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Current Event - World Water Day
Science - Machines
Monthly Math Challenge
P.E. Challenge
Why? Even though the earth is covered with water, most of it is salty ocean water. Only 2.5% of water on earth is fresh water. Most of that fresh water is frozen in the Polar Ice caps so only a little bit is usable. Freshwater is renewable. That means that the water is used over and over again in the water cycle.
Problem: We are using fresh water faster than nature can renew it. If we don't do something, we will not have enough water in the future.
What's happening to the water? We use water for lots of things. Do you know how much water you use every day? Here is how much you might use for some things you do every day:
brushing teeth - 2 gallons
flushing toilet - 2 - 7 gallons each time
quick shower - 25 - 50 gallons
Did you know that you are using water even when you don't turn on the faucet? When you eat you use water. Fruits, vegetables and animals need water to grow.
Example: Your lunch could be using a lot of water:
hamburger - 1,300 gallons
french fries - 6 gallons
milk - 65 gallons That's a lot of water!!
Even your toys and clothes needed water to be made.
one pound of plastic - 24 gallons
one pound of cotton - 101 gallons
Your parents' car needed 65,000 gallons of water to be made!!!!
How can water be saved? Governments, businesses, farmers and students are working to help save water. You can help too!!
Try to use less water. Here are some ways to save:
* Turn off the water when you brush your teeth.
* Don't put the water on full blast when you wash your hands.
* Take shorter showers. Have an adult put in a special water saving, low-flow shower head.
* Don't let the water run while you are washing the dishes. Scrub them with the water
off or fill up the sink to wash them.
* Reuse and recycle things.
* Don't run the dishwasher or washing machine until they are full.
* Use drip hoses in you gardens or water near the ground to save water. Water during the
early morning or later in the evening. More water evaporates and is wasted if you water
during the hot part of the day.
If we all try to save water we can help make sure there will be enough water for the future.
I first put the load (box of toys) far from the fulcrum so that most of the spoon was on the side by the load. Then I tried to lift the box. It was hard. Then I tried to lift it with the load close to the fulcrum so that most of the spoon was on the side where I was pushing. It was easy to lift the box. The different sized spoons made the load lift higher or lower.
You can try this at home for yourself!
You must divide the shape on the left into four equal parts (same size and same shape) and you must use four straight lines. Can you do it?
(The answer will be in next month's edition.)
Put a small bucket, bin or box on its side on a small table so that it is about the height of your shoulder. Start by standing 10 feet away. How many times can you throw the ball in the box out of 10 tries? If you are really good, stand back another 5 feet and try again. Good Luck!