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Friday, May 28
MEMORIAL DAY: 3 DAY WEEKEND
Next Monday, May 31st is MEMORIAL DAY. We will be off that Monday in honor of the holiday. There will be no LES e-mails or Zooms.
Enjoy your 3 Day Weekend, and we will see everybody back on Zoom the following Tuesday!
Can you do The Twist?
These Robots Can!
Can a robot dance? I don't know who's ever asked that question, but it's about to get answered. And that answer is YES!
Watch as the robots of Boston Dynamics get their groove on to "Do You Love Me" by The Contours! Look at them go!
Arashi says: "That looks like way too much effort for me. Back to my midday snooze."
Next Art Club Project
Next Tuesday for Art Club we will be making Wanted Posters!
Participants will only require the Wanted Poster Template and anything they would like to draw and color with! Help and guidance will be available to everybody along the way.
Wanted Poster Template: HERE
Friday Movie Recommendation!
This week's movie recommendation comes from Lauren with the 2007 animated comedy Bee Movie! Barry (Jerry Seinfeld) is a worker bee stuck in a dead-end job, but when he discovers how humans have been taking honey from the bees he sets out to seek justice - by suing the humans! You can watch it for free on Netflix and other subscription streaming services or rent it through most others.
"It's been a while since I've seen this movie in full, but I remember it being a really wild ride. The comedy is outlandish and sometimes off the wall, and it's an overall really fun watch. With it being World Bee Day last week it's only fair to recommend a movie to go alongside it!" - Lauren
Thursday, May 27
8 Common Animal
Misconceptions
You can't always trust what you see on TV. Case in point, these 8 Common Animal Misconceptions. Just because you've seen it in cartoons or movies doesn't make it true as Stefan Chin from SciShow is here to explain!
Think you know a lot about animals? Then test your knowledge about the creatures we share our planet with, both large and small!
Google Earth Animal Quiz
Wednesday, May 26
Art Club: Gallery Showcase
Art Club celebrated the bees with their own custom flower pictures accompanied by a flower's best friend - some bumbly little bees!
It's all a matter of
TIME!
Everyone has experienced the sensation of time feeling like it's going way too fast or way too slow. During this past year of quarantining that feeling might have increased by a lot. Once we're removed from our normal routine time can get very confusing, so much so we even forget what day of the week it is!
But why is that? And exactly how is it we sense time at all?
Now that we've talked about how we perceive time let's move onto the big questions. Does time even exist at all? Albert Einstein and a few other scientists have some remarkable thoughts about this that are investigated in this short video above!
Wouldn't having no time make things easier? You would never be late to anything ever again!
Now all we need to figure out is how to travel through time!
Tuesday, May 25
Weekly A-SIGN-ment!
Tomorrow during our Wednesday 1 PM Zoom meeting we will be sharing another word we've learned in sign language. This week's word theme is Favorite Activities! Share with us the sign for anything you love to do!
As usual, feel free to refer to HandSpeak for reference and guidance in finding your word!
GARDEN CLUB
Garden Club will happen tomorrow at 9:30 AM on Zoom!
Come join us and help us plan for the new year!
Best Summer Ever on the Today Show!
Did you miss Best Summer Ever's big primetime break last week or want to watch it again? Actors and couple Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen both appeared on The Today Show last Thursday to promote the film! Check it out!
Monday, May 24
TREE.FM:
Tune In and Listen to Forests From Around the World
Do you remember Window Swap, the website where you can generate a random prerecorded video from somebody else's window anywhere else in the world? Tree.FM is a similar concept, but instead of viewing window scenes you are tuning into the sounds of forests recorded by real people all over the globe.
Relax to the sounds of forests from places like Bitza Nature Park in Moscow, Russia or the Atatuk Arboretum in Istanbul, Turkey. If you are ready to move on to the next recording simply press "Next Forest Please." It's like radio for your soul!
https://www.tree.fm/
Found in the Forest Word Search
Here's a word search you can complete while listening to the sounds of the forest. Check out this Found in the Forest Word Search that you can print out or play online!
https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/295/found-in-the-forest/
Friday, May 21
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JIMMY!!
Tomorrow is Jimmy's birthday, so let's wish him a great one!
Frugal Fungus:
Turning Mushrooms into Sustainable Alternatives!
Mushrooms are a pretty divisive food, but what if I told you that that enormous marshmallow on a tray is actually one of them? And what if I told you that that mushroom is being turned into eco-friendly leather, styrofoam, and even bacon?
