The story of leisure: The community sightseeing

Content:

Kuan-kuan and Jun-jun go to “love community” to fly a kite on Sunday morning. They ride a bike to get there. They meet Haw-haw and Dung-dung. Haw-haw and Dung-dung ask them where are they going. Haw-haw answers: “We are going to play Frisbee at the field of love community. What about you?” Kuan-kuan says: “The same place. Bit we are going to fly a kite.” The four of them then go to love community together happily.

No one go to the field of “Love community” for a long time. There are so many grasses. But now it is clean and beautiful after the resident’s help. There are so many beautiful flowers around it. May people like to go there walking or playing.

An excavator and dump truck come.

Jun-jun heard of this beautiful place at school before, so she is looking forward to it.

The strange thing is, the dump trucks come one by one. Then we heard “Hong-Long-Long” noise. The field of grass becomes gray. Kuan-kuan thinks there is something happened.

When the four of them get off their bikes, they saw: : excavators, dump trucks, and stones. There are many dusts. Butterflies, dragonflies, and grasshoppers are scared. They are flying everywhere. The field of grass is gone.

Jun-jun says: “It’s such a pity! We haven’t try to run on the field!”

Dung-dung and Haw-haw says: “Where can we go on holidays now?” Kuan-kuan says: “So terrible!!” as if he is going to cry.

At this moment, a worker comes to them and tells them to go because they are going to work now.

The worker goes away after he shouted to them. The children seems don’t know what to do.

During the class of life, the teacher discusses with us: “The environment we live”.

The teacher draws a picture of the surroundings around our school and posts it on the blackboard. She wants us to point out where we live.

Kuan-kuan says with joyment: “I found love community!”

Shuan-shuan says: “Me too!”

“Wow! This river goes to the community around our school! It is so beautiful!” Jun-jun says.

Then the teacher stands behind the picture and asks: “Did everyone see the place you live? Now I want you to come here, point to the place you live and say the special thing at the place.”

Kuan-kuan raises his hands and points out love community. Then he introduce the green field to the class. At the end, he cries and says: “ Now the green field is gone, we have no place to play.” Jun-jun says: “The first time I go to the green field, I saw the excavators and dump trucks. There are so many dusts, noise and trash.”

Jun-jun says: “Once I went to the river, I saw so many trash on it!”

Haw-haw says: “I saw something even more serious! I saw dead dogs and cats on the river! It is stinky!”

After hearing student’s answers, the teacher says: “I’m glad that you have such a good observation. Then we should learn how to protect our earth.” Everyone is thinking with their heads down.


This story is translated from the Ministry of Education, Taiwan.

Traditional Chinese version of the story         
Traditional Chinese version of the story MP3 file

The story of recovery: I’m the environment protector

Content

Hello every students. This is the school broadcasting station. We will broadcast a new information for you:

The school is holding the school festival, and everyone is thinking of what they would like to sell and thinking of the name. For example, “The kingdom of circle- tapioca in syrup, and the pearl milk tea” “Popcorn” “The marksman-throw the ring” “The fragrance- Stinky Tofu”… The topics are diverse.

Except the teachers and students at school, we also invite parents in the community to join us. There are many people at school today.

If you want to know what is it about, you can walk around the school and you will know.

Above is reporter from the school broadcasting station.

“Hurry! Hurry!” Haw-haw and Dong-dong walk to the school festival together. Two little children is walking in the school festival very quickly. They are afraid of missing any single vendor because they are too slow. At this moment, Shuan-shuan takes her parents to walk around every vendor. She buys every hot and cold drink. Shuan-shuan’s mother tells her: “Don’t buy too much! It wastes money and hurt your stomach.” Her mother’s talk didn’t have too much effect to Shuan-shuan. This is different to Jun-jun who always stay clean. Jun-jun and her friends is observing what are the different attractive points to all the vendors? It is impossible for Jun-jun to buy things because she is afraid of getting sick. Kuan-kuan likes to save money, so he will not buy things.

The school festival is over in the afternoon, and the parents are leaving. Students are cleaning up the mess.

Kuan-kuan and his classmates go back to the classroom. “Wow! The two trash cans are all full. There is also some trash behind the trash cans!” Jun-jun sees and screams: “Wait! Where will you dump the trash?”

Haw-haw says: “The garbage truck! And then the garbage truck will take the garbage away.”

Jun-jun says unhappily: “No! No!”

Haw-haw explains: “What’s wrong? The trash will be dumped in the garbage truck absolutely!”

“This is the report from the office: Attention every class! The garbage today is much more than usual. More over, most of the people didn’t sort the garbage and it will cause problems like the recyclable trash will be dumped into the garbage truck. So every student please spends some time to sort the garbage first.” The clear report stops Jun-jun and Haw-haw’s quarrel.

