Dr. Donna's Review

Themes & Other Things
Each April 22nd since 1970, communities, schools, civic groups, and governments have brought together over half a million people to celebrate Earth Day.  This month, Kidtoon joins the celebration of Earth Day with a story line-up that helps children recognize and understand the importance of doing our part to take care of the planet. 

The three important environmental themes, recycling, drought and water conservation, are taught along with the reading and language arts skills that are always present in episodes of “Word World” and “Super Why.”  The line-up presents many opportunities for parents to discuss and reinforce both the language skills and the environmental themes.

Earth Day Celebration will appeal to both boys and girls from pre-school through 1st and 2nd grade. 

Things to talk about
(NOTE:  “Word World” and “Super Why” include many opportunities to talk with children about how letters go together to make words, how reading helps us learn new things and solve problems.  Parents should take advantage of these opportunities to reinforce the importance of reading skills.  However, in keeping with the Earth Day themes, the suggestions below are focused on reinforcing environmental themes.)

• Ask children if they noticed that Duck was throwing cans out the window. Why did Pig get upset when he saw all of the cans lying around the yard?
• Talk about the concept of “recycling.” Pig showed Duck how to “recycle” the letters that make up the word CAN to make new words. 
• Discuss the ways that the different animals kept cool on a hot day.  Point out that they all used water to help them stay cool. Point out that the animals (and people) can’t stay cool or even survive without water.  It is important that we use water sensibly.
• Tiddalick the Frog did not use water sensibly.  Ask children to recall what Tiddalick did that wasted water and created problems for the other animals in his community.  Have children recall the lesson that Tiddalick learned.

Activity Ideas

• Provide an opportunity for children to learn about recycling with this simple activity.  Used tin cans can be turned into pots to grow herbs or start vegetable seedlings.  Be sure the tin cans have no sharp edges left, wash them thoroughly, and punch holes in the bottoms with a hammer and nail.  Have children decorate outside of cans with paper scraps and glue. Have them fill the pots with potting soil then plant herbs or vegetable seeds.  Water and watch regularly.  Transplant seedlings to the yard when they are about 4 inches tall.
• Visit the Planet Pals website for more recycling ideas. http://www.planetpals.com/EDrecyclethings/recyclefacts.html
• If you haven’t already started a home recycling program, start now. Let children help you set up bins for different types of recycling collections.  If you already have a recycling program, let children help decide which bins different products go into.
• Participate as a family in a local Earth Day event.  You can find local activities by going on-line to earthdaynetwork.