The workshop on January 22nd was lots of fun. We learned how to grow carrots, potatoes, onions, and sweet potatoes from the vegetables in our fridge! These are so easy to do and children love to be able to eat what they have grown (in addition to all the other things they put in their mouths).

We talked about growing pizza gardens in the shape of round actual pizzas. Plant oregonp, basil, green peppers, and tomatoes in different pizza-shaped sections of a circle in the ground and you have a pizza garden. You can start this indoors using the plastic top off a purchased veggie or fruit tray and then transfer it outside when the weather is warm enough.

We used grass seed to make "earth buddies" and "earth worms" - great home and classroom projects. Jody Ullmann from Mud Puddle Science shared some of her favorite books and other planting/composting activities.

Our next workshop is March 5 - Making Music. In the first hour, we will make a variety of musical instruments and discuss ways to use these instruments in a contolled classroom setting. In the second hour, Sharon Howell will get us up and moving! We will learn new songs and fingerplays to use in the classroom.

Be sure and bring your supply kits so you will be able to make all the projects. For this session, you will want to have adult scissors, a hot glue gun, and permanent markers.

You can register with Shannon at shannon@childrensharbor.cc or call at 757 397 2981.

We are thinking of offering a Popping Your Tops Off workshop in the near future. This one focuses on the hundreds of ways to use lids to teach math, science, language, social studies, music, creative movement, and art. If you'd be interested in attending, let us know and we will pick a date.

Susan Pollack