Hi, Kid s! Ha ve yo u e ve r he ard of a rai n f ore s t? R ain f ore s ts are im por t an t be c aus e t he y he lp cle an t he ai r we bre at he an d t he y pro v ide inv alu ab le re sou rce s lik e pla n ts t h at are use d in me dic ine s an d in a v ar ie t y of f o o ds an d spi ce s. Re ad t he C on ne c t ion s se c t ion to le ar n mo re ab ou t h o w rai n f ore s ts are con ne c te d to t he e nv i ronme n t. In Wh ere in the Wo rld , we inv ite you to v isit the cou nt r y of Bel ize , wh ich ha s lus h t rop ica l veg e tat ion, intere sti ng an ima ls an d some gre at wa ter s in wh ich to raf t. In fac t, in Wh at’s It Lik e to Be. .. I tal ked to env iro nmen tal ist Se an Ah lum , he ha s a lot of gre at ide as abo ut ho w e ach an d e ver y one of us can ma ke a dif ferenc e an d hel p tak e care of the Ear th an d kee p it he alt hy. Spe ak ing of bei ng he alt hy, che ck out Kid sv ille Kit che n for f un ide as abo ut kee pin g our bod ie s in tip -to p sha pe.
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When you are sick, your mom or dad — or maybe even one of your grandparents — takes you to the doctor. It’s the doctor’s job to determine what is wrong with you. Sometimes, the doctor will ask you about the places you have been, the food you have eaten or maybe what has changed around you. When your doctor asks these questions, he is trying to figure out if anything has changed in your environment. Environment is a big word that describes everything that makes up the world around you and how it effects your ability to live. More often than not, people use the word environment when they are talking about the world around us, which includes everything from rivers and streams to plants, animals and the very air we breathe. Just as changes in our environment can make us sick, changes we make in the world can sicken the environment. Over the past several decades, scientists have been looking very closely at what we are doing and the kind of impact it has on the environment. What they found is very sad. Their study has revealed that we are, in fact, making our earth sick through things like air pollution, deforestation and acid rain. When they are looking at all of these things, they are really determining how healthy our world is.
Amazon Rain Forest One of the areas the scientists who study the environment have been keeping a close eye on is the rain forests of South America. At one time, rain forests covered about 14 percent of the earth’s surface. Today, only 6 percent of the earth’s rain forests remain. If we don’t change the way we treat our environment, scientists predict that in 40 years, all of the rain forests will be gone. So why is this important you ask? As the rain forests go away so do countless plant species, animal species and even human ways of life. Below is a list of the impact of deforestation on the environment, which was compiled from www.rain-tree.com: • The Amazon Rain Forest covers more than a billion acres, encompassing areas in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and the Eastern Andean region of Ecuador and Peru. • The Amazon Rain Forest has been described as the “lungs of our planet” because it provides the essential environmental world service of continuously recycling carbon dioxide into oxygen. More than 20 percent of the world’s oxygen is produced in the Amazon Rain Forest. • More than half of the world’s estimated 10 million species of plants, animals and insects live in the tropical rain forests. One-fifth of the world’s fresh water is in the Amazon River Basin. • At least 80 percent of the developed world’s diet originated in the tropical rain forest including fruits like avocados, coconuts, figs, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, bananas, guavas, pineapples, mangos and tomatoes; vegetables including corn, potatoes, rice, winter squash and yams; spices like black pepper, cayenne, chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, sugar cane, turmeric, coffee and vanilla and nuts including Brazil nuts and cashews. • Currently, 121 prescription drugs that are sold worldwide come from plant-derived sources. And while 25 percent of Western pharmaceuticals are derived from rain forest ingredients, scientists have tested less than 1 percent of these tropical trees and plants. • The U.S. National Cancer Institute has identified 3,000 plants that are active against cancer cells. Seventy percent of these plants are found in the rain forest. Twenty-five percent of the active ingredients in today’s cancer-fighting drugs come from organisms found only in the rain forest. If we can change the way we treat the rain forest, it can still be saved. Scientists agree that harvesting the natural resources of the rain forest like fruits, nuts and plants will show a greater return than logging, which is killing the rain forest. The latest statistics show that rain forest land converted to cattle operations yields the landowner $60 per acre and if timber is harvested, the land is worth $400 per acre. However, if these renewable and sustainable resources are harvested, the land will yield the landowner $2,400 per acre. Just as changes in the way we treat the rain forest can make a big impact on our lives, the way we treat or own neighborhoods can also make a big difference.
If the Amazon Rain Forest were a country, it would be the ninth largest country in the world. It covers more than 1.2 billion acres with 2.5 million miles of rain forest. The Amazon River is considered to be the life force behind the rain forest. It begins in the snow-capped Andes Mountains and flows more than 4,000 miles across South America until it enters the Atlantic Ocean at Belem, Brazil. At that point, the river is 300 miles wide. The river is fed by 1,100 tributaries and runs through the center of the rain forest.
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On May 24, people wh w who o li live in Belize celebrate Commonwealth Day. Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations. In Great Britain, it is held on the second Monday in March and is celebrated in Westminster Abbey. During that event the Queen delivers an address to the Commonwealth, which is broadcast throughout the world. In Belize and other sovereign states like Barbados and the Bahamas, Sovereign’s Day celebrations include special programs and assemblies such as flag-raising ceremonies. The Queen’s Commonwealth Day message is often d at at these e events. read
On May 22, the world celebrates the International Day for Biological Diversity. The celebration, created by the United Nations, is designed to increase the awareness of environment issues. This year, the theme for the celebration is Water and Biodiversity. Water is essential for life. No living being on planet Earth can survive without it. It is a prerequisite for human health and well-being as well as for the preservation of the environment. The theme Water and Biodiversity was chosen to coincide with the United Nations designation of 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation. as the International Year of Water Cooperation.