As the video description says, "A biotech company in upstate New York designs products made from the root structures of mushrooms. It takes about a week to grow their alternative to styrofoam packaging. And their vegan meat can be sliced into whole cuts and crisps up like bacon when fried." WOW!
Purple Cup Survey Responses!
You spoke and we listened. This is what everybody had to say.
What's something you would invent that could help our planet?
• A car that runs on water
• An invention to create biodegradable plastic and another to compost all the plastic in landfills and the oceans
• I would invent something that cures all ailments, diseases, famine, and poor
• A compost bin that can support an entire town
• A filter powerful enough to remove all microplastics from our oceans and water supplies but gentle enough not to harm the wildlife
• A device to use for teleportation so there's no need for cars, trains, and planes
Next Art Club Project
Next Tuesday for Art Club we will be making Bee and Flower Protraits!
Participants will require a Flower Coloring Page of their choosing, yellow and white paper, a gluestick, scissors, anything they would like to color with (markers, colored pencils, etc.), and the Bee Template!
Flower Coloring Pages: HERE
Bee Template: HERE
This week's movie recommendation comes from Kirstin with the 1995 Disney animated musical Pocahontas! It is the story of Pocahontas, the daughter of her tribe's chief, and the Englishman John Smith who traveled to the "New World" in search of land and gold. When they meet two worlds collide and forbidden love blooms. It can be watched for free on Disney+ and rented through most major streaming services.
"I like the songs in the movie and the animation is excellent." - Kirstin
Friday Movie Recommendation!
Thursday, May 20
Purple Cup Survey!
You still have until TOMORROW to take the Purple Cup Survey!
*~*
What's something you would invent that could help our planet?
You can answer the survey HERE.
Happy World Bee Day!
You heard that correct! Today is World Bee Day!
"World Bee Day is celebrated on May 20. On this day Anton Janša, the pioneer of beekeeping, was born in 1734. The purpose of the international day is to acknowledge the role of bees and other pollinators for the ecosystem." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Bee_Day
Art Club members might remember this information from our Earth Day project! The printable info sheet is still available to anybody who'd like it.
Bee-lieve in the Bees! Info Sheet
Would you like to attract more pollinators to you? It's not just bees who do all the busy work but birds, bats, butterflies, beetles, and other small mammals that pollinate too!
Give them a helping hand!
Pollinating animals travel from plant to plant carrying pollen on their bodies in a vital interaction that allows the transfer of genetic material critical to the reproductive system of most flowering plants – the very plants that
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bring us countless fruits, vegetables, and nuts,
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½ of the world’s oils, fibers and raw materials;
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prevent soil erosion,
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and increase carbon sequestration
This nearly invisible ecosystem service is a precious resource that requires attention and support - - and in disturbing evidence found around the globe, is increasingly in jeopardy.
Learn more about pollination here: https://www.pollinator.org/pollinators
Did you know we rely on pollinators to produce as much as one-third of our food? Why not give them a helping hand by growing some of these pollinator approved plants in your windowsill or garden this year?
https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/best-flowers-for-pollinators/
It's also extremely beneficial to plant native plants to your area! Here is a handy resource of pollinator plants native to the Northeastern US that lists what each flower attracts to your pollinator garden.
https://xerces.org/publications/plant-lists/pollinator-plants-northeast-region
Wednesday, May 19
Art Club: Gallery Showcase
Hooty would be proud! Yesterday Art Club made their very own owls that double as cards that they can send to someone special!
Moving and Grooving:
Jacob Collier - A One-Man Musical Phenomenon
Jacob Collier is what we'd call a One Man Band. He uses instruments, technology, and his own voice to create astounding and surreal songs completely on the spot.
Watch as he creates incredible dreamscapes of visuals and sound right on the TED Talk stage! Stay tuned to the Q&A immediately following his performance!
"Jacob Collier is a one-man band and force of nature. In a dynamic, colorful performance, he recreates the magical room at his home in London where he produces music, performing three songs in which he sings every part and plays every instrument -- accompanied by kaleidoscopic visuals that take cues from the music and grow in real time."
Arashi says: "Even a cat know those are some groovy beats!"
Tuesday, May 18
Weekly A-SIGN-ment!
Tomorrow during our Wednesday 1 PM Zoom meeting we will be sharing another word we've learned in sign language. This week's word theme is Pollinators! Share with us the sign for anything to do with bees, butterflies, flowers, birds, or anything else to do with pollinators!
As usual, feel free to refer to HandSpeak for reference and guidance in finding your word!
Your food comes in what?
