Citizenship & Kindness
Middle School – November/December 2013
Character
Education
Newsletters
Kindness is described as being helpful, thoughtful, caring, compassionate, and
considerate. November gives you the opportunity to be a good citizen and participate
in America Recycles Day events. December is the perfect month to show kindness to
your fellow human beings, as well as all of the animals, plants, and natural resources
on our planet. It is also a good time to remember about green gift giving (wrapping
paper for example) and to have environmentally sound parties (using products made
from recycled content and less throwaway items). Remember to recycle!
This year’s newsletters support the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for
Science.
Grade 6 – Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science; Big Idea 2: The Characteristics of
Scientific Knowledge; Big Idea 3: The Role of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses & Models
Grade 7 – Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science; Big Idea 2: The Characteristics of
Scientific Knowledge; Big Idea 3: The Role of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses & Models;
Big Idea 6: Earth Structures
Grade 8 - Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science; Big Idea 2: The Characteristics of
Scientific Knowledge; Big Idea 3: The Role of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses & Models
Broward County
Air Quality
Program
Go Green
Environmental
Kids Club
Broward County
Kids Corner
NatureScape
Broward
Broward County
Public Schools
STEM
Upcoming
Events
Common Core State Standards for Literacy & Mathematics embedded throughout.
November:
America Recycles
Day
Part 1: Recycling Activity – Junk Mail Tracker
Junk mail is delivered on a daily basis, adding to the amount of waste we dispose of.
For this activity, have students track the number and type of junk mail pieces they
receive at their home for one week (example: 10 catalogs, 15 letters, 5 postcards). Be
sure to emphasize that they do not count mail that is not junk (bills, magazine
subscriptions, etc.). Use the table at the bottom of the activity as a tracking log.
Encourage the students to provide estimates of weights for each type and have them
calculate the pounds of junk mail their family receives in one week (use the worksheet
attached in the sourced link). Work with the students and teach them to estimate how
much junk mail that is in one year. Use the listed equivalents to help them visualize
how much that is. Have each student report the weight totals and determine a class
Poster Contest
December:
Poster Contest
January:
C3 Challenge
February:
C3 Challenge
March:
average.
Emphasize to the students that junk mail is recyclable – including catalogs, postcards,
and even envelopes with plastic windows. It is recyclable even if it has a name and
address on it. Teach and stress that recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 trees. How
many trees are saved if the entire class recycled all that junk mail for the year? (118
pounds of paper saved = 1 tree).
Discuss with the students ways to lessen the amount of junk mail received (For
example, visiting https://www.dmachoice.org/ to take your name off lists; calling
888‐567‐8688 to stop the three major credit unions (Experian, Equifax, and
TransUnion) from selling your name and address to banks and credit card companies;
and visiting www.obviously.com/junkmail for detailed instructions on how to get off
specific mailing lists (such as sweepstakes mailers).
Source: https://ocrra.org/app/webroot/img/gallery/File/downloads/recycle-schoolmiddle-072312.pdf
Junk Mail
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Water Matters Day
C3 Challenge
April:
Earth Day
@Broward
Environment
Saturday
Letters
Catalogs
Postcards
@Broward
Environment’s Channel
Newspapers
Flyers
Other
Part 2: Group Discussion on No-Waste Holiday Ideas
Divide the class into three groups. Each group should be assigned a no-waste
holiday idea, and discuss what they think can be used as an alternative to purchasing
new products from the stores, which will only be thrown away in the trash.
Group 1 can discuss unconventional gift wrapping ideas, including alternatives to
purchased wrapping paper, bows & ribbons. Group 2 can have a conversation about
what to use for packing the inside of boxes as well as some green gift ideas. Group 3
can discuss decorating ideas and creative party waste reduction tips. One example of
each can be given by the teacher, so that the students get into a creative and thought
provoking mood. An example of gift wrapping could be using newspapers. An
example of a green gift idea is a potted plant that will help clean our air. An example
of a no-waste decorating idea is using old holiday cards tied together with string.
While the students are brainstorming ideas, visit www.reduce.org/holiday and
http://simply-saving.com/no-waste-holiday-ideas/ to see the complete lists of “NoWaste Holiday Ideas.” Have the students read aloud what ideas they came up with,
check them off against the lists from the web sites, and make a list of the ideas on the
dry-erase boards that the students did not think of. Have the students write down all
the clever ideas which did not occur to them, and ask them to share the revised lists
with family and friends. They can visit the above referenced web sites on their own to
access the complete list of no-waste holiday ideas. Use these ideas to help make the
Environmentally Kind holiday party a success!
Spread the Word!!!
Subscribe to our FREE electronic Environmental Character Education
Newsletters Today!
The monthly edition of this newsletter is distributed only through a FREE electronic
e-mail subscriber list. E-mail the Broward County Air Quality program at
airoutreach@broward.org to receive this valuable curriculum resource. The
newsletters are also available on our Environmental Kids Club web site at
www.broward.org/kids.
The Fantastic Solar Energy Inventions
Poster Contest
Every year we see innovative solar energy inventions. Besides using solar power for
electricity, there are solar powered lights for school crossing signs, streetlights and
landscape lighting. There are solar chargers for cell phones and MP3 players, solar
backpacks, ovens, watches and even solar panels on the roof of some cars!
Students should design a poster (which will be featured in the 2015 calendar)
showing their fantastic solar energy inventions. Please visit
http://www.broward.org/Kids/Contests/Pages/KidsClubContests.aspx for contest
rules and for more information.
Eco-Schools USA
The National Wildlife Federation is working to recruit thousands of K-12 public, private
and charter schools across the United States to become a part of the Eco-Schools
USA program. Learn more about Eco-Schools USA at: www.nwf.org/Eco-SchoolsUSA
School Flag Program
WHAT IS THE SCHOOL FLAG PROGRAM?
The Flag Program uses colored flags based on U.S. EPA’s Air Quality Index to notify
teachers, coaches, students, and others about outdoor air quality conditions. Schools
raise a colored flag each day that corresponds to their local air quality forecast. This is
especially important for those that have asthma. Interested in more information?
Contact airoutreach@broward.org and visit
www.epa.gov/airnow/school_flag/SchoolFlag.pdf
Potential Grant Opportunity
National Gardening Association: Mantis Awards for Community and Youth
Gardens - FY 2014
The purpose of this program is to enhance the quality of life in host communities by
supporting nonprofit charitable and educational garden projects. Successful applicants
will receive their choice of a gas-powered or electric Mantis tiller/cultivator with a
border/edger and kickstand. Garden projects are intended to provide a variety of
benefits, such as increasing community access to fresh nutritious foods and educating
the public about the importance of gardening in American history.
Grant: FD0959 National Gardening Association: Mantis Awards for Community and Youth
Gardens - FY 2014
App Due: 03/07/2014
Actual Funds: Unspecified
Eligibility: Schools/School Districts, Academic Institutions