Mr. Bill's Crew Happenings: The Heart of the Matter

Feeding the Machine -- Staying Hale and Hearty

When we studied diabetes, we touched on a key component of health--diet. After diabetes we expanded on the issue of diet through several means, including a presentation by a nutritionist. The heart of the matter is that without proper fueling of the machine, the machine will eventually break down.

Here is the crew analyzing their diets and gathering dietary information:

Plants vs. Animals, or Celery Hearts v. Braveheart

As we move ahead in our study's living systems, we've finished looking at the human body and now we're investigating plants. We're finding that despite the obvious differences, plants and animals both use systems to live, and the principals behind those systems are similar. For example, one similar need is that of storing energy; plants do it through starch, while with animals, it's fat. Another of the primary needs of animals is the circulation of oxygen, water, and nutrients through the body (via a pump--the heart). The same is true of plants, but instead of a heart they use the process of transpiration.

Here we are increasing our understanding of plants and comparing them to animals:

The Human Heart

Of course, in the end, it's the human heart we care most about, not plants. As mentioned, the other Mr. Bill frequently comes and works with our crew to develop their skills in rightly relating to themselves and others. He recently gave the crew a tool to use in thinking through their connections with the other members of the crew.

Inspiring the Heart

Every morning, we start the day with a message. Often, it mentions an important historical fact that can encourage or instruct us as we develop our character. The message also usually includes a challenge for the mind to get our thinking kick-started for the math lesson that follows.