“Good job students! I think everyone heard the report from the office. I’m going to explain how to sort the garbage and the importance of sorting the garbage.” The teacher says this after he gets in the classroom.

Everyone is listening carefully to the teacher. Especially Jun-jun and Haw-haw who had a quarrel because of it.

The teacher says: “The school is promoting the trash reducing action. The trash reducing action means to encourage everyone to recycle the garbage.” Kuan-kuan is still confused; he raises his hands and asks: “What kind of garbage can be recycled? What kinds of garbage have to be dumped away?”

The teacher smiles and says: “This is a good question! We sort the trash into two kinds: one is recyclable and another one is non-recyclable trash. Non-recyclable trash is our trash, the trash will be sent by the garbage truck. Recyclable trash is the trash that can be used after some treatment.” Haw-haw realized and says thank you to the teacher. Then he apologized to Jun-jun.

“Now let’s pull out all of the trash and learn how to sort the trash.” The teacher walks to the trash can after he says this. He takes a plastic bottle, a carton box, and a plastic cup. He says to the students: “These are all recyclable trash. Actually there are so many recyclable trashes. The cans, paper, and waste batteries. You have to see them clearly! They have the recyclable marks on them.” “OK! Now let’s do it!”

“Teacher, is glass recyclable?” Dung-dung asks. “Teacher, is it OK if the bottle still left some drink?” Haw-haw asks immediately. The teacher answers: “Glasses are recyclable. But remember to clean it up before you put it into the trash can!”

Everyone sort out the garbage after a while. They find out that the non-recyclable trash can is only half-full! The recyclable trash is all full! Kuan-kuan says with excitement: “Recycling is just like magic! The non-recyclable trash disappears a lot!”

The teacher praises students: “You did a great job! Not only save time, but also sort out the garbage carefully. Look! The garbage is less than before. At the same time, you can help the people responsible for the trash dumping. Now wash your hands. Let’s take the garbage to the garbage field and learn how to sort out the recyclable trash ok?” The students are so happy and go out to make a line outside the classroom.


This story is translated from the Ministry of Education, Taiwan.

Traditional Chinese version of the story         
Traditional Chinese version of the story MP3 file

The story of the forest: A good friend in the campus

Content:

At a sunny holiday, the school holds a “School plants Camp”, Kuan-kuan, Dong-Dong, and Haw-haw all join it.

Dr. School plants, Teacher Wang, will introduce the plants at school for students. Everyone is happy.

Teacher Wang points to a tree and says: “This is banyan grandfather, also called tempting birds plants. ” “What is tempting birds plants? ” Jun-jun asks immediately.

Teacher Wang answers: “Some birds like to eat the fruits of these plants, so the birds always fly around the plants. They are very busy!”

Teacher Wang continue answers: “Except banyan, there are Jiadong, bodhi tree, Morus…. They are all tempting birds plants”

Kuan-kuan then asks: “Teacher, What kind of birds like to eat their fruits?”

“This problem is good! The birds are Chinese bulbul, and Embroiders the eye green.” Teacher Wang praises the students for their hard work.

“Teacher, why does banyan grandfather have so many small branches?” Dong-dong points to the banyan and ask.Teacher Wang smiles and answers: “These small branches are banyan’s aerial root. Because there are many long and small branches, just like grandfather’s

beard. That’s why we call them banyan grandfather.”

Shuan-shuan shakes her head and says: “Teacher, what is the usage of the aerial root?”

Teacher Wang says: “The aerial root can help the banyan to absorb the water. The aerial root will be bigger and then they can support the banyan to grow.”

“It’s very hot!” Haw-haw wipes the sweat and shouts.

 Haw-haw open his eyes and enjoy the butterflies flying in front of him. He already forgets the uncomfortable if the weather.

Dung-dung, who is interesting in butterflies says: “This is Grain Bai Die, Livedo butterflies, and Birch spot butterfly…” Students really admire Dung-dung. Teacher Wang praises Dung-dung as “Prince of butterfly.”

Teacher Wang says: “The best time to watch butterflies is in May. Look at this garden, there are many plants which can blossom throughout the year. There are Short pill of immortality, Long Guangzhou wood, lantana, and Xianfeng grass. Their flowers are blossom now. Butterflies and bees like to…” “Pick the food nectar!” Jun-jun answers immediately.

Teacher Wang answers with a smile: “Correct! The flowers of the nectar not only can attract butterflies and bees, but also ants and scarabs who like to eat sweet things.”

“Be careful! There is a net in front of you.” Kuan-kuan reminds everyone.

“I will take a stick to hit it down.” Haw-haw says.

Jun-jun stares at him and says angrily: “The net is spider’s home. If you hit it down, the spider will have no home.”

