How Will You Make a Difference?

credit: theselfemployed.com

credit: theselfemployed.com

 

Hello, my favorite sixth graders!

Next Monday, you’ll start your two-week research projects. You’ll work alongside a small group of classmates to find out more information on a social issue that matters to everyone on the research team. Then, you’ll take the facts you’ve collected and turn it into your own individual project — from an animated slide show to a skit to a public service announcement. You’ll hear more about all of your options next week. For now, think about the local, national, and world issues you care about most. On the Padlet below, add your name and a social issue or two that you feel strongly about. Here are a few ideas…but you may add any issue that’s important to you!

Do you want to know more about a life-threatening disease like childhood cancer, diabetes, or cystic fibrosis and what’s being done to find a cure?

Do you worry about homeless families who lack a roof over their heads or food in their pantries?

Does animal cruelty break your heart?

Want to bring help clean water, electricity, or education to poverty-stricken countries?

Are you concerned about shrinking habitats, animal poaching, or endangered species?

Do you want to educate people about physical, emotional, or cyber bullying?

Is ocean pollution or climate change boggling your mind?

Share the causes you’re passionate about below:

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner…Eight Historical Greats!

Eight is great…especially when it’s the number of school days until winter break begins.

For today’s list, I present Eight Historical Figures I’d Like to Invite to Dinner. The funny thing is, my family and I spent our dinnertime tonight brainstorming a lengthy list. My son, Sean, suggested Frank Lloyd Wright, Winston Churchill, and Muhammad Ali. Cady, my high school freshman, added Nellie Bly, Dr. Seuss, Harriet Tubman, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, her historical namesake.

Some of the other names we bantered about included Martin Luther King, Jr., Einstein, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Ghandi, Langston Hughes, Amelia Earhart, Marcel Marceau, Clara Barton, Mother Teresa, Cesar Chavez, Leonardo DaVinci, and Sacagawea. The list is endless!

What historical figure would you invite to dinner?

 

credit: www.progressiveinvolvement.com

credit: www.progressiveinvolvement.com

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt

credit: http://dodho.com

credit: http://dodho.com

Depression-era Photographer Dorothea Lange

 

credit: ww.shmoop.com

credit: ww.shmoop.com

16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln

credit: www.theguardian.com

credit: www.theguardian.com

Magician and Escape Artist Harry Houdini

credit: www.zap2it.com

credit: www.zap2it.com

Poet, Author, and Illustrator Shel Silverstein

credit: http://www.angelusnews.com

credit: http://www.angelusnews.com

Writer and Holocaust Victim Anne Frank

credit: en.academic.ru

credit: en.academic.ru

Actress Katharine Hepburn

credit: biography.com

credit: biography.com

Civil Rights Activist Rosa Parks  

 

 

Who Inspires You?

 

photo credit: www.goodreads.com

photo credit: www.goodreads.com

As we finish reading A Long Walk to Water, Linda Sue Park’s riveting story about former Lost Boy Salva Dut, I know many of us have been profoundly affected by Salva’s treacherous journey to freedom. This young man, who at age 11 left his South Sudanese village amidst brutal civil war, came to lead 1200 boys and and young men to safety.

Salva Dut’s courage astounds his. His determination, not only to survive but to change his part of the world, leaves us awestruck. We marvel at his unrelenting determination. If you ever doubt your ability to singlehandedly make a difference in this vast universe, remember Salva Dut. One hope-filled person with a mission…that’s where change begins.

Speaking of Salva Dut, check out his response to my tweet. Pretty cool. 🙂 Now, tell me who inspires you and why. I can’t wait to read your replies.! Leave a comment with your blog URL. When you click on the title of this post, you’ll be able to see my example. 🙂

 

Salva Dut TWEET

 

Water, Water Everywhere…but Not a Drop to Drink

 Stop and drink.

You can turn on the faucet and clear, clean water rushes out. You have plenty of water to drink, to bathe, to cook, and to wash clothes, dishes, and cars. We sprinkle our lawns with clean water. We fill Nerf guns and summer pools with clean water. For us, clean water is everywhere.

CREDIT--Plan-David-Ngige

CREDIT–Plan-David-Ngige

As we read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, we now know that for south Sudan and for so many other countries around the globe, clean water is a luxury more precious than gold or cattle. As we continue to journey with Nya and Salva across the barren landscape of a war-torn Sudan, I thought it was a good time to remind ourselves how vitally important water truly is–to all of us.

Today in your small group, watch each of these two videos. Please use the headphones provided. After each, complete the questionnaires you’ll find stacked on the table.

 

How much water should you drink each day?

 

What happens if you go without water?

After watching these two videos, complete the questionnaire on your table. 

If time permits, leave me a comment. Did you learn anything new or surprising?

Do your best work!

Mrs. Rombach