She was about to ask when Ms Bird turned around and started erasing yesterday’s homework from the board Keep thinking about it the teacher said over her shoulder You might get an idea as you’re working on our next project Turning back to the board she wrote the words SERVICE PROJECT in big letters Each spring the fourth graders plan and complete a service project to better-ify our school and community This year it’s your turn Last year Ms Silva’s class had a litter cleanup day at the park Henry said Ms Bird nodded That’s right They even raised money to buy some extra trash cans so there would be more places to throw garbage away Olivia Snotham made a face Ew she whispered to Finley I don’t want to spend the day picking up other people’s trash Finley smiled at her friend and shrugged At least we’d get to be outside There are so many ways to make a difference Ms Bird continued Today we’ll brainstorm ideas together and tomorrow we’ll vote to choose a project Remember that whatever we pick should be something that makes our school or community better Any thoughts or questions Henry raised his hand Is it almost time for lunch Ms Bird glanced at the clock and smiled Yes Henry it is Pack up your things everyone and be ready to brainstorm when you get back Finley and her friends filed down the hall to the cafeteria I’ll save you a spot Olivia said I packed my lunch today Great Henry said as he and Finley headed to get their trays Finley went through the line and joined Olivia at a corner table She plunked her tray down and examined her lunch I like peas but not these she said smushing one on the tip of her fork and examining it Maybe because they’re not green Olivia said And they’re all mushy I like them fresh like the ones we grow in my mom’s garden Henry said taking a
seat beside Finley Why can’t they make them like that Olivia asked Because those come from a can Henry said pointing to Finley’s plate Olivia unwrapped her sandwich Well why don’t they get fresh ones Henry shrugged You got me The carrots are soggy too They taste like a sponge Finley ate her spaghetti then took her tray to the trash On the way she glanced around the room It was the same at every table no one had touched their vegetables What a waste she thought They might as well not serve them at all As she stood there beside the garbage can Finley felt an idea seed starting to sprout She dumped her trash and ran back to the table Hey she said to Henry got a
pencil Always Henry fished one out of his pocket Finley took it and started scribbling notes on a napkin What are you doing Olivia asked peering over Finley’s shoulder Brainstorming Finley said Hold on a sec She finished what she was writing and handed the pencil back What’s that about Henry asked pointing to the napkin Or is it top secret Finley laughed It’s not top secret it’s an idea for our service project Well out with it Henry said What’s growing in your idea garden Finley grinned Carrots Henry raised an eyebrow Carrots As in your favorite vegetable Finley nodded And peas and lettuce and tomatoes and spinach Henry looked confused Oookay Finley pointed to Henry’s mushy peas What if we didn’t have to eat soggy veggies Maybe we could grow our own At school Olivia asked wrinkling her brow Finley shrugged Why not It’d be fun Gardening is a lot of work Henry said My mom weeds and waters our garden practically every day We would have a lot of people to share the work Olivia pointed out Yep Finley said We’d have the whole class True Henry agreed Maybe you should bring it up in class brainstorming and see what Ms Bird says I will Finley said A class garden could be the most Fin-tastic service project ever
Chapter 2 VOTE FOR VEGGIES After lunch Ms Bird erased the board Who’s ready to brainstorm she asked Remember we need to identify a problem or need in our community and come up with a way to help Let’s list some ideas Finley and several other students raised their hands Ms Bird grabbed a marker from the mug on her desk and pointed to Finley’s friend Lia Yes Lia We could go to the animal shelter and play with dogs and cats Lia suggested That helps them get used to being around people before they’re adopted Great idea Ms Bird said writing Animal Shelter on the board That would involve a field trip but it might be possible She pointed to Amelia next We could do a food drive Amelia said and collect food for people who need it Or a book drive for kids who need books Kate added Ms Bird wrote Food Drive and Book Drive on the board There are lots of organizations that collect food and books and give them to people in need she said turning back to the class What’s your idea Will We could go to an assisted living center and do something nice for senior citizens Will said My grandpa lives in one He loves when I visit Good thinking Ms Bird said Giving people our time is just as important as donating money or things She added Assisted Living Visit to the list then nodded in Finley’s direction Finley We could plant a school garden Finley said and grow fresh vegetables for the
