2
-NiE ,
1 NOVEMBER 2017
Elementary
A better world Note to the teacher
century learning skills
OUR children are riding the great wave of technology today. They now have facts and procedures at their fingertips. Teachers have to equip their students with new skills that allow them to thrive in today’s global economy. The activities in The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education pullout combine literacy skills with current content to build this set of skills. The key below indicates the skills integrated into the activities in this pullout.
Saving the planet THE Earth has a few nicknames: the blue marble, the blue planet and the world. It has been around for a very long time. No one knows exactly how long but scientists think 4.5 billion years is a close number. This is a colossal amount of time. How long more do you think this beautiful place will be around? Have you heard of the phrase “sustainable living”? Thirty years ago, the United Nations – in its Brundtland Report – drew up plans to keep the world beautiful and liveable for future generations. They also came up with the term “sustainability”. According to the report, it means meeting the needs of the present without having to rob the future generations. In other words, it means using only what we need at the moment so that people in the future will have enough.
Activity Problem solving
Critical thinking ● Identify
● Reason
Communicating
● Question ● Present
● Oral ● Written
● Aural
My action
Our actions can have a negative impact on the Earth. What are three of your actions that affect the Earth? List them out. Is there any way you can have better self-control over these actions? Complete the table by making your pledge. Finally, present your work in class.
EXAMPLE
My pledge
Critical thinking ● Identify ● Reason ● Measure
NiE Activity
● Organise
Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Brainstorm ● Connect ● Invent
Problem solving ● Question ● Research ● Recreate ● Present
Critical thinking ● Identify ● Reason
A.
● Measure ● Organise
Problem solving
Creative thinking ● Connect
● Invent
● Recreate
● Present
Communicating ● Oral
● Aural
Collaborating ● Listen
● Compromise
● Contribute ● Attain goal respectfully
All of us need to do our part in saving the planet. With a friend, read these good habits. Then, individually, rank the habits from the easiest to the most difficult to practise. Compare both your answers. Why do you think some habits are easier than others to practise?
Good habit
My choice
My friend’s choice
1. Recycling paper, plastic, glass and aluminium 2. Walking or cycling to nearby places, instead of driving 3. Collecting rainwater to be used for watering plants or washing cars 4. Using and buying less paper to save trees from being cut down 5. Turning off the lights and fan switches when not in use
Communicating
6. Always finishing your food so it won’t go to waste
● Oral
7. Saving water by taking shorter showers, turning off the tap when brushing teeth, using a bucket instead of a hose when washing cars
● Non-verbal ● Written ● Aural
8. Changing all light bulbs in your house to energy-efficient bulbs 9. Always bringing your own shopping bag so you don’t need plastic bags
Collaborating ● Listen ● Contribute respectfully ● Compromise ● Attain goal
10. Planting trees, fruits and vegetables in your garden
B.
With your friend, decide on the top five habits that students like you should practise in order to save the planet. You may either pick from the list above or come up with your own. Next, design the listicle on a sheet of A4 paper. Use words and pictures from The Star to make your listicle more attractive. Finally, present your work in class. As a class, vote for the best design to be posted on the classroom noticeboard. nie editorial manager: SHARON OVINIS senior nie executive: ROWENA CHUA writer: MELALYN NG layout designer: SHOBA illustrator: HASSAN BAHRI To order The Star for NiE lessons, call: Sundarrajan 03-7967 1388 ext 1437 or 016-288 3682 We welcome feedback; write to: Star-NiE, Star Media Group, 15 Jalan 16/11, 46350 Petaling Jaya or e-mail us at: starnie@thestar.com.my