such as plastics and paper products.

David Pithan Mater Dei Grade 8 Recycling is good for the environment; we are using old, waste products which are of no use and then converting them back to same new products. Since we

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are saving resources and are sending less trash to the landfills, it helps in reducing air and water pollution.

Energy saving is important if we are to reduce the future effects of global warming. If we recycle one aluminum can, we are able to save enough energy to run a TV for around 3 hours. This will obviously depend on the energy consumption of your TV, but it gives you a great idea as to just how much energy can be saved during the process of recycling products.

It is believed that the U.S prints approximately 40 million newspapers each day, leading to the equivalent of about half a million trees ending in landfills every week. We’ve been careless up to this point with the way we’ve treated the Earth and it’s time to change; not just the way we do things but the way we think. Paper, plastic, glass, aluminum cans are examples of some products that are recycled in large quantities. Just remember these three words reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Tony Guerra Mater Dei I think taking care of the environment is important.

There are a lot of things that badly affect the environment. Some examples are littering, oil spills, and the lack of recycling. Oil spills are one of the bigger problems. Oil spills are type pollution. When oil is released into the ocean it affects the area around the spill. It also affects the animals living in the area of the spill. Recycling is one of the popular ways to help the environment. Littering is also a problem. Littering hurts the environment just like oil spills and the lack of recycling. Another problem is air pollution. Some factories that have smoke come out of the buildings affects the air around the factories. This problem also causes smog in bigger cities. A lot of these problems have easy solutions. People could recycle more. For littering, some states make it illegal and people who litter get a fine.

Ellie Lehmann Mater Dei

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

7 One way we generate carbon dioxide (CO2) is by burning fossil fuels (gas and oil) to power cars, planes and trains. Each person participates in activities that produce CO2.

These activities are called a person’s carbon footprint. The average American generates 20 tons of CO2 every year–about the same amount as produced by three new cars!

If every American family replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an energy-saving compact fluorescent bulb, CO2 emissions would drop by more than 90 billion pounds a year—the same as taking 7.5 million cars off the road.

Whenever possible, walk or ride your bike to get places.

If walking isn’t possible—carpool!

Carpooling two days a week can reduce your annual CO2 emissions by as much as 1,590 pounds.

It’s easy to remember to turn off big things, like lights or TVs, but don’t forget about the small stuff … like VCRs, DVD players, computer speakers, and printers. If they’re on, they’re using energy, even if you aren’t using them. Every hour of electricity used in your home generates about 2.3 pounds of CO2.

Reducing waste in landfills reduces emissions of CO2 and methane (another heat-trapping gas). Recycling also uses less energy than manufacturing new materials.

Circle the item that continues the pattern in each row.

Bento boxes are a collection of brightly colored lunch boxes that are reusable and waste-free.

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

www.NIESiouxland.com

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

8

This tree is 624 inches tall.

There are 12 inches in a foot.

How many feet tall is the tree?

This water animal lives 7 fathoms below the surface of the ocean.

There are 6 feet in a fathom. In feet, how deep in the sea would you have to go to find this animal?

CARBON FOOTPRINT GREEN CARPOOL GENERATES FOSSIL ENERGY FUEL CARS ROAD HOUR RECYCLE CHART LANDFILLS DIOXIDE

Autumn Grove Orchard is Preparing for a New Season!

In the book, The Apple Orchard Riddle by Margaret McNamara, Mr. Tiffin and his class share a field experience to a local apple orchard. The students learn about every aspect of the orchard, pick apples, and learn how important fruit growers are to the world. During the trip, Mr. Tiffin gives the class a riddle to ponder …”What is red, has no doors or windows and has a star in the middle?”…no guesses? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

Since the April issue of Kid Scoop News Siouxland focuses on the environment and agriculture, we thought we’d visit one of our favorite local apple sites, Autumn Grove Orchards, to find out a little more about the spring work and to see how the new season is developing.

For Stephanie and Jason Heger, spring means there is pruning to be done…and Jason actually pruned some trees while we visited with him . (Autumn Grove is located at 1563 180th St…right off Morningside Avenue headed south out of Sioux City.) Pruning generally occurs when the trees are dormant. Limbs are trimmed and cut and then clipped to allow sunlight into the plant. Pruning is done to get a higher quality of fruit and a brighter color. For Jason, this is actually a very busy part of the business.

This year brings a “bit of worry” to the orchard producer. With the change in climate, the winters have been a bit warmer and often the “January thaw” lasts longer than usual and the trees begin to bud. If the trees bud and then the ground is hit with a heavy freeze, the crop is gone. Jason expressed his concern, but also his positive outlook towards this year.

Every year, along with the summer hail, storms, and high winds, other concerns include a small while mold that can develop at the bottom of the tree. Dormant oil is placed at the base to smother the mold and produce a healthier crop. Small field mice have to be discouraged as they enjoy the bark at the bottom of the tree, too. The way we saw it was that it takes a very good eye to know when the trees need assistance and Jason has that “eye”.

Last year was a wonderful year at Autumn Grove Orchard and the Heger’s are looking forward to this season. Marketing is done on Facebook, but “word of mouth” has been very effective so far. In fact, last year the produce sold out a week earlier than expected and if the season begins earlier this year….who knows? The Hegers sell apples, pumpkins, baked goods, and a wonderful old -fashioned fudge, and all sell out quickly!

While the hard work is all done by hand, both Stephanie and Jason agree that it is worth it. The rich taste of a locally grown apple puts a smile on their customers’ faces letting them know that their hard work is appreciated.

Mara Aesoph and Chloe McClure North Middle Sophia Dreeszen Sunnyside To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

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Find the words by looking up, down, backwards, forwards, sideways and diagonally.

Then see if you can find the words in this month’s Kid Scoop stories and activities.

L E U F G T R A H C

E N F O S S

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L A A

L E S O N E E R G R I

C R R T R O B

N P

Y G A P H O U R G O C Y C R N G A R E O E E D

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R L A N D F

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D E L L L S

N S E T A R E N E G

April is always nice outside to play.

But when it’s raining, you just want it to go away.

When it stops raining, there’s always a rainbow.

Everybody looks at it and says, “Whoa!”

Don’t forget about April Fools.

Maybe somebody will throw you in a pool?

After that, you’ll be soaking wet.

It will feel like stone -cold sweat.

You will have fun that month.

And fun it you’ll find in the deep south.

There are millions things do in the spring.

Who knows what the season will bring.

Ricky Cancino Mater Dei

Grade 7

Adorable! I just saw the cutest animal in the world, a baby puppy! I think the cutest animal in the world is a puppy, they are cute and adorable to keep. I think everyone should have one so they would know just how cute they are and smart, too! You should tell your parents to buy you one so you can see what’s so adorable!

Keily Lewis and Clark SSC Grade 5 Do you really want to know what the cutest animal is. I think the cutest animal is the hedgehog. Here are some reasons why I think this animal is the cutest. Hedgehogs are so small that they fit on the palm of your hand and that is a well- known fact! If they are scared, they roll into a little ball. Many people mix up the hedgehog and the porcupine because they both have quills. Unlike porcupines,hedgehogs don’t shoot out quills. Hedgehogs don’t cost much either.

They are about $75-80. These are the reasons I think the hedgehog is the cutest animal in the world!

Valerie L. Lewis and Clark SSC Grade 5 Who wouldn’t like kangaroos? They are so cute. Have you seen their feet? They are huge. They can jump as far as a long school bus. Their babies are so cute, too. They are so small when they are born.

Rosaleena Lewis and Clark SSC Grade 5 © Vicki Whiting April 2016

9

Growing tobacco and making cigarettes causes the destruction of millions of trees each year. Use the code to find out more!

Many young people who start using drugs, start with tobacco. Sometime kids don’t really get how badly tobacco can hurt their bodies. But they can see how badly it hurts the environment.

So remember that tobacco is bad for kids and for the planet!

A machine that makes cigarettes uses miles of paper per hour to roll and package cigarettes. On average, it takes tree to make cigarettes. The average smoker will “smoke” tree in weeks.

Each year, millions of cigarette butts end up being washed down storm drains and into streams, rivers, lakes and the ocean. Seabirds, fish and other animals mistake them for food. Their bodies have no way to digest cigarette butts and they can die.

Farmers burn forests to plant tobacco because tobacco cannot be grown in the same soil year after year, so when fields are moved to fresh ground, more trees are felled.

It takes about 25 years for one cigarette butt to decompose or turn back into dirt. For 25 years it is like a poison for an unsuspecting animal to eat.

Tobacco must be dried, or “cured” in hot air before it can be made into cigarettes. In poor countries, the fuel used for curing is usually wood. Every acre of tobacco may need another acre of trees to be cut down and burned for curing.

In the rain forest, about used for tobacco.

out of

trees is

You can help! Clean up the stream by crossing out every cigarette butt!

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

www.NIESiouxland.com

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

10

CAMARENA TOBACCO RIBBONS DRUGS HURT HEALTH JAIL REMEMBER PLANET BURN PLANT ACRE WORSE BUTT STOP

Find the words by looking up, down, backwards, forwards, sideways and diagonally.

Then see if you can find the words in this month’s Kid Scoop stories and activities.

R E B M E M E R D T

O A N U S T P I O R

D N H G T O L B T U D E U E R T A B N H N R U B A C N O A E D A U P C L E N L S

G M S O R I T S P R

O A R T E A S H M O

O C K S E J C I G W

It’s simple!

Your locally-owned car store is proud to support Siouxland Newspapers In Education and Kids Scoop News.

SIOUX CITY

3601 Singing Hills Blvd. & 2001 E. 6th St., Sioux City • SiouxCityFord.com • 712-277-8420

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

www.NIESiouxland.com

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

11 All of the words in the puzzle below start with the letters P-R-O. Read the definition of each word and see if you can fill in the blanks. If you get stuck, look at right for each word’s missing letters.

Standards Link: Language Arts: Vocabulary.

The money a business makes:

A gas used in outdoor grills:

To make something available:

Another name for fruits and veggies:

To stop something from happening:

To be financially successful:

To lengthen in time:

To move forward:

Something you own, especially land:

To keep safe from harm:

To say a word clearly and correctly:

A teacher at a university:

Nathan’s Nursery has more potted plants than Gabby’s Garden Center. Look very closely and count carefully. How many more potted plants does Gabby need to match Nathan?

Standards Link: Math: Problem solving.

ANSWER: Gabby needs four more potted plants to match Nathan.

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

www.NIESiouxland.com

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

12 Smithland’s Own Green Acres Delights Garden Enthusiasts!

An interview with Randy Bartels

FARM TO TABLE

Food Detectives: Ms. Siepker’s Fantastic First Grade Farm to Table Insights! Lawton-Bronson

Thanks to The Iowa Live Healthy 10 Week Challenge, Ms. Siepker’s First Graders have been learning the importance of getting their daily servings of fruits, vegetables and dairy products.

Kid Scoop News Siouxland Thanks to several grants, the detectives have been able to sample new foods! Red Feature Reporters bananas were on the table one day. Ms. Siepker heard comments such as “I’m not eating Kate Solberg and Hayden those.” and “Those look rotten!” After sampling the bananas, Karsen R. thought that they Lovrien Grade 3 (Akron-Westfield) tasted good, Hunter B. said they tasted the same as yellow bananas and Joshua B. said he didn’t like the smell of the bananas, but he liked the taste.

Who: Owners Gregg and Kathy Schink Some other foods that the detectives sampled included: cauliflower; snap peas; red, What: Green Acres Greenhouse yellow, and green peppers; kale chips and a cracker with cream cheese and a cucumber Where: 2 miles west of Smithland, IA on Hwy 141 topped with dill seed.

When: Retails April through July Parent Mary B. sent an e-mail that said, “When I picked up Joshua from school he asked Q: What plants do you raise? if the next time I went to the grocery store, I could get some cauliflower! He said he loved A: We grow a wide variety of annual flowers, vegetable plants, it! I was amazed because I didn’t know he would like it! Thank you so much for doing the houseplants and perennial flowers. taste test! It’s so good to have another veggie to add to his lunch.”

