Idea Exchange

Today you are going to break into groups, not pairs, to closely look at several sites. These sites give suggestions for ways to help protect environment.

Here are three sites your group might visit:

1. Action for Nature

2. Environmental Protection Agency Kids Site entitled We can Make a Difference

3. 50 Simple things you can do to save the earth

Locate three similar sites that have ways kids can help as well

Here is a document that will help  keep your ideas organized as you look for reasons why your ideas help the environment.  Think about what you and your family can do, what your classmates can do, what the community can do, and what big corporations or companies can do to help the environment.

keeping-ideas-organized.doc

In honor of Earth Day, you are going to propose some ways to protect the environment here in our school and our neighborhoods. Use the sites that you found during the Earth Day Challenge, as well as sites you find on your own, to suggest ways you can make a difference for our environment.

1. Locate sites that tell what kids can do! Write a plan for what we can do here at Mission and at home. Post your plan on your blog.

2. Be sure to explain what you want people to do and how they can help. Locate sites that will help you to make concrete suggestions.

3. Explain how will you get the word out to other people.

We will read everyone’s suggestions and decide which ones we want to implement.

Revisit the Nierlich students blog clues if you need suggestions for good interactives and ideas for what  you can do.  Lots of ideas can be found in the sites we located during last Thurs. scavenger hunt activity.

Have fun!

In the newspaper I read that Antioch has passed a curfew. What is a curfew? Why did Antioch make a curfew? What time is the curfew? Who does the curfew affect? Do you think the curfew is a good idea? Why?

Go online to research this topic.  If you find a site that tells you about the topic, use your Google Notebook to clip the important information to support your answer.  Once you research this topic, leave a comment here telling your answers to these questions:

1) What is a curfew?

2) Why did Antioch make a curfew?

3) What time is the curfew?

4) Do you think the curfew is a good idea?  Why?

I’ve heard on the radio that San Francisco has created a ban on large stores using plastic grocery bags. Is that true? Why did San Francisco create this ban? (You might want to make sure you know what “ban” means.) Do you think a ban on plastic bags will help protect the environment?

Go online to research this topic.  If you find a site that tells you about the topic, use your Google Notebook to clip the important information to support your answer.  Once you research this topic, leave a comment here telling your answers to these questions:

1) Why did San Francisco create this ban?

2) What does “ban” mean?

3) Do you think a ban on plastic bags will help protect the environment?

When you read online you’ll run into many new vocabulary words. Learning new words is fun and important. It not only helps you to better understand ideas, but it also can help you better describe things in your own writing.

Here are some things to pay attention to:

Look for a glossary on the site, like the one on the left hand side of the Energy for Kids page http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/index.html The glossary gives quick definitions for new terms

Look for words defined in the text. For example, the way prominent is defined here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/reallywild/wildfile/wildfile_chimp.shtml

Look for hyperlinks on the site that will take you to pages that tell more about new words. For example, the way matter, atoms, and elements are explained on this site http://www.chem4kids.com/

Look for pictures that can explain or show the idea. For example, look at the picture of space debris on this site http://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/SEMESIXJD1E_Liftoff_0.html and read the text about it. Reading, looking and thinking can help you to better understand.

Look within the section of text you’re reading. Often times the author has left you a clue to the meaning of the word. Good detectives use these clues to decide what the word means.  Here are a few examples of how to http://www.english-zone.com/vocab/vic02.html

Three questions for you to answer on your blog:

1) Of all of the amendments to the Constitution, which do you think is the most important? Why?

2) Is there an amendment that you would get rid of? Which one? Why?

3) Is there an amendment you think should be added? Why?

Go to YOUR blog and post your response to ALL THREE questions.

I was researching Earth Day and found conflicting information about the founder.  One site said it was created by John McConnell in 1970 and another site said it was created by Gaylord Nelson in  1970.  Can you find a final answer for this question?  Be prepared to tell how you searched and why you came to your conclusion.

Here’s another example of persuasive writing.

Teaching is a Great Job!
By Theresa Nierlich

Teaching is one of the best jobs around. One reason is that every day is an adventure. Another reason that teaching is great is that you get to learn something new every day. Lastly, teaching allows you time off to learn or take a vacation. Everyone should consider becoming a teacher.

When you are a teacher, every day is an adventure. You get a new class every year, full of new students. Every day we do something new. Some may argue that it’s better to have consistency in your life, but I think it’s fun to have lots of new things. Each student makes the class a new experience. Adventure is always available when you teach!

As a teacher, you have the chance to learn something new every day . Some days you get to learn about a new topic. Other days you get to learn about a new way to teach. People who aren’t teachers may not be excited about the chance to learn all the time, but I think it keeps me sharp. You always get to learn new “facts” from your students. Teaching is a learning experience!

Being a teacher gives you a schedule that allows you to go on vacations and take classes during the summer . For example, last summer I took three classes to help me become a better teacher. I also had a chance to take an exciting vacation. A teacher’s schedule also gives me time to take computer classes during the school year. Teachers might argue that we don’t get paid enough to pay for all of those things, but I think we need to take advantage of the perks of our job. A teacher’s schedule is flexible.

Teaching is a wonderful job with many advantages. If you are looking for a great career, think about teaching!

Below are several sites that discuss the Constitution.  Which of these sites do you think will help us, as fourth and fifth grade students, understand what the Constitution says and what it means for our everyday life?  Why do you think the site you’ve chosen is a good one for our needs?  Why did you NOT choose the other sites?
Keep in mind that some sites are better for little kids, some sites are great for our age, and some are easier for adults to use.  We also want a site that explains what the Constitution says AND what it means- the Constitution is not easy to understand, even for adults.  So we need student-friendly site.

Post your response on YOUR blog.   Once again, here are the three questions you need to answer:

1)  Which of these sites do you think will be the BEST at helping us, as fourth and fifth grade students, understand what the Constitution says and what it means for our everyday life?

2)  Why do you think the site you’ve chosen is a good one for our needs?

3)  Why did you NOT choose the other sites?

Site 1

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/constitution/

Site 2

http://www.usconstitution.net/constkids4.html

Site 3

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/documents/constitution/index.html
Post your response on YOUR blog at http://missionstudents.learnerblogs.org/

Which branch of the government would you want to join- Executive, Legislative, or Judicial? Why? Give at least three reasons with clear explanations. Don’t think you have enough information to make a decision? GO FIND MORE- you’ve got the world in your hands.

Not OK- I wanna be the Prez cuz it be cool.

OK- I would like to be part of the Legislative branch because I think the Senate and House of Representatives are able to make the most impact on the way the country is run. (This is only a start- it needs much more information.)

Post your response on YOUR blog, not as a comment here.  That way we can read and respond to your thoughts.