Green Thriving

Here is a newsletter article from the MVCS Monday Monitor that I neglected to post.  The Leave One/Take One shelf has been a big hit, so I decided I should still get this news on the blog, even belatedly.

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christa-mcauliffe

The second and third graders are enthusiastically plunging into STEM (science/technology/engineering/math) by participating in engineering projects that match each science unit throughout the year.   During their biology unit, they discussed so many connections to their study of our great Creator and our responsibilities as stewards. Ideas overflowed as they reflected on their Go Green: Engineering Recycled Racers designs. They decided to invite their preschool buddies to come try some engineering with their assistance. They have looked for opportunities to engineer at home. They are on the lookout for great stewardship ideas all around them.

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Sarah spotted a great example of stewardship in Hanover, and her idea is ready to be put into action at MVCS. She stopped by the little mailboxes put out by Howe Library marked “Leave One/Take One”, where you can give a book you are done with and choose a new book to read that becomes yours. As soon as she described this to her class, everyone was intrigued. “Here is a way we could better use the money God entrusts to us while still having lots of books to read!” they exclaimed. Of course, libraries are the ultimate “re-use”, but sometimes we buy books too. So the class asked Miss Hellickson what she thought about the idea, and the answer was, “I love it!”

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Here’s how it works!

Where? In the elementary school milkroom, there is a crate where you can drop off a book in good condition that you are finished with. Be sure your parents have given permission to give it away and that it is an appropriate selection. The 2nd/3rd graders will get the books ready for the bookshelf.

Then? Once you have given a book, you can choose a book from the shelf to have as your own. They will have a special “Leave One/Take One” sticker so we don’t get them mixed up with classroom or library books. Any book is fine. For example, you can leave a picture book and take a chapter book. When you are done reading that book, you can keep it, or you can “Leave It” again.  We also decided to add family friendly videos and puzzles with all their pieces to our shelves.

Questions? Ask a 2nd/3rd grader!

Check out the 2nd/3rd graders’ video of the Recycled Racer project on their blog at https://missblessings.edublogs.org/2014/11/30/go-green-engineering-recycled-racers/. Then stop by the “Leave One/Take One” shelf. While you celebrate using God’s resources wisely, happy reading!

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