When sampling the kale chips, only seven said they liked them. Hunter B. said he liked Q: How long have you worked there? them because they had a buttery taste and he likes butter. Those who didn’t like them said A: The greenhouse has been in business for over 32 years, but I have that they tasted like leaves and many didn’t like the smell! The great outcome is that the been employed seasonally for 5 years. detectives bravely sampled them!

Q: Why do you like working there?

Yoga was introduced to all the first graders by instructors Mary Brady and Becca Keith.

A: As a retired teacher, this job lets me pursue my interests in Botany, The detectives learned some yoga poses which included sunflower, warrior, tree, down dog and I enjoy working with the customers. Flowers just seem to make and child’s pose. The second session included different poses which had the students turn people smile. their bodies into animals. They moved like snakes, were giraffes reaching for leaves and arched their backs like cats! The students learned that yoga can be fun and is a great way Q: What have you learned? to relax!

A: I now know that making a greenhouse business work requires a lot One day the detectives had to choose between a bag that had two carrots and one that of dedication, time, knowledge, good employees, work, and a loyal had 15-20 M&M’s. Twelve students choose the candy and 6 chose the carrots! That’s customer base. Green Acres provides plants not always available 33% of the detectives choosing the healthy snack! When asked why carrots were chosen, elsewhere in the area. We have repeat customers from 75 miles away Amelia P. said, “I didn’t want the candy.” Kate T. said, “I really like carrots and eating or more who like to come and make a day of healthy!” When invited to eat the leftovers, the carrots were eaten before the candy! YES! getting their plants to kick off their new gardening Flat Aggie enjoyed her visit to Cancun. She was able to enjoy Dutch stroopwafels, which season. are a sweet waffle type cookie with a caramel filling. One breakfast fruit that was served Like they say, “ Green Acres is the place was called Granada C. It is a yellow fruit with gray insides. She discovered that the gray to be…” Green Acres is one place where pulpy part was what was eaten and she said it was sweet. She also saw some coconut customers are continually trees while there. She also enjoyed a visit to Seward, Alaska. She learned that half of the satisfied. Located near total United States fish catch comes from Alaska! Some of the fish caught include: salmon, Smithland, Iowa, the drive into to the Loess herring, crab, halibut and groundfish.

Hills of Iowa is one beautiful and scenic trip The detectives are enjoying lots of books related to how their food gets to their plates. They and the greenhouse is a place you will visit learned how honey and cranberries are harvested. They sampled homemade granola more than once. Along with seasonal flower made with honey and a cranberry fruit drink. The detectives enjoyed both samples! A arrangements, spring and summer plants are big thank you to Elisha at Barnes and Nobles for ordering all of the books, making some available during garden season. The open suggestions of books to order, reading a book to the detectives and even delivering the house provides a trip into nature’s colors, books! shapes, and forms. According to return Melissa, our Ag in the Classroom teacher, taught the detectives the many jobs customer Bruce, “I have never been disappointed. We always need that farmers do. The detectives then dressed in costume to demonstrate that more room in our car for the plants, flowers, and garden farmers are: vets, mechanics, business managers, plant scientists, truck drivers, decorations. It is a gem in the Loess Hills.” construction workers, chefs for their animals, athletes, teachers Kid Scoop News Siouxland agrees…what a special place to visit to and also students. The detectives then wrote a Thank You letter find plants and flowers for your summer gardens! which would be given to an Iowa farmer.

Through their journey this year, the detectives have not only learned where their food comes from, but have also learned to sample new foods. They have also learned that vegetables and fruits are healthy for them, taste good and can be eaten without dips!

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303 www.NIESiouxland.com © Vicki Whiting April 2016

FARM TO TABLE

13

If you have a GARDEN and a LIBRARY you have everything you need….marcus tullius cicero

When spring arrives and the days are warm, it’s time to visit with our school-community garden folk! Last spring, we shared the celebration of school gardens from Riverside Elementary, Mater Dei Nativity, and the Lawton-Bronson Elementary School. Gardening in the school offers handson experiential learning opportunities connecting with many of the class content goals. The children can journal and record data about garden changes, connecting writing, reading, science, and art. They might integrate math into the garden curriculum with lessons about perimeter, area, measurement, geometry, and fractions…(to name a few). Health and Nutrition units are enhanced by discussion of fresh produce benefits with visits by dietitians, medical personnel, and Iowa State Extension representatives. Teachers also connect with our region and show the value of conservation and environmental stewardship. Lessons in the water cycle, food chain, basic needs of humans are all current lessons shared in the classrooms, and how much more interesting they are by adding the real garden element.

Lawton-Bronson Outdoor Classroom and Garden Gears Up for Another Growing Season

We have dusted off the grow lights and have peppers, radishes and tomatoes planted. Using the grow lights, we are experimenting by using 2 liter containers to grow carrots and snap peas. Our garden is supplemented through grants and donations of redeemable cans from our can cage in Lawton. Thanks to everyone who has helped our garden grow through these donations!

Plans are being formed as to what will go in our beds this season. Peppers, snap peas and popcorn top our list.

Our garden will be open to all during Fine Arts Night in May. We have added some decorative tires and these will be used to cover the grates. They are made of used car tires, so not only have they been repurposed, but they will also be a lovely addition to our garden!

We’re looking forward to another great year of learning, observing and enjoying “the fruits of our labor”!

Ms. Siepker, Food Detective Feature Writer

Mater Dei School Garden Teaches Garden to Table Concepts

Next time you’re in the Morningside area, stop by Mater Dei Catholic School’s garden located at 4243 Natalia Way, behind the school. This garden, started in the spring of 2014, has taken on its own life. From tiny seedlings to feeding the hungry students at Mater Dei, this endeavor has become a huge success! It was so successful, in fact, that in the spring of 2015, the garden’s special gardener, Kristen Malenosky, head cook at Mater Dei Catholic School, decide to double the garden’s size. Because the garden is in its third season, Kristen will be refreshing the soil. Why would a garden’s soil need to be refreshed you ask? This is no ordinary garden; it’s a boxed garden with two full levels. And, when the garden was doubled in 2015, a second box was built, again with two full levels.

Talking with Kristen, you can see her excitement as she talks about the upcoming planting season, “We plan on doing green peppers again, and tomatoes (slicing, cherry, and grape), along with some herbs (parsley, oregano, and basil). Those are the things we can use the most during the school year, mostly for spaghetti sauces. Those are good things that can be dried or frozen to be used at any time during the year, and also have on hand for a fresh veggie when we have a good harvest!”

We have several families signed up to help Kristen garden this year. When asked what will need done within the garden this summer Kristen said, “Watering and weeding are the most work, as well as staking the plants when they start growing tall. When it comes time to thin out the plants that will take some time.”

Something special to announce is this summer we will be partnering with the Green Ambassadors program sponsored by Mrs. Iowa International 2016, Rosanne Plante (a gardener who came and talked with our 6th graders when we started our garden; Rosanne helped plant our first plants). We will be sponsoring either one plant or a few plants and the produce from those plants will be donated to Sioux City’s Gospel Mission to help the hungry right here in Siouxland! We will weigh the vegetables so we know how much is donated and communicate that to our students who are very generous when it comes to helping others. Last year we had an overabundance of cucumbers so it’ll be wonderful to know any extra fresh vegetables not used in the school lunches will help those in need.

“The Lord will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well- watered garden like an ever flowing spring.” ~ Isaiah 58:11 Mrs. Bengford, Mater Dei 6-8 English Teacher

Riverside Elementary School Designs a Community Garden

KUDOS to Principal Mary Motz and the Riverside Elementary School for the development of Siouxland’s newest community gardens. With the assistance from: the Iowa State Extension Department, the Sioux City Blue Zone Committee, Siouxland Master Gardeners, Bomgaars, Sue Brown and Laurie Taylor, Riverside is well on its way to harvesting a colorful, healthy and fully cooperatively-developed garden for the third year!

It is common knowledge that children who are familiar with growing their own food tend to eat more fruits and vegetables and are more likely to continue healthy eating habits through adulthood. It seems to these Kid Scoop News reporters, gardening while they are in elementary school will lead them to continue gardening in adulthood.

Laurie Taylor, Coordinator for Master Gardener and Regional Food Programs at the Iowa State Extension and Outreach Center for Woodbury County has been an incredible source of information and assistance for the Riverside gardeners. In March, she visited Riverside Elementary to present lessons on different types of seeds and the basic parts of each seed. Reporters found the information on hybrid seeds, heirloom seeds, traditional seeds and seed savers interesting and can’t wait to find out which might create the best produce. Even the phrase “heirloom tomato” sounds wonderful!

The reporters wanted to share with Kid Scoop News readers what they liked best about gardening Maia Krogh: I like seeing the plants grow especially the rhubarb and tomatoes. They grow really high and are interesting to watch.

Sierra Coon: I think harvesting is the best part of a garden. I love looking at the plants all summer, especially the carrots which can be

so many different colors.

Allison Nixa: My favorite part is harvesting..and of course, tasting the produce! I like to feel the plants as the textures are so

different from when you buy them in the store. You know, green beans in the store are slick and waxy..but in the garden, way different.

Hats Off! Kid Scoop News Siouxland congratulates all the future gardeners in these schools!

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

www.NIESiouxland.com

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

14 Old MacDonald had a Farm!

Tony Kenney farms because, “I have great neighbors...it’s a good life.”

FARM TO TABLE Agricultural Experiences

Alexis Bell and Alex Kleinschmit North Middle Grade 6 Have you ever wondered how your food gets to the supermarket? Did you know that there are people who work long hours who really care for their land and animals and they are called “farmers?” Farmers have to overcome obstacles such as poor weather conditions, pesky insects and poor soil as well as growing conditions to be able to produce enough food to feed our nation. We are lucky in Kid Scoop News Siouxland to have a special section devoted to agriculture each month and decided to interview a special farmer this month and share a little more information about farming from a “farmer’s” point of view.

First of all, a farm is a piece of land and buildings that are used for producing different kinds of food. Generally, you find plants and animals on a farm. Iowa’s farms rank first in the United States for corn and soybean production. Iowa also has the largest hog and egg production facilities. This region of the United States is known as the “Bread Basket” of the nation and without the time and commitment given by our farmers, it would be difficult for our nation and the world to have quality food supplies. Iowa is known for five major products: corn, soybeans, cattle, hogs, and eggs. Recently, they’ve added “wind farming” to that list and even along Highway 20 in our region, you can view hundreds of wind turbines creating electricity for our region.

Some farms are small and some farms are very large. A farm might be owned by a family or a large corporation. Farmers once harvested enough food for just their families, but as science and technology changed, they began to grow crops and livestock to make a living. Once, farming was done all by hand and with the help of large farm animals like a horse or ox but now, modern equipment makes part of the daily work a little easier.

Two Kid Scoop News Siouxland feature reporters decided to interview a local farmer to see if they could learn a little more about the day to day operation. We traveled to Sloan, Iowa…right off Interstate 29 to ask farmer Anthony Kenney a few questions.

Mr. Kenney was born and raised in a farm environment. The Kenney Farms were established in 1949 and the family members all understood the importance of hard work. By the age of eight, he was driving a tractor, helping to pick corn, and raising his own hogs. His father had come to Iowa from Tennessee and they have now been farming for four generations. After high school he went to Western Iowa Tech and studied animal marketing. In 1972 he was offered a position on an experimental research farm, but turned that down and started farming on his own in 1973.

The Kenney Farms are diverse and there are corn and soybean fields. There were hogs raised at one time and his four children also knew the value of hard work and he believes they continue that work ethic in their adult professions.

Crop rotation is important in terms of a healthier soil and in a time when the environment is changing, Tony is careful of the chemicals that are used. There are fewer chemicals and pesticides used from even 15 years ago, and less spraying is done.

Farm safety is always an issue, and certainly the farmer is more careful than he was as a child.

Masks and gloves are used in grain bin areas, and even farm safety courses are available for young farmers and students.

