From TIME for Kids:
TIME For Kids and KidsHealth.org were wondering: When it comes to health-related issues, how knowledgeable are kids? We conducted a survey to find out.
We asked more than 10,000 kids 21 questions about fitness, nutrition and healthy habits. Their answers impressed us. They showed that kids know a lot about staying healthy and that they want to learn even more.
"Kids have a really strong basis of health knowledge," says Dr. Mary Lou Gavin, a pediatrician and a medical editor for KidsHealth.org.
Your Health I.Q.
When it's time to select a snack or pick an activity, many kids would like to make a healthy choice. But to do that, they need information. In other words, when it comes to health, knowledge is power. That's good news, because it turns out that kids have a lot of health-related knowledge.
They are smart about nutrition. More than nine out of 10 kids are aware that water is a healthier drink than soda and that a plain potato is better for you than chips. About 88% of kids answered correctly that vitamin C makes an orange a healthy snack option. And nearly 85% know that the best way to get to a healthy weight is by exercising and eating a balanced diet.
Kids also scored high on questions about the body. Nine out of 10 know what a brain looks like. Just as many can tell you where the heart is located. And a similar number can identify which organ is most affected by smoking: the lungs. (Click here to test your Health I.Q.)
Healthy Habits
Does all of this knowledge lead to healthy habits? In many cases, it does. About 85% of kids read the nutrition facts on their food packages at least some of the time. Most kids (87%) say they would rather go outside and play than stay inside and watch a movie. Many (85%) are willing to try new fruits and vegetables too.
Health-smart kids know that staying well involves more than choosing nutritious food and being active. Dentists say it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Three out of four kids brush that much or more.
Hand washing matters too. More than four out of five kids say they wash their hands after using the bathroom. But only seven out of ten do so before they eat. This is one area where some kids could do better. "You don't want to be too obsessive about hand washing," Dr. Gavin told TFK. But it is important, she says, "particularly after going to the bathroom and before eating."
Goals for Good Health
When it comes to making positive changes, kids are up for the challenge. While about a third of kids described their health as excellent, most kids said their health is pretty good. "They're saying there is room for improvement," says Dr. Gavin.
Kids told us which goals they want help achieving. Learning how to cook is at the top of the list. Many kids would also like to get more exercise, eat better and learn to play new sports. How will you reach the health goals on your list? Asking for an adult's support is a great way to get started.
This survey was conducted online from March 28, 2011, to April 25, 2011, among a sample of 10,098 children ages 7-13. To learn more about the survey, visit kidshealth.org/healthsurvey.
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Friday, 16 December 2011
Students Don’t Want Cellphones In Class: Survey
From Teaching Kids the News:
Recently, a survey was done to find out what highschool students think is important.
The survey was done by the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association. More than 2,600 students, mostly in Grade 12, were asked their opinions on many issues. The survey was done through Facebook and e-mail.
Here is what students said:
* Cellphones should not be allowed in the classroom. Less than one-third of all of the students surveyed said cellphones should be used in class as an educational tool.
* A bit more than half the students said physical education (gym) should not be mandatory (meaning you must take it) all through high school. Gym should be optional. In one area, near London, Ont., only about one third of students said gym should be mandatory.
* About half the students said they had been bullied in school.
* About half the students said they want school to begin later than 9 a.m.
* Most students said every high school and middle school should have a “student council,” which is a group of students who are elected by the other students, to run some things at the school.
* Most students said they would like to know what score they got on their standardized tests (for instance, the EQAO test).
The Ontario provincial government, lead by Dalton McGuinty, will be looking at this information. He wants to know what students think, and what they want, so he can make school better for kids.
Currently, many of the things the Ontario government does are different from what the students want. For instance, McGuinty thinks that cellphones should be used in classes, and that 20 minutes a day of physical education should be mandatory. Perhaps after seeing these results, he will change his policies.
Writing/Discussion Prompt
What suggestions would you make about improving school? Why do you think your suggestions would improve student learning and success?
Reading Prompt
The body of today’s article is in bullet point format. How do the bullet points help readers make sense of texts?
Recently, a survey was done to find out what highschool students think is important.
Here is what students said:
* Cellphones should not be allowed in the classroom. Less than one-third of all of the students surveyed said cellphones should be used in class as an educational tool.
* A bit more than half the students said physical education (gym) should not be mandatory (meaning you must take it) all through high school. Gym should be optional. In one area, near London, Ont., only about one third of students said gym should be mandatory.
* About half the students said they had been bullied in school.
* About half the students said they want school to begin later than 9 a.m.
* Most students said every high school and middle school should have a “student council,” which is a group of students who are elected by the other students, to run some things at the school.
* Most students said they would like to know what score they got on their standardized tests (for instance, the EQAO test).
The Ontario provincial government, lead by Dalton McGuinty, will be looking at this information. He wants to know what students think, and what they want, so he can make school better for kids.
Currently, many of the things the Ontario government does are different from what the students want. For instance, McGuinty thinks that cellphones should be used in classes, and that 20 minutes a day of physical education should be mandatory. Perhaps after seeing these results, he will change his policies.
Writing/Discussion Prompt
What suggestions would you make about improving school? Why do you think your suggestions would improve student learning and success?
Reading Prompt
The body of today’s article is in bullet point format. How do the bullet points help readers make sense of texts?
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Should Schools Ban Soda?
From Scholastic News:
To help kids follow a healthy diet, many schools throughout the United States have banned sugary drinks from vending machines and cafeterias. School and health officials hope that eliminating students’ access to the sweet beverages at school will reduce their taste for those drinks in general.
But just because a student can’t buy sugary drinks at his or her school doesn’t mean they won’t buy and drink them at home or outside school, says a new study on kids’ consumption of sodas, sports drinks, and other sugar-sweetened liquids.
The study followed 6,900 fifth- and eighth-graders in public schools from 40 states. Their schools had a mix of policies: Some banned all sugary drinks (including sports and fruit drinks), some restricted just soda, and some schools had no ban on sugary beverages at all.
Regardless of the school policy, students still purchased sugar-sweetened drinks outside of school. The study found that about 85 percent of students reported consuming sugary beverages at least once a week.
"The most [clear-cut] finding was that laws that focus on soda are just not getting it done,” study author Daniel Taber told The New York Times.
In other words, just banning sugary drinks from schools isn’t on its own going to make kids healthier. State and federal officials are now focusing on making school meals healthier.
Although it is fairly easy for the government to regulate student access to food and drink at school, getting parents and kids to take on an overall healthy diet is a bigger challenge. Lawmakers are even considering adding an extra tax on sugary beverages and junk food to try to make these foods less desirable.
But just because a student can’t buy sugary drinks at his or her school doesn’t mean they won’t buy and drink them at home or outside school, says a new study on kids’ consumption of sodas, sports drinks, and other sugar-sweetened liquids.
The study followed 6,900 fifth- and eighth-graders in public schools from 40 states. Their schools had a mix of policies: Some banned all sugary drinks (including sports and fruit drinks), some restricted just soda, and some schools had no ban on sugary beverages at all.
Regardless of the school policy, students still purchased sugar-sweetened drinks outside of school. The study found that about 85 percent of students reported consuming sugary beverages at least once a week.
"The most [clear-cut] finding was that laws that focus on soda are just not getting it done,” study author Daniel Taber told The New York Times.
In other words, just banning sugary drinks from schools isn’t on its own going to make kids healthier. State and federal officials are now focusing on making school meals healthier.
Although it is fairly easy for the government to regulate student access to food and drink at school, getting parents and kids to take on an overall healthy diet is a bigger challenge. Lawmakers are even considering adding an extra tax on sugary beverages and junk food to try to make these foods less desirable.
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Inventor, Innovator, Genius -- Steve Jobs' Legacy
From Teaching Kids the News:
Steve Jobs changed forever the way the world views, and interacts with, technology. Jobs died October 5, at the age of 56, from cancer.