Be Kind to Animals Week From May 5 to May 12, people all across America celebrate Be Kind to Animals Week, which is a program of the American Humane Society. The event has been held every year since 1915, and serves as a way to honor the role animals play in our lives and promote ways to treat them more humanely. Throughout the week, you are encouraged to stand up for animals, report animal abuse, appreciate wildlife and adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue. For more information, visit the website at www.americanhumane.org/interaction/ programs/be-kind-to-animals-week.
TAPIRS
When people look at tapirs, they often think that they look like a cross between a pig and an elephant. Tapirs are about the size of a large pig but have a long, flexible nose like a short version of an elephant’s trunk. This combination isn’t accurate s though. Based on fossils and DNA, scientists can tell that tapirs are more closely related to horses or rhinoceroses and haven’t tth changed a lot in millions of years. It is almost like these animals are living fossils. c Most tapirs are about 7 feet long and 3 feet tall, and they can weigh between 300 and 700 pounds. The trunk-like nose that they have is prehensile, like the tail of a monkey; they can use it to grab things. It is not just a long nose, however. The trunk tth functions as a long nose and an upper lip. The animals use their trunk mostly for feeding. They use it to grab fruits and leaves f from the branches in the forest around them or the plants from the waters in which they swim. f There are several kinds of tapirs. All across the world, tapirs are found in either grasslands or forests. They are herbivores (plant eaters), so they need to be surrounded by a lot of plants in order to survive. They don’t just eat plants on land though; ( most tapirs can swim and spend time in lakes or rivers to cool off or eat the aquatic plants. Thanks to this ability to swim, some m tapirs are also able to live in swamps. tta mps. The most common places to find a ta tapir ap are in Central and South America and Southeast Asia. Most have short brown or black hair over a thick hide. They have stubby tails and oval-shaped ears. There are a few species of tapirs that are very different in how they look. Malaysian tapirs, which live in Malaysia and Sumatra, have a white saddle-like mark along their backs and are the largest species. They can grow to be up to 800 pounds. The tapirs that live in the mountains are also different because they have long, woolly coats. These woolly tapirs live in the Andes Mountains. Due to the destruction of the forests all across the world, many of the tapirs are endangered. Without the forests, tapirs have nowhere to live and nothing to eat. The people that live in the areas around them also hunt some of the species of tapirs. People have been working to save these animals because they play a very important role in the forest. As fruits and seeds travel through the tapir’s digestive system, they are redistributed in new places. This helps plants to spread and the forest to grow. Without the tapirs, the forests will not be able to grow as quickly and will shrink even faster. alia Kingdom: Anim ata Phylum: Chord alia Class: Mamm actyla Order: Perissod Superfamily: Tapiroidea dae Family: Tapiri s Genus: Tapiru ii, Species: Baird que, cha Indicus, Pin Terrestris
Malaysian Tapir
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Where In the World Is...Belize? It’s time to get out your globe! You need to know about the imaginary lines on globes and maps. These lines are called lines of latitude and longitude, and they tell a pilot or ship’s captain exactly where in the world a certain place is located. Basically, latitude lines (also called parallels) are the horizontal lines on your map. Lines of longitude (also called meridians) are the vertical lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. This mapping system is written in degrees and uses the symbol °. Get ready to travel the world! On your globe, locate longitude of 88° 45’ W and latitude of 17° 15’ N, and you’ll find the Central American country of Belize located between Mexico and Guatemala, bordering the Caribbean Sea. Once the site of several Mayan city-states, Belize, slightly larger than the state of Massachusetts, became the colony of British Honduras in 1854 after two centuries of regional dispute between Britain and Spain. It gained its independence from Britain in 1981. The terrain in Belize ranges from flat, swampy coastal plain to low mountains and lush rain forests. The climate is tropical and includes a rainy season from May to November and a dry season from February to May. Natural hazards like hurricanes and coastal flooding are common. Among its natural resources are fish, hydropower, land for farming and timber; about 60 percent of the land is forested. Tourism forms the largest part of the economy, and Belize is home to some spectacular natural attractions. Approximately 450 islands or cayes (pronounced like “keys”), the second-largest barrier reef (the Mesoamerican Reef) and three of four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere are located off the coast of Belize. One of the most amazing attractions is the underwater caves that house Mayan ruins. If you want to visit the caves, one of the most popular ways is to jump on an tube and ride the tube down the river and through the caves. Those who do it are treated to tropical beauty, history and
a great way of relaxing! Amid the waters surrounding the Mesoamerican Reef are beautiful corals. It is also home to fish important to commercial fisherman, like snapper and grouper and sharks! Many groups, like the Nature Conservancy, work to protect and preserve such special environments. While Belize has done more than its neighbors to protect the natural environment, some of the environmental issues presently facing the country include deforestation (about 36 percent of the forest lands are protected to some degree); loss of mangroves from dredging and reclamation; over-fishing and unsustainable agricultural practices. Tourism can actually help conserve the environment through financial contributions like park entrance fees or taxes. A $3.75 departure tax in Belize goes directly to the Protected Area Conservation Trust, a fund dedicated to help conserve the barrier reef and rain forest. Sources: “Belize,” The CIA World Factbook, www.cia.gov/library/publications/ the-world-factbook/geos/bh.html; “Belize,” The Nature Conservancy, www. nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/centralamerica/belize/; “Environment,”Ah! Belize, ahbelize.com/general_information/environment; “Environmental Impacts of Tourism,” http://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/envi/four.html.