When asked his favorite part of farming, Tony didn’t hesitate, “I love the farm community. Families help each other out. If a neighbor was sick, then everyone pitched in to make sure the crops were harvested. In my own family, everyone helped out.” He also enjoys the growing season… planting, watching the plants grow…taking care of the crops. He likes to see how things develop and always hopes there aren’t any weather disasters…but, you can’t control the weather or the market.

All in all, we think Mr. Kenney sums it up best when he said that good neighbors were really important to a farmer and that the farm life is one to value and continue through generations. We hope this is a good year for his family and him!

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

www.NIESiouxland.com

What month do you normally get 4-H pigs? March! Well last year I got mine in April, that’s a whole month later than when I’m suppose to get them. I was lucky my dad found some hogs for me. The guy who we usually get hogs from, had some diseases in his sows, so my dad found a new person to buy hogs from. When we brought the pigs home, we put them in the shed to keep them warm and my dad brought ground feed from the finisher. The pigs dug right into it.

After the cold was finally over in June, we brought the pigs out to the gestation house. That’s where I keep all the pigs that I take care of. So every day I brought a fifty pound bag of pellet feed and a fifty pound bag of ground feed, and I mixed both bags up and I dumped them in the feeder. To me that’s what I did all summer long. When you carry those bags, the fifty pounds of weight on your shoulder is a lot.On top of that, I have to go into my nursery to take care of my pigs. My dad gave me this nursery to take care of because he had one other nursery to take care of which has six thousand pigs in it, while I only took care of fifteen-hundred. I have to walk through the barn every day and treat pigs that are sick. You can’t tell which one is sick from one that’s normal, but I can tell from just a feeling I get. Then one day an auger decided to break. An auger delivers the feed to the troughs. So I had to start carrying five gallon buckets to the other side of the room every day so the pigs could eat. Then finally the pigs went out. This means they go from a nursery to a finisher or to be made into pork from the nursery. They were supposed to go out three weeks earlier. But the person, who was supposed to raise them to be made into pork had to keep on delaying it for six weeks. So by then they were one hundred and ten pounds. When I had four or five more days left until fair, I stopped doing all sports because it was time for the final push. I had to slop them three times a day: morning, noon, and night. When you slop pigs you put feed in a trough, then you mix it with water and it turns almost like mud. I also have to walk them for one hour three times a day morning, noon, and night; they like to dig in the sand which helps build neck muscles. The walking part helps them get fid so they aren’t fat. The way I slop them is I take a five gallon bucket and fill it ¾ full of ground feed then I fill the rest of the bucket up with water. Then I dump it in the pan and they love it, it helps them put more weight on them. Then we take the pigs to the fair. The pigs that are sick or have something wrong with them we keep at home. So then the rest of them we bring them up to the fair we weigh all of them and the ones that are to light we take home.Then they are finally ready to show at the fair!

Bryce Harpena Mater Dei Grade 7 I go to my uncles’ farm every weekend that I can and I also spend a lot of the summer there. On a normal summer day I wake up at 6:30 or 7:00 am, I go downstairs and change into my chore clothes. Then I go outside and start the four -wheeler up and begin my chores. The first thing I do are the chickens, I have to feed them, collect the eggs, give them water, and let them outside. By that time my Uncle John is usually there and I ask him if he needs any help, he usually has me feed the ewes 3 buckets of corn. Man do I hate feeding them; I don’t like to feed them because they will do whatever it takes to get the corn and it’s scary because there are some bucks in there too. When I am done with that I continue on with my chores, I check all the goats. Then I am done with my chores so I call my uncle Rich and ask him if he wants me to drive the four-wheeler over to one of his hog buildings and do his chores there. When I am done with that, Rich is at the farm and we do other work that day; we sometimes have to bring a load of feed up to his place for his cattle. The rest of the day we just do other work that needs to be done on the farm. Then at night we do all the chores over again.

Justin Steen Mater Dei

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

FARM TO TABLE

15

Ms. Griffin’s first grade class at Johnson Elementary in Spencer celebrated Dr. Seuss this March and decided to write their own thoughts about Green Eggs and Ham. At Kid Scoop News Siouxland we enjoy the twist on the rhythm and rhyme the writers have created and the drawings that accent their work. We decided to place this in our ag writing section as who doesn’t like a plate of green eggs and ham! Check out www.

NIESiouxland.com for additional writings and photos.

I do not like green broccoli.

I would not eat it with an owl.

I would not eat it with a fowl.

I would not eat it with a fox.

I would not eat it on the docks!

Erasmo

I do not like green bologna.

I would not eat it with a dog.

I would not eat it on a log.

I would not eat it with a boy.

I would not eat it with a toy.

Lillyah

I do not like green poppers.

I would not eat them with a mouse.

I would not eat them in the house.

I would not eat them with a bear.

I would not eat them anywhere.

Matthew

I do not like green cabbage.

I would not eat it with a dog.

I would not eat it in a fog.

I would not eat it off the floor.

I would not eat it at the shore.

Anna

I do not like green juice.

I would not drink it with a moose.

I would not drink it with red juice.

I would not drink it with a mouse.

I would not drink it in a house.

Cameron

I do not like green milk, I DO NOT! I would not eat it in my fruit loops!

I would not eat it in my soup!

I would not eat it at the pool!

I would not eat it when I am cool!

Braden

I do not like green cake.

I would not eat it with a moose.

I would not eat it with a goose.

I would not eat it on a cow.

I would not eat it with a sow.

Lexie

I do not like green broccoli I would not eat it on a train.

I would not eat it in the rain.

I would not eat it with mice.

I would not eat it over rice.

Keegan

I do not like green peas and ham.

I would not eat them anywhere.

I would not eat them in a bath.

I would not eat them in a skyscraper.

I would not eat them…on the entire planet.

Alex

I do not like green tater tots.

I would not eat them in a house.

I would not eat them with a mouse.]

I would not eat them on the floor.

I would not eat them when I snore.

Aiden I do not like green broccoli.

I would not eat it on a hare.

I would not eat it with a bear.

I would not eat in by a bell.

I would not eat it even on sale.

Andrayis

I do not like green peas.

I would not eat it with a blouse.

I would not eat it with a mouse.

I would not eat it with a cat.

I would not eat it by a bat.

David

I do not like green carrots.

I would not eat them with a cat.

I would not eat them with a hat.

I would not eat them on a mat.

I would not eat them with a bat.

Isaac

I do not like green peppers.

I would not eat them in the pool.

I would not eat them in a school.

I would not eat them with a hat.

I would not eat them with a rat!

Selene

I do not like green artichoke cake.

I would not eat it on a clock.

I would not eat it on a mop.

I would not eat it on a hat.

I would not eat it on a bat.

Riley

I do not like green pickles.

I would not eat them with a fly.

I would not eat them with a guy.

I would not eat them with anything.

I would not eat them when I sing!

Cameron P. I do not like green broccoli.

I would not eat it at the park.

I would not eat it with Mark.

I would not eat it in a cart.

I would not eat it at Walmart.

Grace I do not like green peas.

I would not eat them at lunch.

I would not eat them in a bunch.

I would not eat them in the snow.

I would not eat them when I sew.

Ramiah

I do not like green peppers.

I would not eat them in the air.

I would not eat them on a chair.

I would not eat them with a nox.

I would not eat them with a fox.

Mason I do not like green apples.

I would not eat them on a door.

I would not eat them on a drawer.

I would not eat them on a field.

I would not eat them with a shield.

Tanner

I do not like green cake.

I would not eat it here.

I would not eat it in my ear.

I would not eat it with a bear.

I would not eat it anywhere.

Justine I do not like green beans.

I would not eat them in a hat.

I would not eat them with a rat.

I would not eat them on a mat.

I would not eat them with a cat.

Hunter

FAREWAY IS A PROUD SUPPORTER

OF LITERACY FOR OUR SIOUXLAND YOUTH!

4267 SERGEANT RD..

SGT. BLUFF • 700 1ST ST.

4016 INDIAN HILLS DR.

4040 WAR EAGLE DR.

GROCERY 276-1873 • MEAT DEPT. 276-8956

GROCERY 943-9325 • MEAT DEPT. 943-9326

GROCERY 239-0528 • MEAT DEPT. 239-0529

GROCERY 252-0388 • MEAT DEPT. 252-0389

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

www.NIESiouxland.com

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

16

Mary Arlene Appelhof 1936 – 2005

In the 1970s, Mary Appelhof built a container for worms to eat her garbage. It worked so well, she wrote a book called “Worms Eat My Garbage” and started Flowerfield Enterprises, Inc. a company that sells composting bins, worms and other products for people interested in organic gardening.

Visit Mary’s site: WormWoman.com

Vermicomposting, or composting with worms, creates rich soil that helps gardens grow. And it gives humans a clean, odor-free, environmental way to get rid of garbage. The worms get a good meal and contribute their poop, or castings, to the production of good soil that grows better flowers and vegetables.

Garbage is for worms! You might think it is gross, but certain kinds of worms think garbage is yummy.

Instead of tossing leftover salad, melon peels and apple cores into the trash or disposal, build a worm bin and start raising worms to eat your garbage.

Red worms like organic garbage.

This means things that mostly come from plants.

Cross out the things in the worm bin that the worms won’t eat.

(Hint: Paper comes from trees.)

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

www.NIESiouxland.com

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

17 Mrs. Paulsen’s Third Grade Class at Woodbury Central

Replace the missing vowels to learn more about earthworms.

Colors make me feel good. I like the colors red, white, and blue especially… because they are the colors of the USA flag and they make me proud to be an American.

Talan B. Woodbury Central

Colors make me feel wonderful. I really like blue because it is the color of the WILDCATS. I really like pink too…because pink is the color real men wear.

Zack B. Woodbury Central I like all the colors of the rainbow because if there were no colors it would not be colorful and it would make me feel sad and bored.

Aleks C. Woodbury Central I like colors because they make me feel good. I really like blue because water, the sky, and the WILDCATS are blue.

Wyatt F. Woodbury Central Colors make me feel joyful, especially the color purple. It’s my birthstone color and it just makes me feel so happy.

Josie H. Woodbury Central If there were no color in life it would be hard see and you might be colorblind. I really like neon green and neon blue because they are so bright and easy to see.

They are happy colors!

Avery W. Woodbury Central I like colors because they make me feel happy. I really like red because it is bright and my favorite shirt is red.

Phoenix B. Woodbury Central If there were no colors everything would be black and white and I would feel kind of sad. I am glad there are colors because they are bright. I really purple and all the different shades of purple. Purple makes me happy.

C.J.H. Woodbury Central I’m glad there are colors because they make me happy and you can do lots of things with lots of colors. My favorite colors are pink, blue, and purple and they make me glad that there are so many colors!

Logan J. Woodbury Central I really like the color pink because it is a happy color. If there were no colors it would be very sad and lonely.

Emma K. Woodbury Central Colors are fun and make me feel good. My favorite colors are red, blue, and black.

Ashton L. Woodbury Central Who doesn’t like bunnies. I think the cutest animal is a bunny, but a VERY, VERY, fluffy bunny. You all should think the same thing. Their eyes are so big and adorable. Their fur is as soft as silk. They are the cutest most adorable animal on Earth!

Gloria F. Lewis and Clark SSC Grade 5 Here are some signs to know that it is spring. When flowers start growing, it is warm outside, but cold at the same time. Spring is when the birds come back.

You don’t have to wear heavy jackets. The water is frozen, but it is just a little.

The snow is melting very fast.

Kam Lewis and Clark SSC Grade 3 The cutest animal in the world is a duck. A duck is cute because it is yellow and just plain cute. It was my favorite animal when I was a baby. Ducks to me are so cute because of their little white hair. It’s so cute I just want to grab it!

Maria Lewis and Clark SSC Grade 2 I think the cutest animal in the world is a puppy. They are very cute and is man’s best friend. They are so fluffy and soft. You can also name them whatever you want!

Keiry Lewis and Clark SSC Grade 2

Standards Link: Life Science: Know that all organisms cause changes in their environments and these can be beneficial or detrimental.