Food Cultures of the World
If you travel around the world then you are bound to see some strange and unusual things. What is accepted in one culture may differ wildly from another. Case in point: Sweden's obsession with food in tubes.
Tubes aren't just for toothpaste in Sweden! The Swedish loves to put mayonnaise, cheese, and even caviar into tubes. Compared to our America's own love of jars and cans that's definitely an acquired taste!
While we're on the subject of unusual food containers we would be remiss not to include Canada's famous bagged milk! Here in America it's typical to keep your milk in a jar, jug, or carton, but travel a little further North and it's a whole different story. These days Canada does offer other ways to buy milk, but for a long time bagged was the way to go. Not every part of Canada has milk in a bag, but for those areas that do it's as iconic as beavers and maple syrup!
Monday, May 17
Purple Cup Survey!
You still have time to take the Purple Cup Survey!
*~*
What's something you would invent that could help our planet?
You can answer the survey HERE.
Newsletter Reminder!
Reminder! You still have until THIS FRIDAY to submit an article to Lauren (LrRafal@gmail.com).
If anybody would like any help then please feel free to reach out to any of the staff and ask! We are happy to help any way we can!
LES' Happy Little Garden!
An impromptu meeting of Garden Club took place last Wednesday, and some exciting developments in our little LES garden are underway!
We can't wait to watch our garden grow!
We have some returning favorites this year along with some new ones. Potatoes, tomatoes, beans, radishes, sunflowers, peppers, and garlic are just some of the things we planted this year.
Friday, May 14
Newsletter Reminder!
Reminder! You still have until NEXT FRIDAY to submit an article to Lauren (LrRafal@gmail.com).
If anybody would like any help then please feel free to reach out to any of the staff and ask! We are happy to help any way we can!
Innovations for Our Planet
So we've acknowledged that we have problems dealing with waste and human-made pollutants in our ecosystem. How else can we combat that?
Humans are miraculous beings. In this short video there are 22 inventions that may help us save our Earth and that display the power of innovation. It truly shows what can be done if we work together!
Purple Cup Survey
What's something you would invent that could help our planet?
Next Art Club Project
Next Tuesday for Art Club we will be making Owl Cards!
Participants will need colored construction paper (two colors of your choosing for the owl's body and yellow for the feet and beak), and gluestick, scissors, and the Templates!
Owl Card Template: HERE
Belly Template (you only need to cut out 1!): HERE
Friday Movie Recommendation!
This week's movie recommendation comes from Matty with the 2009 biographical sports drama Invictus! It can be watched for free on Netflix or rented through most major streaming services!
"This movie was made in 2009 by Clint Eastwood. It got Oscar Nominations for Actor in a Supporting Role (Matt Damon) and Actor in a Leading Role (Morgan Freeman). It is the story of Nelson Mandela (as portrayed by Morgan Freeman) wanting to unite his country by using the sports enthusiasm of the South African Rugby team, led by Matt Damon, during the 1995 Rugby World Cup Competition. It is based on a true story but is not a documentary." - Matty
Thursday, May 13
Recycling Pioneers
It's the unfortunate truth that a lot of what we think we recycle doesn't actually get recycled after all. Not to mention what to do with all the waste we accumulate that can't go neatly into those recycling bins. So what do we do?
Well some masterful thinkers have come up with some extremely clever solutions.
When it was first invented, plastic was a completely new and positive innovation. One that revolutionized the world and made all sorts of wonderful things readily accessible to people. Plastic still does this, but through overproduction, excessive use, and lazy methods of disposal we have created a world wide problem. One that threatens our entire ecosystem.
Enter a potential hero to this story: Bacteria! Scientists have discovered a naturally occurring bacteria living in landfills that "feed" off of plastic by producing an enzyme that breaks certain types down back into their core elements.
Can scientists use this enzyme to help us break down our plastic waste or even to build more eco-friendly plastics in the future? Watch the video to learn the answers!
Other single use items, such as wooden chopsticks from takeout restaurants, are also filling up landfills, but the genius people at ChopValue have come up with a way to turn trash into treasure. Watch as they take thousands of old chopsticks and turn them into shelves, cutting boards, and even tables!
What about agriculture waste? Growing bananas produces a lot of it, and TexFad in Ugunda is aiming to find an eco-friendly solution to putting that waste to use. Watch as they transform banana trees into rugs, fabric, and hair extensions!
Wednesday, May 12
Art Club: Gallery Showcase
These little paper butterflies are just about ready to fly out of our hands! Maybe one of them will flutter over to you?
