Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • Page 11

SCHOOLS TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2009 B3 ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL Earthweek: A Diary of the Planet By Steve Newman FEARLESS ROSH Morako -I i of r-- 1 Morakot A Ilk mum i 4.) 4 ...) ,,6 Etau 6.4 ()a Felicia 124 Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia 124' Dhahran from PAGE B1 -'Nvior C2-1 -110" 4.11 Vostok, Antarctica Week Ending August 14, 2009 ERIC CHAMBERLAINJOURNAL history, health and science. It's a method of making a large school seem smaller, with the intent of more personalized instruction. And long before the start of school, Eldorado High School's math academy was preparing incoming students during the summer months. According to a 2007 Education Week magazine, one-third of dropouts nationwide from the class of 2004 had left before 10th grade. The report notes that, "for many students, freshman year is like a bottleneck" where subpar academic performance puts them so far behind they are unable to catch up.

La Cueva's all-day orientations for incoming ninth-graders were expanded to include parents and to give students more time at the school. In past years, new students spent five minutes in each class as an orientation. "Five minutes isn't good enough to tell freshmen this is the most important year of school," La Cueva principal Jo Ann Coffee said. Another part of the emphasis is letting parents know that, even if the student is now in high school and more independent, their presence reinforces the idea that education is important. Participation can include chaperoning dances, volunteering Krill Ban A new U.S.

regulation that bans the commercial harvesting of hill within 200 miles of the California, Oregon and Washington coastlines went into effect on Aug. 12. Krill are tiny shrimp-like marine invertebrate animals that are very near the bottom of the marine food chain. They are the primary source of food for many species of marine mammals as well as for manta rays and whale sharks. They're the only organisms able to use the sun' energy to directly create carbohydrates.

Commercial fishing of krill is done in the Southern Ocean off Antarctica and in the waters around Japan. Most of the hill caught is used for aquaculture and aquarium feeds, as bait in sport fishing and by the pharmaceutical industry. Krill is also used for human consumption in Japan and Russia, where it is known as olciami. 0 Poisonous Lake Threat 0 One of the world's three known lakes that can suddenly expel poisonous gas now threatens the lives of more than 2 million people living along the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda border, according to scientists. The massive amount of carbon dioxide and methane trapped below a depth of 1,000 feet in Lake Kivu is kept from rising to the surface by the weight and pressure of the lake' water above.

Sudden underwater landslides or other geologic activity have the potential to churn the lake enough to send both gases bubbling to the surface. Since carbon dioxide is heavier than air, it would hug the ground, asphyxiating all humans and animals that it reached. Such a disaster occurred in 1986 at Lake Nyos in Cameroon, West Africa, where 1,700 people were suffocated, many quietly as they slept. Lake Kivu contains 350 times as much gas as Nyos and has far more people living near its shoreline. for fine arts productions, manning attendance lines or providing other kinds of support for the schools.

Some parents struggle with how much they should be involved in high school, said Prentice, head counselor at La Cueva High. But parents can be a comfort, especially because so much is thrown at ninth-graders all at once. Incoming ninth-grade parent Cheryl Glandon said her daughter is well-organized, so she's more concerned about whether students can carry their own Tylenol and the implications of older boys in the hallways with the young freshmen girls. "I think if you have a good relationship with your kids, you kind of know what your kids will do," she said of the academic issues. Tropical Cyclones C) Typhoon Morakot killed at least 85 people as it left a trail of destruction in Taiwan, China and Japan.

Typhoon Etau skirted southern Japan. Former Category 4 Hurricane Felicia weakened to a tropical depression before reaching Hawaii. Earthquakes The second of two quakes to rock central Japan in as many days injured at least 110 people, triggered a landslide and caused light damage in some areas. India's most powerful quake in more than 4 years jolted thousands of people out of bed in parts of the Bay of Bengal's Andaman Islands. Whale's First Breath Marine mammal researchers in Western Australia documented what they believe was the first breath of a prematurely born humpback whale.

Curt and Micheline Jenner of the Center for Whale Research were conducting a whale survey in July when they saw bloody water around one whale, indicating a birth had just taken place. Then a newborn calf emerged that appeared to be floundering in waters several degrees cooler than the humpback's main breeding area off Australia's northwestern coast. That's when the mother dived below the surface, got underneath her offspring and lifted it into the air for several seconds. Mr. Jenner told WAtoday.com that's when the calf went from being virtually lifeless to swimming around "like a wind-up toy being lowered into the bath." IN BRIEF Journal Staff Reports Expanding Tropics Cto) The world's tropical zone appears to be rapidly expanding north and southward under the influence of climate change, according to a new Australian study.