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

A cheetah is the fastest animal in the world. It can run 50 miles per hour. A cheeta uses its teeth and its claws to hunt. A cheetah makes the cutest cubs, too.

Kaden Lewis and Clark SSC Grade 2

www.NIESiouxland.com

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

ART & EDUCATION

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Each month, we share art selections from our regional schools in hopes we might recognize students for being in art programs that are essential to the learning process, designed to create inquiry, and expand critical thinking in our students.

Art inspires students to express themselves in many different ways. It encourages inventiveness and fosters innovative thinking. Without the creative arts, our students would be missing an incredibly important part of life.

Poppin’Bottles n’ Brushes is now a proud sponsor of literacy through the Kid Scoop News Siouxland connection. Each month, art teachers from throughout Siouxland may send in student work for publication. Two students’ names will be drawn each month and those students will receive gift certificates for a two-person session at Poppin’ Bottles n’ Brushes. Sarah Petersen and Jen Bower, owners of Poppin’Bottles n’ Brushes, delight in bringing the world of art of students of all ages.

Kid Scoop News Siouxland is excited about this new monthly art section. All regional art teachers are encouraged to e-mail photos of four-six art pieces each month. Please include a brief description of the art concepts being taught as shown in the artwork.

April Drawing Winners!

This month two student names were drawn for the Poppin’ Bottles n’ Brushes certificates and the winners are America Rodriguez, fifth grade student at Bryant Elementary and Daniel Jaramillo, fifth grade student at Irving Elementary. Congratulations to these two artists and we hope you enjoy your personal art experience at Poppin’Bottles n’ Brushes.

JEN & SARAH

America R.

Bryant Elementary 5th Grade

NAYELI P. ~ IRVING

DAYANA G - IRIVING

Daniel J

Irving Elementary 5th Grade

KAYLEE O. ~ BRYANT

MARIAH D. ~ BRYANT

Fifth grade students at Irving Elementary School under the direction of art teacher Susan Carlson have been studying a monochromatic color scheme. All the colors, tints, tones and shades of a single hue are produced in the artwork. Students drew an object of their choosing and divided up the surface area of the object and background surface area of the paper. They applied the colors to their paper by taking the color from its lightest shade to its darkest shade creating the monochromatic color scheme.

Bryant Elementary art teacher, Jasmine Kaskie develops units and lessons…After reading the book Rainbow Fish, first grade students incorporated literacy with art. The students drew their own fish and painted with water color added a collage layer with sequins.

In fifth grade, shading techniques were introduced and “crazy lines” were designed showing the understanding of shading. America’s picture shows the inclusion of colored pencils that give depth to the original drawing.

Silhouettes were discussed in fourth grade and each student drew an animal silhouette on black paper and cut it out. Painting was done on a separate paper using colors from a specific color family.

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

www.NIESiouxland.com

It is that time of year, When birds are what you hear!

The grass has begun to grow, Which means we have to mow.

Our pets love being outside, As long as spring is on time.

Each day begins to be longer, Which means days will not be so somber.

Soon I will be swimming,

And that makes me giddy.

Summer is almost here, Scream loud and cheer!

Morgan Duncan Mater Dei Rain, rain, go away, Come back, Another day.

So, I can play It’s nice to read in the rain, But it can be a pain.

When I feel hot air the wind in my hair.

I know that spring is comin’ The sun is shinin’ I am not denying, Now I will be sitting in the sun, Because it is fun Laynee Lehmann Mater Dei © Vicki Whiting April 2016

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2016 Find some of your favorite books and read them to a younger child.

Tick the box on each day when you have completed 15 minutes of reading. Children who develop a love of reading will become better students and build a better future.

How long can you go without watching TV? How many books could you read if you gave up TV for a few days?

Turn Off TV and Read Month

Do something nice for a brother or sister today.

Maybe they will do something nice for you!

Can you do a cartwheel? If so, teach a friend how to do one. If not, work with a friend that knows how.

Look up at the sky for 15 minutes tonight.

How many aircraft can you spot in that amount of time?

How many foods starting with the letter B have you eaten this week?

This day is the anniversary of the Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

Who were the first people to reach the North Pole on this day in 1898?

Beverley Cleary was born on this day in 1916.

Can you find the names of the books she has written?

Have you or your friend mastered the cartwheel yet?

Don’t give up!

Practice is great exercise.

Learn all the words to one of your parents’ favorite songs.

Have a family sing along tonight!

Bees, bats and butterfly populations are all in decline.

Make your garden a haven for wildlife and encourage these pollinators. Go to nwf.org for more.

Learn about the With a friend, Create a comic strip.

Nature Explore club create a secret code. Use two characters to gain a better Write messages to to tell knock-knock Watch a movie made appreciation of each other using the jokes or riddles. before 1950. Then nature. code. Then see if talk about things you other friends can noticed that are “break” the code different from and figure out modern movies. what you wrote.

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

www.NIESiouxland.com

Do something to improve your health today. Go for a long walk, make a nutritious meal and get a good night’s sleep.

Do you have books you’ve outgrown?

Contact your library and see if you can donate them.

Discuss the meaning of the word meditate.

Close your eyes and sit completely still. Be calm and meditate for five minutes today.

The Titanic sank on this day in 1912. What caused the disaster?

Clip coupons spafrom the new Set per or online. nt u aside the amo u o y of money ra save to use fo r fo t special trea the family.

Put on gloves and go for a walk and pick up trash in your neighborhood or join a park clean-up project.

Explore different career choices today. Learn a little of what it takes to achieve these careers.

Plan a visit to a tree nursery

Calling all poets!

Write down ten pairs of words that rhyme. Now write down a poem using those words.

National Poetry Month On this day, you can ask a question and the person answering must give an honest answer.

Arbor Day © Vicki Whiting April 2016

What did one raindrop say to its friends? Two’s company. Three’s a cloud. When is weather worst for mice? When it is raining

There is water all around us—on the land and in the sea.

This water evaporates and rises into the sky as vapor. The vapor in the sky turns to water droplets and makes clouds.

The water drops fall from the sky as rain. The rain goes into the ground and into the sea. Then, some of the water from the rain evaporates back to the sky and makes clouds again.

Cut out the pictures and put them in the correct order on the Water Cycle.

cats and dogs.

Great galoshes! Gregg is in a goofy storm. Can you find all the things that start with “G”? There are 12 of them in this picture.

Where is the ocean deepest? At the bottom.

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

What is the difference between a lion with a toothache and a rainy day? One roars with pain and the other pours with rain.

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What does the ocean do when it is leaving? It waves.

www.NIESiouxland.com

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

21

Use the color code to color each umbrella section.

After learning about the water cycle, the students in Brenda Mitchell’s third grade class at Lawton-Bronson learned that the water we use every day is actually billions of years old. They thought about all of the places where the water they drink might have originated. Each student wrote a story about the many adventures that the water in their cup has taken and shared them with the class and now, our Kid Scoop News readers.

The water in my cup has been in some really cool places! It might have fallen on Benjamin Franklin. A dinosaur could have drunk it. Many other animals drank it, too. But, I hope they didn’t spit in the water, because then it wouldn’t taste good.

It would be gross! It could have been in glaciers that animals were walking on.

There were more than 12 species of animals there. Now .it is in my cup.

Parker B. The water in my cup has been in some really cool places! The water in my cup has a HUGE history and nobody knows it but me. Well, not yet at least. So, here it goes. Andy Grammer drank it and so did Dolly Parton. Then she spit it out because it tasted bad. Then it rained down on Walt Disney’s grave. Now it is in my cup!

Jocelynn O. The water in my cup has been in some really cool places! It could have rained on every NBA and NFL team in the USA. It could be the water that Amelia Earhart saw in the Atlantic. It could have been water in a t-rex’s belly. It could have been the water Russel Wilson drank. Now it is in my cup.

Eli S. The water in my cup has been in some really cool places! It touched King Tut. Then my water was in Dolly Parton’s dressing room. Then it was on Bob Dylan’s coat. Now it is in my cup.

Hope D. The water in my cup has been in some really cool places! It rained on Stephen Curry when he was playing basketball. It rained on Kevin Durant while he went to get his mail. It touched LeBron James when he was taking a bath. A big dinosaur slept in it. Now it is in my cup. Caler G.

Washington’s house. Now it is in my cup.

Sophia J.

The water in my cup has been in some really cool places! It has been inside a dinosaur’s belly! It has rained on the Twin Towers! It has also rained on the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It has been inside a shark’s belly! Dolphins have even drank some of my water. And now it is in my cup. Makenna J.

The water in my cup has been in some really cool places! My water has been in a sewer. My water has been in a puddle. My water has been around in the 1900s. Michael Jordan has drank my water. People have taken baths in my water.

Dinosaurs have stepped in my water. But all of the water gets cleaned and now it is in my cup. Lana L. The water in my cup has been in some really cool places! It’s been in a dolphin’s body before! It’s been in George Washington’s shower. A dinosaur has drank it before. It’s been in a glacier. It has been in a whale. It has been in a frog’s pond.

It has been on my dog before. It has been in my bathtub. Now it is in my cup.

Addison S. Kid Scoop News Siouxland gives a “thumbs-up” for this type of learning activity.

Many classrooms write about a “water cycle journey” to help students consider and learn about the water cycle. This activity takes it a step further. By having the students consider the water they drink….and historically think about the places it might have been, they are using multiple STEM and literacy connections as well as artistic interpretations. KUDOS to Ms. Mitchell for generating a unit that allows arts’ intergration. The next lesson…well, we think it would be fun to write and produce plays about the water cycle.

Book Connections Did a Dinosaur Drink this Water? Robert Wells A Drop in the Ocean:The Story of Water Jacqui Bailey My Life as a Water Molecule Katherine Wich The Snowflake: A Water Cycle Story Neil Waldman Water Dance Thomas Locker A Drop of Water Gordon Morrison

The water in my cup has been in some really cool places! It was Stephen Curry’s water. It has been in my great grandma’s water ,too. It has also been in George To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303 www.NIESiouxland.com

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

SPRING POEMS

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Purple is as gloomy as a cow.

Dalton R. Lawton-Bronson Red is as mad as a big red horse.

Orange is as glad as a big orange fish.

Yellow is as playful as a cheetah.

Green is as gloomy as a crow.

Blue is as happy as a pigeon.

Purple is as scared as a butterfly.

Ethan B. Lawton-Bronson

Rainbow colors and rainbow dreams….colors make us think of everything. We asked our special writers to share a color and some thoughts about that color and this is what we received!

Ms. Hunt’s Kindergarten class at Hunt Elementary I like red because it makes me feel that everything is red.

Matthew C. Hunt I like red because it reminds me of firefighters.

Kandon T. Hunt I like blue because blue tastes like blueberries.

Miguel A. Hunt I like purple because it tastes like purple grapes.

Timera W. Hunt

Mrs. Olson-Wassell’s First Grade class at Clark Elementary My favorite color is gold because my marker is gold and bees are gold.

Gold is the best color in the whole world. Kyler My favorite color is red because it is a cool color. It is used for a lot of things and hearts are red. Red is the best color in the world!

Andrew H. Clark

My favorite color is … purple! Purple reminds me of my little sister. She likes that color! Purple is the color of grapes.

I have lots of purple shirts. I like purple!

Hayden Clark My favorite color is white. White is the color of the clouds and bunnies are white. My dog Rio is black and white.

I love the color white.

Emma Clark My favorite color is purple. I like purple because grapes are purple and the last color of the rainbow is purple,

and I have clothes that are purple. I love the color purple.

Makenna Clark My favorite color is red. Red is awesome. Red is the color of an apple.

It is cool. I like red.

Devin Clark My favorite color is orange because that’s my favorite fruit! I have a toy and it’s orange. I have one shirt that’s orange. I have a closet. It’s orange.

Orange is awesome!

Judah Clark My favorite color is red because my favorite football team is the Huskers. I love the Huskers. They are awesome.

Bella Clark

Ms. Mitchell’s Third Grade Class at Lawton-Bronson Red is as playful as a puppy.

Orange is as slow as a sloth.

