Countering the prevailing, traditional story of the first Thanksgiving, with its black-hatted, silver-buckled Pilgrims; blanket-clad, be-feathered Indians, this lushly illustrated photo-essay presents a more measured, balanced, and historically accurate version of the three-day harvest celebration in 1621. Pair this with resources teaching about harvest traditions specific to Oregon tribes!

Have you ever wondered how some of nature’s smallest creatures spend their days? Here’s your chance to take a scientifically accurate peek at the world from their point of view. The striking illustrations and lively story-line in this book follow a pill bug as it hunts for food, faces its enemies, and interacts with humans. This book pairs well with lessons on forest ecology, compost, and soil health.

No matter where it lands or how desperately it hopes, the tiny seed can’t find a place to grow. Will the tiny seed ever find a home, or will it keep searching and floating forever? With playful charm and touching insight, A Place to Grow joyfully affirms that there is a special place, plan and purpose for each of us. This book is a part of the JMG Learn, Eat, & Go Curriculum.

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.

Follow the busy lives of Mr. and Mrs. Farmer through A Year on the Farm, looking after the animals and growing crops. Look out for the busy Red Tractor who’s helping out!

La primavera ha llegado y el polen se siente en el aire. Al bebé Oso no le gusta el polen – se le pega en su pelaje y lo hace tener comezón y estornudar. ¡Él es alérgico! ¡Achís! Desearía que el polen no existiera. Cuando sus amigos se reúnen para decirle por qué nececitan el polen, el bebé Oso aprende que el polen es bueno para el bosque y que provee alimento para muchos animales, ¡que lo incluyen a él! El polen puede ser algo que todos odiemos pero, ¿realmente podemos sobrevivir sin él? Esta historia explica por qué lo necesitamos.

Spring has arrived and pollen is in the air. Baby Bear does not like the pollen-it sticks to his fur and makes him itchy and sneezy. He’s allergic! Achoo! He just wishes the pollen were gone. When his friends gather to tell him why they need pollen, Baby Bear learns that pollen is good for the forest and provides food for many animals, including him! Pollen might be something we all love to hate, but can we really live without it? This story explains why we need it. This title is also available in Spanish.

Good food doesn’t begin on a store shelf with a box. It comes from a garden bursting with life, color, sounds, smells, sunshine, moisture, birds, and bees! Healthy food becomes much more interesting when children know where they come from. So what’s in the garden? Kids will find a variety fruits and vegetables, and a tasty, kid-friendly recipe for each one to start a lifetime of good eating. A food for thought section presents interesting facts about each fruit and vegetable, and a how does your garden grow? section explains facts about gardening and the parts of plants.

You might think a farm means fields, tractors, and a barnyard full of animals. But you can plant a farm anywhere you like! A box or a bucket, a boot or a pan — almost anything can be turned into a home for green, growing things. Windows, balconies, and front steps all make wonderful spots to start. Who knows what plants you may choose to grow and who will come to see your new garden? This book will serve as great inspiration for school and/or community gardening projects.

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.