 |
|||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
Welcome to October! Our world has seen some significant and horrifying events since the publication of our last newsletter. Like the rest of the world community, the staff of Vital Knowledge Software is shocked and dismayed about the recent terrorist attack against our neighbors to the south. We extend our sincere condolences to families of victims throughout the world and especially to the American people with whom we share not only business relationships, but also personal friendships. In addition to this newsletter, keep checking Vital Picks. We have been highlighting resources teachers will find useful for the classroom. In particular our Vital Picks have recently focused on support resources for teachers and parents to help deal with the senseless attack against citizens from around the world and, especially, from the United States of America. We would like to resume highlighting accomplishments of teachers and urge you to nominate teachers for our Vital Award. This month we also have a special gift awaiting you and your students in the Activity section of Teacher's Corner. Check it out, and if you have activities that you would like to share with other teachers, please send them along. We'll make sure to post them immediately and to give you credit. Send your ideas to teachers_corner@vitalknowledge.com Autumn's Beauty
The rain falls gently |
||
|
|
||
|
The impact of the terrorist attack in New York has reverberated throughout the world and, unfortunately, our children are not exempt from the effects of this horror. Along with the rest of the world community, however, children have been quick to respond and are dealing with the tragedy in positive ways. The compassion they have shown for the victims and their desire for world peace certainly confirm our confidence in the leaders of tomorrow. We thought we would highlight just a few of the many tributes children around the world are making. Teenagers in Edmonton, Alberta are raising thousands of dollars for victims of the terrorist attack by selling red, white, and blue ribbons. Fifth graders at Brown St. Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin told their principal they wanted to start a penny drive for the victims of the tragedy. Schools throughout St. Petersburg, Florida, undertook a wide variety of activities to commemorate the victims of terrorism. Muslim and Christian teenagers in Lebanon expressed shock and outrage at the tragedy. Young Iranians held a candle light vigil to pay homage to victims of the attack. Children in Toledo, Ohio have undertaken various fundraising activities to assist victims. Children from across America shared their feelings with letters to Time for Kids. Epals from around the world shared their responses to the terrorist attacks. |
||
|
|
||
|
Amidst the tragedy of the September 11 terrorist attacks, we can draw inspiration from the views of our young people. We thought you might enjoy some of the following letters sent to wiredkids and addressed to President George W. Bush. Dear Mr. President, I am so very sorry about what happened to all those people inside the twin towers and only someone that was pure evil could have done something like this so whatever you choose to do, I'll support you all the way. Yours sincerely, Talan L.
Never before has the power to destroy all nations been in the hands of all nations. This statement has never proved itself to be so eminent as in right now. What we do, what others do, how we react to this situation, will affect everyone, and the world as we know it. As we unite against terrorism, we cannot fight hate with hate. They don't cancel each other out, as would be in a division equation, they multiply. It will fuel itself. At this time the nation is united, and It's upsetting that it took a crisis like this to unite us, but relieving that we are united as one. Whatever we do, the people will stand behind you. Just rememeber to act with protection of our people, NOT hate or revenge, but rather protection of our life, and freedom itself as the underlying message always. Thank you, God Bless
I am 7 and a half years old and i saw on the tv what those poeple did. and maybe there was some kids there and they got hurt and I think you must go and look for them. My cuzins are in America and I dont want them to get hurt. i live in Australia. from Daniel
Subject: With Love From us all. In the light of Tuesday's events, we are sending this email on behalf of the students, teenagers and parents of Orpington, Kent, England. We were devastated by the terrorists' attacks that were laid upon Washington D.C and New York and our thoughts and love go out to everybody who was involved in this horrific event. Our prayers go out to all those injured and our hearts go out to all those who tried to help the unfortunate. We have been watching TV constantly and reading the news and this letter is to explain to you that our full support is with you and the decision you reach. We believe that you will make the right decision and that good will prevail. Once again our thoughts and feelings go out to all of you and to those that have lost their loved ones. We wish you all the best and we want to let you know that the U K is standing right beside you in whatever decision you make. Respectfully yours,