Jobs helped to invent and market many products including the Macintosh computer, the iPhone, the iPod and the iPad. Along with Steve Wozniak, he founded computer company Apple.
It may be difficult for young people, who may have never known computers and phones before Steve Jobs changed them, to understand the massive impact he made.
A 1984 video of Jobs unveiling a brand-new product called the Macintosh computer, gives some idea. To us today, the technology seems horribly outdated, clunky and… can you believe it? the images on the tiny computer screen aren’t even in colour!
But listen to the audience in the video as Jobs walks over to a small bag and takes the computer out. It has a handle! It’s small enough to carry! It has graphics, not just text! The audience gasps, cheers and claps because no one has ever seen anything like it.
Until the Macintosh, computers were enormous and in order to use them you usually had to have extensive training. Very powerful computers, for instance, in large companies, were mounted in special computer rooms. Computer technicians would walk up and down the aisles of blinking lights and wires, flipping switches and fiddling with dials.
With the Macintosh computer, Jobs put extensive computing power into the hands of the everyday person.
Jobs created much more than the Macintosh. He created technology from the viewpoint of the user. The iPhone cell phone, for instance, houses as much computing power as the original computers NASA used to send humans to the moon — and yet it fits in the palm of the hand and is simple to use.
Because of his original way of looking at things, his willingness to experiment and the way he brought new ideas to his products, Jobs is seen as a type of Leonardo DaVinci or Thomas Edison – a genius inventor in terms of technology and design.
“His life changed our life,” technology guru Xeni Jardin told reporter Rachel Maddow. “His vision of technology changed the world.”
In 2005 Jobs told the graduating class of Stanford University that “death is very likely the single best invention of life. It’s life’s change-agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new.” Then he looked at the young graduates in front of him and reminded them that, “Right now, the ‘new’ is you.”
Jobs is survived by his wife and four children.
Jobs helped to invent and market many products including the Macintosh computer, the iPhone, the iPod and the iPad. Along with Steve Wozniak, he founded computer company Apple.
It may be difficult for young people, who may have never known computers and phones before Steve Jobs changed them, to understand the massive impact he made.
A 1984 video of Jobs unveiling a brand-new product called the Macintosh computer, gives some idea. To us today, the technology seems horribly outdated, clunky and… can you believe it? the images on the tiny computer screen aren’t even in colour!
But listen to the audience in the video as Jobs walks over to a small bag and takes the computer out. It has a handle! It’s small enough to carry! It has graphics, not just text! The audience gasps, cheers and claps because no one has ever seen anything like it.
 |
| Jobs and rival Bill Gates of Microsoft |
With the Macintosh computer, Jobs put extensive computing power into the hands of the everyday person.
Jobs created much more than the Macintosh. He created technology from the viewpoint of the user. The iPhone cell phone, for instance, houses as much computing power as the original computers NASA used to send humans to the moon — and yet it fits in the palm of the hand and is simple to use.
Because of his original way of looking at things, his willingness to experiment and the way he brought new ideas to his products, Jobs is seen as a type of Leonardo DaVinci or Thomas Edison – a genius inventor in terms of technology and design.
“His life changed our life,” technology guru Xeni Jardin told reporter Rachel Maddow. “His vision of technology changed the world.”
In 2005 Jobs told the graduating class of Stanford University that “death is very likely the single best invention of life. It’s life’s change-agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new.” Then he looked at the young graduates in front of him and reminded them that, “Right now, the ‘new’ is you.”
Jobs is survived by his wife and four children.
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Getting It All Done
From Scholastic News:
Scott Jolibois (jolly-bwah), 11, of The Woodlands, Texas, had to build and paint a Styrofoam sculpture for a history project. It was due in two days, and he had not yet begun it. In addition, he had five pages of homework to complete that night. And if that was not enough, he had two hours of football practice. Scott felt overwhelmed.
“When I have to do lots of homework and I have practice on the same day, sometimes I get stressed out,” Scott says. “I have to do five things at one time.”
Scott’s situation is common. According to recent studies, kids today have much less free time than kids did 20 years ago. They have more homework and are more involved in scheduled activities, such as sports, music classes, and dance.
Tight schedules, more homework, and numerous extracurricular activities make it more important than ever that kids learn to manage their time, experts say.
“Fifth- and sixth-graders’ lives are often very busy,” says Michele Goodstein, a teacher and author who has written a lot about time-management skills for kids. “Having good time-management skills helps kids stay on track.”
Plan, Plan, Plan
Scott eventually got everything done, but it meant staying up too late and feeling very tired when he arrived at school. Scott says he now knows that he should have started his history project days earlier to give himself enough time to do everything he needed and still get enough rest.
“If I don’t go to bed earlier and get a good night’s sleep, I might be tired and not able to focus well when I go to school,” Scott says.
Goodstein says keeping track of time is essential. She suggests getting a calendar book to write down all the dates and times when homework is due and activities scheduled. Another easy way to manage time, says Goodstein, is to keep a “to-do” list of everything you need to do each day and the time that a task is due or that an activity begins. Check the list every day to make sure that you give yourself enough time to finish each task.
Learn to Prioritize
Making to-do lists is a strong first step toward better time management. The next step is prioritizing, or deciding which things on the lists are most important. Sometimes, this will require making tough choices.
“If students don’t understand what things are more important, they can’t manage their time,” Goodstein says. “Sometimes you have to postpone the fun things to make sure you get what you need to do done.”
Shakeira (sha-keer-ah) Canty, 11, of Albany, New York, learned this first-hand. She used to be overwhelmed by a jam-packed schedule of activities that were poorly prioritized. Shakeira was on the soccer, baseball, and basketball teams. She also took archery and played saxophone in her school band. All of these activities were in addition to her getting homework done and doing things with her family and friends.
Shakeira’s mom told her she had to cut out some of her activities. Shakeira needed to prioritize. After determining which of her activities were most important, Shakeira cut out some of the others. Shakeira still has a busy schedule. She has band practice and archery during the week, and plays flag football on weekends. Now, however, she has learned to prioritize. And each night, she makes a checklist of her activities and makes sure to get everything prepared in advance. When she completes a task, she checks it off her list. Before using the list, Shakeira says she was often late and had a hard time keeping track of all the things she had to complete or bring to school.
“I have learned that I have to be prepared for what I have to do,” Shakeira says.
“When I have to do lots of homework and I have practice on the same day, sometimes I get stressed out,” Scott says. “I have to do five things at one time.”
Scott’s situation is common. According to recent studies, kids today have much less free time than kids did 20 years ago. They have more homework and are more involved in scheduled activities, such as sports, music classes, and dance.
Tight schedules, more homework, and numerous extracurricular activities make it more important than ever that kids learn to manage their time, experts say.
“Fifth- and sixth-graders’ lives are often very busy,” says Michele Goodstein, a teacher and author who has written a lot about time-management skills for kids. “Having good time-management skills helps kids stay on track.”
Plan, Plan, Plan
Scott eventually got everything done, but it meant staying up too late and feeling very tired when he arrived at school. Scott says he now knows that he should have started his history project days earlier to give himself enough time to do everything he needed and still get enough rest.
“If I don’t go to bed earlier and get a good night’s sleep, I might be tired and not able to focus well when I go to school,” Scott says.
Goodstein says keeping track of time is essential. She suggests getting a calendar book to write down all the dates and times when homework is due and activities scheduled. Another easy way to manage time, says Goodstein, is to keep a “to-do” list of everything you need to do each day and the time that a task is due or that an activity begins. Check the list every day to make sure that you give yourself enough time to finish each task.
Learn to Prioritize
Making to-do lists is a strong first step toward better time management. The next step is prioritizing, or deciding which things on the lists are most important. Sometimes, this will require making tough choices.
“If students don’t understand what things are more important, they can’t manage their time,” Goodstein says. “Sometimes you have to postpone the fun things to make sure you get what you need to do done.”