Yellow is as joyful as a human.

Green is as nervous as an anteater.

Blue is as happy as a bunny.

Purple is as grumpy as an ox.

Isaiah R. Lawton-Bronson Red is as grumpy as a lion.

Orange is as sad as a cat.

Yellow is as happy as the morning sun.

Green is as awesome as a tractor.

Blue is as joyful as a cloud.

Purple is as sad as a fox.

Avery M Lawton-Bronson Red is as happy as a fox.

Orange is as gloomy as a cloud.

Yellow is as excited as a caterpillar.

Green is as sad as a baby.

Blue is as grumpy as a cow.

Purple is as playful as a cat.

Keshaun E. Lawton-Bronson

Ms. Noteboom’s Fourth Grade class at Clark Elementary Yellow is nice like Jello. Yellow is also the color of the sun and the sun is playful and fun.

Connor S. Clark

Magenta! Looking at the color makes me feel happy and hoppy inside.

Sophia D. Clark Blue because it’s the color of the ocean and the ocean means joy to me. Blue is of the sky and also the clouds. Blue is nature and nature makes me proud.

Elisiah H. Clark Bright blue because it’s like you’re in the sky and you don’t have a care in the world.

Garenn M. Clark Green! Lime green makes me feel happy because most of my family likes green and I love my family so much that I don’t know what I would do without them!

Sophie V. Clark Baby blue and gold makes me feel happy because it makes me feel like I am on a nice summer beach just relaxing.

Takyla B. Clark Bright yellow because it reminds me of light and sunshine in the night.

Adam E. Clark Light blue makes me happy because when I look in my crayon box it’s the color I pick first. It stands out the most and I feel like a wave goes through my body that makes me super excited!

Molly S. Clark The color teal makes me happy because it reminds me of the sky, the moon, and the sun and that calms me. I’m happy when I’m calm and I know my friends are, too.

Tavia H. Clark Blue because it is the color of the sky and when I see the sky I want to play outside.

Matthew E. Clark

Red is as joyful as a ruby.

Pink, please don’t think. Why do you Orange is as slow as a sloth. need to think about the color pink?

Yellow is as playful as an ape.

Thing one, thing two, think about the Green is as angry as an eagle. pink. That’s all you have to do. Pink is Blue is as excited as a pig.

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303 www.NIESiouxland.com

pretty and bright. It just motivates me.

Melia P. Clark SPRING ACROSTIC POETRY

Mrs. Paulsen’s 3rd grade ~ Woodbury Central Sparkling sunlight is as bright as can be.

Pugs are walking down the street by my house.

Rainbows are so beautiful and colorful.

Ice cream in all different flavors I can taste.

Nests filled with baby birds chirping.

Green grass is all around.

Zack B. Woodbury Central

Sun is shining in my eyes.

Purple flowers are blooming.

Red flowers smell so good.

Ice is turning into water.

Nice and sunny days.

Go away snow, it’s time for spring!

Ashton L. Woodbury Central So many red, pink, and blue flowers.

Pretty green leaves growing on the trees.

Rabbits eating grass in the fields.

I hear the wind blowing gently.

New baby horses are eating grass.

Growing flowers start to bloom.

Phoenix B. Woodbury Central

See the sparkling grass with frost on it.

Pretty flowers are on the ground blossoming.

Robins are flying around in the blue sky.

I smell an apple pie cooking in the oven.

New baby calves are running.

Going to build a nest, the birds are happy as can be!

Avery W. Woodbury Central Singing birds make me happy.

Pretty flowers are in the garden waiting to bloom.

Raindrops are falling from the sky.

I see new born lambs playing in the sun.

New born robins are chirping for food.

Green and beautiful grass is waving in the wind.

Kendra M. Woodbury Central Several pretty birds are in the sky.

Pink and purple flowers are beautiful.

Rainbows are big and beautiful shining on me.

Insects are crawling all over me squirming and biting.

Nearby are fluffy bunnies chasing me.

Glamorous sun is brightly shining.

Zoe M. Woodbury Central

Smelling the flowers that are blossoming in the grass.

Puddles are glimmering in the sunlight.

Rain dew is on the sparkly, green grass.

I hear robins chirping up in their nests.

Geese are flying in the baby blue sky.

Sam M. Woodbury Central

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

SPRING POEMS

Sparkly rain drops hitting the window.

Pretty roses are in the garden all red and blooming.

Robins flying home from south to north.

I see pink tulips in the grass blooming.

No more snow on the ground bothering me.

Geese are flying north for spring.

Katie L. Woodbury Central

Smell wet green grass growing.

Pink and yellow tulips are blooming everywhere.

Rain and mist are lifting all over.

I see a big orange and brown robin flying by.

New cute baby robins are chirping.

Green fresh bark is growing on the trees.

Wyatt F. Woodbury Central

Sweet and pretty flowers are blooming.

Peaceful birds are singing songs.

Raspberries are getting picked from the garden.

Ice water that is fresh.

No more falling in the snow.

Gaze and see the pretty view.

Kylie T. Woodbury Central

See the green grass blowing in the wind.

Pretty geese are honking in the sky.

Rain is falling hard on the ground.

I smell colorful flowers blooming in the sunshine.

Nests are being built by colorful birds.

Good and colorful birds are singing lovely songs.

Rylie P. Woodbury Central

Sweet red roses are blooming.

People are playing in the soft, green grass.

Runners are jogging on the gravel roads.

I see rabbits hopping swiftly.

Neat green grass is on the ground.

Great soft breeze is in the air.

Talan B. Woodbury Central

Sweet green sprouts are growing.

Pretty red roses are blooming.

Rabbits that are white are running swiftly.

I smell the sweet smell of flowers shining in the sun.

Nice green grass is blowing.

Gardens are blooming with many bright colors.

Aleks C. Woodbury Central

Snow is melting on the ground.

Pretty flowers are growing in my yard.

Running through the wind and the grass.

Ice cream down my throat tastes so good.

New born baby calves are crying.

Growing flowers in my backyard.

Josie H. Woodbury Central

Sun is sizzling hot.

Pink flowers are blooming.

Rain is dropping on my head.

I see kites on the hill.

No more snow gear for me!

Green bright grass is blowing.

C.J. H. Woodbury Central

Smelling flowers blooming when I walk outside.

Purple strips in a rainbow after a big rain shower.

Rainbows appear after rain showers when I look outside.

I smell the fresh air that spring is on its way here.

Noisy birds are chirping when I walk outside in the daytime.

Ground is getting sparkly when the rain shower ends.

Casey N. Woodbury Central

Sun is beautifully shining on the ground.

Pretty flowers are blooming in the sun.

Rainbows are shining in the air.

I see beautiful kites in the sky.

Nature is all around me.

Geese are flying high in the sky.

Axton L. Woodbury Central

Soil is wet and soon green grass will grow.

Plants are beautiful and are growing out of the ground.

Rain is falling from the gray clouds.

I smell the new leaves blowing in the trees.

Ice cold water on a hot day.

Green grass is growing from the ground.

Trey A. Woodbury Central

Sweet green grass waving on the ground.

People playing at he school park.

Raindrops falling from the sky.

I see a new born foal playing in the sun.

New born finches chirping for food.

Great and soft breeze is in the air.

Logan J. Woodbury Central Someone going on a picnic in the green grass.

Pretty little bunnies are hopping around.

Red beautiful robins are chirping.

I see the bright and big sun.

Nice dogs are taking a walk.

Green little sprouts of grass are growing.

Emma K. Woodbury Central Spring is the season of fun yellow softballs.

Pretty and colorful flowers are sprouting in the sun.

Round raindrops are falling from the sky.

Interesting clouds shaped like animals and plants.

Noisy wind is blowing in my ear.

Great and colorful rainbows are making everyone happy.

Rylee V. Woodbury Central To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

Sun is shining on my face.

Purple flowers smell good.

Rain falls from the sky.

I see a bird building a nest.

New baby calves are born.

Gardens bloom and grow.

Aaron M. Woodbury Central

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Red makes me feel safe from wasps, bees, and hornets!

Adrain Leeds All the colors of the rainbow and more have a certain meaning to me. Green makes me happy and blue makes me excited. Whereas red makes mad and pink reminds me of love. Dark blue is when I’m speechless and yellow changes my mood to being nervous.

Purple is important as it reminds me of being thankful.

Emiley Leeds Blue means I’m in all kinds of moods as red means I’m mad. Happy feelings come from pink as yellow means I’m scared.

Arayah Leeds When I blush the pink comes out of me. When I’m gloomy the world seems grey. Red makes me angry and yellow talks me out of that and brings joyfulness to my life. Green makes me jumpy and purple makes me excited. Then orange comes around and makes me jealous.

Jesstina Leeds

Mrs. Roder’s Third Grade Class at Lawton-Bronson Red smells like strawberries and cherries. It tastes like fresh apples or raspberries from the store. It looks like a big N for the Huskers and some red juice. It feels like jumping into a pile of red leaves or a comfortable red sweatshirt. Last but not least, it sounds like fire sirens or Santa saying, “HO, HO, HO”!

Brady M. Lawton-Bronson I like green because it reminds me of spring and summer, like the grass, trees, and flowers. It’s everywhere you can think of. It’s also my favorite color.

Scotty B. Lawton-Bronson My color is black and I think it smells like grapes and black berries. It sounds like tractors and working factories. It tastes like some berries. It feels smooth and weird. It looks like dark purple and dark brown.

John O. Lawton-Bronson Brown smells like pancakes and tastes like brownies.

It looks like brown dogs and feels like dog food. It sounds like diamond back rattle snakes.

Payton L. Lawton-Bronson

I like green because I think the color is pretty and it reminds me of tractors. But it also reminds me of limes because they’re green too. It even sometimes reminds me of apples because green apples are hard.

Kyle K. Lawton-Bronson

Mrs. Irwin’s Fourth Grade class at Leeds Elementary

How colors make me feel. When I think of black and white I think of people and know that people make the world go round . When I feel sad I think of blue. Yet, red makes me angry and pink makes me happy.

Kendall Leeds Colors to me are like music to MC. They make me feel happy all the time. I see “joy” from colorful things and places. I can’t imagine not having colors in the world.

Valerie Leeds www.NIESiouxland.com

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

24

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

In March, Ms. Jeanette from Kid COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD Mrs. Otegren’s Third Grade Class at Hinton Scoop News Siouxland visited Mrs. Qatar Griffin’s first grade class at Johnson Hannah P. Hinton Grade 3 Elementary in Spencer, Iowa. She For my country project, I chose Qatar. Their language is Arabic. visited with the students about the Their capital is Doha. Their population is 2 million. (Population newspaper genre and shared one of her means how many people live there.) Qatar’s flag is white and maroon. Maroon is a reddish-purple color. Qatar made it books with the students. The story that color because it used to be red, but the color would turn darker included “juggling” and the students because of the sun. So they decided to invent a new color! Qatar is a desert, and learned to “toss and catch” after they have camels! The weekends in Qatar are on Friday and Saturday. Qatar is the the presentation. There is a little known secret that juggling actually enhances reading second richest country in the world. development ….and is a fun skill to learn!

China Cyska D. Hinton Grade 3 Mrs. Griffin’s First Grade , Johnson Elementary-Spencer China’s official language is Chinese. The country’s capital Monthly Social Skill – Loyalty is Beijing. The population is 1,324,681,000. China’s flag is red with a big star on the side with four little stars around it.

The social skill for March is loyalty. My first graders are learning about different China is the world’s most popular country. China is the second largest groups in social studies. We discussed what loyal citizens do for a community country by land area. The largest city in China is Shanghai. group or a school group. I asked my students to look around the room at their classmates and think about what qualities a classroom citizen would need to be Bahamas loyal. They wrote the following comments.

Crayten S. Hinton Grade 3 I believe Cameron P. is a loyal citizen because he plays nice.

I believe Keegan is a loyal citizen because Keegan follows the rules at recess.

I believe Ramiah is a loyal citizen because she does what she is told to do.

I believe Tate is a loyal citizen because Tate picks up litter.

