BUGS: Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students: December 2009

Friday, December 11, 2009

Preparing Our Garden For Winter

On Tuesday, we brought in the final harvest from our garden and needed to turn our soil over to plant our cover crop. First we had to get all of our materials. Then we had to harvest plants and pick weeds from around plants. We also had to take the beds apart. Also we had to turn it over with a rake or a hoe.Mr.jason also told us what jobs we had to do. For example we had to take the materials back. We also had to put gloves on for protection in case a piece of wood get stuck in one of our hands.I liked it a lot because we got to work together.

Written By:Miyah Montgomery

Thursday, December 10, 2009

BUGS Visit Red Tree in Hampden, and Enjoy 34th Street

Visiting Mrs.Carmen

On the visit to Mrs. Carmen's store '' Red Tree'' we talked and looked around in her store. There were lots of expensive and beautiful things. There were edible things,and more. When we went there Mrs .Carmen had talked and asked questions about the store. We also asked and answered her questions. We also sold our tree ornaments that we had left over from the tree sale that we had. Then Mrs.Carmen had gave Mr. Jason money to get us hot chocolate,it was ten of us. The place that we received our hot chocolate was at ''New System Bakery''. There was a nice and kind woman named Ms. Debbie,that showed us where the hot chocolate was. After that Mr. Jason had took us to this very beautiful street that had just lots and lots of beautiful lights. On that block there was this first house that we first had to look at the house and then we had to sign in on this paper, but we never knew what it was for. Then we saw this nice, sweet and beautiful dog that was very friendly to people or other dogs maybe cats too. This visit was very FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Taleyah

Little

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Farm to Fork to Poop

For the next month the Younger Bows and Girls Groups will be learning all about the Digestive System. The Digestive System is the system of organs that convert food into energy. It is extremely important for human beings to have a healthy and active Digestive System.

Today, we made a Frittata using produce and eggs from Great Kids Farm in Baltimore. The bok choy, sunchokes, and eggs were grown and cared for by students from Baltimore City Public Schools. BUGS students volunteer at Great Kids Farm (http://www.bcf.org/givenow/givenow1.aspx?f=307150&c=FARM) every two weeks when they are in Mr. Jason's class. A Frittata is an Italian omelet. What makes a Frittata different than the omelets that we are all familiar with is that they are not folded, instead they are finished in an oven.

We watched, "The Magic School Bus, For Lunch." In this episode the class goes inside Arnold's Digestive System. The enter in the mouth, travel through the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, and then come up and out again through his mouth.

We put the Frittata into the oven at 425 degrees and waited, and waited, and waited. The Frittata was not done when we had to leave, so we ate it the next day for snack. It was worth the wait!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Attention Sir! KIYAH!!!

It started!! BUGS Karate Masters!!!!

BUGS students were given a chance to receive a karate lesson at Joe Palanzo's Kenpo Karate (www.pikesvillemartialarts.com) from Mr. Chris. Mr. Russell, the manager, allowed the BUGS Students to come in and learn the training horse, left fighting stance, and certain karate blocks.

The students were given white blocks which symbolized their early training in the karate form. Karate is an art form that is very disciplined, requires a great deal of focus, and strength.

With Mr. Chris, as their instructor, they were able to learn the upward, outward, inward, downward, and side elbow blocks. He started with them learning each arm separately, then progressed to the opposite arm. After learning on both sides, they used both arms. Mr. Chris came with an arm pad. As he charged with the arm pad, the students were able to block each one of the charges. Some were very successful while others did offer up many laughs as Mr. Chris carefully tapped the student when they missed the block. That garnered so many laughs from the other students.

He did such a wonderful job wit the students. Hopefully, this will not be the last time Mr. Chris gets to teach the BUGS Students.

For each group that came, Mr. Chris tailored each class to the group. He kept some things pretty consistent and was able to make each group's experience different and worthwhile. The older boys were able to run towards the punching dummies and

hit it with the heel of their hands. The older girls were able to break the

different colored boards from easy to difficult.

What is BUGS?

The Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students (BUGS) Program of Living Classrooms Foundation works with children from under-served Baltimore City communities throughout the year with an after-school program as well as a summer program. The program's primary goal is to empower and inspire our children to develop academically, creatively, and socially.