Lefties Unite!
Why are some people left-handed? We all know (or are!) a lefty, but why is it such a minority among people and what advantages does it might have?
You probably know which hand is your dominant hand already. Or, if you're an even luckier few, maybe you're ambidextrous (can use both hands equally)! But Professor Bob Duran is here on the TED Talk stage to explain it's not actually as black and white as being right or left handed. It's your brain that controls which hand you choose to use.
Follow along with his prompts to find out which side of your brain is your dominant one and if your other side actually plays a larger role than you previously thought!
Tuesday, May 11
Weekly A-SIGN-ment!
Tomorrow during our Wednesday 1 PM Zoom meeting we will be sharing another word we've learned in sign language. This week's word theme is Unusual Animals! Share with us the sign for any animal you don't see in our area or typically talk about!
As usual, feel free to refer to HandSpeak for reference and guidance in finding your word!
Do You Believe in Unicorns?
There are many reasons for why a species of animal might go extinct. A reason could be human driven, such as people encroaching on and decimating wild areas of land, or even simply hunting them to extinction (as we learned was the case for the thylacines). But sometimes it's simply nature running its course. This is how climate change killed off the unicorn.
Yes, you did hear that correctly! I should probably specify it's the Siberian unicorn.
The real life unicorn looks a whole lot different than its mythical cousin. Give this short video a watch to learn more about this ancient creature and why its species eventually died out.
What is a UNICORN?
The word unicorn literally means "one-horned!"
Uni - Latin for "One"
Cornu - Latin for "Horn"
Tales of the mythical unicorn have persisted across many cultures for centuries. They were likely created from extinct and even existing one-horned creatures such as the ancient rhinoceros we've just learned about above!
Consider the narwhal. Some call this animal the "Unicorn of the Sea."
Monday, May 10
Newsletter Prompt!
Reminder! If you would like to submit an article or request help with one then you can e-mail Lauren (LrRafal@gmail.com).
For those who have articles or segments to submit, we would like to have everything done and in by no later than Friday, May 21st.
Giddyup, Little Doggies!
Did you know that corgi dog races exist? It's true! Canterbury Park in Minnesota offers one of the most unique (and arguably adorable) racing spectacles of all time. Once a year in August they feature the Corgi Races!
You can check out more corgi racing footage on their YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/canterburypark/search?query=corgi
Friday, May 7
This Sunday is
MOTHER'S DAY!
It's a day all about remembering and celebrating those motherly figures in our lives, both familial and found! Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 9th!
Our Earth Day posting had some great easy ideas for gifts including edible treats! If you're looking for another super simple dessert gift then look no further than some delicious fudge that takes only 2 ingredients to make. Add a cookie base or fun mix-ins and toppings if you want to get even more unique and wild!
(Hint: You can do this in a microwave too, no stovetop required!)
If you're crafty with glue and have a few (clean) popsicle sticks hanging around then this adorable little signboard might be the perfect homemade gift for you! Completely customizable and can be decorated any way you like. Even make it as a craft for your own room decor!
Have even more popsicle sticks to spare? Turn those into the card!
This unique popsicle stick card idea will definitely break the mold!
Winner winner, Mother's Day dinner! One of the simplest but much appreciated gifts a person can give are redemption coupons. They can say anything from, "Redeem this coupon to have me do the dishes" or, "This coupon is good for a back massage."
And what's more fun than a lottery card? This video shows two easy ways to go about making your very own custom scratch-off cards, great for any occasion or even just for fun. Make them feel like a winner!
Whether you are planning to give a gift to your mom or a special someone, we can all agree that every day is a good day to show our appreciation to those who look after us through thick and thin!
Next Art Club Project
Next Tuesday for Art Club we will be making Paper Butterflies!
Participants will only need multiple colors of construction paper (any and as many as they like), scissors, a gluestick, a pencil, a black marker or pen, and the Template!
(OR: Instead of construction paper you may also just use markers or pencils to color the pieces directly off the Template!)
Template for Construction Paper: HERE
Template for Coloring: HERE
Friday Movie Recommendation!
This week's movie recommendation comes from Esther with the 2002 romance/drama film A Walk to Remember! "Set in North Carolina, A Walk To Remember follows the rite of passage of a jaded, aimless high school senior (Shane West) who falls in love with a guileless young woman (Mandy Moore) he and his friends once scorned. The two develop a powerful and inspirational relationship in which they discover truths that take most people a lifetime to learn." It can be rented through most major streaming services.
