The Sun (MGP Descriptive)

(not final)

Shining, golden, bright
Creeping through the tree

Daily when I awake it is you
That my weary eyes see.

Silently powerful you sit in space,
What can move your from your place?

Sparkling light descends from on high,
Evening approaches, time for good-bye.

How to Make Sun Tea (MGP Expository)

I plan to use a power point for this part of the
MGP. It's titled: "How to Make Sun Tea"

This is a simple demonstration of how
we can use the sun's heat energy for
our own benefit. The following is a recipe for
making sun tea.

First, get about 4 large tea bags.

Then you place the tea bags in a 4 quart glass (or
clear) container and fill with water. Try not
to overfill the container.

Next, you add the tea bags into the water filled
container and seal it shut (not too tight though).

After this, take your sealed glass container or
pitcher outside to the area that gets the most
sunlight during the day and leave it there at
least 2 hours.

When the 2 hours are up, take your container
inside and sweeten the tea to taste and add lemon
if you wish.

Finally, pour your tea prepared by you (and the sun
of course) into a glass with ice and enjoy.

As the Sun Turns (MGP Persuasive)

Setting: A few of the planets in the solar
system have gathered for a meeting.
Their chief complaint is against the Sun.
Since they are all rotating around him,
they have grown weary and obstinate. Mercury is
the first to speak up.

Mercury: "What is sooo special about the Sun any-
way? Why do we all have to orbit around him? I'm
tired of spinning around him all these million years."

Jupiter: "I nominate myself. After all, I'm the next
largest planet."

Sun: "Wait a minute! You think I enjoy just being
stuck out here looking at you guys all the time?
I know you feel you don't need me, but just ask
Earth- I'm pretty important to her."

Earth: "What's wrong with you guys? The Sun
is so very important, at least to me. I don't know
where I'd be without him. Without the Sun's
power radiating as sunlight one very important
thing would not be available on me."

All planets: "Well, what is it?"

Earth: "It's food. The Sun's power makes it
possible for all the living things to have food.
Photosynthesis is the process through which
all green plants make their own food, and with-
out the Sun's rays - no food."

Sun: "Wow, I didn't know I had such an effect
on you!"

Earth: "Talking about 'effect'- the way that you
just warm me up is known as the 'greenhouse
effect,' and it's great!"

Mars: "Okay, so the Sun warms you up, provides
food and light for you and all your inhabitants.
But I agree with the others, why should we keep
going around in circles? What's in it for us?"

Sun: "Hey, I'd be glad to move to another galaxy
and go with planets who would appreciate me."

Earth: "No, Sun, I truly appreciate you, and so
do all my people."

Mercury: "We don't have any people on us, so why
should we need the Sun?"

Venus: "We don't need him!"

Uranus: "Wait, if the Sun is benefiting the Earth
and it's 93 million miles away from her, maybe
the Sun's good for us, too."

Saturn: "So, you want us to think of reasons that
the Sun is good for us too?"

Uranus: "That's right! You know we don't all have
to be the center of the universe."

Until the next episode 500 years from now...

About Me (MGP Narrative)

Well, I'm not used to talking about myself.
I've been around quite a long time, before you
were born, before your parents were born, even
before the Earth was formed. I consider myself
very giving even though I have a very strong
personality. You might think I'm very distant,
but I'm actually close to my family. I really care
about each and every one of them. I know I
shouldn't have any favorites but my daughter,
Earth is most special to me.
I know I'm far away from her, about 93
million miles away, but Earth's well-being
is my utmost concern. I guess it's because
she's the youngest of my children that I feel so
protective of her. Since I want her to be warm,
I make sure that the energy I radiate reaches
her. Her scientists refer to this as the "green-
house effect." This means that my energy remains
in Earth's atmosphere. Without my power she
would be -18 degrees Celsius. She would freeze
to death! The life on her also depends on me.
When my radiation reaches Earth's surface,
along with the heat I provide, plants make their
own food. This process, known as "photo-
synthesis," occurs when my power reaches the
plants. The plants with leaves trap my light
energy in their chloroplasts and turn it into
chemical energy to make food. I really don't
want her inhabitants to starve. What kind
of parent do you think I am?

The Importance of Talking in the Classroom

We are first taught to speak and as soon as we start going
to school, the teachers tell us to be quiet. Now, as future
teachers we are learning the importance of having a
classroom of talkers. Children learn so much from their
peers when talking is used in various ways. Talking also
helps students develop higher level thinking.

Through small group conversations, students are able
to practice strategies for conversing. They learn to take
turns, to listen to each other and ask questions. In grand
conversations, students are able to discuss a story that
they have been reading in literature. In instructional
conversations,students are able to talk about subjects
that they have been learning about and are able to work
on their academic language.
Children also learn when they dramatize stories,prepare
oral reports and participate in debates.

In the classroom, I plan to have the students prepare
scripts and learn to debate. It is essential that children
learn to speak in public since it will be done the rest of
their lives. I firmly believe that everyone will be put in
a position where public speaking will be necessary. Having
children practice in the classroom will prepare them for
their future.

I have benefited from talking in class enormously since
returning to college. No matter how many notes I take,
I always miss out on something. Hearing information from
my classmates and listening to what they got out of
something has helped reinforce many main ideas. There
have been numerous times before a test when I have
studied long hours, but upon arriving early in the class,
I have walked in on others reviewing. I remember these
conversations during the test. I am indebted to many of
them who unknowingly helped me pass my tests!