Barbara Gilmour, Tanner’s grandmom, is the creator and developer of the “Cool Kind Kid” Social Skills, Character Values and Anti-Bullying educational materials and the h also o writes w es tthe Children’s Manners Blog, offering tips for teaching your children manners and social skills. award-winning “Cool Kind Kid” Audio CD. She www.CoolKindKid.com.
When Tanner, Nicole, Carmen, Rudy, Stephen and Truman the Dragon came to class, they were all excited. Ms. Gilmour asked them why. Everyone wanted to share. They all thanked her for showing them the tips for kindness they learned last time. Nicole shared, “When I told my class about how listening could show kindness, everyone became better listeners.” Tanner added, “I thanked my mom for telling me I did a good job on my math test. She said it’s kind to praise someone.” Rudy said, “My brothers are kinder to me since I forgave them when they picked on me. Maybe the teasing will stop.” Carmen gave Rudy a hug. “I think hugs are the best part of showing kindness.” Everyone got together for a group hug. Ms. Gilmour asked, “What are some good mannered things we can do?” Stephen raised his hand first. “Saying ‘please.’” Tanner added, “Brushing my teeth.” Ms. Gilmour agreed, “That is part of being polite to you.” Truman spoke up and said, “Giving my seat to someone else on the bus.”
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Rudy shared, “Giving my favorite toy to my brother to play with.” “Good examples,” said Ms. Gilmour. Next Ms. Gilmour asked, “Now let’s think of some good mannered things that we don’t do, but we need to be.” Everyone looked puzzled. Nicole jumped up, “Do you mean like being kind?” “Yes, that’s exactly what I mean,” commented Ms. Gilmour. Truman added, “What about being respectful?” “Yes, that’s a good one,” said Ms. Gilmour. Then Rudy spoke up, “I think we should be accepting. Everyone should be treated the same.” “Very good, Rudy,” said Ms. Gilmour, “then we might not have so much bullying.” Everyone agreed. Carmen asked, “What about getting along with friends when we play?” “You mean cooperation,” explained Ms. Gilmour. “We all need that in play, in school, in sports; so that is an important one. Some others to think about are responsibility, generosity, honesty, caring or compassion and tolerance, which is like acceptance. These are what grown-ups call values. Values means ideas or beliefs that we think are important. You may have heard your family talk about values,” continued Ms. Gilmour.
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Nicole added, “Being kind is very important to my family. My mom and dad always show me ways that I can be kind.” Truman shared, “My family thinks being caring is important. I’ve heard them talk about being compassionate, too.” Ms. Gilmour explained, “Compassion is something we have talked about quite a bit, but maybe we didn’t call it that. Caring for others shows compassion. What other things show compassion?” Tanner replied, “Being kind and thoughtful.” Stephen added, “Helping those in need.” Carmen included, “Showing concern for the feelings of others.” “Remember when we talked about walking in someone else’s shoes?” asked Ms. Gilmour. “That is a good example of being compassionate.” Truman was laughing, “I’m thinking about how someone will walk in my bigggggg dragon shoes.” All the kids laughed with him. “Next time we’ll talk more about values,” Ms. Gilmour added.
MAY 2013
What’s It Like to Be...an Environmentalist?
This month we are learning all about the environment. By definition, an environmentalist is a person who is concerned with or advocates for the protection of the environment. In 1984, three people came together to save their favorite wave in Malibu, Calif. That was the beginning of the Surfrider Foundation, whose mission is the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. Surfrider now has chapters across the U.S. and in 18 countries around the world. But it is still a grassroots organization of surfers, beach-goers, watermen, moms, kids and teens — anyone with a love of the ocean and beaches and all the fun activities you can enjoy there. One such person is Sean Ahlum, the chair of the Cape Fear Surfrider chapter in Wilmington, N.C. He’s also the chairman of the board of directors of the international Surfrider organization. Ahlum’s love of the coast lead him to volunteer with these organizations! His day job is at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington as assistant director of technology and communications. Ahlum grew up in southern New Jersey where he learned to surf and developed a passion for the sport. He’s been active in Surfrider for more than 15 years and during that time Cape Fear Chapter volunteers have successfully pushed local communities to improve sewage systems, increase and protect beach access, educate hundreds of students and citizens to be environmentally responsible members of the community and establish the first smoke-free beaches in the state of North Carolina. In 2001, Ahlum worked with some students from UNCW to establish the UNCW Surfrider group, one of the first university-based Surfrider groups in the world. TRUMAN: How do you become an environmentalist? AHLUM: First, I think it requires passion and a sense of ownership of your community. I think those are the two most important things. In terms of skillset, you need to be an enabler — and by that I mean you have to surround yourself with people who do really great work. Surfrider is really just an umbrella organization that allows citizens to come together to do great things for their environment. You also need to be flexible, creative, have a lot of self-motivation and drive and you have to be responsible. Do what you say you’re going to do, even if it means staying up until 11 at night making an event on Facebook. It doesn’t take a specific education, but education helps to cement the idea that the environmental organization is a valid community organization. It also helps when talking to politicians and business leaders — it allows them to see that this is a person that thinks clearly about
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what sustainable growth and economic growth mean to our community. TRUMAN: When, and why, did you first become interested in, or involved in, environmental activism? AHLUM: I became involved because it’s what I was taught. I grew up with my grandfather in coastal New Jersey, and he owned a marina and sold bait and tackle. I would get up at 4 in the morning and set traps for minnows and go crabbing. I learned all my life lessons in a 13-foot jon boat in the marsh, so I had a natural appreciation for the environmental process. In college I started giving tours at the local Wetlands Institute. I’ve always had an appreciation for the coast. Coming from N.J., where they did not always think through their development, I saw N.C. starting to develop in this way. I knew the only way to make people realize what was happening was to get local citizens involved. We started doing beach cleanups. When people are active in their community, they take pride in it. Our economy here is based off of tourism and ecotourism, so why would you want to over develop and ruin that? I was put into a leadership role at a young age — it was kind of accidental. I was involved, and all the leaders went elsewhere and no one else was there to do it. So, you either step up to the plate or back down. TRUMAN: What do you do every day as part of your job with the Surfrider Foundation? AHLUM: I do all kinds of different things. With the Cape Fear chapter, I am responsible for all activities — volunteer recruitment, training, hosting events and advertising, I’m basically like a CEO of the business. On the national level — I’m the chairman of the board of directors, so I have ultimate fiduciary responsibility — making sure the budget and nonprofit status are met, the educational components are there and the strategy and vision are met. I have to ensure the staff has what they need to accomplish the Surfrider mission around the world. And there’s also budgeting, website creation, managing conflicts between people, motivating people and volunteers, risk management — there are so many aspects of it. TRUMAN: What’s the hardest part of your job? AHLUM: Relationship management — working with people making sure everyone involved is happy and feels equitable and treated fairly. I make sure that conflicts are handled in a way that involves resolution and makes everyone feel good. It’s a lot of work to keep up with a lot of people. I would also say, I have so many different roles that sometimes I feel that I serve more than one master. I have a full-time job, family at home, a nonprofit to run locally and a nonprofit that I’m responsible for internationally. I’m trying to give a 100 percent to each area but that’s really hard. But, it’s also an opportunity to perfect my time-management skills and to divide and allocate resources. TRUMAN: What’s the best part of your position with Surfrider?
