Showing posts with label 2015. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2015. Show all posts

Sunday, 6 December 2015

Eat Bugs, Save the Planet

We can't keep going on like this.   Juicy steak, crispy bacon, and KFC fried chicken will soon be memories of the past.  Wake up, people! Meat is no longer sustainable on our growing planet - it's time to start eating insects instead.  Like most people, you may cringe at the thought of chomping down on a crunchy locust or crickets, but get over it. Insects are the future.



The facts don't lie. In 2050, we will have one-third more mouths to feed on the planet, bringing out number to 9 billion.  Currently 70% of our agricultural land is used to raise livestock. If people continue to eat meat, we will have to cut down out forests (causing the extinction of plants and animals) in order to take precious land to grow more crops to feed more animals.  All for your dinner plate. This is not sustainable. Eventually we will run out of land for crops and land for animals.  Why fight the inevitable? Start being part of the solution by replacing meat with a better form of protein - INSECTS!

Eating bugs is not new. According to Marcel Dicke, a Dutch ecological entomologist, there are more than 1000 edible species of insects and many countries and cultures already eat these insect delicacies as part of a healthy diet. In fact, 80% of the world already eats insects.  In addition to variety and flavor,  they also have comparable amount of protein and vitamins as meat, but without the destructive impact on our planet.

Admittedly, it's hard to get your mind around to eating the same creatures we consider creepy crawly nuisances, but guess what - you're already eating bugs! Insect parts make up a small amount of all processed food. So no more excuses - replace that pork on your fork with a juicy cricket and help save the planet!

A great article to read and Marcel Dicke's TED talk Why Not Eat Insects?

Wednesday, 16 September 2015

What kind of mindset do you have?

We've talked a lot in class about identity - who we want to be, who others see, and how you can be the person you want to be.  This graphic can help you to understand which mindset you have now, and how to change your thinking to allow yourself to grow.  Choose one fixed mindset statement you can start to change today. Which one will did you choose?

Tuesday, 15 September 2015

2015 National Book Awards Longlist For Young People's Lit

Hey readers, here's the 2015 National Book Awards Longlist For Young People’s Literature. It's great to see new books from Gary Paulsen, M.T. Anderson, and Neal Shusterman. I've read The Thing About Jellyfish and recommend it highly. The most exciting title on this list, however, is Most Dangerous, by Steve Sheinkin who will be working with our 7th grade students in February. Exciting!
  • Becky Albertalli, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins Children's Books)
  • M.T. AndersonSymphony for the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad (Candlewick Press)
  • Ali BenjaminThe Thing About Jellyfish (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
  • Rae Carson, Walk on Earth a Stranger (Greenwillow/HarperCollins Children's Books)
  • Gary Paulsen, This Side of Wild (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing)
  • Laura RubyBone Gap (Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins Children's Books)
  • Ilyasah Shabazz, with Kekla Magoon, X: A Novel (Candlewick Press)
  • Steve SheinkinMost Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War (Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan Children's Publishing Group)
  • Neal ShustermanChallenger Deep (HarperCollins Children's Books)
  • Noelle StevensonNimona (HarperTeen/HarperCollins Children's Books)

http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2015_ypl_ll.html#.Vfex1p2qqkq

Wednesday, 9 September 2015

To my little global nomads

For the past month, we've been exploring your identity - your strengths and your unique situation as a "global nomad." Take a look at the Humans of SAS posting from the high school yesterday. It sums up our discussions perfectly. You belong to a special club, my little global nomads. And membership has its privileges, I just hope you learn to appreciate them! :)