A DAY TO REMEMBER

Global Warming's Toll on Coral Reefs: As If They're 'Ravaged by War'

Norah, our second reporter this week, shared a fascinating article about the coral reefs.  Increasing ocean temperatures causes coral reef bleaching, basically the reefs turn white and die.  Unfortunately, this means that a quarter of the fishes homes are now gone.  Many fish and marine species rely on coral reefs for nutrients, shelter, and safely.  We took a moment to talk about global warming and came up with some great ideas.  Instead of always riding in cars we'll start walking and riding our bikes.  When the sunlight hits our classroom we can turn out the lights and work with natural light.  As Dr. Suess says: "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."  Thanks Norah!

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Then we heard from another one of our friends, the scientist of the week, Coco.  She asked us what would happen if you put rocks in a rock tumbler for four weeks.  We had some good ideas like they would get polished, they would break up into smaller pieces, or they would turn to sand.  Turns out they get super polished, shiny, and look totally different than when they went into the tumbler.  

From top left clockwise, zero weeks, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks in the tumbler.

The rock tumbler after four weeks about the reveal it's shiny, polished gems.

The beautiful rocks after four weeks rolling around in various kinds of sand.

Thank you Coco!  We're all especially excited to get to take one of these beauties home!

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Finally, we had a visit from a secret reader, Miss Anita, Boti's mom.  She shared a hilarious book called A Bad Case of the Stripes.  This book is all about the struggle between fitting in and being true to who you are.  Next time you're feeling a little stripy or polka dotty embrace it and don't be afraid to be you.  In this little girls case, Lima beans were just what she needed.  If only she hadn't been afraid to be made fun of.