Some of the words to Canada’s national anthem have been changed. In O Canada, the line, “in all thy sons command” has been changed to “in all of us command.” Last week, Canada passed Bill C-210. That bill changes “the National Anthem Act to substitute the words “of us” for the words “thy sons” in the English version of the national anthem, thus making it gender neutral.” Once the bill is approved by the Governor General, it will be come a law.
Tag: grade 1
Unlocking The Mysteries Of The Monarch Butterfly’s Incredible Journey
Every year, Monarch butterflies fly more than 4,000 kilometres from Canada to Mexico.
Until recently, no-one was sure how the Monarch butterfly knew the exact path to take that would ensure it would end up at its intended destination after such a long flight.
Now Canadian scientists believe they have discovered the secret to the butterfly’s internal sense of direction.
Scientists wanted to know if the Monarchs used a type of “internal compass” or an “internal map.” Some animals and birds have both.
To find out, researchers tested the butterflies by starting them different locations than they normally would. Ryan Norris, an associate professor of biology at the University of Guelph, started them on their journey from Guelph, Ontario and Calgary, Alberta.
Toronto Kids Need More Exercise
Ninety-nine percent of children living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) don’t get enough exercise, according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of Toronto and Dalhousie University tracked the physical activity of 856 grade five and six students in the GTA for one week.
The students wore accelerometers – tiny devices that are similar to pedometers, but which measure all types of motion – for about 16 and a half hours a day.
The information recorded by the devices showed that, on average, boys got about 35 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. Girls got about 24 minutes of activity per day.
Experts* recommend that children aged five to 17 should get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each day.
Playing Video Games Can Make You A Better Searcher
Want to be a great doctor or scientist? Make sure you play video games.
New research shows that certain video games can help people “find things” better and faster.
For instance, if a doctor is looking for something on an x-ray, or if a scientist is looking at a satellite image—they may be able to do it better if they’ve “trained” by playing video games.
Certain video games, like driving games, can improve a person’s “visual search skills.” That’s the ability to see something that’s hidden in the middle of a confusing field of things. Like finding “Waldo.”
Researchers at the University of Toronto studied three groups of people: 20 people who played a shooting game called Medal of Honor, 20 people who played the driving game Need for Speed, and 20 people who played a puzzle game called Ballance.
Underwater Dolphin Rescue Caught On Video
Keller Laros is a professional scuba instructor who lives in Hawaii.
The shores of Kailua-Kona, on The Big Island of Hawaii, host some of the world’s most diverse and interesting aquatic life.
Laros estimates he has made more than 10,000 dives in his career.
On Jan. 11, he led a group of videographers and divers on a “Manta Ray Night Dive.”
However, the tour would be unlike any other trip he had ever been on before.
Happy Holidays, From Your Team At TKN
Happy holidays!
Thank you for reading Teaching Kids News and using it in your home or classroom.
During the winter break, please enjoy our archives. There are more than 400 great articles on lots of topics.
Type a key word into our Search box or click on a topic in the “tag cloud” on our home page.
There are lots of articles kids will enjoy in categories like sports, animals, science, space, England, United States, Canada and yes, even politics.
Please also look at our new “In-Class Ideas” section (tab in the upper menu on the home page). There are some terrific ideas for in-class and homeschooling work based on articles from TKN. These are projects that other classes have done successfully with their students. Fun!
Have a great holiday season, and we’ll see you in the new year.
This beautiful, snowy image is by Canadian artist Rocky Green. (Copyright Rocky L. Green.)
Christine Sinclair Is Canada’s Outstanding Athlete For 2012
Women’s soccer superstar Christine Sinclair has won the 2012 Lou Marsh Award.
The award is given out each year to Canada’s outstanding athlete. She is the first soccer player to win the award.
Sinclair, 29, is from Burnaby, British Columbia; she is captain of Canada’s women’s soccer team.
She led Canada to a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
She played a spectacular tournament, scoring an Olympic-record-setting six goals.
What’s In A Meme? Ikea Monkey Goes Viral
Who knows why something “catches on” through the Internet?
Somehow it sparks the collective imagination and before you know it, it’s gone “viral.”
That’s what happened last week with the “Ikea monkey.”
Bronwyn Page was in an Ikea (furniture store) parking lot in North York, Ont. on Dec. 9 when she saw something unusual.
A little brown monkey wearing a diaper and a tiny, expensive-looking coat.
A Celebration Of Canadian Football
On Sunday night, Canada celebrated a great game and a big anniversary.
It was the 100th anniversary of the football championship that decides who takes the most important prize in the Canadian Football League — the Grey Cup.
Across the country, and all over Toronto, Canadians were cheering for the Toronto Argonauts or the Calgary Stampeders.
At noon on Sunday, fans converged on Varsity Stadium in downtown Toronto for a “fan march,” a big parade of Canadian football fans.
The Argos’ mascot, Jason, bounced around the crowd giving people high-fives.
The Stampeders’ mascot, Ralph, made his way through the mostly Toronto crowd.
But it didn’t matter who you were rooting for–the real celebration was about the game itself.
“The only play is the next play,” the coach for the Argos told his team before the big game.
At the same time, in the other dressing room, the coach for the Stampeders reminded his team that, “one word — team — is why we’re here.”
Spirit Of “Caine’s Arcade” Felt Around The World
Recently, the spirit of Caine’s Arcade went global.
The Global Cardboard Challenge was held on October 6 and proceeds from the day went to the Imagination Foundation.
The foundation supports creativity and entrepreneurship in children around the world.
Caine Monroy is a nine-year-old boy who lives in a neighbourhood known as East L.A. in California.