Researchers at James Cook University looked at long-term satellite measurements, atmospheric balloon soundings and climate models in determining that the tropics have widened by more than 300 miles over the past 25 years. The expansion of sub-tropical climates could dry out fertile regions that currently receive ample rainfall. Such a development would have devastating effects on health and food production, the researchers warn. Professor Sandra Harding said tropical climates had already moved more than six degrees of latitude beyond the traditional confines of the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, and were continuing to expand. Fertile Crescent Decline 0 The future of agriculture in a region know as the Fertile Crescent is becoming increasingly grim due to a combination of climate change and diversion of water far upstream in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

The alluvial plain near the mouths of those two rivers is known as the "cradle of civilization," where agriculture has sustained cultures like that of Sumeria and cities like Babylon since the dawn of recorded history. But two years of parching drought and the tightening grip of Turkish dams has reduced those rivers to mere trickles. New Iranian dams are also contributing to reduced flows. Farmers are abandoning their fields, and climate experts are warning that the drought is likely to become permanent. literary magazines or broadcast productions.

The American Society of News Editors will provide reporters' notebooks for advisers, and the New Mexico Activities Association is providing logistics support. Lunch with a guest speaker will be held from p.m. Cost is $10 per student; advisers may attend at no charge. For more information, contact interim president Rebeca Zimmermann at zimmermannaps.edu. uniforms for Albuquerque school children.

The effort last year clothed more than 3,250 chldren who attended schools with a uniform policy. The Bargain Box Thrift Shop, 5211 Lomas NE, is the main source of funding for the program. To contribute, bring donations of new or gently used clothing, housewares, jewelry, books and electronics between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

For more information, contact the Assistance League at 265-0619 or www.Albuquerque. AssistanceLeague.org. Distributed by: Universal Press Syndicate www.earthweekcom 0 MMIX Earth Environment Service Alamogordo teacher wins major award Diana Fesmire, lead math teacher at Sierra Elementary in Alamogordo, has won the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. It's the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade math or science teacher can receive, according to a news release from Gov. Bill Richardson's office.

Fesmire began teaching in 1987 and has taught at Sierra for more than 10 years. She also teaches Elementary Math and Science Methods for New Mexico State University. "I am honored to represent the elementary teachers of New Mexico, who teach all subjects well with a passion for math or science. This award belongs to my colleagues who teach students to reason, justify, and communicate," Fesmire said in the news release. Socorro teen named science finalist Yo Ur AroTe collifel camptscoop Press association holds workshops Help us choose the new Kid Scoore mascot! Meet the candidates at vitvAviddscoop.conTV 'LET'S GET; coATIVE G.

.1 frrtl sclow, Graphics Vol 25, Naas so 39'1 640,00 LET'S GET el schinke- u- Graphics Vol 25, No.35 Ow' Booth Tooth Fill ajar with jelly beans or other candies. Provide paper and pencils so kids can write down how many candies they think Mare are in the jar. The person whose guess is closest to correct wins the candy jackpot. rilsoh Tool 26b 162 1() seti) Tdck i 133 156 Nico Seamons, a student at Cottonwood Valley Charter School in Socorro, was one of 10 middle school students to be named a finalist in the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. He will be awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City on Oct.

6 to compete for $50,000 in U.S. savings bonds. Seamons was chosen based on his video demonstration of evaporative cooling in New Mexico's summer heat. The video can be viewed at www. youngscientistchallenge.

coin. e' stye a rritko :411) A :49 The New Mexico Scholastic Press Association is re-forming and will host a workshop for students and advisers on Aug. 29 at Highland High School. The event will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m., and workshops will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Topics will include feature writing, publication design, advertising, photography, multimedia approaches and creative writing for students and advisers of school newspapers, yearbooks, Who won? Use the clues: hies: A tog GM 1 Uniform fundraiser needs donations The correct answer is greater than 142. The correct answer is less than 175. The correct answer has three digits. Step right up to fun! The Operation School Bell program is collecting money and donations to provide The correct answer has a 6 in the tens place. Tanya found: 2 nickels 4 pennies 5 dimes quarters Katie found: Summer is a great time for a group of friends to make a carnival for the neighborhood kids! Today's Kid Scoop provides ideas for games and prizes.

