Tolerance
Middle School - April 2011
Character Education
Newsletters
Broward County Air
Quality Program
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 educate themselves 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 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.
Go Green
Climate Change
Broward County Kids
Corner
Broward County Public
Schools Environmental
Stewardship
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% postconsumer recycled paper)
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
Tin Can Herb Pot
Make these charming tin can herb pots and
watch them grow all summer long! This project
not only recycles, it creates new life, and is a
great Earth Day craft.
What you'll need:
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Empty aluminum can
Screwdriver and hammer (adults only
should use these materials)
Liquid gesso (recommended: Liquitex
Basics Gesso)
Acrylic craft paints in colors of your choice
Acrylic sealer spray, matte finish
Craft stick
Thin cardboard
Pinking shears
Black permanent marker
5-10 small rocks, stones or pebbles
1.5 cups potting soil
4-inch potted herb plant
White craft glue
Water
Flower stickers (optional)
How to make it:
1. Completely wash and dry aluminum can. If necessary, sand off any rough edges from
opening of can.
2. Turn can upside down. Parent/Teachers should use screwdriver or other pointed object
to poke holes in the bottom of the can. Use a hammer to tap the end of the screwdriver
to make the holes.
3. Paint outside of can with one coat of gesso. Let dry completely.
4. Paint can in the desired color, repeat coats if needed.
5. Decorate the can. Use a thin paint brush for long lines; dip the end of the paint brush
into paint for polka dots.
6. Decorate with stickers if desired.
7. In a well-ventilated area, spray the outside of the completed can with acrylic sealer
spray. Let dry.
8. Place enough rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can to form a single layer.
9. Add enough potting soil to fill the can two-thirds full.
10. Remove potted herb from its container and transplant into the can.
11. Fill edges with remaining potting soil, gently pat down so that plant is firmly in the can
@Broward Environment
but not compacted so much that it’s too tight.
12. Place can on a plate (to catch any water drainage) and add some water to the newly
planted herbs.
13. Paint craft stick whatever color you like. Allow to dry.
14. Cut a piece of thin cardboard into a small rectangle (about 1.5 x 3 inches) using pinking
shears.
15. Paint both side of the cardboard with gesso, let dry.
16. Glue the rectangle to the top of the craft stick.
17. Use a black permanent marker to write the herb name onto the rectangle.
18. Insert your plant marker into the soil, being careful not to crush any roots along the
way.
19. Place your new garden in a sunny window and remember to water them!
Tips:
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A 4-inch potted plant will be enough to make 2-3 vegetable sized cans (15 oz) or one
larger tomato sauce type can (28 oz).
This is a great project to teach kids about growing plants, especially edible ones. Take
this opportunity to visit your local library and check out a book on simple container
gardening or gardening with kids.
Keep the kids involved, be sure they take care of “their” plant. Have them water their
plant and show them how to check to see if the soil is too dry or just right by gently
touching the soil surface with their finger.
Eat these herbs! Kids will light up when they get to pinch off a basil leaf to add to their
parent’s spaghetti sauce.
Source: http://crafts.kaboose.com/earth-tin-can-herb-pots.html
Decorate a Compost Bin
What you'll need:
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3-5 gallon plastic storage bin with lid
Craft paint in bright colors
Foam alphabet stamps (letters C, O, M,
P, S, T)
Foam leaf stamps
Clear acrylic sealer spray
Power drill (for adult/teacher to use)
How to make it:
1. Have an adult cut the following holes into the storage bin: A series of holes, about a
centimeter wide and three centimeters apart, along both edges of the bin. On the
bottom of the bin, cut a hole one centimeter wide and three centimeters long in two
opposite corners. The compost bin will need ventilation in order to let air and moisture
circulate.
2. Place plastic bin on its side and use the craft pain to create designs. Use bright colors
to create simple flowers, stems, leaves and grass.
3. Use your pointer finger to dot on insects with bright colors, using the end of a paint
brush, dot white on either side of the finger print to make their wings.
4. To decorate the lid, paint each foam stamp with a good amount of paint, and press
carefully but firmly onto the lid surface. Continue with each letter until your have spelled
out “COMPOST”.
5. Paint leaf stamps with green paint and decorate the lid around the word “compost”.
6. Allow all the paint to dry.
7. In a well-ventilated area (preferably outdoors) spray all painted surfaces with acrylic
sealer spray. Let dry. Repeat this process for a total of three times. This will help
protect your painted surface form the outside elements.
8. Make your starter compost (instructions below) and place outside. If you are placing the
bin on the porch or patio, you may want to use an extra lid cover as a drip pan.
Making Compost
Line your bin with a few inches of clean potting soil. You can also add dry leaves to the soil,
as they are full of nutrients. Sand and small pieces of black and white newspaper will work as
well.
There are many items that can be added to your bin and just as many that should be avoided.
Vegetable and fruit scraps (potato and carrot peeling, apple cores, banana peels, etc) are a
great addition to your compost bin. These items will add moisture so you will also need dry
matter to keep the moisture level from getting too high.
Avoid meats, dairy, fish, or bones--they decompose very slowly and the smell they create will
attract animals. Also no glossy magazine paper or materials from the side of the street (they
might contain chemicals or other debris). For a complete list of the dos and don'ts, go to
Organic Gardening's guide to composting.
Dry matter can include dry leaves, straw (not hay), grass clippings, and even sawdust from
untreated wood.
Add a layer of moist matter covered by a layer of dry matter. Turn and mix (aerate) your
compost bin contents every 4-5 days. If you feel heat coming from the mixture you know that
your bin is working properly.
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Teaching children about composting is a great way to introduce them to the magic of
Mother Nature.
Composting also keeps biodegradable items out of the landfill and makes great soil to
place in potted plants or in gardens.
Source: http://crafts.kaboose.com/compost-bin.html
Soil organisms, such as fungi, worms, and bacteria, are all biotic parts of the woodland
ecosystem. What is the role of these organisms in the woodland ecosystem?
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To provide nitrogen for the animals
To obtain dissolved oxygen from moisture
To break down the remains of other living things
To store chlorophyll for the photosynthesis process
Answer: C To break down the remains of other living things
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 airoutreach@broward.org 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.