Shakeira (sha-keer-ah) Canty, 11, of Albany, New York, learned this first-hand. She used to be overwhelmed by a jam-packed schedule of activities that were poorly prioritized. Shakeira was on the soccer, baseball, and basketball teams. She also took archery and played saxophone in her school band. All of these activities were in addition to her getting homework done and doing things with her family and friends.
Shakeira’s mom told her she had to cut out some of her activities. Shakeira needed to prioritize. After determining which of her activities were most important, Shakeira cut out some of the others. Shakeira still has a busy schedule. She has band practice and archery during the week, and plays flag football on weekends. Now, however, she has learned to prioritize. And each night, she makes a checklist of her activities and makes sure to get everything prepared in advance. When she completes a task, she checks it off her list. Before using the list, Shakeira says she was often late and had a hard time keeping track of all the things she had to complete or bring to school.
“I have learned that I have to be prepared for what I have to do,” Shakeira says.
Friday, 4 November 2011
Global Population: 7 Billion
From Scholastic News:
The world’s population recently reached an important milestone: 7 billion people. The global head count hit that massive number this week, according to the United Nations (U.N.).
Over the past century, the number of people on the planet hasn’t just grown—it has exploded. In 1804, the global population was 1 billion. It took 123 years for it to grow by another billion. But the leap from 6 billion to 7 billion took just 12 years.
GLOBAL GROWTH
So where do all these people live? Nearly 4 out of every 10 people on the planet live in either China or India. With more than 312 million people, the U.S. ranks third behind those two countries.
Better nutrition and advances in medicine are big factors in the population growth. People today are healthier and living longer than those in past generations. Also, the number of babies being born in some areas has soared. In the time it takes to read this sentence, about 25 babies will have been born worldwide.
MAJOR CHALLENGES
Experts warn that a bigger population presents serious challenges. The rising number of people puts a strain on Earth’s limited natural resources. Developing countries in Africa and Asia have seen the greatest population boom in recent years. Most people in those nations are poor and lack food and clean water. Those countries currently don’t have enough schools. There also aren’t enough jobs to go around.
World leaders are working on ways to address these issues and improve basic living conditions. The world’s population growth is expected to slow down, but just slightly. The U.N. estimates that the number of people in the world may reach 8 billion in 2025.
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| Shanghai, China—the world’s most populated city. |
Over the past century, the number of people on the planet hasn’t just grown—it has exploded. In 1804, the global population was 1 billion. It took 123 years for it to grow by another billion. But the leap from 6 billion to 7 billion took just 12 years.
GLOBAL GROWTH
So where do all these people live? Nearly 4 out of every 10 people on the planet live in either China or India. With more than 312 million people, the U.S. ranks third behind those two countries.
Better nutrition and advances in medicine are big factors in the population growth. People today are healthier and living longer than those in past generations. Also, the number of babies being born in some areas has soared. In the time it takes to read this sentence, about 25 babies will have been born worldwide.
MAJOR CHALLENGES
Experts warn that a bigger population presents serious challenges. The rising number of people puts a strain on Earth’s limited natural resources. Developing countries in Africa and Asia have seen the greatest population boom in recent years. Most people in those nations are poor and lack food and clean water. Those countries currently don’t have enough schools. There also aren’t enough jobs to go around.
World leaders are working on ways to address these issues and improve basic living conditions. The world’s population growth is expected to slow down, but just slightly. The U.N. estimates that the number of people in the world may reach 8 billion in 2025.
Monday, 31 October 2011
Super Smile
From Scholastic News:
We talked to Mary Hayes, a pediatric dentist in Chicago, Illinois, about proper ways to care for your teeth. “Teens need to realize that their teeth need to last a lifetime and require maintenance and a lot of TLC,” Hayes says.
Here are Hayes’s tips:
Brush and floss. When you eat and drink, you’re not only feeding yourself, you’re also feeding colonies of bacteria called plaque that live in your mouth. These bacteria eat sugars and other carbohydrates, producing acids that break down tooth enamel and eventually lead to cavities. That’s why you should brush your teeth at least twice a day to remove the plaque. Flossing daily is equally important, because it removes the hard-to-reach plaque between your teeth.
We talked to Mary Hayes, a pediatric dentist in Chicago, Illinois, about proper ways to care for your teeth. “Teens need to realize that their teeth need to last a lifetime and require maintenance and a lot of TLC,” Hayes says.
Here are Hayes’s tips: Brush and floss. When you eat and drink, you’re not only feeding yourself, you’re also feeding colonies of bacteria called plaque that live in your mouth. These bacteria eat sugars and other carbohydrates, producing acids that break down tooth enamel and eventually lead to cavities. That’s why you should brush your teeth at least twice a day to remove the plaque. Flossing daily is equally important, because it removes the hard-to-reach plaque between your teeth.
- Bacteria on your tongue are the biggest cause of halitosis, or bad breath. So don’t forget to brush your tongue—it’s a great way to get rid of garlic breath. Chewing gum with xylitol, a sugar substitute, improves bad breath too by neutralizing mouth bacteria. Mouthwash can also be a short-term solution, but if your halitosis persists, consult your dentist.
- Visit the dentist regularly. Even if you haven’t had a toothache in years, you should visit a dentist every six months. Often, early stage cavities don’t hurt but will show up on X-rays. Regular dental cleanings and checkups can prevent having to undergo painful and expensive procedures.
If you have braces or a retainer, be sure to follow all of your orthodontist’s instructions. Your jaw keeps growing into your early 20s (age 25 for boys, age 23 for girls), so stick to your orthodontist’s rules to make sure your smile stays straight.
- Be aware of what you eat and drink. Cutting back on sugary juices, sodas, and snacks can help keep bacteria at bay. If you’re consuming a lot of carbohydrates, like bread and pasta, brush your teeth more often. Those extra carbs fuel the bacteria in your mouth. If you can’t brush after a carb-heavy meal, drink water or milk to help neutralize the acids.
Here’s more vital information: Drinks like coffee and tea can stain your teeth. Tongue piercings can chip teeth. Lip rings can wear away your gum line and expose your lower teeth’s roots. Smoking cigarettes and using chewing tobacco also wreaks havoc on your mouth and gums—and can lead to mouth cancers.
Friday, 21 October 2011
The Right to Vote
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| female Saudi doctors |
What has been a basic right of women throughout the United States since 1920 will become a step toward equality for women in Saudi Arabia by 2015. That’s when King Abdullah’s recent decision to allow women the right to vote and to run in local elections will take effect. The king first discussed the plan with his nation’s top religious leaders, and then announced his decision at an annual speech before the Shura Council, his advisory assembly. He explained that he took the decisive action because a large and vocal sector of Saudi society was demanding greater social freedoms.
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| King Abdullah |
The U.S. noted that these actions will soon allow Saudi women to be a larger part of the decisions in their communities that affect life on a daily basis.
More Rights Needed
Though the decisions are a significant step forward for women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, many people there feel the action will not happen soon enough, especially since local elections are scheduled for this Thursday.
"Why not tomorrow?" asked Wajeha al-Hawaidar. She is a leader in the fight for the rights of Saudi women. "I think the king doesn't want to shake the country, but we look around us and we think it is a shame . . . when we are still pondering how to meet simple women's rights."
In Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to drive. To travel out of the country, a woman must have the permission of her husband or male guardian.
"We didn't ask for politics, we asked for our basic rights. We demanded that we be treated as equal citizens and lift the male guardianship over us," said Maha al-Qahtani. "We have many problems that need to be addressed immediately." al-Qahtani is a government employee as well as an activist. Earlier this year, she defied the driving ban by driving around Riyadh, the country’s capital, for 45 minutes.
Fighting for Rights
The struggle for women’s voting rights in the U.S. lasted for decades. In 1848, a group of women led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton met in Seneca Falls, New York, to discuss women’s rights. Thirty years later, an amendment to give women the right to vote was introduced in Congress. But it wasn’t until 1919 that Congress passed the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote. The amendment was ratified by all the states the following year and American women voted in the 1920 presidential election.
