Living Along the Amazon River

Shorecrest fifth graders are learning about the continent of South America and spent this week learning about the amazing biodiversity in the Amazon Rainforest. They are also learning about all that the trees in the Amazon provide for humans, such as oxygen, medicines, food, and limiting greenhouse gasses. Unfortunately there are threats to this amazing ecosystem and the Chargers are beginning to learn about efforts that all of us can take, even thousands of miles away, to protect this amazing resource. 

Shorecrest parent Anthony Verdeja visited his daughter’s fifth grade classroom to reflect on his high school mission trip to the Amazon. His detailed account described the schoolhouse he visited, how they bathed without getting bit by wildlife, finding a "cute" vampire bat in his bed, and the feathered skirt and headdress of an honored Elder he was able to bring back to America. He passed around items from his trip for the students to see: money, bags, a dart gun, photographs, and even student artwork painted on tree bark with hand-made paints from local vegetation. From his location he could see the Southern Cross and the North Star at the same time!

Mr. Verdeja remembered eating piranha stew and enjoying the warm rainstorms of the Amazon. He was one of the first "outsiders" this particular jungle area had ever welcomed. The students were eager to ask questions and grateful to have a first-hand account of a place so different from St. Petersburg with such wonderful cultural lessons to give.