This has been a terrible week for the whole country. We watch what was going on and cried with everyone else. We have placed flags in the windows of our house and in our car to show that we love our country. We know that you will do what is right to show these people that we will not stand for this happening to anyone. We will pray that God will guide you in your decisions and keep our country safe from another attack. God Bless the USA. Denver (age 12) and Kevin (age 9) |
||
|
|
||
|
Like other months of the year, October has special days and events classrooms will be celebrating. Whether it is Halloween, Thanksgiving, or the World Series, there are a multitude of resources on the World Wide Web where you can find activities to incorporate into your classroom. Take some time to visit the official UNICEF web site, especially if your students are collecting for UNICEF this Halloween. Other web sites with resources for celebrating Halloween include Halloween.com, Halloween Online, Kids Domain Crafts for Halloween, and Halloween in the Classroom. Of course there are hundreds of other web sites with resources for celebrating Halloween and they can be found with the use of most search engines. Despite the tragic events of September, the sporting world continues with their schedules. For North Americans the sporting highlight of October is the World Series of Baseball affectionately known as the Fall Classic. Find resources for incorporating baseball activities into your classroom at CBS Sportsline Kids Zone, Kids Domain, Kid's Baseball on the Web, or have a look at the many resources found at the Baseball Almanac. Canadians will be celebrating Thanksgiving on the eighth day of October. With the events in recent weeks it is certainly a time to pause in reflection of those things for which we are truly grateful. Plenty of resources can be found at Kids Domain, Thanksgiving on the Net, Billy Bear's, and the Holiday Spot. For our neighbors to the south, you may choose to prepare early for your Thanksgiving celebrations in November. |
||
|
|
||
|
Peanut Butter Allergy Schools are increasingly learning what it means to have a student with a severe allergy to peanuts. Once a student has been identified with the allergy, the entire school community becomes involved in awareness and prevention of an anaphylactic response to food. Education is essential for informed decision making. The Calgary Allergy Network website is worth visiting for more information. It is important for the safety of the child with the peanut allergy, that information is shared with other students and staff, but the parents of all the students should be made aware as many of the lunches and snacks come from home. Parents of the child with the allergen may be a valuable resource. You may be interested in one parent's story. It is important that the extended school community is aware of the risks of contamination and preventative measures that can be undertaken to ensure the well being of children with this allergy. Awareness should include ideas for substituting peanut butter in lunches, to in-depth details on how epi-pens work. The issue of cross-contamination can be over-whelming and confusing, as there is a question as to what peanut free really means. How individual schools or districts handle this sensitive issue vary. Some schools ban foods containing peanuts entirely while others favor a program based not on a ban, but on education, awareness, and preventative measures. The Hebrew Academy in Montreal, Canada is one example of an institution that has developed a protocol for handling this sensitive issue. They have requested that parents and students refrain from bringing food containing peanuts to school, but for liability reasons, are reluctant to use the word ban. Other schools continue to look for alternate solutions to banning. The Internet contains several other resources to assist school communities in dealing with this sensitive and life threatening issue. The Lambton Health Unit has a Food Allergy Information Package with several resources for parents and teachers including Tips for Peanut Free Lunches, and Peanut Free Snacks. You may also choose to join a discussion on the issue hosted by City Parent. Useful articles on the subject can also be found at About. Finally, you may choose to visit Cliffwood Public School, which has declared itself a peanut free school, or Cherry Hill Public School, which has requested caution, awareness, and education from students and parents to protect those members of their community with peanut butter allergies. |
||
|
|
||
|
You may wish to take your students on a journey through the World Wide Web for resources to mark other special days and events in the month of October: Americans will be celebrating Columbus Day on the 8th of October. You'll find many resources at the University of Illinois, There's no Place Like Home for the Holidays, ChildFun, or Kid's Domain. United Nations Day falls on the 24th day of October. With the present threat to world peace this day has an added significance this year. You and your students may choose to mark this day with resources from the Miami - Dade County Public Schools, the United Nations Association of the USA, or from the United Nation Cyber School Bus. Finally, we will be turning our clocks back one hour on Oct. 28 to end our period of Daylight Saving Time. Learn the history and rationale of this observance from Web Exhibits, find activities at Learning Resources, or find other resources for Calendars, Dates, and Time at the Math Forum. |
||
|
|
||
|
Q. Why didn't the skeleton cross the road? Q. What do ghosts serve for dessert? Q. What was the witch's favorite subject in school? Q. What do you call a skeleton who won't work? From: Kids Domain |