Other countries have also struggled with this issue. French women were not allowed to vote until 1944, and it wasn’t until 1971 that women in Switzerland were allowed to vote in federal elections. In recent years, women in Kuwait won the right to vote in 2005, and women in the United Arab Emirates secured the same rights in 2006. No women are allowed to vote in Brunei.
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Halloween
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| Jack O' Lantern (carved pumpkin) |
Halloween costumes are traditionally modeled after supernatural figures such as monsters, ghosts, skeletons, witches, and devils. Over time, the costume selection extended to include popular characters from fiction, celebrities, and generic archetypes such as ninjas and princesses.
The telling of ghost stories and viewing of horror films are common fixtures of Halloween parties. Episodes of television series and Halloween-themed specials (with the specials usually aimed at children) are commonly aired on or before the holiday, while new horror films are often released theatrically before the holiday to take advantage of the atmosphere.
Origin of the name
The word Halloween is first attested in the 16th century and represents a Scottish variant of the fuller All-Hallows-Even ("evening"), that is, the night before All Hallows Day. Although the phrase All Hallows is found in Old English (ealra hālgena mæssedæg, mass-day of all saints), All-Hallows-Even is itself not attested until 1556.
Sunday, 18 September 2011
War Dogs
Dogs have a very long history in warfare, beginning in ancient times. From being trained in combat, to their use as scouts, sentries, messengers, mercy dogs, and trackers, their uses have been varied, and some continue to exist in modern military usage. (From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogs_in_warfare )
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| A soldier parachutes with a dog |
From Scholastic News
One night in 2011, a team of United States soldiers carried out a daring raid in Pakistan. They found and killed the world’s most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden had planned the September 11, 2001 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in the United States.
Short Video About the September 11, 2001 Attacks
The team included 30 to 40 highly trained soldiers, all outfitted with the latest technology. But one of the team’s most important assets was a four-legged soldier—a dog named Cairo. Cairo’s main job was to find anyone who tried to escape.
The U.S. military uses about 2,700 dogs like Cairo. These dogs use their powerful sense of smell to sniff out bombs, weapons, drugs, and enemies. By finding hidden dangers, they help keep soldiers safe.
The Nose Knows
When a dog sniffs the air, odor molecules enter its nostrils. These tiny, airborne particles travel to a membrane that contains scent-detecting cells. Dogs have about 220 million scent cells. That’s 40 times more than humans have. That’s why a dog gets much more information from a whiff of air than we do.
Dogs’ noses are so powerful that they perform even better than machines. “Dogs find stuff that our sniffing technology can’t find,” says U.S. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Greg Massey. Massey is in charge of the Military Working Dog Program at the U.S. Marine Corps headquarters in Virginia.
A Working Dog’s Life
Military dogs go through months of tough training. They learn things like obedience, defense, and how to sniff out certain scents. Then each dog is paired with a military handler, with whom it forms a special bond. Finally, the hard work begins.
On the battlefield, dogs often walk far in front of their units to sniff for bombs. They’ll also enter buildings first to see what’s inside. Dogs will even parachute out of airplanes with their handlers! Dogs usually go to war several times, until they are about 9 years old. Then they retire and are adopted by families—a fitting reward for years of putting their lives on the line.
“These dogs do great things,” says Massey. “They are heroes.”
The team included 30 to 40 highly trained soldiers, all outfitted with the latest technology. But one of the team’s most important assets was a four-legged soldier—a dog named Cairo. Cairo’s main job was to find anyone who tried to escape.
The U.S. military uses about 2,700 dogs like Cairo. These dogs use their powerful sense of smell to sniff out bombs, weapons, drugs, and enemies. By finding hidden dangers, they help keep soldiers safe.
The Nose Knows
When a dog sniffs the air, odor molecules enter its nostrils. These tiny, airborne particles travel to a membrane that contains scent-detecting cells. Dogs have about 220 million scent cells. That’s 40 times more than humans have. That’s why a dog gets much more information from a whiff of air than we do.
Dogs’ noses are so powerful that they perform even better than machines. “Dogs find stuff that our sniffing technology can’t find,” says U.S. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Greg Massey. Massey is in charge of the Military Working Dog Program at the U.S. Marine Corps headquarters in Virginia.
A Working Dog’s Life
Military dogs go through months of tough training. They learn things like obedience, defense, and how to sniff out certain scents. Then each dog is paired with a military handler, with whom it forms a special bond. Finally, the hard work begins.
On the battlefield, dogs often walk far in front of their units to sniff for bombs. They’ll also enter buildings first to see what’s inside. Dogs will even parachute out of airplanes with their handlers! Dogs usually go to war several times, until they are about 9 years old. Then they retire and are adopted by families—a fitting reward for years of putting their lives on the line.
“These dogs do great things,” says Massey. “They are heroes.”
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Scientists Discover Water on the Moon
From Teaching Kids the News:
(2011)
Scientists recently found out there is 100 times more water on the moon than they thought there was. Scientists discovered the water when they looked at some pieces of moon rock. They found water in tiny samples of magma, which was trapped in crystal. Magma is a rock made from cooled lava.
Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield told Teaching Kids the News (TKN) that the water is a very valuable discovery. “It’s like finding diamonds or gold in a remote frontier,” Hadfield said. He said that water could be a sign of other life, although probably not in the case of the moon. “Because there is no atmosphere or magnetic field, (the moon) gets bombarded with radiation,” said Hadfield. That radiation would kill off anything that was living.
Scientists use powerful telescopes to look for water vapour on other planets, said Hadfield, adding that they haven’t yet found life on other planets. The scientists looking at the moon rocks found that some parts of the moon have as much water as the Earth’s “upper mantle.” The Earth’s upper mantle is a rocky shell under the Earth’s crust.
Water is made of two elements called hydrogen and oxygen. These two elements are essential for human life. The water on the moon doesn’t look like the water on the Earth found in rivers, lakes, oceans or ice sheets; instead, it is mixed with dirt and rock. It’s not easy to use as it is. “Like if you are floating in a dingy in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean,” said Hadfield. “You are surrounded by salt water but you can’t drink it.”
The moon rocks the scientists were studying were brought back to Earth by Apollo 17. Apollo 17 is a space flight that went to the moon in 1972. Not just anybody can look at these moon rocks, said Hadfield. “We treat those like the very rare resource that they are.”
Hadfield told TKN that going to space is a wonderful, magical feeling, as if you have superpowers. You can fly, hover, and do a thousand somersaults if you want to, he said. He said one of the most interesting things is that you can see the whole world like a “kaleidoscopic gift” out your spaceship window.
“It’s better than I dreamed it would be when I was nine years old.”
Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield told Teaching Kids the News (TKN) that the water is a very valuable discovery. “It’s like finding diamonds or gold in a remote frontier,” Hadfield said. He said that water could be a sign of other life, although probably not in the case of the moon. “Because there is no atmosphere or magnetic field, (the moon) gets bombarded with radiation,” said Hadfield. That radiation would kill off anything that was living.
Scientists use powerful telescopes to look for water vapour on other planets, said Hadfield, adding that they haven’t yet found life on other planets. The scientists looking at the moon rocks found that some parts of the moon have as much water as the Earth’s “upper mantle.” The Earth’s upper mantle is a rocky shell under the Earth’s crust.
Water is made of two elements called hydrogen and oxygen. These two elements are essential for human life. The water on the moon doesn’t look like the water on the Earth found in rivers, lakes, oceans or ice sheets; instead, it is mixed with dirt and rock. It’s not easy to use as it is. “Like if you are floating in a dingy in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean,” said Hadfield. “You are surrounded by salt water but you can’t drink it.”