I believe Mason is a loyal citizen because he helps friends and family and he picks up litter.

I believe Ramiah is a loyal citizen because she walks quietly and raises her hand.

I believe Cameron P. is a loyal citizen because he follows the directions at school.

I believe Tanner is a loyal citizen because tanner follows the rules and is a good friend.

I believe Grace is a loyal citizen. She is nice to other students and is polite.

I believe Selene is a loyal citizen because she helps me and she is loyal to everybody in the classroom.

I believe Riley is a loyal citizen because she doesn’t break the rules. She says stop when someone is naughty. She is kind to people.

I believe Selene is a loyal citizen because Selene helps kids who get hurt.

I believe Riley is a loyal citizen because Riley is respectful and nice.

I believe Cameron P. is a loyal citizen. He listens, doesn’t blurt, and he is a very nice kid.

I believe Hunter is a good, loyal citizen because Hunter respects other citizens on the playground.

I believe Hunter is a loyal citizen. Hunter is nice and a good friend.

I believe Cameron P. is a loyal citizen because he is very kind and he helps kids.

I believe Hunter is a loyal citizen because he is nice.

I believe Isaac is a loyal citizen because when students ask him to play with him, he says yes.

I believe Erasmo is a loyal citizen because he helps me get ready to go home.

I believe Selene is a loyal citizen because she is nice.

I believe Cameron T. is a loyal citizen because he never lies and he never blurts and he’s a good friend and he’s honest.

I believe Alex is a loyal citizen because he helps pick up the classroom.

I believe Lexie is a loyal citizen because she is respectful to others.

I believe Lillyan is a loyal citizen because she helps take the preschool students to the bus.

I believe David is a loyal citizen because he helps Alex in the classroom.

I believe Andrayis is a loyal citizen because listens to others when they talk.

I believe Anna is a loyal citizen because she helps other students with their work.

I believe Matthew is a loyal citizen because he always puts the chrome books away and picks up the book boxes after reading group.

I believe Justine is a loyal citizen because she helps the teacher whenever she needs help.

I believe Braden is a loyal citizen because he helps other students with math.

I believe Aiden is a loyal citizen because he is honest.

Parent Note: What a great idea! When children can discuss a concept in their own lives, then it helps them to understand exactly what it means. Loyalty is a very difficult concept to understand. Children can memorize a definition, but to truly understand what it means…..they must be able to identify it in some way. At an early age they can find loyalty in all classmates…and if children know and understand their classmates, they tend to get along. When we all get along, our community is strengthened. What a great idea. This could be done with the teacher generating ideas, giving examples, so positive sharing will occur. It all depends on how activities are set up.

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

Welcome to the Bahamas! The Bahamas is an awesome place.

Fact time! The flag has a black triangle with an aquamarine stripe on the top and bottom and a yellow stripe in the middle. Their motto is “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together.”

The official language is English. The capital is Nassau.

Their government is a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy! Pretty cool, huh? The land the country covers is 5, 358 square miles. That’s a lot! The population is 254, 685. Wow!

Ireland Will O. Hinton Grade 3 Ireland is a magnificent place to visit. Ireland’s flower is like a three-leafed clover. The people in Ireland love to play rugby, which is a rough and tough football-type sport. Ireland has two languages. The most popular is Irish, and the second language is English. If you like tall tales, Ireland is full of them, like leprechauns, pots of gold at the end of rainbows, and so on! You don’t have to worry about those little pesky leprechauns, though, they’re not real, and there’s no such thing as pots of gold at the end of a rainbow. There is a lot of forest land, so there you go nature lovers out there. If you like mashed potatoes, you’re in luck!

Mashed potatoes is one of Ireland’s most popular dishes. Those are reasons why you should visit the great and wonderful Ireland!

Mongolia Ruby H. Hinton Grade 3 I chose to research Mongolia. Here are some things about Mongolia. It is locked between two larger countries, Russia and China. It’s located on mountains and plateaus. It’s one of the world’s highest countries. Southern Mongolia is dominated by the Gobi Desert. It’s capital is Ulaanbaatar. It’s land area is 1,564,116 square kilometers, or 1, 603, 909 square miles.

Italy Cooper N. Hinton Grade 3 Italy’s flag is red, white, and green. Rome is the capital of Italy.

In Rome, they fought lions. Italians eat about 60 pounds of pasta a year! If you look at Italy sideways, you will see a boot! Italy is the home of about 58 million people. Italy is by the ocean, so it has 4 islands. Italy does not have a motto. Italy is by the smallest countries. Their most famous boat is a ferry, Mali Natalie N. Hinton Grade 3 Mali is a country in Africa. They speak French. This is the motto “One nation, one goal, one faith.” The most popular sport in Mali is soccer. The capital is Bamako. The government is a Republic. The population is 14, 517, 176. They have a river that flows through Mali and goes into a lake. Their music is called Malian music.

www.NIESiouxland.com

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

25

Tierra del Fuego is a group of islands at the southernmost tip of South America. “Tierra del Fuego” means “land of fire” in Spanish. It got its name from Ferdinand Magellan who, when sailing past the islands in the year 1520, spotted a number of fires burning along the coastline.

Fifty years ago the Argentinean government brought in this animal to raise on commercial fur farms. When the project failed, the animals were released into the wild.

What animal was it? Beavers!

They have since chewed their way through the island’s forests, felling the trees they need for food and building dams that flood acres of forest and farmland, killing trees and crops.

These fires were probably made by the first people to live there: the Ona, Alakaluf and Yahgan (commonly called Yámana).

The Yámani Indians lived on the coasts of Tierra del Fuego and nearby islands. They ate mollusks, mussels, crabs and fish.

Entire families traveled together in canoes made of bark. The man of the family watched for the prey with harpoon in hand. The mother rowed while the children kept a fire burning in the canoe on a base of soil and stones.

Each family lived in a hut made of branches built around a depression dug into the ground.

In Tierra del Fuego, beavers have no predators and an abundance of food. Use the code to discover about how many beavers live in Tierra del Fuego today.

The Yámani Indians wore no clothes except for robes made of seal or otter skin. They kept their bodies covered with the blubber of seals. Some say their diet, which was heavy with the fat of seals, helped them to bear the cold.

The islands of Tierra del Fuego are owned by two countries. Circle every other letter to find out the names of these countries. (We did the first letter for you.)

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

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= = = = =

0 1 2 3 4

= = = = =

5 6 7 8 9

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

26

Great Americans

are Celebrated at Lewis and Clark Elementary Fifth grade students at Lewis and Clark Elementary in South Sioux City performed in a “Great Americans Wax Museum” focusing on important American figures in history. Fifth graders dressed as Great Americans and acted the part during a special celebration.

The whole project was an inquiry-based project focused on questions about the important figures in American history. Each fifth grade student had to research and write a paper, including citations and multiple sources, on this person which was self-selected.

Students typed a final draft of the papers using Google Drive. Each individual organized a five minute oral presentation for class, which they shared the morning of the day long event. The culminating activity of this unit was “The Great American Wax Museum” shared in the afternoon. The students wanted to “show off” their hard work and dressed and spoke as their Great Americans might have.

Mr. Nicholas Kleve and Mrs. Kayla Merrill, fifth grade teachers at Lewis and Clark, challenged their students.

In addition to making history come alive, this project exemplified language and literacy skill development as it promoted analyzing, evaluating and creating content.

This GREAT AMERICAN WAX MUSEUM was quite the extravaganza!

Kudos to Mr. Kleve and Mrs. Merrill for generating a true hands-on, minds-on, unit one that enhanced the general standards but created high interest and enthusiasm in their students.

Great Americans

Our class had to research a famous American for Social Studies. I chose Abraham Lincoln because I thought it would be fun to learn more about him. I researched my person by reading a book called Abraham Lincoln. I wrote a book report about him and created a poster. I felt nervous when I presented my report and poster to the class.

Sama C. Clark Elementary Grade 2 Our class had to research a famous American for Social Studies. I chose Pocahontas because I thought she would be interesting to read about. I read a biography called Pocohantas for my research and made a poster. I felt happy and excited when I presented my famous American to the class.

Adi G. Clark Elementary Grade 2 Our class had an assignment to research a famous American and present them to the class. I chose the Wright Brothers. I got my research for my project from the internet and a book called The First Flight. I chose to make a model plane as part of my presentation. The class loved my plane!

Aidan M. Clark Elementary Grade 2 I did a research report on a famous American. I chose Reggie Jackson because I was named after him. I got my research from Wikipedia. I created a poster for my presentation. I felt focused when I presented it to the class.

Reggie P. Clark Elementary Grade 2 I did a report on a famous American. I chose Ben Franklin because he was an inventor. I researched my person by reading a biography called Ben Franklin. I created a poster about him. I felt nervous when I presented to the class.

Josie B. Clark Elementary Grade 2 I did a research report on a famous American named Lebron James. I picked him because he is my favorite basketball player and because he is an All Star. I read a biography about Lebron James. My poster was really cool because it had three dimensional stickers on it and four pictures. I felt nervous and excited at the same time when I presented to the class.

Noah C. Clark Elementary Grade 2 I did a research report on a famous American named Milton Hersey. I chose him because I like chocolate. He made Hershey bars, Kisses, Reese’s, and other candy to sweeten up our world. I researched my person by reading Milton Hershey Chocolate King, Town Builder. I made a big poster that looked like a Hershey bar. I felt excited and nervous when I presented to the class. After my presentation I gave everyone a Hershey bar that was very good!

Kendon P. Clark Elementary Grade 2

Great Performances at Lawton-Bronson There are many different things you can do in high school; but one of the many like is Speech. At my school (Lawton Bronson Elementary), we got to hear some of our high school kids perform their acts. My favorite is the Shrek Musical, which is what I will tell you about. The people I will mention were Noah Deroos, Kristin McCarther, Jacy Thompson, Emily Vance, and Brett Logsdon who performed their Musical Theatre for us. When asked how many times you have been to state, Noah aka (Shrek), said 12 of his speech performances have made it to state. Noah said he does change his voice a lot. When asked what his favorite category of speech was he responded that he has always done theater, but his favorite is improvisation.

If you do not like choral readings, there are more speech categories. You can enjoy: readers’ theaters, ensemble acting, solo mime or group mime, television news casting, group improvisation, musical theater, and short film. So if you go out for speech, then go and do your thing!

By Kinnick Thoreson and Braden Heiss Lawton-Bronson Grade 4 Fourth grade TAG students interviewed some of the Lawton-Bronson speech members and asked them some questions. We asked Autumn Fluent what her favorite speech performance was, and she answered that it was a “superhero- themed choral reading.” We agreed it was our favorite, too. We learned that the best thing you get out of speech is speaking in front of big groups, and many of them feel nervous before the show. We did some research and found out that State Speech was in Ames, and the Lawton-Bronson speech members practice two days a week for one hour. The following that are mentioned made it to State, so their hard work paid off! We are glad because it was one of our favorites.

Peyton Lahrs Lawton-Bronson Grade 4 L-B REPORTERS TAKE A SELFIE! To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

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© Vicki Whiting April 2016

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

27

Spotlight on Schools: Lawton-Bronson Elementary What better way for our students to sample new foods than to provide the different foods at school and sample them with our friends! Through sharing what the food looks like, smells like and what it may taste like, more students are willing to sample something different. Students who have eaten the food encourage others to try the food by what they say.

Thanks to a grant from Team Nutrition, seven classrooms at Lawton-Bronson, are sampling different foods each week.

Students are invited to sample the food and share feedback about the food. This information is then displayed in our lunchroom.

We began the food sampling with snap peas. One classroom had 14 out of 22 students trying them for the first time! Of the reporting classrooms, 87 out of 110 students liked the snap peas! Some comments included: They were sweet, delicious and crunchy! Some other comments included: They were too small, they tasted like leaves, they were too cold and they were tasteless. One classroom said that the snap peas were really good and would add them to their grocery list! A few students were surprised that they liked them!

As a side note, plans have been made to plant snap peas in our school garden this year.

