Tolerance / Elementary School - April 2011
The Broward County Pollution Prevention, Remediation & Air Quality Division continues to incorporate Character Education into its educational efforts. Each month the newsletter will relate core values to science and the environment in an effort to educate students about good character and the importance of protecting our natural resources. The curriculum resources and materials provided include the applicable FCAT Science Test Item Specifications.
Tolerance is the ability to recognize and respect the differences, values, and beliefs of other people. Just in time for Earth Day, your students can learn about tolerance as it relates to environmental issues. Through participation in local Earth Day activities and research, students will be able to learn about environmental issues affecting our county, state, and country.
Clean Air Poster Contest Deadline Extended until Earth Day!
The Broward County Air Quality Program is proud to announce the extension of the deadline for the 2011 Clean Air Poster Contest. This year’s contest theme is Carbon (Re)Cycle - Think about what you use, how you use it, and where it goes when you’re done.
All winning poster contest entries will be featured in the 2012 Clean Air Calendar. For contest rules and the list of applicable Next Generation Sunshine Standards, visit www.broward.org/Kids/Contests/Pages/KidsClubContests.aspx (New deadline is April 22nd)
Tell Us Your Opinion and Win Prizes
Complete the Character Education Science FCAT Warm-Up Newsletter Survey to help Broward County better assess your needs.
The Broward County Pollution Prevention, Remediation & Air Quality Division continues to incorporate Character Education into its educational efforts. Each month the newsletter will relate core values to science in an effort to educate students about good character and the importance of protecting our natural resources.
This year’s newsletters support the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Science.
Grade K - Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science
Grade 1 – Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science; Big Idea 6: Earth Structures; Big Idea 17: Interdependence
Grade 2 – Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science; Big Idea 17: Interdependence
Grade 3 – Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science; Big Idea 3: The Role of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses & Models; Big Idea 17: Interdependence
Grade 4 – Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science; Big Idea 2: The Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge; Big Idea 6: Earth Structures; Big Idea 17: Interdependence
Grade 5 – Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science; Big Idea 2: The Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge; Big Idea 17: Interdependence
Hearty Penguin Activity & Climate Change
The western region of Antarctica has warmed faster than almost any other place on the planet, causing sea ice to disappear and glaciers to retreat.
Penguins depend on sea ice for survival. They use it for breeding and the area for feeding on krill and silverfish, the supply of which has been reduced. In the last 25 years, the Adélie population has dropped 65% due to a loss of sea ice and increased competition for food among other penguin species. The population has plummeted from about 33,000 breeding pairs in 1975 to just 5,600 today.
With their food source under threat and their habitat evaporating, the Emperor, Adélie, King, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins all share Antarctica’s uncertain future.
Activity:
Have students make their own penguins to take home and serve as a reminder that climate change affects all species, not just those in Florida.
What you need:
·  Black, white and yellow construction paper
·  2 googly eyes
·  Scissors
·  Glue
What you do:
1.  Cut out four black hearts: one large and three medium in size
2.  Cut out three yellow hearts: two medium and one small
3.  Cut out one large white heart that is a little bit smaller than the large black heart
4.  Glue the hearts together (as shown) to make your penguin. Glue on the googly eyes
Sources include World Wildlife Fund, TIME & National Science Foundation. Activity Source: www.nwf.org/Kids/Wild-Animal-Baby/Fun/Crafts-and-Activities/Birds/Hearty-Penguin.aspx
Climate Change & Animals Found in South Florida
Sea-level rise due to climate change is a serious threat to South Florida. Many animals are threatened by sea-level rise, including sea turtles, Florida panther, American alligator, wood stork, and West Indian manatee. Our coral reefs are also extremely vulnerable and coral reef bleaching is taking place at an accelerated rate. Many fish depend on healthy coral reefs and in Florida coral reefs are very important for our tourism industry.
Ask the class to form groups of 3 to 4 students each. Assign each group one of the following:
1.  Sea Turtles; 2. Florida Panther; 3. American Alligator; 4. Wood Stork; 5. West Indian Manatee; 6. Coral Reefs
Once assigned, ask the groups of students to research their assigned animal or group of animals (coral reefs) found in South Florida. Ask the students to include basic information such as habitat requirements, characteristics, and if they are listed as threatened or endangered. Then the students should describe why the impacts associated with climate change, especially sea-level rise, are harmful to these animals. Tell the students to keep in mind where the animals sleep, where they hunt and what they eat, and if they need certain requirements to raise young. Lastly, ask each group of students to list five things they can do to prevent the impacts associated with climate change. For hints, visit the Reduce Your Carbon Footprint page at www.broward.org/PollutionPrevention/AirQuality/EducationalPrograms/Pages/ReduceCarbonFootprint.aspx.
When all groups have concluded their research, ask them to give a short presentation to the class about the animal(s) and how sea-level rise can affect the species.
Source: National Park Service: Everglades National Park Animals - www.nps.gov/ever/naturescience/animals.htm
Abigail Airhead visited Biscayne Bay National Park, and while there she learned about sea turtles and how they lay their eggs on our sandy shores. She also learned about pollution and how plastic bags are mistaken for food. What is the best reason to protect sea turtles from pollution and climate change?
a.  Sea turtles eating bags may not survive
b.  Climate change leads to sea level rise, which would make the beaches disappear and therefore turtles can’t lay eggs for future generations
c.  Sea turtles provide food to sharks
Answer: b
Take the Character Education Newsletter
Teacher Survey and Win Prizes!
Please take a few minutes to complete the Character Education Science FCAT Warm-Up Newsletter Survey to help Broward County better assess your needs. This survey can be completed by selecting this link or on-line by visiting www.broward.org/KIDS/CHARACTEREDUCATION/Pages/CharacterEducation.aspx.
Your candid feedback is appreciated. To thank you for your time, all responses that we receive (no later than May 13, 2011) will be entered into a drawing on May 16th for "The Rough Guide to Climate Change" by Robert Henson and the HBO Documentary Film "Too Hot Not to Handle."
Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and your students.
Earth Day is April 22nd
Visit www.earthday.org/ for information on Earth Day, Earth Day pledges, Environmental Education, an Earth Day Network Footprint Calculator, Events, Volunteer and Calls to Action.
May is Air Awareness Month
Visit www.broward.org/pollutionprevention/air and select Air Awareness Month for information on educational events and activities during the month of May.
Spread the Word!!!
Subscribe to our electronic Character Education Science FCAT Warm-up Newsletters Today!
The monthly edition of this newsletter is distributed only through a FREE electronic e-mail subscriber list. E-mail the Broward County Pollution Prevention, Remediation & Air Quality Division at to ensure that you continue to receive this valuable curriculum resource. The newsletters are also available on our Environmental Kids Club web site at www.broward.org/kids. Archived copies of the newsletter are also available through the School Board’s BEEP system.
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Upcoming Events
April:
Clean Air Poster Contest
May:
Air Awareness Month
Recommended Reading for April:
365 Ways to Live Green – Your Everyday Guide to Saving the Environment
By Diane Gow McDilda
(printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper)
@Broward Environment