The moon rocks the scientists were studying were brought back to Earth by Apollo 17. Apollo 17 is a space flight that went to the moon in 1972. Not just anybody can look at these moon rocks, said Hadfield. “We treat those like the very rare resource that they are.”
Hadfield told TKN that going to space is a wonderful, magical feeling, as if you have superpowers. You can fly, hover, and do a thousand somersaults if you want to, he said. He said one of the most interesting things is that you can see the whole world like a “kaleidoscopic gift” out your spaceship window.
“It’s better than I dreamed it would be when I was nine years old.”
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Baseball Helps Japan Heal
Last March, a record-breaking earthquake and a huge ocean wave called a tsunami devastated Japan’s eastern coast. Entire cities were destroyed, and more than 20,000 people were killed. Some communities there have been torn apart forever. But recently, a shared love for baseball helped bring some athletes and high school friends back together again.Baseball is a very popular sport in Japan—especially with young people. Each summer, high school baseball teams compete in a tournament for the national championship.
But in areas hit hardest by last spring’s tsunami, many players had to evacuate, or leave the area. Teams from schools in those regions were split apart as families moved to new towns and schools far away.
One of the evacuated areas was Fukushima. The tsunami seriously damaged a nuclear power station there, causing dangerous radiation (high-energy rays) to poison the air in the region. People from a wide area had to leave for their own safety.
This summer, three schools from Fukushima reached out to former students to create one new baseball team—the Soso Rengo team. Athletes who used to play at Tomioka High School, Soma Nogyo High School, and Futaba Shoyo High School came together to practice with and play for the new team representing Fukushima.
FUKUSHIMA’S HOME RUN Many of Soso Rengo’s players lost family and friends in the disaster. Their story of survival has touched the hearts of many in Japan.
After practicing with the same teammates for years, Fukushima students found it difficult to leave their old teams behind. But Kohei Nakamura, one of the Soso Rengo players, said, “I’m getting used to being with my new teammates, and I’m really happy playing baseball.”
Kohei used to attend Tomioka High School, which was only six miles from the nuclear reactors. This summer, he traveled more than 70 miles every weekend to practice with his teammates. During the competition, Kohei hit Soso Rengo’s only home run.
The team was knocked out in the early rounds of the tournament. But winning wasn’t the point, according to Shuji Sakamoto, Tomioka High School team manager. The players got to play again, he said, and that’s more important than winning.
“The team was put together very quickly, but its teamwork was excellent,” Sakamoto told The New York Times. “The support from others gave Kohei the power to hit a home run.”
Monday, 8 August 2011
Packing a Safe Lunch
From Time for Kids:
A new study finds many kids' packed lunches aren't being stored at safe temperatures.
Next time you bring lunch to school, you might want to add some extra ice packs to your lunch bag or make sure it gets refrigerated. A new study found that most of the lunches kids bring to school and day care are being stored at unsafe temperatures. This can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria that causes food poisoning.
 | JIM FRANCO—GETTY IMAGES According to a new study, kids' lunches stored in room-temperature locations, such as a cubby or closet, often don't maintain a safe temperature. |
The average temperature of the tested foods was around 17 degrees Celsius. That temperature falls in the range considered to be the "danger zone" —between 4 degrees and 60 degrees Celsius—when harmful bacteria that causes food poisoning is more likely to grow. "This study should be an eye-opener for the public," Fawaz Almansour, the study's lead author, told Health.com.
Keeping Kids Healthy
It's especially important for kids' lunches to be stored properly because young children are more likely to be affected by harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli. "Kids' immune systems have not adapted to these diseases," Almansour says. Schools and day-care centers can help keep lunches safe by storing perishable foods in a refrigerator kept at under 4 degrees. Lunch items that should be refrigerated include meats, milk, and sliced fruits and vegetables; hot items, like soup, should be kept above 60 degrees.
When a refrigerator isn't available, there are other tips kids, parents and teachers can follow to make sure packed lunches are good enough to eat:
• Choose insulated lunch bags to help maintain temperature.
• Use extra ice packs in the lunch bag to keep temperatures down. It also helps to freeze waters, juices and even yogurts overnight before packing. The frozen liquids can double as an extra ice pack.
• The United States Department of Agriculture provides a list of foods that don't need refrigeration. These include whole or dried fruits and vegetables, nuts, peanut butter, jelly, pickles, bread, crackers and canned meat and fish.
• Throw out perishable food that has been kept in the "danger zone" for over two hours.
Vocabulary
- food poisoning = sickness caused by harmful bacteria growing in food. Symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting and diarrhea.
- immune system = the system in your body that fights against disease and sickness
- perishable items = food that needs to be refrigerated and that can go bad or spoil if left unrefrigerated
- eye-opener = if something is an "eye-opener", people pay attention to it
- insulated = insulation keeps things at the same temperature
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Project Pyramid
From Scholastic News:
With help from the space agency NASA, a team of researchers may have uncovered up to 17 pyramids buried below the sand in Egypt. Led by scientist Sarah Parcak, the researchers used satellites orbiting 435 miles above Earth to help spot the pyramids and make the groundbreaking discovery. "I couldn't believe we could locate so many sites all over Egypt," Parcak told the BBC news organization. "To excavate a pyramid is the dream of every archaeologist."
The satellite images may also show the underground locations of roughly 1,000 tombs and 3,000 lost settlements across Egypt. These sites may hold lost cities and buildings from the time of the pharaohs.
The discovery has excited Egyptologists the world over. Egyptologists are scientists who study ancient Egypt. Willeke Wendrich of the University of California, Los Angeles sees enormous potential in the findings. “It gives us the opportunity to get at the settlement of ancient Egypt [before] digging even a centimeter,” she told Science magazine. Scientists located 17 pyramid-shaped structures in all. The team found one of the structures in Saqqara. This old Egyptian burial ground is the location of many pyramids that have already been uncovered by archaeologists.
A team of French archaeologists was able to test the satellite findings. They had been digging in the ruins of Tanis, an ancient Egyptian city made famous by the film Raiders of the Lost Ark. Using the satellite imagery as a map, the team picked a structure from the satellite images and began to dig. They discovered mud-brick walls underground exactly where the images had indicated they would be.
The Egyptian government has agreed to work with U.S. researchers on a satellite-imagery project across the entire country. This will help the government monitor these unexplored sites and protect them from looters and thieves.
Vocabulary
groundbreaking = first of its kind
excavate = dig up, uncover
tombs (pronounced "tooms") = buildings where the dead are buried
pharaohs = kings of ancient Egypt who ruled thousands of years ago
looters = people who steal things from empty buildings
 |
| Pyramids like these may lie buried below the sand |
The satellite images may also show the underground locations of roughly 1,000 tombs and 3,000 lost settlements across Egypt. These sites may hold lost cities and buildings from the time of the pharaohs.
The discovery has excited Egyptologists the world over. Egyptologists are scientists who study ancient Egypt. Willeke Wendrich of the University of California, Los Angeles sees enormous potential in the findings. “It gives us the opportunity to get at the settlement of ancient Egypt [before] digging even a centimeter,” she told Science magazine. Scientists located 17 pyramid-shaped structures in all. The team found one of the structures in Saqqara. This old Egyptian burial ground is the location of many pyramids that have already been uncovered by archaeologists.
 |
| Satellite image (above map) |
A team of French archaeologists was able to test the satellite findings. They had been digging in the ruins of Tanis, an ancient Egyptian city made famous by the film Raiders of the Lost Ark. Using the satellite imagery as a map, the team picked a structure from the satellite images and began to dig. They discovered mud-brick walls underground exactly where the images had indicated they would be.
The Egyptian government has agreed to work with U.S. researchers on a satellite-imagery project across the entire country. This will help the government monitor these unexplored sites and protect them from looters and thieves.