We have also sampled organic wheat Bunny Grahams; rice crisps; and red, yellow and green peppers. Thanks to Steve, the produce manager at Hy-Vee, we will be sampling grapples and red bananas soon!

Hy-Vee’s dietician, Elizabeth Overgaauw, (Southern Hills Mall) visited our school. She brought two foods for us to sample. Alisha, an Iowa State intern, came with her. Our first food to sample was cauliflower. The cauliflowers that Elizabeth brought were not white, but purple, orange and green! We learned that they were not dyed in color, but are varieties of cauliflower which contain more vitamins and nutrients than white cauliflower. These cauliflowers provide us with such needed vitamins and nutrients as: vitamin A for our eyes; vitamin C for growing; and calcium for our bones. When tasting the cauliflower, we soon discovered that it tasted just like white cauliflower!

Our second sample was a fruit called cara cara navel orange. This orange was discovered in Venezuela in 1976. The insides of these oranges are a darker red. They are only available between December through April. As our students sampled the cara cara navel orange, we heard lots of yums, these are amazing and this has a sweet taste.

Elizabeth and Alisha encouraged us to continue to try new foods. A big thank you to both of them for introducing us to these new foods and also to Hy-Vee for providing the samples!

Lawton-Bronson Elementary School

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

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Š Vicki Whiting April 2016

28

Whether you are walking, riding or skating, there are important rules to follow. These rules keep you safe while you have fun.

1. Obey all traffic signs and signals.

2. Ride single file on streets and keep to the right.

3. Use proper hand signals.

4. Stop before entering traffic.

Look left, then right, then left again.

5. Ride one person to a bike.

6. Don’t hold onto cars or trucks.

7. Always wear a helmet.*

Read the safety rules. Make a red X on the riders and skaters who are not following the rules.

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

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*Use a bicycle helmet – not a football or hockey helmet.

A well-fitting helmet is snug on the head and doesn’t tilt forward or backward.

Standards Link: Health: Students understand ways to reduce risk and practice safe behavior during recreational activities.

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

29 1. Wear light-colored clothing at night.

2. Walk or skate facing traffic, so you can see oncoming traffic.

3. Cross only at intersections or in crosswalks.

4. Don’t walk or skate alone.

5. Before you go somewhere or do something, CHECK FIRST with your parents or the person in charge. Check in with them again if you change your plans.

6. Never take a ride with someone without checking with your parents first.

7. Don’t hesitate to say NO and walk or run away from any situation that makes you feel uncomfortable. Trust your feelings, and be sure to tell a trusted adult what happened.

Jennifer is ready to go skating, but Zack is not.

Find at least eight things he needs to change.

Standards Link: Visual Discrimination.

Standards Link: Health: Students practice safe behavior and understand ways to avoid becoming involved in potentially dangerous situations.

Have you ever been bullied? Well, I have. Here are some tips you could use to stop people from bullying you.

First, you could tell your parents if you are scared to tell a teacher. Second, you could talk to a guidance counselor so it will help to get the bullying problem solved fast. The last tip is for cyber bullying. If someone hacks into your Google account or any other accounts, and you have some bad stuff on your account, they don’t use that account anymore and make another account. Well, that’s all I have to tell you!

Payton V. Lewis and Clark SSC Grade 5 April is fun!

I like to be in the sun.

I smell the flowers.

I like to take showers.

I play sports.

I like to wear shorts.

I like ice cream.

I here kids scream.

I play with my dog.

She is a hog.

I like swimming.

It is chilling.

I like Mexican food.

When I am in the mood.

I like watermelon.

Nathan Tiedtke Mater Dei Trees are short, trees are tall Some drop leaves in the Fall.

Some are fat, some are thin, Some even sway in the wind.

Some are weak, some are strong, Some even hold a house all year long.

If we didn’t have trees I don’t know what we would do, My life would be effected, How about you?

Addison Holy Cross Grade 6 To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

It is April, one of the finest months of the year. The spring is in full bloom, and the plants are starting to grow back. All of this beautiful nature should remind us that our earth needs to be preserved. That’s why April is the perfect month for Earth Day. Earth Day is an important day for the world. It entices to start cleaning our environment of human-made filth.

It also is a reminder of how vulnerable earth is, and how much we need to preserve it. I always try not to litter, but I realize that nobody is perfect. But despite the mistakes we have made, we should continue to redeem ourselves. We should pick up the aluminum cans we see on the sides of the streets and toss them into a recycling bin. It doesn’t take a lot of time, and it helps the world a little bit. But all of those small helps add up, and one day, we might be able to breathe in the clean air and smile at what we’ve done to help the world. On Earth Day, remember to clean up the best you can, so you can help to make the world be great again. Howard Warren Mater Dei

I love April because it’s fun, It’s hot, so don’t forget to play in the sun.

In April school’s almost out, And that always makes me want to scream and shout.

April Fool’s is cool and funny, And that day can also be sunny.

I love the breeze, And it’s nice to lie down and not freeze.

It’s all fun and games, But be nice and don’t call names.

It’s fun to play, Until the sun sets at the end of the day.

Jade Williams Mater Dei Chocolate Bunny Oh you visit me once a year I love you so much, oh dear!

I bite your eyes and ears, oh no!

Your nose and tail are next to go!

Then you disappear, But I’ll see you next year!

Lorelei Auen-Ryan Holy Cross Grade 6 Trees are the largest living organism on earth. Trees provide many things

like food, oxygen, paper, building material, and more. One tree in a year can absorb as much carbon as a car produces while driving 26,000 miles. About one third of the United States is covered by forests. Trees can live for thousands of years. Some trees can grow to 328 feet high in the air. The tallest species of trees are coast redwood, giant sequoia, coast Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, and Australian mountain ash. Growth rings can be used to determine the age of a tree.

The bark of the tree protects the inside layer of the tree.

Luke Payer Holy Cross Grade 6 Trees, trees, they’re everywhere Trees, trees, they give you air Some are small Some are tall They are the best of all You can climb, you can swing, You can do almost anything!

Trees are the grandest of all!

London Froehlich Holy Cross Grade 6

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Spring is the time for Compliments/A Little Bit of Payin’ it Forward On March 11th, three of my classmates and I went to our school cafeteria when the third-fifth graders were eating lunch and we began giving free compliments to the students. All of the students were so happy and excited! I had a lot of fun doing this and I loved the reactions from the students.

Isabel Martinez Holy Cross Grade 6 One day I was ice skating for the first time and all of a sudden beside me a little boy, who was probably three or four, fell on the ice. He tried to get back up, but he kept sliding back on the ice. I helped him back up and helped him start ice skating again. I felt good helping him.

Olivia Greaves Holy Cross Grade 6

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

30 Book Reviews and Recommendations from our Readers!

Roses are red…violets are blue…we all love reading, don’t you? Reading is fun and it is an adventure for everyone! So, open a book and enjoy the journey through those long amazing pages. When that journey ends…find a new one!

Alexandra Lewis and Clark SSC Grade 3

What’s It Like Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live

You should read the Kane Chronicles! The books are The Red Pyramid, The Throne of Fire, and The Serpent’s Shadow. The first book, The Red Pyramid is about how five Egyptian gods are unleashed when Sadie and Carter’s dad was trying to bring back a very important person. But in time, they found out they were Blood of the Pharaohs (Descendants of leaders of ancient Egypt). Also, they were magicians who could summon gods to help them and some of the strongest magicians in the Egyptian world.

The Throne of Fire is about how an evil god, Apopis, is rising. The only way to beat Apopis is by awakening Ra, the sun god. The Serpent’s Shadow is about Apopis coming from the duat (A mythical place that holds the universe together). If Carter and Sadie don’t beat Apopis, the world will end. I hope you read and love the Kane Chronicles like I do.

Colin Hubbell Mater Dei Grade 7

by Jill Ammon Vanderwood

Most kids know by now that there is a need to reduce, recycle and reuse and in general look after our precious environment. This book teaches by example with stories of young people all over the world who have come up with innovative and often inexpensive ideas, taken the time and adopted actions to put the planet first and make a difference. Ideas inspire action.

Night by Elie Wiesel is an eye opening book. I would definitely recommend it for 7th grade and up, because it does expose you to the reality of the Holocaust. It shows you what was honestly going on in Mr. Wiesel’s mind throughout the experience. This book shows you the true horrors of the Holocaust. The treatment of the prisoners in the concentration camps, the sickness, and all the death make for a very somber but real tone. It is very well written, but like any book about that Holocaust, it is hard to wrap your head around the fact that this terrible event did, in fact, happpen. Try not to read it all in one sitting, try to absorb it. It is an amazing book and I hope you read it.

Erin Cleary Mater Dei Grade 8 I’d recommend the Selection series to anyone who loves adventure, romance, and fantasy books that keep you on your toes and have you excited to just get to the next page. The Selection series is about a girl named America who is chosen to participate in the selection. The selection is a lot like the Bachelor, but instead of just finding a wife, in the selection they find the next queen. The prince who is pretty much the bachelor is Maxon. At first, America is repulsed by the idea of the selection because she already planned to marry another man, but later she develops feelings for Maxon. Who will she choose? Read to find out!

Ellen Halbur Holy Cross Grade 6

Earth Day 2016

earthday.org Earth Day 2016 concentrates on the fact that the planet currently loses 15 billion trees each year. The Earth Day Network plans to plant 7.8 billion trees around the world by the year 2020. Find out more about Earth Day programs and ways students can help the planet.

Game Room

epa.gov/kids/game.htm The Environmental Protection Agency site has a section for kids in which they’ve selected lots of different games to help students learn about the environment.

Eekoworld

pbskids.org/eekoworld/ This PBS site helps younger children learn how they can help take care of the environment. Build your own “EekoCreature” and visit the “EekoHouse” to make choices to save energy in the home.

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.

I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.

And I’m asking you, sir, at the top of my lungs.

Oh please do not cut down another one!” Dr. Seuss At a time, when all eyes are turned to understanding the effects our actions are having on our planet, we know that children must spend more time outside. Whatever our opinions are about the future of our planet, spending time outside will generate a true sense of belonging and understanding about our region. At Kid Scoop News we promote a very strong sense of place philosophy. We believe that for the children to know who they are…they must know where they are from. Along with playing and exploring outside, children can learn a great deal about their environment by reading some very classic stories about nature. The following is just a tiny, partial list of the book possibilities..and we encourage you to participate in read alouds with your children.

The Lorax Dr. Seuss Bringing the Outside In Mary McKenna Siddals S is for S’mores Helen Foster James Our Planet Jimi Lee The Hungriest Caterpillar Eric Carle Wonders of Nature Little Golden Book Eating the Alphabet Lois Ehlert Everybody Needs a Rock Byrd Baylor

All the above books will be found at The Book People or can be ordered from them. The Book People is a proud sponsor of Kid Scoop News Siouxland and their continued emphasis on literacy and knowing a sense of place . www.NIESiouxland.com © Vicki Whiting April 2016

FINANCE

6

31

Make a big, bold sign to attract people to your stand. If it is OK with your neighbors, put up several colorful signs to direct people to your stand.

An old-fashioned lemonade stand makes sense—and cents—in busy, modern times! Few people take the time to squeeze fresh lemonade. Follow our “recipe” for success and start a lemonade stand of your own!

You will need to invest a little cash to get started. Visit or call a local store to find out how much the things you need will cost.

Add up your costs to determine your price and profit. Here is what the math looks like:

Offer your lemonade in cups made out of oranges. To make one, cut the top off of an orange and scoop out the insides with a spoon. Pour in the lemonade and serve with a straw. Give your lemonade-in-an-orange a snazzy name, like CITRUS TREAT, and charge more!

EXPENSES: 12 lemons cost ............................... $1.20 1 3/4 cups of sugar cost ................. .20 10 paper cups cost ......................... .60 Total cost for 10 cups of lemonade: $2.00

INCOME: 10 cups of lemonade at 50¢ each ... $5.00

Remember! Add the cost of an orange and a straw to your expenses to determine the price of your “Citrus Treat.”

