Under the harsh summer sun, Mari’s art class has begun. But it’s hard to think of anything to draw in a place where nothing beautiful grows — especially a place like Topaz, the internment camp where Mari’s family and thousands of other Japanese Americans have been sent to live during World War II. Somehow, glimmers of hope begin to surface — in the eyes of a kindly art teacher, in the tender words of Mari’s parents, and in the smile of a new friend. Amy Lee-Tai’s sensitive prose and Felicia Hoshino’s stunning mixed-media images show that hope can survive alongside even the harshest injustice.

This is a two book series for educators desiring to enrich the scientific learning environment by tying lessons into week long celebrations of Agriculture. It is created by the National 4-H Curriculum for cultivating excitement for science and agriculture in school and in afterschool programs.

Students will sharpen their observation, listening and vocabulary skills with this poetry writing exercise that features items with an agriculture connection. The Poetry of Agriculture lesson is included with the kit and can also be viewed here. Take a look at Fresh-Picked Poetry - A Day at the Farmer's Market, an excellent companion book for this activity.This kit does not need to be returned. This Kit Includes:Agriculture related products, paper bags, and a paper lesson planPlease put the number of students in your class in the quantity section at checkout to ensure the correct number of supplies gets to you.

Visit three ranches in Montana as you read and learn about proper care of the land and its resources to raise healthy, productive cattle. This book needs to be returned. 

Raise fish and grow salad greens in your classroom! This kit guides students through an investigation of what plants and animals need in order to survive, nutrient cycling, and how organisms interact in an ecosystem. This kit includes clear tubs, an overflow drain kit, submersible fountain pump, flexible tubing, clay pellets, a glow light, a timer, a water test kit, ammonium chloride, a thermometer, seeds, fish food, a fish net, an aquarium cave, and a construction and maintenance guide. Fish and water must be provided by the educator. Explore the companion lesson here.This item is loaned out on a yearly basis, and must be returned in June at the end of the academic year. This item is too large to be mailed and must be picked up from the Washington County office in Hillsboro.

All of the basics about bees can be found in this book. Students will learn about anatomy, beekeeping, what bees make for us, and so much more. Easy to read, with lots of pictures, this book will have students buzzing about bees! This book will need to be returned.

Before we eat, many people must work very hard―planting grain, catching fish, tending animals, and filling crates. In this book, readers find out what must happen before food can get to our table to nourish our bodies and spirits. The companion for this book is the Agricultural Networking Kit. Please check the kit out separately. This book will need to be returned.Featured as the 2016 Literacy Project book.