Muslim pupils diverge on hijab

The controversy surrounding the Azalea Middle school student who wears the hijab demonstrated the problems that can result from prejudice or a lack of understanding about religious freedom. Today’s article provides the views of other Muslim pupils on the wearing of the hijab. What information could be provided in the Times about this particular situation at Azalea Middle School that would bring greater understanding to the students, teachers, administrators and families involved?

If you were an advice columnist for the Times and one of the players in this event had written you asking for guidance about their situation, how would you respond? Write a question from one of the people mentioned in the series of articles about this situation and then your response in the comments section below.

Here are links to today's and earlier articles if you want to revisit them before you post your advice.\

Muslim pupils diverge on hijab (Nov. 15)

Harassment of Muslim sixth-grader is deplored (Nov. 13)

Wilcox vows to investigate (Nov. 14)

Gator Symphony

Click here read, see and HEAR gators sing!
If you were going to sing a line or two to a gator, what words and music would you use? Share your verse (and the tune we should sing it to) in the comments section.

Here is one to get you started. Sing it to the tune of Huey's Pop, Lock and Drop it -- which has a JAWS-style scary beat that the gators could dig . . .

Big Gator roll to da left (left)
then he roll to da right (right)
Roar more and drop it
underwater out-of-site
Tubas blow on the dock (dock)
Tubas blow to da boys (gators)
Blow B Flat note and
hear the gators sing all night

Reading the Times with Ms. Mobley

Hi Summer Readers!
Did you catch Ms. Mobley's comment on June 6 in the Vanishing Wetlands post? IT seems that the students are not the only ones learning new things at Book It! this summer. Here is what she said:

This Reading Camp is SOOOOO cool, fun and I am truly enjoying myself, while learning something new about Wetlands and Teaching Reading! I never had an opinion, nor a thought about Wetlands and the Everglades. But, the learning experiences here have surely developed an interest. As a matter of fact, I opened up the St. Pete. Times this morning and my attention was drawn to the article about the everglades on the front page. I am now growing curiosities about the importance of preserving them and interested in following the action or lack of action that the politicians have taken. Your responses indicate that you too have been enjoying learning about the Wetlands. What else about this topic do you want to learn more about this summer?

Like Ms. Mobley, I noticed a lot of articles in the June 6 Times about the environment. If you still have a few copies in your classroom, see how many articles you can find in the entire paper that have to do with our environment, clip them out and start a file for future use. The Times will give a prize to the student or small group that can list the most articles on environmental concerns. Submit your headlines to this post by clicking on the comment bar. BE sure to give your name and teacher's name so we can find you!
Good luck!

Vanishing Wetlands

Florida has more wetlands than any other state but Alaska. They stop floods, clean up water pollution and replenish drinking supplies. Yet despite government promises, they are disappearing. Click on the link below to go to the multimedia series in the St. Petersburg Times and read about this challenge. Then share with us your comments and ideas on how we can change this impending crisis.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/webspecials06/wetlands/

Are you ready to Sizzle, Summer Readers?

There are museums showcasing just about anything (or anyone) you can think of. If you were designing a museum, what would you put in it? Look in the St. Petersburg Times for current exhibits at local museums. Flip through the pages of the Times and study the advertisements. What do people value in our culture? Today's bobble head doll might be a valuable relic in the next century! What would you collect and put in a museum?  Share your museum ideas with other students across Tampa Bay by clicking on COMMENT and describing your dream collection.