AHLUM: Watching people achieve something they only dreamed about. Watching the Portland chapter pass the bag ban, watching Wrightsville Beach save beach access 33. Watching people come together and knowing that you are not responsible for the ultimate action, but for getting it started and helping it along. For instance the smoking ban at Wrightsville Beach — I was responsible for the people coming together, but it’s awesome to see a 13-year campaign come together and achieve victory. I love when people succeed and feel like they really accomplished something and are holding elected officials responsible for what the citizens really want. TRUMAN: What is your favorite hobby or thing to do when you are not working or volunteering with Surfrider? AHLUM: My favorite thing to do is surf, of course. Just spending time on the water — I have created my whole life around the water. I love to swim, paddle kayaks and paddleboards. I just love to be in the water and appreciate all the things I work so hard to protect. I like to go paddling with my fiancée and surf with friends. TRUMAN: What advice would you give to kids who are interested in pursuing a career as an environmentalist? AHLUM: Most important is to figure out what you are passionate about. What do you love to do? Life is too short to work doing something you don’t love. Volunteer — get involved in your community. You get to meet all kinds of people — and you never know from where your next opportunity might come. Treat everyone with kindness and respect, and be open, creative, flexible. Listen and see with eyes and ears, not your mouth. Try to do everything you can to be a part of the solution. As a family, go do a 30-minute beach clean up or every time you go to the park come back with three pieces of trash. TRUMAN: Great ideas! Thanks, for telling us all about your work with Surfrider Foundation!
www.traveljournals.net What can kids do to help? Lots! Surfrider has a program called Quad (learn more at www.surfrider. org/quad) and kids like you can set up their own environmental project at school and even start your own Surfrider group. You can lead a recycling initiative, or go out and do a clean up at a local creek — and you can set up your project on our website, recognize your group of volunteers and be recognized on the website. And, if you do start your own project, be sure to write to Kidsville News and tell us all about it!
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KIDSVILLE NEWS - PAGE 7
ACID RAIN
Rain that conta ins a high concentration of chiefly sulphur pollutants, dioxide and nitrogen oxide , released into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal or oil.
hat the guess w Can you picture is? bigger
Circle A Word
ENGLISH Grass SPANISH hierba ITALIAN - er ba FRENCH - h erbe GERMAN Gras
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APPLES JUMPROPE BUTTERFLY BERRY SCENT FLOWERS MOTH SHOWERS BIRDS FRIENDS
PRUNING SUNSHINE BRING GRASS RAIN SWIM BUBBLES HOME RIVER UMBRELLA
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UE OR FALSE?
TR steau was Jacques Cou . born in 1910
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NEA’S READ ACROSS AMERICA You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child
Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday March 2
NEA’s Read Across America 6 Keys to Help a Child Become a Good Reader Starting Early The ideal time to begin sharing books with children is during infancy, even as young as six weeks old. From early on, children should own books, be read to often and see others reading and writing. Also, children should be encouraged to talk about books they already know and to elaborate or add their story lines or create new endings.
Surrounding Your Child With a Reading-Rich Environment The home environment is critical. Make it a print-rich one. Make sure to put up some signs around the house that use the child’s name. Have toys like alphabet refrigerator magnets, writing materials and high quality books. The National Education Association has a list of favorite children’s books on its web site at www.nea.org/readacross.
Talking With Your Child There’s no substitute for a caring adult who takes time to spend with a child. Vocabulary, language skills and knowledge about the world are acquired during interesting conversations with responsive adults.
Teaching Your Child While You Read Aloud When you read with your child, help him or her learn the basic rules of print. Point out how spaces separate words. Occasionally run your fingers along with the words as you read so your child can learn that sentences start on the upper left and go to the right. Point to the period at the end of sentences and say, “That’s the end.”
Helping Your Child Develop Critical Thinking Skills As children move from being toddlers to school-age, they should increasingly be able to grasp the meaning of language. When you read, stop to discuss unfamiliar words so your child will learn what they mean. Pause to ask questions to help the child predict what is coming next. Help children understand the main characters of stories and encourage them to talk about why these characters act the way they do.
