Assignments
Amazing People All Over the WorldFriday, September 20, 2013 at 5:12 pm
Mrs. CochraneThis weeks articles tell stories of integrity, commitment, and creativity to name a few. People are changing the world every day through not only innovation but also kindness and caring. I hope you enjoy these readings! Feel free to add a comment or ask a question after reading.
Honesty Is Definitely The Best Policy
Earlier this year, a simple act of honesty by a homeless man named Billy Ray Harris in Kansas City, paid back in spades not just financially, but also, emotionally because it led to him reuniting with his long-lost older brother. Now a comparable act by a man in Boston seems to be reaping similar rewards, proving beyond doubt, that honesty is definitely the best policy!
The World's Happiest Nations Are . . .
Just like beauty, happiness is very subjective - What makes one person happy does not necessarily work for another. Yet there are various agencies that attempt to gauge the happiness of entire nations using disparate criteria. The most recent 'World Happiness Report' was released by the United Nations on September 9th and without further ado, here are the results . . .
64-Year-Old Endurance Swimmer Sets Record With Epic 103-Mile Swim
It took five attempts, but on September 2nd, 2013, U.S. endurance swimmer Diana Nyad accomplished the dream she has been harboring since 1978 - Become the first person to swim from Cuba to the Florida Keys without a protective 'shark' cage.
Video Of The Week - Are You Ready For Some (Bubble) Football?
We have heard of artists becoming famous after launching themselves on YouTube, but a whole new sport being born off a video? That has to be a first. However that apparently is how 'Bubble Football', a combination of soccer and zorbing (a sport that involves rolling downhill whilst encased in an orb), has gained popularity not just in its birth country of Norway, but also, all across Europe.
Kite Patch Makes Humans Invisible . . . To Mosquitoes!
Ever since JK Rowling planted the 'invisibility cloak' seed, scientists all over the world have been rushing to be the first ones to make it a reality. Now there seems to be a winner - A tiny square sticker called Kite Patch. The only catch? It makes humans invisible only to mosquitoes!Current Events for September 16, 2013Monday, September 16, 2013 at 5:23 pm
Mrs. CochraneThese articles are all related to animals. Read them and see if you can find out some of the things these animals need to survive and thrive.
Tiny Frog Hears with its Mouth!
While we humans need every organ of our body, animals seem to adapt and even thrive when they are missing body parts that we consider crucial to survive - There is the Borneo frog that breathes without lungs, the ice fish that has no hemoglobin and now, an earless frog that can hear perfectly.
Looking For An Exotic Classroom Pet? Professor Bechtel May Be Able To Help!
How cool would it be if instead of learning about exotic animals like Patagonian maras (large rodents that resemble rabbits) and bearded dragons from textbooks you could do it by touching, feeling and maybe even breeding them? That is how the students fortunate enough to be taught by Michael Bechtel at Saydel High School in Des Moines, Iowa experienced biology for many years.
Dallas Zoo Baby Cheetahs Get An Unusual Cage Mate
Two eight-week old male cheetahs are about to start their new life at the Dallas Zoo with an unusual cage mate - An eight-week-old male black Labrador retriever puppy named Amani.
How Legalizing Egg Poaching Has Helped The Population Of Ancient Sea Turtles In Costa Rica
Every year four of the world's seven species of marine turtles arrive on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica to nest. Among them is the Olive Ridley, an ancient turtle that has been around for more that 100,000,000 years and was at one time amongst the most prolific and abundant of all turtle species.
Are Coral Reefs Adapting to Climate Change?
A few weeks ago, scientists reported that climate change might actually be helping California's ancient redwoods thrive. Now there seems to be more positive news - This time about the coral in our oceans whose population has been severely impacted in last few decades by rising temperatures and ocean acidification, disease and human carelessness.- Mrs. Cochraneover 10 yearsThis was an interesting article we shared in class today. I wonder if these animals will be friends for life or if the time will come that the dog can no longer be around the cheetahs.
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