Green Wave Update

Drat! I forgot my camera yesterday while at Saddlebrook Elementary helping the 4th grade Green Wave-ers. I am so proud of them and wish I could have provided a visual of them in action!
(This old photo will have to suffice for now.)

We talked yesterday about collecting data for the school's Walk 'n Roll to school program. We showed them the "boring worksheet" version tally count system and challenged them to come up with something better (and more fun!) that kids could do themselves as they arrive in their classrooms each morning. After brainstorming what data we wanted to collect, we divided them into groups.

These kids are brilliant! The each group was given a specific grade level to design for, and within 20 minutes, we had an awesome group of pilot projects on our hands:

* The Kindergarden group decided that since little kids like animals, their tally system would involve paper fish that could be dropped into fish bowls with photos of a person walking, a bike, a bus, a car.
*The first grade group designed an awesome lego stacking system that effectively created an instant bar graph of travel modes, and even thought to include an encouragement program, giving the winning grade an opportunity to throw water balloons at the 4th graders!
* Second grade proposed a popsicle stick and recycled container method that had clear and easy instructions.
*Third grade came up with a recycled pop can and pebble idea after a very impressive team brainstorming and design session.
*The 4th Grade group also took the recycled materials approach, suggesting we use recycled milk bottle lids from the cafeteria to put in re-used boxes.

Next up: pilot each of these systems in their own classroom for a week, then evaluate the process, and then pick the top 2 to be piloted in the whole school.

Thank you again to the National Center for Safe Routes to School for giving us this opportunity!