May 23, 2007: Safe in the Sun

The Mini Page is a syndicated, four-page tabloid written for young children found each Wednesday in the Rocky Mountain News. This issue of The Mini Page is available through the eEdition Archive to registered eEdition subscribers. Click here to learn about subscribing to the eEdition at no cost to you (for Colorado teachers).

Activities:

1. Draw a picture of people at the beach or on a playground. Now label three things in your picture that could create health problems. Write a sentence about being safe in that outdoor setting.

2. Make a "Safe From the Sun!" poster. Cut out pictures of items that people can use to protect themselves from sunburn. Include a hat, clothing, sunglasses and suntan lotion. Paste the pictures on your poster.

3. Look at the weather page of your newspaper. Circle three locations where there will be high temperatures and a lot of sun. Circle three places where the sun will not be a problem. Put a star by your city. Write a sentence about the sun conditions in your community today.

4. How can people's lives be changed if UV rays (a) harm their immune system, (b) cause them to develop cataracts, and (c) burn their skin?

5. Use resource books and the Internet to learn more about the condition of the ozone layer today. Use these questions to guide your research:

• How has the ozone layer changed in the last 20 years, since the use of chlorofluorocarbons has decreased?
• What other man-made practices affect the ozone layer?
• What naturally occurring conditions affect the ozone layer?
• What have been the effects of the changing ozone layer?
• What is the condition of the ozone layer today?

Write a paragraph summarizing your findings.

This week's standards:

• Students understand changes in the Earth and sky. (Earth and Space Science)
• Students understand that safety and security are basic needs of humans. Students' understanding includes following safety rules for home and school, avoiding injury, and knowing where to go for help. (Science: Personal Health)
  
  

(standards by Dr. Sherrye D. Garrett, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)