Vocabulary
groundbreaking = first of its kind
excavate = dig up, uncover
tombs (pronounced "tooms") = buildings where the dead are buried
pharaohs = kings of ancient Egypt who ruled thousands of years ago
looters = people who steal things from empty buildings
Monday, 25 July 2011
“I Survived Being Bullied”
From Scholastic News
By Adama Kamara
bullying: calling someone bad names, like "stupid", "fat", "loser", as well as hitting, pushing and other types of violence
I was not popular in sixth grade, but I had friends. In seventh grade, those friends started being mean to me. Soon I became the target of the popular girls. Samantha* was the leader. She and her friends bullied me all the time. I was one of the few black students at my school in Kentucky. Samantha and her friends would call me names and tell me to “go back to Africa.” The insults made me feel terrible. But being left out was even worse. I would lock myself in a stall in the bathroom and cry my eyes out. Sometimes, I even ate my lunch there. It was the only place I felt safe.
BREAKDOWN
When eighth grade started, I hoped things would be different. But things got worse, and I became very depressed. After a few days, I went to the school counselor. I told him that I wanted to kill myself. He called my parents. Telling an adult was the first step to changing my life. My parents helped me come up with a solution that worked for me. I transferred to another middle school. I didn’t have many friends there, but no one bullied me. I felt safe.
SHOWDOWN
At the end of the school year, the chorus at my old school had a concert. I went with my mom. Afterward, I went backstage to see a friend. There, I saw Samantha and her friends. I thought we could put the past behind us. I walked up to them and started to talk, but Samantha stopped me. “Shut up, Adama,” she said. “No one here likes you. Go back to your other school.” She called me every name under the sun. Her friends all laughed. I stood there with tears in my eyes. Finally, I left with my mom.
MY BULLY STORY
Later that year, I had an idea. I wanted to tell someone my story. I wanted to give other bullied teens a place to tell their stories too. I decided to build a Web site. During ninth grade, I called every Web-site-building company I could find. They all wanted way too much money. Finally, I found a good deal. I used $1,000 of my own money. I had saved that money from years of babysitting, allowance, and birthdays.
MOVING ON
When I started high school last year, everything got better. Today, I never sit alone at lunch. I hardly ever even walk down the halls alone. I get tons of texts on my phone. People know me and like me. I finally launched my Web site last spring. It’s at www.yourbullystory.com. A boy who posted his story wrote to me. He said that he felt better after sharing his story. I hope thousands of kids, teens, and even adults post their stories too. Sharing my story made me realize I’m tougher than I thought I was. I am proud that I survived being bullied.
*This name has been changed.
Can You Help Stop Bullying?
• If you get a text or see an Internet post that makes fun of someone, don’t reply. Tell an adult.
• If your friends are teasing or insulting someone, tell them to stop. It’s not OK, and it’s not funny.
• If you see someone being left out, be friendly to them.
By Adama Kamara
Vocabulary
bullying: calling someone bad names, like "stupid", "fat", "loser", as well as hitting, pushing and other types of violence
target: someone who is bullied
depressed: feeling extremely sad for a long period of time
counselor: a person who works at a school and talks with students about their problems
transferred: moved from one school to another
launched: started, got going
depressed: feeling extremely sad for a long period of time
counselor: a person who works at a school and talks with students about their problems
transferred: moved from one school to another
launched: started, got going
 |
| Adama used to eat her lunch in the bathroom |
BREAKDOWN
When eighth grade started, I hoped things would be different. But things got worse, and I became very depressed. After a few days, I went to the school counselor. I told him that I wanted to kill myself. He called my parents. Telling an adult was the first step to changing my life. My parents helped me come up with a solution that worked for me. I transferred to another middle school. I didn’t have many friends there, but no one bullied me. I felt safe.
SHOWDOWN
At the end of the school year, the chorus at my old school had a concert. I went with my mom. Afterward, I went backstage to see a friend. There, I saw Samantha and her friends. I thought we could put the past behind us. I walked up to them and started to talk, but Samantha stopped me. “Shut up, Adama,” she said. “No one here likes you. Go back to your other school.” She called me every name under the sun. Her friends all laughed. I stood there with tears in my eyes. Finally, I left with my mom.
MY BULLY STORY
Later that year, I had an idea. I wanted to tell someone my story. I wanted to give other bullied teens a place to tell their stories too. I decided to build a Web site. During ninth grade, I called every Web-site-building company I could find. They all wanted way too much money. Finally, I found a good deal. I used $1,000 of my own money. I had saved that money from years of babysitting, allowance, and birthdays.
MOVING ON
When I started high school last year, everything got better. Today, I never sit alone at lunch. I hardly ever even walk down the halls alone. I get tons of texts on my phone. People know me and like me. I finally launched my Web site last spring. It’s at www.yourbullystory.com. A boy who posted his story wrote to me. He said that he felt better after sharing his story. I hope thousands of kids, teens, and even adults post their stories too. Sharing my story made me realize I’m tougher than I thought I was. I am proud that I survived being bullied.
*This name has been changed.
Can You Help Stop Bullying?
• If you get a text or see an Internet post that makes fun of someone, don’t reply. Tell an adult.
• If your friends are teasing or insulting someone, tell them to stop. It’s not OK, and it’s not funny.
• If you see someone being left out, be friendly to them.
* * * * * * * *
Derek's experience with being bullied
When I was in grade 8 (13 years old), I and some other students were bullied by 3 boys named Mike Begalke, Timmy Soubliere and Colin Downes, day after day, month after month. They called us bad names, pushed us, knocked our books out of our arms onto the floor, and punched us.
One of the boys in my class, Garth, was bullied the most. He was very smart, fat, and had freckles and red hair. One day, I was in the hall before our first class had started. I heard the other students talking about Garth.
Garth's best friend, Jamie, told us that Garth had committed suicide -- he had killed himself by hanging himself with a rope in his parents' garage.
I blame those three bullies for Garth's death.
Our teacher told us that Garth had died, but she did not tell us how he died. Back then, there was no support for us - no counselors to help us understand or deal with our shock and sadness. There is much more help for students today.
That same year, the three bullies stopped me after school. They had rocks in their hands and pockets and started throwing them at me. I ran as fast as I could to get away from them, but they kept chasing me, throwing rocks. I finally ran to a friend's house, and when the bullies saw his mother answer the door, they went away.
I stopped going to school for three weeks. My mother did not know, because she left for work early in the morning.
There's more ...
When I was 28, my wife and I went to a dinner organized by the company she worked for. There were about 150 people at about 20 big tables. A woman who worked with my wife told us she was waiting for her boyfriend, who was late.
When he arrived, I was shocked. It was Colin Downes, one of the bullies from grade 8. I remembered poor Garth's death. For a second, I thought about smashing Colin in the head with my coffee cup. Instead, I was polite, and said we were in public school together, and that I remembered him very well.
He didn't remember me.
Sunday, 10 July 2011
3-2-1...Blastoff!
Vocabulary
Manned launch = a launch is when a spaceship takes off; manned means the spaceship has people on board
NASA = National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Manned launch = a launch is when a spaceship takes off; manned means the spaceship has people on board
NASA = National Aeronautics and Space Administration
At 11:29 a.m., 2011, almost one million people lined Florida's beaches and held their breath as they witnessed the final blastoff of the space shuttle Atlantis.
For the final four shuttle astronauts who boarded Atlantis earlier this morning, the trip had special meaning. Commander Christopher Ferguson saluted those who were part of the space program as Atlantis launched only 2½ minutes after its scheduled takeoff time.
Ferguson and his crew are headed for the International Space Station (ISS), a lab that orbits Earth and houses space crews from many different countries. The shuttle is bringing the ISS more than 8,000 pounds of supplies, which will last about a year. Atlantis will bring back to Earth as much of the trash accumulated at the ISS as possible.
An Awesome History
The craft's 12-day mission ends a remarkable 30-year program. Since 1981, five different shuttle vehicles have been sent into space. There have been 135 space voyages and the shuttles have carried a total of 777 astronauts. The crafts have traveled a combined distance of half a billion miles—far enough to have flown past Jupiter.