Finding a Good Preschool Setting What things to look for in a high quality preschool— • A well-supplied, well-designed space • A varied curriculum • Strong parent-teacher conferences • Strong teaching methods and teamwork among teachers • A regular daily routine • Language experience This tip sheet draws heavily on Starting Out Right—A Guide to Promoting Children’s Reading Success, The National Academy Press, Copyright 1998.
1 2 01 1 6 t h S t . , N . W. | W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 0 3 6 - 3 2 9 0 | P h o n e : ( 2 0 2 ) 8 2 2 - 7 3 8 7 | w e b s i t e : n e a . o r g / r e a d a c r o s s
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KIDSVILLE NEWS - PAGE 9
By Jan Buckner Walker
The Original Crossword Puzzle for Kids and Their Favorite Adults
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The across clues are for kids and the down clues are for grown-ups!
Kids Across 1. A short word people say before they hang up 3. The symbol before a Twitter message that looks like a tic-tac-toe board 8. Message abbreviation that means "I love you" or "I like you") 9. Many phones are small enough to hold in the ____ of your hand 10. Any Facebook entry (or safety patrol's spot to stand) 11. You need one to give your phone a charge 13. To broadcast a Facebook message you received to your friends 14. "Scrabble," "Words with
Phone Fun Friends" and "Angry Birds" 17. A phone in your pocket (or a biological unit that has a nucleus in its center) 19. Talking with your thumbs 20. What you sometimes hear while you are on hold 22. To pick up the phone when it rings 23. It's 1A, in Spain Parents Down 2. Iconic phone book page color 4. Self-set wake-up call on your mobile 5. The only mammals that
use mobile phones 6. Before it goes up, all phones must be off 7. Room for one: Glass kiosk of yesteryear used by the public 12. Enter a phone number 15. Chartbuster like Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" 16. Send a short thought to your Twitter followers 17. Mobile phone's other major function that captures the moment 18. The 3A is also known as the pound ____ 21. Shouting words: Many consider the use of all ____ to be the text equivalent of yelling
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This Week’s Solution
kris@kapd.com
KAPD ebooks now available on www.kapd.com
11/25/12
Circle A Word People Fact TRUE Get The Picture SHARK!
Source: kab.org
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CONSERVATION CORNER
Who Litters?
When it comes to littering the roadways, motorists (52 percent) and pedestrians (23 percent) are the biggest culprits. Research shows that people under 30 are more likely to litter than those who are older. In fact, age, and not gender, is a significant predictor of littering behavior. Why do people litter? Here’s what Keep America Beautiful’s 2009 Littering Behavior in America research found: • Personal choice. Nearly one in five –– that’s 17 percent of all disposals observed in public spaces –– were littering, while 83 percent disposed of litter properly. And 81percent of littering was intentional, e.g., flicking, flinging or dropping. On the other hand, individuals who hold the belief that littering is wrong and consequently feel a personal obligation not to litter are less likely to do so. • Litter begets litter. Individuals are much more likely to litter into a littered environment. And once there, it attracts more litter. By contrast, a clean community discourages littering and improves overall community quality of life. Availability and proximity to trash and recycling receptacles also impact whether someone chooses to litter. • It’s “not my responsibility.” Some people feel no sense of ownership for parks, walkways, beaches and other public spaces. They believe someone else will pick up after them, that it’s not their responsibility.
© 2012 KAPD, LLC
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MAY 2013
Cultural Connections: “STOMP” There are many different performances that use sound and movement to tell stories and entertain an audience. Traditionally, the sound may be created with instruments such as pianos or drums, and the movements would usually be in dances like ballet or tap. What makes STOMP so different from traditional theatre performances is the way that the performers in STOMP create and use sound. STOMP was created in 1991 in Brighton, England, and quickly became popular. It was the brainchild of Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas. At the beginning of their careers, these two men were partners in a street band called Pookiesnackenburger and the theatre group Cliff Hanger. Eventually they took their inspiration from these two experiences and combined them to create a unique theatre production — STOMP. The production has been presented all over the world, both on and off Broadway, and has been extremely popular since its creation. This performance is like no other and has inspired a new style of physical theatre. Physical theatre is how a performer can tell a story through movement and body language. In STOMP, the cast members use everyday objects such as trash can lids, broom handles, lighters, boxes and even buckets as percussive instruments and as their means to communicate. (A percussive instrument is an instrument that makes a sound when it is hit, scraped or rubbed, like a drum. This kind of instrument is thought to be one of the oldest in the world.) In the show STOMP, there is no speaking in the performance, but through their dance and the sounds created by their unique instruments, the characters in the show are able to interact in an interesting and often hilarious way. Even without words, the actors are able to create lovable and unique characters. Being a cast member in a production like STOMP is challenging
though. The performers must be musicians so that they can create the fun and beautiful sounds from everyday objects throughout the play. They must also be actors so that they can portray the characters they play, even if there are no words, and they must be dancers in order to keep up with the great music and keep the show interesting to watch. There are many shows where performers must sing and dance and act at the same time, but STOMP is one of the only shows where they must also play their own instruments. There is more to this show than just fun and great music; it also has a symbolic portion. All of the music in the show is created using everyday objects. By using just these select items, the performers are saying that everyone can use everyday things and get amazing, and sometimes unexpected, results. One doesn’t have to use special instruments that cost tons of money to make an interesting and entertaining show. With enough creativity and hard work, anyone can make something unique out of things that can be found around the house. In this way, STOMP is a celebration of everyday life.
