June 30, 2009

Try one of these eco-tips from our Maggie’s Earth Adventures Team:

Kathy: We had so much fun during the “Earth Hour” when we all turned our lights out for an hour that we didn’t realize an hour and 45 minutes had gone by as we played Scrabble by candlelight. Therefore, my family resolves to turn the lights all out for at least an hour a week and play a board game!

Mason: After many fits and starts our household is finally committed to composting.  Many stores sell small kitchen top containers but we just use a large pot with a lid.   Remember, never add any items with fat to your pile i.e if you butter your corn on the cob do not throw this on the pile as it may attract unwanted animals.  

 Carlyle: Our family tip was initially motivated more by the 'eco'nomy than eco'ology--When gas prices shot through the roof last year we made a commitment to ride our bikes whenever we headed to downtown West Palm Beach (about 3 miles away) We discovered this was a great way to spend time as a family, enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise and reduce our footprint. 

Vivian: My kids started using their big plastic Halloween pumpkin to collect water whenever they run the shower and it takes a bit for the water to get hot. They later used that water for the plants.

Jessica:  All of my light bulbs are energy saving. I am getting used to the low light and find it relaxing.  I am continuing with the recycle ritual, and have found myself unplugging items that are not used on a regular basis.

We offer our WAPs (Weekly Activity Packets) to teachers for use on both primary and intermediate levels. In addition, some selected activities will be offered for the emergent reader. Because the topics of these activities are the same teachers may find it useful to use both levels in a classroom to include the differing abilities children bring to us. All activities are complete with standards-aligned goals.

By popular demand, a "Dear Colleague" letter has been included, which provides helpful tips on how to use the activity - with remedial and extension ideas. Also, classroom management ideas are often provided as well as suggestions ranging from sensory integration tips to questions for child reading surveys.

Subscribers recieve E-mail notices each Tuesday containing a link to a new WAP. Our subscribers are free to duplicate and distribute these activities as they deem appropriate. We have purposefully designed the worksheets to be completed with minimal teacher
direction so they can be used as homework, seatwork, at centers, or for selected students who need extra work.

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Happy New Year!