The shuttle program has increased our knowledge of space. Its astronauts helped build the ISS and its shuttles have flown scientists and researchers to live and work aboard the space station. In addition, shuttle crews launched unmanned probes to study Venus, the sun and Jupiter. The Hubble Space telescope, which still orbits Earth and sends back photos of deepest space, was launched—and later repaired—by shuttle astronauts. Hubble is considered to be the most advanced space observatory ever sent into orbit.
Next on the Horizon: Orion
Atlantis is the last space shuttle to orbit Earth, but NASA has big plans for further space exploration. Sometime in 2016, a spacecraft known as Orion will launch. Orion is a more advanced version of the Apollo spacecraft, which went to the moon. NASA officials say Orion may visit Mars and even nearby asteroids.
So though the shuttle program is ending, space fans have much to look forward to. "The shuttle is always going to be a reflection of what a great nation can do when it dares to be bold," said Mike Leinbach, NASA's launch director. "We're not ending the journey today . . . we're completing a chapter of a journey that will never end."
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Is Bottled Water Really Better?
Last year, Americans bought 31 billion bottles of water. Stack those up, and the plastic tower would stretch from Earth to the moon and back—eight times!
Why do we love bottled water so much? It’s convenient. Just grab a bottle and go. Then toss it out when you’re done. It’s healthy too, compared with sugary sodas and drinks. And it’s much better than tap water.
Or is it?
In fact, one third of all bottled water is tap water. Many top-selling brands, such as Dasani and Aquafina, sell tap water that has been run through a filter.
It turns out that waters bottled from springs and streams—like Fiji—aren’t necessarily “better” than the water you can get from your kitchen sink. In taste tests, tap water often wins. And chances are that the water flowing from your tap has been tested more than what you are guzzling from a bottle. That’s because most cities regularly test tap water to make sure it doesn’t contain dangerous germs or chemicals. Bottled-water companies don’t have to test as rigorously.
But the main criticism of bottled water isn’t the quality of the water—or even the fact that Americans are paying for water they can get for free. It’s those plastic bottles. Though they can be recycled, few actually are. Eighty percent are thrown into the trash—that’s 33 million bottles a day that wind up in landfills, where they will sit for hundreds of years.
These mountains of trashed plastic bottles have inspired a growing number of communities to take action. The town of Concord, Massachusetts, plans to ban the purchase of bottled water. Some college campuses are doing the same. At Cherry Tree Elementary School in Indiana, kids get reusable water cups with their lunch. Bottled water is still for sale, but most kids simply raise their hands at lunch and hold up three fingers—Cherry Tree’s sign for “I want water, please.” The four-year-old program has been a big success.
But not everyone can simply choose to avoid bottled water. Around the world, 1 billion people do not have access to safe water. If they drank from the tap or from local supplies, they could get seriously sick—or even die. For them, bottled water isn’t a convenience. It’s a life-or-death necessity.
In addition, banning bottled water could lead people to drink more unhealthy beverages, like soda. And these sugary drinks contribute to America’s growing problem with obesity.
Still, it seems that America might be losing its thirst for bottled water. Sales are dropping. Sales of reusable water bottles are soaring. And many towns want to ban the sale of bottled water, as Concord plans to do.
Sunday, 26 June 2011
A Bear of a House Guest
The Logar family had a surprise visitor last month. Into their garden wandered a roughly 3-month-old baby brown bear cub. Seemingly abandoned by its mother, the cub found itself a new family.
The Logars live in a village called Podvrh in Slovenia, a country in eastern Europe. They named the cub Medo, which is Slovenian for “bear.” The family, already owners of a dog, fell in love with the cuddly bear and decided to keep him.
They would like to build an enclosed home for Medo on their property. However, they are meeting resistance from local environmental inspectors and veterinarians. These officials would prefer that the Logars place Medo in a wild-animal shelter.
Brown bears are a protected species in the area. Only 900 remain in the wild in Slovenia and neighboring Croatia. Strict laws protect the bears from hunters and other people who might endanger the animals.
DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME
Although Medo is cute and playful, experts believe that as he grows into a full-grown brown bear, he will become too dangerous to keep as a pet.
Wild baby bears like Medo may be relatively harmless as cubs. However, as they grow up, their natural survival instincts kick in, making them dangerous and unpredictable. Physically they become harder to handle as well. As an adult, Medo could weigh from 660 to 1,700 pounds! With his great strength and size, he could unintentionally hurt someone severely.
In the past, some bears that have been treated as pets have injured or even killed their owners. One such famous story was made into a movie called Grizzly Man. Treating wild animals like pets is extremely dangerous. The best thing to do if you encounter an abandoned wild animal is contact a wildlife official immediately.
Even as the Logar family and the village authorities battle over custody of Medo, the rest of Slovenia has taken him into their hearts. He has been the subject of many newspaper stories, and he even has a Facebook page, with more than 550 fans. Regardless of who wins the fight over Medo, it seems certain that he will be loved and cared for.
Monday, 23 May 2011
Tteokbokki most popular street food among foreigners
Tteokbokki was the most popular food sold on the streets among foreigners living in Korea, a survey showed.
In a survey conducted by Kyung Hee University Institute of International Education, tteokbokki (rice cakes in hot sauce) was the No. 1 street food foreigners liked to eat (31.1 percent) followed by dak-kkochi (skewered chicken grilled with spicy sauce) with 29 percent and sundae (pig’s intestine stuffed with a vegetable mixture) with 20.2 percent. Fritters placed last at 9.6 percent. The survey was conducted on 455 foreigners living in Korea from 62 different nations from March 21 to April 3.
Most of the foreigners surveyed (93.6 percent) answered that they liked Korean food. The reason for liking Korean food was because it was tasty (32.1 percent), nutritious (25 percent) and healthy (20.5 percent). Women, who have more interest in beauty and diet than men, answered that Korean food was best for health.Fifty-nine percent of participants answered that kimchi was the food representing Korea. However, when asked what their favorite Korean food was, bulgogi (beef in a soy sauce marinade) ranked first with 32.4 percent and galbi (seasoned ribs) followed with 28.7 percent.
Side dishes most frequently consumed by foreigners were kimchi (29 percent), grilled fish (17.1 percent), seaweed (15.4 percent) and seasoned vegetables (10.9 percent).
Surveys showed foreigners also expressed their liking for not only Korean dishes, but Korean food culture as well. Oscar, a 30-year-old Ugandan, said he was surprised by the amount of side dishes offered at Korean restaurants. “I was surprised that the side dishes were given as much as you liked and was free of charge,” he said.
Over half of the foreigners surveyed answered that they had Korean dishes that they could cook well. Kimchi stew (32.3 percent), tteokbokki (26.2 percent) and kimbap (rice rolled with seasoned vegetables) (15.9 percent) were food foreigners cooked most often.
Some actually showed confidence in Korean cooking. “I learned to cook Korean food for my husband. Now I can cook sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew) with ease,” Dimtian from Vietnam said.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Hockey
 |
| An indoor rink in an arena |
Hockey is a fast, exciting sport that began in Canada in the 1800s. Every year many Canadians play hockey or watch the game on television.
 |
| A goalkeeper, or goalie, watching the puck |
Hockey is played on a sheet of ice called a rink. Two teams compete to score points by shooting a puck into a net. Each team has six players who skate on the ice. Hockey is one of the fastest sports. When players shoot the puck, it can travel more than 160 kilometers per hour. Goalkeepers try to keep the puck out of their nets.
 |
| Players try to shoot the puck into the goal |
Because hockey is a fast, rough game, the players need special clothing and equipment for protection. They wear helmets to protect their heads, as well as heavy sweaters, pants and gloves. Children who play on teams usually wear the same clothing and equipment as professional players.
