Earth PLAY for Earth Day 2017

Earth Play Message from David Suzuki

Did you know that most children spend less than an hour per day outside?  

I loved playing outside as a child.  I spent a lot of time biking, swimming, building forts, and playing by a creek behind my house.  I would go outside after I had breakfast and stay outside until it got dark.  According to recent studies, this type of play is rapidly disappearing.  

It is important for kids to play outside.  Kids who play outside are stimulated by their environment and are motivated to protect the planet.  Engaging in creative play outdoors also promotes resilience.  Therefore, Earth Day Canada is dedicating this year's campaign to outdoor play.  

Think about how you connect with nature.  Write a descriptive paragraph about your favourite outdoor activity.

Fish in a Tree

In chapter 5 of Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Ally's father and grandfather used to ask her if she was having a "silver dollar" or a "wooden nickel" day.  Think of your own "silver dollar" or "wooden nickel" day and write about it.

Google's Self Driving Bicycle: Bike or Fiction?

Watch the video about Google's self driving bicycle.  According to the video, the bike is useful for when you need picking up and your bike is elsewhere, for working on the go and for taking kids places by themselves.  

Do you believe the video is real?  What clues did you notice to indicate that the video is real or not real?  Write a paragraph to explain your thinking.  You are also encouraged to share any inventions that Google should try to create.