DIRECTIONS: TIP OF THE MONTH 1. In a small saucepan,

Here is a recipe for making 10 cups of fresh lemonade.

combine sugar and 1 cup GOING GREEN water. Bring to a boil and stir to

Being good theI earth, recycling using sugar. Allow to cool to ING R Eto D ENT S : and dissolve less energy are all important things we should room temperature, then cover 1 3/4 cups white sugar do as individuals. But it’s not just up to therefrigerate individual to takechilled. action. and until PROFIT: cups water Even8businesses need to do their part to help better the earth and Income .......................................... $5.00 lemon make1 the a better place to live2. in Remove the future.seeds As an from example 1/2world cups fresh-squeezed Expense ........................................ – $3.00 juice, but leave pulp.

In a Wells Fargo Bank has goals to invest $30 billion in environmentally lemon juice from (The money you make after pitcher, stir together chilled sustainable businesses by 2020. We offer two environmental grant appproximately covering your expenses) ............... $3.00 syrup, lemon juice and in programs focused environmental priorities 12 lemons on addressing local remaining 7 cups of water. our communities and providing support that fosters innovation to On a hot day, in the right spot, you might sell 100 cups of help accelerate a “green” economy. We even support the “green lemonade! How much money would you earn? initiative” and try to eliminate paper waste by offering to do paperless transactions at the bank when customers make deposits To earn money, you need to help the people who need help and to earn money you need to wash dishes, make your bed, and take care of your room. You can earn and withdrawals. E-mailing the receipts to customers and having them money by taking dogs to walk. You can even help your mom do her work in the use their debit card to perform the transaction instead of filling out a house and you can take care of your sister when she and you are in the house. paper form is another way Wells Fargo helps to “go green”!

Gustavo Lewis and Clark SSC Grade 3 How many different ways can you think to help better the earth and If you want to earn money, just help your dad or your mom. If you parents or family www.exchangebank.com contribute to a healthier environment? One great way that helps the members a garden, or going cut their grass…tell them you can help!

Visitare an planting Exchange Bank near you totoopen a Kids’ Savings Account and get 707.524.3000 You can also Piggy do yourBank. chores or get a job or can our helpschool your parents withprogram. other earth and can even put money in your pocket is to collect pop cans. a FREE Teachers...ask usyou about banking stuff. You can earn money!

It’s a great way to clean up the world around you and in the state of Ismael Lewis and Clark SSC Grade 3 Iowa you can earn 5 cents per can you turn in to Whiting your local grocery 2011 To sponsor, please call 707-996-6077 www.kidscoopnews.com © Vicki September How do I earn money? Do your chores. Work with your families. Help your friends store. Setting aside that money you earn can help you in your savings and families. Wash the dishes. What kinds of jobs do you have to earn money? goal!

Nicole Lewis and Clark SSC Grade 2

Kids...have a great school year!

Earnie

I’m writing about how to earn money. Well, for starters, I do chores all the time.

One of my chores is taking the trash bag out. I clean my room every day. I do the dishes. My biggest job is cleaning the world keeping the environment clean. I get lots of money from doing important things…thank you!

Katelyn Lewis and Clark SSC Grade 3 To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303 www.NIESiouxland.com

ALISHA RINKER

PERSONAL BANKER ~ WESTSIDE BRANCH

WELLS FARGO MONEY MATTERS TIPS FOR KIDS!

2220 HAMILTON BOULEVARD

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

32 Tiger sees some tails behind the bushes. Draw a line from each animal to its tail.

T is for Tiger t is for tiger Learning Buddies: Read the two phrases aloud. Have your child read with you. Trace the uppercase and lowercase letter T. Say the letter as you trace it.

How many pictures can you find on this page that start with the sound that the letter T makes in the word tiger?

How many

T is for the Tigers That gave Tim a fright.

He was horribly scared They might get out at night!

Letter Identification With your child, look through the newspaper to find pictures of things that start with the same sound as the letter T in tiger.

Math Play

Point to the number 10 in the newspaper.

Have your child say the number and, if it’s large enough, have your child trace the number.

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

Count the Stripes

Point out to your child that the columns on a page of the newspaper look like big stripes. Count how many stripes there are on a page of the newspaper.

Dot to Dot Shape

On one page of the newspaper, find and circle the number 10. Then find the number 9, and so on until you count down to the number 1. Have your child connect the circled numbers, starting with 10 and counting down to 1.

What could the shape be?

www.NIESiouxland.com

Find the Triangles

Look at pictures and drawings in the newspaper and find things that are shaped like a triangle.

Cut a photograph in half at an angle to show how a square or a rectangle can be made from 2 triangles.

How many

? ?

How many

Don’t Pet a Tiger!

Talk about why it isn’t safe to pet a tiger. Then look through the newspaper for pictures of things that are safe to touch and things that are not safe to touch. Have your child draw a red line across things that aren’t safe to touch.

?

Learning Buddies: Trace and say the number. Read the questions. Touch and count to find the answers.

Ten Toss

Crumple up a sheet of newspaper into a small ball. Cover it with masking tape. Toss the ball back and forth with your child counting from 1 to 10 each time the ball is caught.

If someone drops the ball, start counting from 1 again.

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

33

Look at the pictures here. Write a funny story that includes at least three of these images. Can you come up with a zany story that uses them all?

Woodword is looking for news about kids helping the environment. He saw some kids cleaning up a playground in their neighborhood.

Read the notes in Woodword’s reporter notebook.

Then write a short news article about the playground clean-up project.

Who: Josh, Sam and Emily What: Picked up trash and planted plants at their neighborhood playground and put up a sign reading: “Please Keep Our Park Clean.”

Where: The neighborhood playground When: Last weekend Why: Emily – “I was tired of seeing all the trash, so I asked my friends to help me clean it up.”

Josh – “And, there were things that could hurt little kids.”

Sam – “Now the playground looks cleaner and safer!”

Standards Link: Writing Applications: Write expository compositions (e.g., develop the topic with simple facts, details, examples and explanations).

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

Standards Link: Writing Applications: Write descriptions that include a main idea and supporting details.

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© Vicki Whiting April 2016

34 Page 58

How many feet tall is the tree?

52 ft.

Page 10 20

Page 16 Worm Food

In feet, how deep in the sea would you have to go to find this animal?

42 ft.

L E U F G T R A H C

E N F O S S I L A A L E S O N E E R G R

C R R T R O B I N P

Y G A P H O U R G O

Page 11 21

C Y C R N G A R E O E E D I O X I D E L

R L A N D F I L L S

Page 17

N S E T A R E N E G

Page 710 R E B M E M E R D T

O A N U S T P I O R

D N H G T O L B T U D E U E R T A B N H N R U B A C N O A E D A U P C L E N L S

G M S O R I T S P R

O A R T E A S H M O

O C K S E J C I G W

Page 825

Two Countries Chile and Argentina How many beavers live in Tierra del Feugo today: 250,000

Page 9

Long Summer Days, Short Winter Nights 18 hour summer days 7 hour winter days To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

Amazing Worm Facts

Page 12 11

The money a business makes: Profit A gas used in outdoor grills: Propane To make something available: Provide Another name for fruits and veggies: Produce To stop something from happening: Prohibit To be financially successful: Prosperous To lengthen in time: Prolong To move forward: Progress Something you own, especially land: Property To keep safe from harm: Protect To say a word clearly and correctly: Pronounce A teacher at a university: Professor

A

How many more potted plants does Gabby need to match Nathan?

4 www.NIESiouxland.com

Š Vicki Whiting April 2016

NIE SIOUXLAND

35

BEST IN CLASS ~ TEACHER OF THE MONTH NOMINATE YOUR TEACHER!

“BEST OF CLASS” TEACHER OF THE MONTH WINNER, MS. ANNIKA KOLBO

Teacher’s Name: ____________________________________________________

Each month Sugar Shack Bakery and Kid Scoop News Siouxland sponsor a special “Teacher of the Month” award. Every day teachers inspire the minds and imaginations of children throughout Siouxland and this month in particular, a teacher who works hard to bring the creative spirit to her classroom, was chosen. Involvement with the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skills…laying that aside, art connects children more deeply with the world around them and challenges students to become more sustained and self-directed learners.

Art teaches children about history, math, music and nature in ways that are natural and exciting. This month, Annika Kolbo, art teacher at Crescent Park, was chosen for her kindness and patience towards her students. She creates a classroom where art is exciting and interesting every time it is held.

According to her students, she deserves the award because she is patient when things happen and “she never stops trying to solve a problem.” In our eyes, those are incredibly important life skills, and ones that matter in all aspects of life. KUDOS to Ms. Kolbo and to the Sioux City Art Department for “thinking outside the lines” and stretching the boundaries of learning in ways that give expression and flexibility to the spirit of education.

During the 2015-16 school year Kid Scoop News Siouxland and Claudia Hessa owner/baker at Sioux City’s fabulous Sugar Shack will be sponsoring a “Best in Class” Teacher of the Month contest. Every day teachers inspire the minds and imaginations of young people, provide safe places for students to grow and play, and give students the skills and confidence for the future. Celebrate those special people by nominating a teacher and including a short descriptive paragraph about “why” this teacher should be the “Best in Class” Teacher of the Month. Winning “teachers” will receive a special treat from Sugar Shack and a “basket of goodies” from Kid Scoop News Siouxland.

Complete the entry below and email, snail mail and/or bring it in. A panel of judges will determine the best entry and award the “Best in Class” prize to the winning teacher.

Nominated by: _____________________________________________________ School Attending: ___________________________________________________ Grade: ____________________________________________________________ Tell Us Why Your Teacher is Great!: _____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

I think my teacher is awesome. She is an art teacher and she is very inspiring to me. (I love art, too.) I think of all the people I can think of, she deserves this. She has been my favorite teacher since she came here and I think Ms. Kolbo should be noticed.

Shimari Nichols Crescent Park Grade 5 I’m choosing Ms. Kolbo because she is, well, really nice. Also, she seems to be able to tell when I am sad or upset and she will try to “sugar coat” this for me.

(But, I kind of like people who do that.) One thing she does is to never stop trying to solve problems…especially helping me solve my problems. I like that.

Mackenzie Lambert Crescent Park Grade 5

Return entry to: Sugar Shack/Kid Scoop News Teacher of the Month NIE Siouxland 515 Pavonia Sioux City, Iowa 51102

To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

Or Email it to us at: jhopkins@siouxcityjournal.com nicole.schweitzberger@lee.net

facebook.com/NIESiouxland on the web at NIESiouxland.com

www.NIESiouxland.com

© Vicki Whiting April 2016

k n Tha 36

from

THANKS

You!

The

Dental Depot Dr. Richard Hettinger

Your Company Here

Tanworld & Lori Lee’s Bruce & Jeanette Hopkins United Bank of Iowa, Moville Book People Triview/Quality Telecommunications KVLZ Custom Bailing, Climbing Hill Akron Gold & Silver Bluebird Springs Orchard - Akron Deck Law Paul & Tamme Saul To adopt a classroom call 712-293-4303

Classroom Sponsors

Yellow Rose Catering - Moville Gretchen Gondek Dr. Stee Maxwell Helen Maxwell Dr. Earl Maxwell Sterk Financial - Dakota Dunes Granny Stitches Friendship & Service Club, Akron, IA Judie Uhlir EFMC Inc.

Bill & Becky McKenny Doug Harrold Allan Wall In Memory of Gene Windeshausen, Principal at Crescent Park & Bryant In Memory of Amzia & Iva VanLaningham Rebo’s Bob & Sharon Kirschbaum McClure Engineering Lester A. Juon

www.NIESiouxland.com

Partners In Education AFSCME Local 212 Anonymous Sponsor Charlies Irwin Painting Lilly Family Dentistry Belle Touché Chesterman’s Summit Dental Larry & Jeanene Book First Premier Bank Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools Missouri Valley PTO Prince Manufacturing

New Horizons United Church of Christ Craft Auto Body Quality Backhoe Service CD Norvell PC, Tax & Accounting Services Cardinal Public Relations The Glass Shop Northwestern Mutual

© Vicki Whiting April 2016