Hockey is a popular winter sport for children. In the city, children often play hockey in skating rinks in the park. In the country, children can play hockey on frozen ponds, lakes or rivers. Many children play in teams and compete with other teams. They spend long hours in the arena practicing for their games.
In the past, all hockey games were played outside on frozen rivers and lakes. In the spring, there were sometimes accidents when players fell through the ice. Today most hockey games take place in indoor arenas, so they don't have to stop when the weather gets warm.
Hockey does not have to be played on ice. Sometimes all you need is a tennis ball, a hockey stick, and running shoes!
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Why we have pets
 |
| hamster |
People first started to keep pets about 12,000 years ago. The first animal to be kept as a pet was the dog. The dog became a pet because it was useful to warn people of danger and it ate leftover food that could attract wild animals. Cats became pets when they were tamed by the Egyptians. When the Egyptians started to grow grain, mice ate it, so cats were needed to protect the grain.
Today, people keep many kinds of pets. All of these pets need care. Small animals such as birds and hamsters need people to bring them food and water and keep their cages clean. Dogs need to be walked every day, although a small dog can get most of its exercise by playing around the house. Cats are quieter and more independent than dogs, but they still need to be fed and petted.
Some people choose pets that are useful. For example, dogs can protect people's homes and can help people who are blind or deaf or who can't use their arms and legs. But most people have pets for pleasure. Pets can be good friends for people, especially for children and seniors.
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Games curfew for South Korean kids
Children in South Korea are being restricted on how much time they can spend playing online games.
Some popular games will ban school kids from playing them between midnight and 8am, to stop them staying up all night. And other games will slow down people's internet connections once they've been playing them for a long time.
Just a few gaming companies are doing this now, but the government in South Korea is going to make most of the big firms agree to it soon.
The government there is also asking companies to monitor who plays their games all the time, and to make a note of their age.
Parents can also be told if their identity number is being used online - so they can keep track of what their kids are doing.
Hours
Nineteen of the most popular online games in South Korea will eventually be included in the new law, which will have a huge impact on children who play them all the time.
Online gaming is huge in South Korea, with many people playing them for hours and hours a day. The government is starting to get worried about how long some people - especially kids - are playing them for. So they've introduced these new plans to try to help the problem.
Some popular games will ban school kids from playing them between midnight and 8am, to stop them staying up all night. And other games will slow down people's internet connections once they've been playing them for a long time.
Just a few gaming companies are doing this now, but the government in South Korea is going to make most of the big firms agree to it soon.
Parents can also be told if their identity number is being used online - so they can keep track of what their kids are doing.
Hours
Nineteen of the most popular online games in South Korea will eventually be included in the new law, which will have a huge impact on children who play them all the time.
Online gaming is huge in South Korea, with many people playing them for hours and hours a day. The government is starting to get worried about how long some people - especially kids - are playing them for. So they've introduced these new plans to try to help the problem.
Friday, 29 April 2011
Coffee
Coffee comes from the seeds of a coffee plant. These seeds are called beans. The coffee beans are roasted and ground to make coffee. Coffee plants grow in hot places. They need a lot of sun and a lot of rain.
When people first discovered the coffee plant, they did not use the plant to make a drink--they ate parts of it! They chewed the berries of the plant when they travelled to give them energy. Some people even used the leaves from the coffee plant to make wine.
Later, people started to find new ways to use coffee. They roasted and ground the beans. Then they put the beans in hot water to make a drink. The drink first became popular in Egypt and Turkey. Later, it became popular in Europe.
Monday, 18 April 2011
Taekwondo Peace Corps eyes new volunteers
From the Korea Herald:
The World Taekwondo Peace Corps Foundation, a non-profit organization promoting peace through the traditional Korean martial art, is looking for new volunteers for this year’s program. The World Taekwondo Federation, the sport’s governing body, established the Peace Corps in 2008 to provide more opportunities for youths in developing countries. The Taekwondo Peace Foundation was established in 2009 to further develop the program. Last year, a total of 309 volunteers were sent to 45 countries across the world to teach taekwondo and spread Korean culture. The World Taekwondo Peace Foundation started last week receiving applications for the 2011 Peace Corps. Anyone under the age of 35, specialized in areas such as sports, arts and Korean literature and Korean, can apply for the program until May 10. Selected volunteers will be dispatched to developing countries among the 193 members of WTF for two months up to one year, from July this year. For more information visit www.tpcorps.org or call (02) 546-0074.
Monday, 11 April 2011
Canada
The land that is now Canada was inhabited for millennia by various groups of Aboriginal peoples. Beginning in the late 15th century, British and French expeditions explored, and later settled, along the Atlantic coast. France ceded nearly all of its colonies in North America in 1763 after the Seven Years' War. In 1867, with the union of three British North American colonies through Confederation, Canada was formed as a federal dominion of four provinces. This began an accretion of provinces and territories and a process of increasing autonomy from the United Kingdom. This widening autonomy was highlighted by the Statute of Westminster of 1931 and culminated in the Canada Act of 1982, which severed the vestiges of legal dependence on the British parliament.
Canada is a federation that is governed as a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. It is a bilingual nation with both English and French as official languages at the federal level. One of the world's highly developed countries, Canada has a diversified economy that is reliant upon its abundant natural resources and upon trade—particularly with the United States, with which Canada has had a long and complex relationship. It is a member of the G7, G8, G20, NATO, OECD, WTO, Commonwealth, Francophonie, OAS, APEC, and UN. With the eighth-highest Human Development Index globally, it has one of the highest standards of living in the world.
Interesting fact: Canada’s lowest-ever recorded temperature was -63º Celsius, recorded at Snag River, Yukon, on 3 February 1947.
Monday, 14 March 2011
Alice in Wonderland, part 1
Alice in Wonderland is a very famous book written in the nineteenth century by a British author named Lewis Carroll. It's about a girl who ends up in a place that is filled with very strange things, like food that makes you grow larger or smaller, talking animals, and playing-cards that walk. Some people think of Alice in Wonderland as a book for children only, but it can be enjoyed by adults too (some of the jokes are meant for adults). - Derek
Vocabulary bank=river bank (the shore of a river); waistcoat=vest; started to her feet=jumped up; antipathies=this is a joke by the author. Antipathy (an-TI-pa-thee) (noun) is a word which means dislike or hatred. Example: His antipathy to me is obvious. What Alice means to say is the "antipodes" (an-TI-po-deez), which are the points on the earth's surface on opposite sides (for example, British people used to call Australia the antipodes). (The word antipodes is not common in spoken or written English). Tea-time="tea" in Britain can mean the drink, or it can refer to "afternoon tea", which is a light meal served with tea. Tea-time simply refers to the time at which "tea" (the meal and the drink) is served. Also note that White Rabbit is not normally capitalized. The author capitalized it to make it a proper name (the name of the character).
Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, “and what is the use of a book,” thought Alice, “without pictures or conversations?”
So she was considering, in her own mind (as well as she could, for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her.Vocabulary bank=river bank (the shore of a river); waistcoat=vest; started to her feet=jumped up; antipathies=this is a joke by the author. Antipathy (an-TI-pa-thee) (noun) is a word which means dislike or hatred. Example: His antipathy to me is obvious. What Alice means to say is the "antipodes" (an-TI-po-deez), which are the points on the earth's surface on opposite sides (for example, British people used to call Australia the antipodes). (The word antipodes is not common in spoken or written English). Tea-time="tea" in Britain can mean the drink, or it can refer to "afternoon tea", which is a light meal served with tea. Tea-time simply refers to the time at which "tea" (the meal and the drink) is served. Also note that White Rabbit is not normally capitalized. The author capitalized it to make it a proper name (the name of the character).
Alice in Wonderland
Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, “and what is the use of a book,” thought Alice, “without pictures or conversations?”
There was nothing so very remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!” (when she thought it over afterward, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); but, when the Rabbit actually took a watch out of its waistcoat-pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and, burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and was just in time to see it pop down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge.
In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again.
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