Great job at All Earth Day Activities

We had a great day with ALL activities – even getting dirty with the seed bombs.  Of course we will be kicking up dust in my room for a while.  Kids you can pick up your seed balls next week before you go home.  I will have them in plastic bags with your names on them.  If you don’t come to the room to get them by Friday morning I will put them up by the school store.  Any that are not picked up I will use to pretty up the landscape (sensory garden, Lustig Park, LIFEhouse…)

Ms. Baker

The first Earth Day

I remember the very first Earth Day - I was in 7^th grade.  The whole idea of recycling was new at the time.  I joined the Ecology Club and went to Milton College to hear speakers talk about Earth Day.

 

Mr. Heimerl

 

Seed Bombs

We will be making Seed Bombs for students to take home.  It seems to fit the action in the movie Avatar and the students should have fun making the bombs and scattering some around at home.  Thanks Ms. Baker.

http://floridagardener.com/misc/GuerillaGardening.htm


Lee Gamble

What's Up for Earth Day

Wondering what’s going on with our Earth Day celebration?  Keep up to date and participate in discussion on our blog: http://wsvhearthday.blogspot.com/

 

Post by sending an email to:  wsvhscience.earthday@blogger.com  Your subject line is the title of your post.

 

Comment on someone else’s post by clicking comment at the bottom of the post you want to leave a comment for.

 

 

Lee Gamble

Schedule Outline (more details to come)

7:45  Students attend 1st Period Classes as usual for announcements and attendance
8:05  Everybody in auditorium for song practice
         Everybody at Circle Drive for flag raising ceremony
         Student tutors learn about and make seed bombs
         Student tutors teach remaining students to make seed bombs
         Showing of 1st part of Avatar in Auditorium
              Fern Gully showing in O&M
         Outside walk
         Lunch
         Music and sharing with Ms. Kelly (Music Therapist)
         Showing of 2nd part of Avatar in Auditorium
         Everybody at Circle Drive for flag lowering ceremony
3:06  Dismissal to dorms

Student who choose not to participate in an activity will have "alone" time in CFA with Ms. Wenzel.
Comment to this post with any criticisms and proposed changes.

Lee Gamble

FW: Earth Day Flag

From: Gamble, Lee E. (TCH)
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 8:02 AM
To: Bailey, Kelly F. (TCH)
Subject: RE: Earth Day Flag

 

That’s the flag I have.  You are correct about differences of opinion about Earth Day.  I’m thinking we should stick to the tradition connected to Wisconsin started by Senator Gaylord Nelson.

 

---

From: Bailey, Kelly F. (TCH)
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2010 3:39 PM
To: Gamble, Lee E. (TCH)
Subject: Earth Day Flag

 

Just checking, is this the flag that you have.  I have read several different sites and there seems to be some discussion as to which is the “correct” flag.  This is the one use for the first Earth Day.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Earth_flag_PD.jpg

 

Morning Announcements on Thursday

Hi Margaret,

 

There will be some changes to the regular announcements routine due to Earth Day celebrations.  Make your usual announcements at 7:45 as usual, including weather.  Do not play the national anthem at this time.  I would like you, Anna, Jenna A, and Allie to lead us in singing it later in the morning.  Please talk to Ms. Heesen about Brailling the lyrics to the National anthem on your BrailleNotes or on paper.  At the end of all the other announcements, I will have you read a description of the special events for Earth Day so students understand changes to their schedules.

 

Mr. Gamble

Activity with Music Therapist

After speaking with Kelly (Music Therapist), I anticipate that our most important activity may be our "closing" session around the big drum.  I'm sure Kelly wasn't intending to provide such an important role.  Nevertheless, I have found that our students often seem confused about the purpose of their participation in our special activities.  It is important that we provide opportunities for our students to engage in self reflection. This "closing" activity would allow students an opportunity to share their own thoughts about the day and connect it to their own lives.   Otherwise I fear that we risk having the students perform a list of activities that they percieve as meaningless and unconnected.  I am hopeful that it will encourage students to take personal ownership over their own responsibility to our shared planet. Afterall, that is the ultimate goal of Earth Day.

Lee

What is Earth Day?

We should remember the origins of the day.  There was a time, within our lifetime, when rivers caught fire and cities were hidden under dense clouds of smoke.

 

“Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labor leaders. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts.

Sen. Nelson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the highest honor given to civilians in the United States -- for his role as Earth Day founder.”  (http://ww2.earthday.net)

 

and

“No matter when you celebrate Earth Day, its message about the personal responsibility we all share to “think globally and act locally” as environmental stewards of planet Earth has never been more timely or important. … Every person on Earth shares the responsibility to do as much as they can to preserve the planet’s finite natural resources today and for future generations.”  http://environment.about.com

~Margaret

April 23rd?

How would the morning of April 23rd work? The reason I am wondering is this. Kathy and I were discussing what will happen with the kids and the classrooms the morning of NC's. Rooms will need to be being set up, and she and I will be nervous wrecks--you probably don't want to talk to us that day (just kidding!) Last time we hosted, which Mrs. Hudziak was a part of, the kids went home early. We are now facing a Friday with way too much going on for staff setting up. Think about it, unless Thursdays are sacred to Earth Day somehow. Or, could that be a garden clean-up day or some group activity? Just wondering. Thanks.


Karen and Kathy

Earth Day Postponed

Due to conflicts with the planned state-wide tornado drill, we will postpone Earth Day activities from Thursday April 22nd to Thursday May 13th. We are hoping this day will work for everyone. Please contact me if you know of a conflict.

Lee

Save the Day

As you may be aware, Thursday April 22 is Earth Day. Mr. Byrnes has “agreed to allow me to chair a committee” to organize Earth Day activities for WSVH. It looks like April 22 will be the best day to celebrate it. I’m sure that short course students are welcome to join. Also, members of ESC staff are welcome to participate in any way they can. I’ve been doing some snooping around and asking questions to see what is possible. There is currently a meeting planned with PEPC teachers on Wednesday after school. After that, I would like to meet with other teachers. However, you are welcome to send me suggestions at any time. I have some plans in the works and some ideas that I haven’t cleared with anyone important. Nothing is definite at this time. Here are some ideas:


- a craft project involving seeds that students take home
- some students complete an activity early in the day who then lead another student through the activity later
- an outdoor walk and/or other exercise using as many Calories of energy as used when operating an appliance/computer/tv/etc
- scavenger hunt
- walk in Lustig Park
- walk through Rotary Gardens
- flag raising ceremony including Earth flag
- outdoor music/drum activity with music therapist in early afternoon
- movie/documentary in auditorium
- outdoor lunch?
- tree planting

I’ve just thought of something. Give me until this afternoon and I will start a blog accessible to all of you.
Lee Gamble
“Volunteer Earth Day Chairperson”