The BUGS program serves 60 students from the Butchers Hill/Patterson Park/Fells Point community. Many of our students reside in public housing and low-income neighborhoods. These students have little access to green space and few extra-curricular activities available to them. The program engages youth in learning while providing them with a safe and healthy alternative to the streets.

BUGS is a national model program that uses activities such as cooking, gardening, creative arts and movement, and entrepreneurial projects to help increase academic performance in reading and math and improve student behavior. The program provides a dynamic learning environment at the Living Classrooms East Harbor campus, with access to vegetable and flower gardens planted by the students, and the only wetlands on Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Our 1:10 instructor/student ratio provides youth with the close attention they need to succeed socially and academically.

BUGS Staff

Michelle Koehler, Consultant.

Michelle came to Living Classrooms in 1996 and worked on our farm, shipboard, and outreach programs. She was also the After School Program Coordinator, Renaissance Summer Program Director, and Program Manager of the Land-based Department. Michelle graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History.

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She also has a passion for traveling. She has been all over Europe, Central America, South America, and Mexico and has plans to continue her travels.

Algernon Campbell, Program Director.
Mr. Algernon is originally from Savannah, GA. He is a graduate of Morehouse College with a B.A in Theatre and Drama as well as a graduate of the Certificate of Dance Program from the Ailey School. He has danced with the Dallas Black Dance Theatre for 4 seasons and for other renowned choreographers. He has danced nationally and internationally in such countries as Japan, Austria, and Zimbabwe. He has lived in many cities and now resides in Baltimore County. He is a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer at the Morton Street Dance Center and Greater York Center for Dance Education.

Tyone Pompey, Creative Movement and Dance.

I Just Want To Dance! As a young boy growing up on Baltimore’s Westside I realized early on my passion for the Arts, particularly dance. Growing up as a resident in the inner city there were not many positive outlets for a young man like myself, but I managed to find one at Cahill Performing Arts Recreation Center. This center helped to lay the foundation and growth of this craft for me, in such a magnificent way that I want to be able to do the same for other youth and have been doing so since the age of 17. I’ve been a member of various dance troupes and performed in numerous competitions both local and out of state. Even though I am a recent graduate of Towson University, majoring in Electronic Media and Film, I am still holding true to my love of the arts teaching all who would like to learn the gift of dance.

Martin Zang, Cooking and Nutrition.
Martin Zang is originally from Manchester, Michigan, a small town that barely could be seen on a map. He has recently graduated from Eastern Michigan University where he studied History and Political Science. Martin has always had a passion for cooking and healthy eating instilled in him by his Parents. He has worked in numerous restaurants in as many positions; this gave him the opportunity to learn more about food then just how to eat it. In his free time Martin likes to teach himself new recipes, have cookouts with friends, grow his own food, and do a little wood working.

Valerie Koury, STEM.
I grew up in Osceola, Arkansas and moved to Maryland 11 years ago. I went to UMBC and majored in Psychology. I used to be a cheerleader for my high school and university. I enjoy reading, watching TV, baking, and being crafty. I am a big Orioles and Ravens fan (lets go Os!). Working with children and being a teacher has been my dream since I was 4 years old, so I am excited to be here! I teach STEM and I hope to do a lot of fun experiments this year.

Jason Reed, Gardening and the Environment.

Jason Reed has worked as a garden educator in Baltimore City for the past 5 years. Before that, he lived in Baltimore City as a music student at Peabody conservatory, and toured the country as a performing musician. He is also Director of the Filbert Street Garden, a one-acre outdoor community education space in South Baltimore.

Jason has given workshops and facilitated discussions for the Master Gardeners, Parks and People Foundation, Child First Authority, Towson University, UMBC and more. He is a founding member of the Mid-Atlantic Farm-Based Educators Network. In his own garden, Jason loves growing native herbal plants and perennial fruit bushes, and just hanging out with his chickens.

Kadija Ndiaye, Creative Art.

Kadija graduated from Morgan State University with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences, her favorite classes were Art, Sewing and Urban Housing and Development.

Kadija has always been passionate about arts and crafts; during her junior year of college she shared her passions as an aftercare teacher at the Green School of Baltimore. During summer vacation you can find Kadija at Baltimore city libraries teaching arts and craft classes. During her free time she enjoys thrifting and DIY projects.

BUGS: Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students