Come Out and Play... Whitewater Rafting All over the country, people like to get into kayaks or canoes and paddle down the river. Some people like to paddle smooth waters and fish or just enjoy the beautiful nature around them. Other people like to careen down rapids and waterfalls. This is called whitewater rafting, and it can be an extreme sport. In whitewater rafting, participants paddle down a river that has both calm water and a series of rapids. Sometimes, the rapids (or running water) are really rough and it makes it difficult for people to stay in the boat. The choppy water makes it easy for the boats to flip over or throw people out. There are several different things that can make rafting a challenge. There could be large rocks in the river, the water could be moving very fast or there could even be small waterfalls that have to be maneuvered around. Each river has different challenges, and depending on how difficult the river is to navigate, it is given a code called a grade. There are six different grades to whitewater rafting. One is the easiest, and six is the hardest. A grade one rapid is easily paddled through with little or no trouble. On a grade six rapid, even the best and most experienced whitewater rafters have a hard time. Some of these rivers have never even be rafted because they are too dangerous. When whitewater rafting, it is very important to have the proper equipment that will protect rafters from the many obstacles in the water. The first thing a rafter needs is a boat and a guide. In most instances, large inflatable rafts are used by tour companies for large groups. Sometimes, a kayak, or a small narrow boat that usually holds one or two people is used, but that is usually for more advanced rafters. The larger boats are great for the inexperienced groups because they have enough room for a guide to sit and help people steer the boat down the river. The guide actually instructs you on when to paddle and when to lift your oars and let the rapid carry you. The double-sided paddles or oars are the keys to successfully navigating the river. Every rafter should also have a helmet and a life vest and should have on shoes. Everyone should know how to swim in case someone falls out of the boat. Whitewater rafting can be dangerous, but it is also a lot of fun. It is exciting to jump over rocks and careen down the river. As with any sport, it is important to be careful and have the right gear because it is impossible to predict what might happen and it is better to be safe than sorry. As long as you have a great guide and follow the safety precautions, there is less of a chance of getting hurt. People have fun whitewater rafting in rivers all over the world. There are even some places to raft that were created completely by humans. Each river is new, and even the same river is different every day, so adventure is always fresh. If you don’t think you are up to challenging the big rapids yet, you may want to consider tubing. This is done on smaller rivers and you gently float down the river on a tube. In places like Belize, you can do this through caves.
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Coming Soon to Theaters Epic — In Theaters: May 24
Penguins 3D — In Theaters: May 24
Talking slugs [snails without shells] and tiny little human soldiers dressed in green armor are the stuff of a teenage girl’s dreams until they come shockingly to life in this animated adventure movie based on William Joyce’s children’s book. Mary Katherine (voiced by Amanda Seyfried) gets shrunk down and transported to a land of fantasy where an army of “leafmen” protects the forest from an evil mastermind called Mandrake (voiced by Christoph Waltz). Mandrake wants to destroy the forest — the same forest populated by animals and humans. Josh Hutcherson, Beyonce Knowles and Aziz Ansari add their individual vocal characterizations to this 3D movie that promises to be “epic.” Not Rated at press time. (Fox Animation/Blue Sky Studios)
“There’s a bird couple that has only one chick, and they will go to the ends of the earth to look after it.” So goes David Attenborough’s enchanting documentary that follows the story of a tiny penguin born to two loving parents — “King Penguins.” This little guy wants to go places even before he’s grown, but first he’ll have to learn some lessons from the vast community of penguins that surround him. There’s something amazing about penguins. We can understand their sense of emotion in the way they relate to one another — just as human beings do. Penguins 3D takes you on an incredible once-in-a-lifetime journey to the Northern rim of the Antarctic to learn about penguins in a way you could never imagine. Because it is being shown in IMAX theaters, Penguins 3D is a movie that will make you feel like you’re part of the penguin family. Not Rated at press time. 78 mins. (nWave Pictures)
Children’s DVDs Monsters, INC. — Available May 7
The Jungle Book — Available May 21
The 2001 animated kids’ favorite Monsters, Inc. comes to DVD after its recent 3D transformation in cinemas this past winter. In the town of Monstropolis, monsters of all kinds — and colors — live at a safe distance from the human children they like to scare whenever they get the chance. Big, blue furry Sulley (voiced by John Goodman) and his one-eyed pal Mike Wazowski (voiced by Billy Crystal) work at a “scream-processing” factory named Monsters, Inc., where they harness the power of screams. But Sulley and Mike meet their match in a pint-sized girl named Boo (voiced by Mary Gibbs) after she follows Sulley inside Monstropolis. Little Boo has some pretty scary tricks up her sleeve, too, but there’s nothing really frightening in this hilarious movie for kids. Rated G. 92 mins. (Disney•Pixar)
MAY 2013
African rhythms run through the songs and music of this movie update of one of Rudyard Kipling’s most popular books. Mowgli is a boy born and raised in the African jungle by a pack of wolves. Mowgli is 10 years old when a big, bad Bengal tiger named Shere Khan decides that Mowgli doesn’t belong in his part of the jungle anymore. A sneaky jackal named Tabaqui also has it in for Mowgli. He tells Mowgli about a magical wishing tree that will make his wildest dreams come true. You’ll have a great time going along on Mowgli’s adventures in a jungle forest where fun and danger are always right around the corner. Rated G. 62 mins. (Phase 4 Films)
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Exploring Nature! 4IFSJ "NTFM t XXX.exploringnature.org True Insects
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spider, earthworm, salamander, snail Exploringnature.org is an award-winning resource that inspires learning about science, conservation and the
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MAY 2013
Deeee-
licious!
