-NiE ,
Elementary The ecosystem
A fragile balance WHAT do Usain Bolt and a cheetah have in common? They both hold records; Bolt is the current world record holder for the 100m dash while the cheetah is the world’s fastest animal on land. If you were asked to compare an animal to a top athlete, what would that animal be and why?
Creature
NiE Activity 1
Many animals and creatures in the wildlife are admired for their raw strength, power, agility and grace. What types of sporting feats could the following creatures carry out if they were athletes? Read a short synopsis of each characteristic. Then, scan The Star’s Sport pages to look for a suitable sport for each animal. (Alternatively, look for a picture of a sportsman who excels in his field.) If sportspeople had such characteristics, how would they excel in sports? Write your points down. You can do this activity in pairs.
Characteristic
A suitable sport
Creative thinking
Critical thinking
● Imagine ● Brainstorm ● Connect ● Invent
● Identify ● Reason ● Measure ● Organise
Problem solving
Communicating ● Oral ● Non-verbal ● Written
● Question ● Research ● Recreate ● Present
How an athlete could excel with this ability
EXAMPLE The cheetah
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20 SEPTEMBER 2017
The cheetah is the fastest animal on the planet. Here’s a comparison: Cheetah: 87km/hour; Usain Bolt: 45 km/hour
A. The froghopper The natural world has many wonderful jumpers but no creature comes close to the froghopper, which is only sixmillimetre tall and yet able to jump 70 times its body weight!
B. The gorilla The gorilla is heavy and robust. Its broad chest and long arms make it a formidable wrestling champion.
The sloth has major hanging power; it can eat, sleep and even give birth while hanging from trees! Its curved claws enable it to suspend from branches for hours at a time.
NiE Activity 2 Critical thinking ● Identify ● Reason
● Organise
Communicating ● Oral
Suggested answers: A. high jump B. wrestling C. gymnastics
C. The sloth
● Written
NiE Activity 3 Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Connect ● Brainstorm ● Invent
Problem solving ● Question ● Research
● Recreate ● Present
Collaborating ● Listen ● Compromise ● Contribute ● Attain goal respectfully
Our ecosystem is fragile. As part of the ecosystem, it is also our responsibility to look after our planet. Now, imagine that you and your family are going on a family picnic that is eco-friendly! In groups of four, agree on a place that is suitable for the entire family. Then, look through The Star for ideas on
items to bring on this trip. Make a list of the kinds of things you can take on your picnic that would create the least amount of trash. At least three of these must be taken from the newspaper. Cut them out and paste them on a sheet of A3 paper. On the same sheet of paper, list the things that you have chosen not to bring.
Critical thinking ● Identify
● Reason
Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Connect ● Brainstorm ● Invent
Problem solving ● Question ● Recreate
● Present
We are going on a hunt. A scavenger hunt from The Star, to be precise! Gather in groups of four for the challenge. Cut out the following items and paste them on a sheet of A3 paper. Remember to number each item accordingly. The first team to submit an all-correct answer sheet wins! A. A word or picture describing or illustrating a source of energy. B. An article that reports EITHER on an abuse of the environment OR the care and nurturing of the environment. C. An example of a natural resource. D. Examples of two ways we can use water.
Communicating ● Oral
Collaborating ● Listen ● Compromise ● Contribute ● Attain goal respectfully
E. An example of a toxic substance. F. An example of a renewable resource. G. An advertisement for a product that is described as energy efficient. H. Two words that are environmental terms. I. An example of something that harms or alters the environment.