Global Perspectives

Pam Holz, Washington County Naturalist, was in our classroom this week for a Global Perspectives program.  This is the favorite program of the year!  Pam does a wonderful job of explaining to students how we rely on many other countries throughout our world--she has students check the tag on their shirt to see where it was made and then put a post in on the corresponding country on a world map.  She also uses the students to represent poor, middle class, and rich countries in the world.  Only a few are rich and get to enjoy fresh buttered popcorn and pop all in disposable containers.  A few more are middle class and receive fresh popcorn and are allowed to drink water from the water fountain.  But, most of the students are considered poor and get very badly burned popcorn and get to drink from "the well" (a safe concoction of lemon juice, vinegar, pepper, salt, etc).  It's always interesting to see who shares and who doesn't--this always leads to an interesting discussion about what countries share and which ones don't.  Pam also talks with the kids about how they can make a difference every day.  Here are a few of her suggestions for the kids:
1.  use rechargeable batteries
2.  use a hankerchief instead of kleenex
3.  metal silverware instead of plastic
4.  reusable tupperware instead of a ziploc
5.  use recycled paper