Kid-Friendly Snacks the Whole Family Will Love It’s easy to grab a bag of chips or a handful of cookies to give yourself a boost of energy to make it through the day. But those choices aren’t always the most nutritious. It is possible, however, to make better snack choices that actually taste good, and are good for you. Registered dietitian and author Kate Geagan, M.S., R.D., says, “Snacks can play an important role within a healthy diet. Selecting a tasty, nutritious snack or two can help you stay energized and keep you from overeating at your next meal. If you plan ahead, you can ensure that you have satisfying choices you can feel good about.” Geagan suggests planning a mid-afternoon snack and water break. “Whole foods and those that are made with minimally processed ingredients are great snack choices,” she says. “Try to include a serving of fruits or vegetables for added vitamins, antioxidants and fiber, as well as a source of protein or calcium, like cheese or yogurt.” There are plenty of delicious options to keep you going from morning to night. Geagan recommends snacking on SOYJOY bars instead of granola bars made with artificial ingredients, preservatives and additives. SOYJOY bars, made with real fruit and USA-grown non-genetically modified ground whole soy, are a tasty snack option perfect for any time of day. They are just the right size to keep in your desk drawer or gym bag or to pack in your child’s lunch box. Geagan is also a fan of making flavorful snack pairings. For example, she likes to enjoy a creamy Mini Babybel cheese with multi-grain crackers or apple slices. These individually wrapped cheeses are the perfect portion size, and they combine the irresistible taste of an indulgent treat with the nutrition of a wholesome, everyday snack. For a fun snack for kids, Geagan also suggests making mini skewers with a rolled-up turkey slice, a Mini Babybel White Cheddar and a cherry tomato. Pre-pack nutritious on-the-go snacks. If you plan ahead and divide up single servings into snack-sized resealable bags or storage containers, you’ll always have a good-for-you snack ready to grab and go. Great-tasting snacks can also be good for you –– offer a variety of nutritious choices, and the whole family will find a snack they love. Nu
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• 1 cup edam us on-the-go sn ame (or 1/2 ack s cup shelled • 1 ounce inedamame) sh • 2 tablespoon ell pistachios s alm on d butte • Whole whea t pita chips wi r on apple slices th guacamole hummus or • Create your ow ingredients lik n trail mix with kid-frien dly e popcorn, fru its and nuts.
The Science of Space Art
Staying on Course By Diane K. Fisher Sun, stars, compasses, sextants, clocks, charts, maps, GPS devices –– we humans have used them all to help us find our way around. None of these navigation aids is built into our bodies, though. These methods all depend on reading nature’s signs and using tools. Many other creatures on our planet can navigate just fine without any extra tools. True, they may use the Sun or even the stars as clues. But they are not using tools to take measurements or math to make calculations, the way people do. Yet many insects, birds, mammals, fish and even reptiles can travel hundreds or thousands of miles to find one special location where they feed or breed. How do they do it? Many animals use the Sun. Bees are a good example. When a worker bee is scouting for food (flowers) for her hive-mates, she takes note of the angle of the Sun with respect to the direction to the food. She returns to the hive to spread the word. She does a “wiggle-waggle” dance. The angle of her dance in relation to the top of the hive is the direction of the food in relation to the Sun. The number of waggles indicates the distance to the food. She keeps up the dance for hours, but somehow knows that the Sun is moving. She changes the angle of her dance to exactly match the change in direction of the Sun. Some birds navigate by the stars as they continue their long migration flights at night. African dung beetles use the Milky Way as a navigation aid! Some animals navigate by their sense of smell. Salmon and other fish may use an “odor map” of sorts to return to the exact spot in a river where they were hatched. The Earth’s magnetic field provides strong navigation clues for some animals. Homing pigeons use magnetic lines of force, along with other clues, to find their way home, no matter where or how far away a human “pigeon racer” may carry them just for sport. There is some evidence that pigeons may also use “sound maps” to help them navigate. For homing pigeons that depend on Earth’s magnetic lines of force to find their way home, what if those magnetic lines of force get disturbed? They often do, you know. Find out at http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/pigeons. This article was written by Diane K. Fisher and provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space
cipes visit For more snacking tips and recipes, www.soyjoy.com and www.thelaughingcow.com. These common cranes are long-distance migrators. How do they know where they are going?
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MAY 2013
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P ARENTOWN’S K ID S MAR T
Protect Young Eyes in the Technology Age Whether it’s a tablet with an educational purpose or a big screen displaying the latest video game, the use of electronic technology is skyrocketing among kids. In fact, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, children ages 8 to 18 spend more than seven and a half hours with electronics every day. Unfortunately, all of that screen time can cause eye fatigue, and ultimately have an impact on your child’s overall vision and eye health. To view things closer, our eyes automatically adjust by drawing inward; our pupils get smaller to focus, and our eye muscles adjust so we can see a clear image. As a result, extended use of electronic screens can cause tired, blurry or irritated eyes. Intense focus on a video screen also leads to a diminished blink rate, which can result in eye injuries. Although there is no scientific evidence that computers and handheld electronic devices directly cause vision problems, using these devices wisely can help prevent eye fatigue and strain, as well as associated headaches, blurred vision and dry eyes. To help protect your child’s vision, consider these tips from Ameritas, a leading provider of dental, vision and hearing care plans:
Protección de los ojos jóvenes en la era tecnológica Ya sea que se trate de una tableta con fines educativos o de la gran pantalla del último videojuego, el uso de la tecnología electrónica ha aumentado significativamente entre los niños. De hecho, según un estudio de Kaiser Family Foundation, la población de 8 a 18 años pasa más de siete horas y media con artículos electrónicos todos los días. Lamentablemente todo ese tiempo frente a la pantalla puede causar fatiga ocular y, en última instancia, afecta la salud ocular y la visión general de su hijo. Para ver objetos más cerca, los ojos automáticamente se ajustan inclinándose hacia adentro; las pupilas se achican para enfocar y los músculos oculares se ajustan para que podamos obtener una imagen clara. Como resultado, el uso prolongado de pantallas electrónicas puede irritar los ojos, y nublar o cansar la vista. La focalización intensa sobre una pantalla de video también produce menos parpadeo, y esto puede provocar lesiones oculares. Si bien no existe evidencia científica de que las computadoras y los dispositivos electrónicos portátiles causen problemas de visión en forma directa, el uso de estos dispositivos en forma prudente puede ayudar a evitar el esfuerzo y la fatiga ocular, además de dolores de cabeza, visión borrosa y ojos secos. Para proteger la visión de sus hijos, tenga en cuenta estos consejos de Ameritas, proveedor líder de planes para la salud auditiva, visual y dental:
• Know that prolonged use of electronic devices can exacerbate underlying eye conditions, so electronics should be used in moderation. Limit screen time to two hours or less a day (including watching TV, playing video games and using mobile phones). • Encourage intentional blinking while electronic devices are in use to help refresh eyes with natural moisture that helps prevent bacterial infections, dry spots and corneal breakdown. • Reduce additional eye strain by managing glare from windows and using low-watt bulbs in light fixtures. • Keep computer screens 20 to 28 inches away from the face. • Practice a rule of 20s to give eyes a rest. Every 20 minutes, ask your child to look at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds before refocusing attention up close again. • Move around and change positions periodically while using a device. • Watch for signs of eyestrain while electronic devices are in use, such as squinting, frowning at the screen or rubbing eyes. • If vision problems or discomfort arise, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a professional evaluation.