If you want to raise money for a favorite charity, charge people a nickel or dime to play each game. Toss some coins 5 11 lekels and a handful of I 5 pansies prizes into a small 2 dimes Toss some coins and a handful of prizes into a small Digital learning options abound Treasure Island 04, coA from PAGE B1 Fabulous Prizes! wading pool. Cover I kof 5 quarters Erie found: the "loot" with sand. 5 The person who runs nickels this booth can wear 9 pennies a pirate hat and say, "Shiver me 4 dimes timbers, matey! I know you'll 2 quarters find some doubloons in me sandpit, thar." 9 pennies te 4 dimes 1 2 quarters wading pool. Cover the "loot" with sand.

The person who runs thi hnnth onn ulpqr news." For more ed-tech ideas you can translate to home learning, watch Moulton's blog at edutopia.org. You don't have to spend money to have great prizes for your games. Consider giving: used toys and business games that are in freebies, like good shape pens, rulers or other items ILA child has 30 seconds to dig through the sand, and gets to keep any "treasure" found. Who found the most treasure? front page from a newspaper kiosk in Beijing, Beirut, Houston, London, New Delhi or Toronto is a good way to learn geography, too. Another Moulton favorite for geography learning is Google Maps, where "you can take a look at the neighborhood in a whole new way.

Map skills are a key part of many curriculum areas," Moulton says. "Use maps.google.com to explore the settings of books kids are reading, look up places in social studies texts and places in the baked goods 4 reports. This is a boon when a child announces Sunday night that he needs to find a topic for a report due Monday morning. Read around the world Go to Newseum. org to read the front pages of newspapers across the globe.

Moulton says, "Your children are going to be players in a global economy," so it's important for them to become interested in what people are thinking about in other countries. Scanning the used books, CDs coupons that local A and DVDs restaurants and businesses may small handmade donate crafts small handmade crafts Do you have a question about your child's education? E-mail it to LeannaPaplusadvice. con Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City. Standards Link: Number Sense: Add and subtract money amounts.

Rocket Drop IMUACI; JJ.LVJJ Drape a cloth over a small table and have someone dress up as a Fortune Teller. Use an empty fishbowl to create a crystal ball. Drape a cloth over hiaevl lee rs oumseeoanne edmrepsts create a crystal ball Fortune Tell A carnival i favorite! Fortune Telling A carnival favorite! You need 10 "rockets" (small al objects such as clothespins, pebbles or pencils). And you need 10 paper or plastic cups in different sizes. 'cm need 10 "rockets" (small bjects such as clothespins, or pencils).

And you need paper or plastic cups in ifferent sizes. SCHOOL MENUS You can have kids choose a fortune cookie or make up your own silly fortunes! cyhoouo cs ea 1 or makt silly foi 1 21 1 I I Breakfast: Omelet, tortilla. 41 I 0 tr 11. ve 04. 11111110- Al 4rc.

tANVAtArN i 1. (1; I 1 e.covli I i Etc LOIlt 44 V51117 --01e, Albuquerque Public Schools menus, subject to change: TODAY Breakfast: Breakfast burrito. Lunch: Chicken nuggets with barbecue sauce, cucumber slices with dip, dinner roll, red apple, milk. Alternate selection: Chef's salad or yogurt with string cheese and dinner roll. Lunch: Stuffed-crust pepperoni pizza, carrot sticks with dip, watermelon, milk.

Alternate selection: Stuffed-crust cheese pizza or chef's salad. THURSDAY MONDAY Breakfast: Breakfast pizza. Lunch: Corn chip pie, cinnamon twist, garden salad with dressing, applesauce, milk. Alternate selection: Grilled cheese sandwich or peanut butter pocket. Write numbers on the bottoms of different sized cups.

Place the cups in a group on the ground. For one ticket, kids get to send 10 "rockets" into the cups. Unscramble the mixed up words in each funny fortune. Breakfast: English muffin with sausage. YOU WILL FEMME A SAMFOU SPAGHETTI GLUELIGI Lunch: Macaroni and cheese, pretzel stick, and green beans or garden salad with dressing and mixed fruit cup, milk.

Alternate selection: Breaded beef fingers with sauce or peanut butter pocket. YOU WU HT VER-----SPLEY5S MINT AT MIAMI Add up the numbers on the bottom of cups in which the player landed a "rocket." Have prizes for the player to win with their points. WEDNESDAY YOU CAN MAKE PALEY PICAPPEAK ONE tEll AT A TIME! Lunch: Enchiladas, pinto beans, fruit juice bar, oatmeal cookie, milk. Alternate selection: Fruitvegetable plate or grilled cheese sandwich. Standards Link: Number Sense: Add and subtract whole numbers.

Breakfast: Cinnamon French toast with syrup. FRI DAY I.