1. Watch the slideshow below to see some of New York City’s wildlife:

2. Now, pick a habitat below and watch the slideshow.




3. Next, use Kidspiration to draw the habitat you chose for its animals. Click HERE to see how to use Kidspiration for this project.

4. Finally, put your Kidspiration on your blog and explain why you chose to create it the way you did. Click HERE to see how to put your Kidspiration on your blog.

2. Now answer the following questions in your blog:

a) Describe the environments shown in the videos you chose. What plants or animals lived there?
b) How are the places you saw different from the nature we have in New York City?  How, if at all, are they similar?
c) Of the environments you saw, which were the most interesting?  If you could travel to one, which would it be and why?

–> Click HERE to see an example

I just discovered this sensational website called The InSite.  It’s all about teen issues and how to deal with life’s dramas.

Spend at least 30 minutes checking it out and answer the following questions in your blog using your own words:

1) What is something you learned about dealing with emotions (for example, guilt, loneliness, and embarrassment)?

2) What is something you learned about dealing with relationships with friends, family, or boyfriend/girlfriend?

3) What is something you learned about your health (for example, drugs, sleep, and body image)?

–> Click HERE to see an example from BLozado

In Haiti only about half of the children receive an education and only two percent finish high school.  Without a proper education, the poor stay poor in Haiti (and many countries like this.)  While education is the key to rising out of poverty, many parents are not able to send their kids to school.  Why not?  Play the game below to find out:

Play the game Ayiti  about life in Haiti by clicking HERE.  In your blog answer the following questions:

1)  How is Ayiti different from 3rd World Farmer?  How is it the same?

2) What strategies did you use? For example, did you combine work and school, or did you send everyone to work? Which worked? Which did  not?

3)  Why would parents choose to devote so much effort to sending their children to school?  What obstacles did you face in trying to keep them in school?

** BONUS **

4. Explore a Google map of Haiti by clicking HERE.  What are some things you observe about the country?  For example, which city in Haiti has the most houses?  What part of Haiti seems the emptiest?   What countries are near Haiti?

So the new Terminator movie came out last week and it got me thinking about robots.  What  is the state of Robot technology in 2009?  How close are we to creating machines that can sense, think, and act as well (or better) than humans?

Watch a part of The Works: Robots by clicking HERE.

Now, answer the following questions in your blog:

1. What’s the difference between a humanoid and an android?

2.What’s the uncanny valley?

3. Is there something about humans that robots will never possess?  If so, what is it?

1.  Click HERE for a quick tutorial on how to play 3rd World Farmer

2.  Play 3rd World Farmer by clicking HERE

3.  Answer the following questions in your blog:

a) What was life like as a 3rd World farmer?

b) Explain your strategy to do well in this game.

** Extra Credit **

c)  3rd World Farmer captured the experience of a family struggling to survive on a farm in a poor country. Describe a game that captures your experience living in New York.

1. Maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe you haven’t. “Sexting” is a dangerous new trend that is ruining the lives of many teenagers. Watch the slideshow below to find out what it is and why you should avoid it.

2. Click HERE to watch a video about a teen who committed suicide because of sexting.

3. Now watch “Pressure Pic Problem” by clicking HERE. Choose your answer below:

A) Send them. He’s earned it.

B) Now way! Not in a Million Years.

C) Send a picture of your dog’s butt.

4. Finally, pretend you received the message below from your boyfriend or girlfriend. Reply to it in your blog. Make sure to include good reasons for saying “no”.

*Think about all of the older people you know– teachers, parents, coaches, neighbors, friends, relatives, acquaintances.  Probably one or several of the adults you know have provided you with an example of how not to live your life.  Look ahead to your future, and think about the one thing you will not let happen.

For example, growing up my dad was a very busy doctor.  In many ways he was awesome– a great listener, a funny storyteller, and cooked kick-butt Mexican food.  But during the weekends he used to leave me and my sister in the waiting room of the hospital for hours while he took care of patients.  Now that I’m about to be a father I will never take my daughter’s time for granted.  Every hour counts and I will fill them all with laughter, learning, and hugs.

*Adapted from the Daily Spark

1.  Watch Garbage Part 5 by clicking HERE.

2. Go to your bubbl.us and continue to brainstorm about what you’ve learned and questions you still have.

3.    Next, look over everything you’ve written in bubbl.us, your blog, and in Inspiration about garbage.  Write out at least 5 interview questions you could answer as an expert in garbage.  Now, using IMovie, have a partner interview you using your questions. Publish your movie on your blog (ask Mr. Lahana how).

We’ve heard from the boyfriend who broke into his girlfriend’s social networking account.  Now it’s time to hear what the girlfriend has to say. Click HERE to watch The Break-In: Girlfriend’s Story.  Then click below to choose your answer:

A) Contact the king of the internet and have him banned for life.

B) He’s a Stalker, change your identity.

C) Tell him that if he likes you he needs to trust you.

—————————-

In your blog do one of the following activities:

1.  Pretend you are the girlfriend in this video.  Write a break-up email to your boyfriend now that you know he broke into your social networking account.  Include all the reasons that led to your decision to break up with him.

2.  Pretend you are the boyfriend in this video. Write an apology email for breaking into your girlfriend’s social networking account (it better be good!)  Include all the reasons you know what you did was wrong and how you will make it up to her.