"I would recommend A Walk to Remember. I LOVE this movie. It has life lessons. It is about a boy who inspires to be a better human being. It is a tear jerker, but it has very good acting and worth seaing. Bring your tissues!!" - Esther
Thursday, May 6
Brainbusters and FREE Swag!
Do you like witty banter? Do you like hearing about the latest in the world of music, news, and other events? Do you like FREE STUFF?
The Ian and Lauren Coffee Hour are still waiting for somebody to answer their anniversary podcast riddle and win a free mug for doing so! Tune into around the 19 minute mark on the Anniversary Video and be the first comment to answer the riddle right to win!
Think Like A Mother
What does it mean to think like a mother? You don't have to be a parent, or even a woman, to approach all that life throws at you with a mother's eye.
"There's a simple and powerful way to confront the world's most pressing crises, says women's rights activist Yifat Susskind: think like a mother. As she puts it: "When you think like a mother, you prioritize the needs of the many, not the whims of the few." Follow along as she shares moving stories of people around the world who embody this mindset -- and shows how it can also help you see beyond suffering and act to build a better world."
Arashi says: "My mama is fur-less and large, but I love her anyway!"
Wednesday, May 5
Art Club: Gallery Showcase
The recipients of these flip heart cards will be beaming with joy after they receive their handmade gift made by a member of our last Art Club meeting!
Happy
Cinco de Mayo!
Cinco de Mayo literally translates from Spanish into English as "the Fifth of May." Some mistake it for Mexican Independence Day, but if it isn't then what is it?
Well have a seat because you're about to take a crash course on Cinco de Mayo from the Mexican Survival Guide!
Cinco de Mayo Word Search
Don't let the fiesta stop! Check out this Cinco de Mayo Word Search that you can print out or play online!
https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/1084744/cinco-de-mayo/
Tuesday, May 4
GARDEN CLUB
Garden Club will happen tomorrow at 9:30 AM on Zoom!
Come join us and help us plan for the new year!
Weekly A-SIGN-ment!
Tomorrow during our Wednesday 1 PM Zoom meeting we will be sharing another word we've learned in sign language. This week's word theme is Bugs! Share with us the sign that has anything to do with the little critters we see out and about!
As usual, feel free to refer to HandSpeak for reference and guidance in finding your word!
May the 4th be With You!
Happy Star Wars Day! Yes, you heard that right. May 4th has officially been known as Star Wars Day since the first Star Wars movie in 1977! Why? It's all based on a pun.
"May the Force (be with you)" sounds a lot like "May the 4th!"
Star Wars is a franchise that is no stranger to people nerding out, so of course our real life space Jedis at NASA had to get in on the action. Here is a video of NASA flight engineer Rick Mastracchio delivering a special message to us Earthlings while aboard the International Space Station back in 2014... with a little help from a familiar robot friend!
If you're looking for ways to celebrate then look no further than the Official Star Wars Day site!
It's full of games, insider information, recipes, crafts, videos, promotional materials, and even music!
https://www.starwars.com/star-wars-day
Monday, May 3
Newsletter Prompt!
It's now May which means that our April/May Newsletter is in the works! The theme of this newsletter is Onward We Go. Each individual will receive the prompt: "What do you most look forward to being able to do that we have not been able to in the past year?" which will be featured on a page in the newsletter. We will be reaching out to you to gather your answers, but if you would like to send in your response directly then feel free to e-mail it to Lauren (LrRafal@gmail.com)!
For those who have articles or segments to submit, we would like to have everything done and in by no later than Friday, May 21st.
What to Expect
In MAY
It's a new month! So what does it have in store for us? If we consult Mass Audobon's Outdoor Almanac for May we can see what changes are in the air.
Do you like to bird watch? Are you competitive? Do you like to help raise money for good causes and support wildlife conservation?
May 14-15 is this year's Mass Audubon Bird-a-thon, a virtual interactive birding adventure! You can even win prizes! You will need to register beforehand, and fundraising is encouraged but not required.
Here's How It Works:
This year, 13 teams representing different Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries or programs are raising money while helping people of all ages connect with nature in communities across the state (and beyond!).
During Bird-a-thon weekend, these teams will compete head-to-head in two ways—by earning points from birding and nature activities, AND by birding in strategic sub-groups in an effort to identify the greatest number of bird species in 24 hours.
Because Nature Needs Heroes—Now More Than Ever
Bird-a-thon brings birders, nature-lovers, and families together—virtually and in-person—to celebrate nature and raise funds that provide essential year-round support for Mass Audubon's conservation, nature education, and advocacy work.
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