A Schooling in Diversity

Kulture Kids, www.kulturekids.org/
funstuff.html, welcomes children from every background to learn all they can about the world’s many cultures. Food is always a great way for us to experience other countries’ customs, so get ready for some yummy treats as you sip on a lassi from India or nosh on Chinese tea eggs. After snacking, try to create a Rangoli welcome symbol in Crafts, or challenge a bud to Bounce Eye in Games. What better way to celebrate the world than to sample snacks and enjoy fun pastimes!

Penning Poetry

Find your voice at Scholastic's Writing with Writers: Poetry Writing, http://teacher.
scholastic.com/writewit/
poetry. You can attend virtual workshops with your favorite writers as you discover different aspects of poetry. If you need further inspiration, you can also listen to children's poet Jack Prelutsky as he reads aloud one of his clever poems. From rhyming your words to finding creative descriptors, your poetry will be all the more powerful after you try out these new techniques.

A Circle Round the Sun

Get the celestial scoop on Galileo Galilei: 400 Years of Stellar Observations at www.nasa.gov/
externalflash/galileo. Galileo wore many hats. A talented mathematician as well as a skilled scientist, Galileo fundamentally changed the way we study the planets. Look through the Galilean Telescope to see the improvements Galileo made and why those changes matter to scientists today. This site will also help you to explore the Phases of Venus and to figure out why sunspots disproved the idea of perfect heavenly bodies.

What is your favorite ethnic food?

Speak Out Here!

Dear Amy: How much water do we use in a day? — Ofelia, Miami

Dear Ofelia: In 2000, the U.S. used 346,000 million gallons of water per day. Most of that water was used to irrigate crops or in thermoelectric-power production. We also use a lot of water at home on a daily basis. The average person uses 80 to 100 gallons of water per day. All those toilet flushes and hand washings can add up fast. Want to find out how much water you use? Compute your answer with an online water calculator at http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/sq3.html.

Many of us use a lot more water than we need to. The good news is that saving water is easy when you know what to do! Try using one water glass or water bottle all day long to save on dishes. If you turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth, it can save 25 gallons in a month.

For more water-saving ideas, visit http://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve. Many of these ideas, such as installing a low-flow shower head, require an adult, so invite your parents to read through the list with you. With these awesome ideas, you’ll not only help the environment, you’ll also save money on the water bill!

—Amy

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