• El uso prolongado de dispositivos electrónicos puede exacerbar los problemas oculares existentes; por lo tanto, los artículos electrónicos se deben usar con moderación. Limite el tiempo de exposición frente a la pantalla a dos horas o menos por día (incluidas actividades tales como mirar televisión, jugar con videojuegos y usar teléfonos celulares). • Fomente el parpadeo intencional mientras utiliza dispositivos electrónicos para refrescar los ojos con la humedad natural a fin de prevenir infecciones bacteriales, puntos secos y trastornos de la córnea. • Reduzca el esfuerzo ocular mediante la luz natural de ventanas y el uso de artefactos de iluminación con bombillas de poca intensidad. • Mantenga las pantallas de la computadora a una distancia de 20 a 28 pulgadas del rostro. • Practique la regla de los 20 para descansar los ojos. Cada 20 minutos, pídale a su hijo que mire, al menos, a 20 pies de distancia durante 20 segundos antes de volver a enfocar la atención nuevamente. • Muévase o cambie de posición periódicamente mientras utiliza el dispositivo. • Detecte signos de esfuerzo ocular mientras utiliza los dispositivos, tales como entrecerrar los ojos, fruncir el ceño frente a la pantalla o frotar los ojos. • Si siente molestias o tiene problemas de visión, programe una evaluación profesional con un oculista.
When taking into account time at the office in front of a computer screen, many adults regularly use electronic devices for as long as, or even longer than, their children. Following the same advice not only sets a good example, but it can help protect your own eye health.
Si se tiene en cuenta el tiempo que se pasa en la oficina frente a la pantalla de la computadora, muchos adultos generalmente utilizan dispositivos electrónicos durante la misma cantidad de tiempo o más que sus hijos. Si sigue estos consejos, no sólo dará un buen ejemplo, sino que protegerá su propia salud ocular.
For additional information and tips for managing eyestrain while using electronics, visit www.ameritasinsight.com.
Para obtener más información y consejos sobre el esfuerzo ocular durante el uso de dispositivos electrónicos, visite www.ameritasinsight.com.
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P ARENTOWN’S K ID S HAPE
Traditional Camps Versus Specialty Camps Summer camps have been around for generations. For many, they conjure up happy childhood memories of nature, exploring and adventure, but these are usually the memories of traditional summer camp. Summer camps are formatted and centered on a variety of different activities, and they generally fall into one of two categories: traditional camps or specialty camps. Increasingly, people have been choosing to send their children to specialty summer camps rather than traditional summer camps. Both kinds of camps have their pros and cons, but key to choosing the right one for the right kid is being informed and doing research. Traditional summer camps are overnight camps that usually last one to three weeks. They are nature based and have traditional camp activities like canoeing, archery, hiking and sports. Some of these camps may even have an emphasis on a particular event, but usually they have a mix of different activities. Specialty camps usually have a stronger emphasis on a certain activity, and often they are less nature intensive. There are specialty camps for any and every interest a child, teen or adult could have. There are camps that are focused on arts, community service, sports and hobbies. These camps can be either overnight camps or day camps that require dropping off kids in the morning and picking them up at night. Some important things to consider when trying to find the right camp for your child are the interests of the camper, time and cost. Specialty camps are highly focused on one activity. This can be good or bad. If it is a topic that the child enjoys, that may be a great thing, but if it is a topic that the child isn’t really interested
in, then there is no point in finding a camp that focuses on one thing. If the kids are interested in nature, just enjoy being outdoors or don’t have a particular passion, a traditional camp may be the best decision. Time is an important factor when trying to decide whether to enroll in a overnight or day camp. Day camps have hours that may not be suitable for some families, depending on the availability of the parents, and for some overnight camps, pick-up dates may be inconvenient. Most camps have several runs in a summer, so if there is a camp that is perfect except for some conflicting dates, it would be wise to see if the camp has a second set of dates later or earlier in the summer. Cost is always important when considering camps. Price depends largely on the different amenities and activities a camp offers. As a general rule, overnight camps are more expensive, though over the years all camps have risen in price as more adventurous activities have been added. More and more camps are adding activities like high-wire courses and zip lines. There are many camps that are affordably priced, however.
Sources: www.acacamps.org/media-center/camp-trends/specialty
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