Haw-haw feels embarrassed and says: “Sorry…”

When the two students are arguing, Shuan-shuan shouts: “There is a large caterpillar! So horrible! Hurry! Let’s grab it down!” Teacher Wang walks here in a hurry and comfort Shuan-shuan. Teacher Wang: “The caterpillar is the baby of the butterfly. The caterpillar you see is eating Mary muscle’s leaves. It will become a beautiful butterfly when it grow up.” After hearing teacher Wang’s explanation, everyone feels relaxing.

Everyone walk to a tree and take a rest. A wind blows, and everyone feels so comfortable.

After a while, teacher Wang says: “Except the plants at school, what else do you learn?”

“Birds, butterflies, bees, and scarabs…” “And caterpillar!” The cute students answer.

Teacher Wang tells everyone: “They are the friends of the school. We have to love them and take care of them. Let them live happily at our school.”

Without knowing, we already make friends with the nature.

This story is translated from the Ministry of Education, Taiwan.

Traditional Chinese version of the story         
Traditional Chinese version of the story MP3 file

The story of the soil: Where are the leave’s home?

Content

On a Monday morning, there is full of leaves under the large trees at school. The teacher tells the all the students to clean up the environment quickly.
Kuan-kuan finished his own work immidiately and stand on the passageway. He saw many other elder students holding bamboo brooms, iron rakes, and dustpans. They are using those things to clean the leaves under the large trees at school. Kuan-kuan really wants to help, so he asks Jin-jin to go with him.
They go to the large trees besides the playground, and they hear some kind of noise “Sh-sh-su-su-” which comes under their feet.  The “Sh-sh-su-su-” noise changes as they walk faster or slower. At this moment, the breeze softly blows, and the leaves fall off slowly. They try to catch the leaves by their hands but they can’t. The leaves fall on their head. They forget the purpose they come because of the scene.
A few moments later, the elder students sweep the leaves into small piles and use the dustpans to put the leaves in the garbage can. When the garbage can is full, the students push the garbage can to a big hole. The cleaning work is completely done.

Kuan-kuan says: “Wow! They really did a great job.”
Jin-jin nod and says: “We should learn from them.”
The cleaning time is over> “Let’s go back.”
“Kuan-kuan! Look, why is there so many leaves that haven’t clean?” Jin-jin says with surprise. “Is it possible that someone was lazy? ” I want to tell the teacher about this!” Kuan-kuan can’t believe what he saw.
After Kuan-kuan washes his hands and walk in the classroom, the teacher comes. Kuan-kuan raises his hands, and the teacher says “What happened? You are so hurry to tell me.”
Kuan-kuan stands up and says: “the elder students responsible for the cleaning work didn’t work hard. They dump the leaves under the trees. If the wind blows, the leaves will fly up and go to other places at school.”
The teacher smiles and nodds: “Thanks for your concern, but actually it is not the same as you think. Let’s go around the school and  I will tell you the reason why. ”
There is a board on the leaves under the trees. The teacher points to the board and let us read the words on it- “Compost Area- The Leaves’s Home”
Shuan-shuan asks: “Teacher, what is compost area?”
Jun-jun asks: “The leaves have home?”
The teacher explains: “The garbage truck will no longer help us to remove the leaves, cut the branches, pull up weeds, and dead flowers. Because of that, the school sets up some places, compost area, for us to dump the leaves. The compost area will be under the trees or at the corners of the school. After a period of time, they will turn dark and rotten, then become organic fertilizer.” Everyone nodded as they know.
Hau-hau says loudly: “We eat organic vegetables and fruits at school. My mother says there is no pesticides in organic vegetables and fruits. They are good to us.”
The teacher says: “Good! Now we pay more and more attention to our health, so many people like to buy organic foods.”
Shuan-shuan says with excitement: “So the purpose to set the compost areas under the trees is for the leaves to rot and then become organic fertilizer for the tress?”
The teacher nods and answers: “Exactly.”
Kuan-kuan still has question: “Why don’t all the compost areas set under the trees? Why do we have to find other corners at school?”
The teacher says: “At this season, the mahogany trees fall many leaves. If we only put them under the trees, they will be full quickly. Because of the reason, we have to find another home for the leaves.” Kuan-kuan nods to show he understand.
The teacher continue says: “The compost areas at the corner can put more leaves. If the organic fertilizer become more and more, the use will be more.”
“Dang-Dang-Dang” The bell rings, the teacher says: “It’s time for the break. If you have any problems, we can discuss it next time.” The students reveal a satisfying smile and go away.

This story is translated from the Ministry of Education, Taiwan.

Traditional Chinese version of the story         
Traditional Chinese version of the story MP3 file

The story of water: Wow! There is no water.

Content

     

The amusement area in the school is crowded with children during the break time.
Kuan-kuan and Jun-jun are playing the swings, slides and dodge ball in great delight.
They are sweating but happy.

“Dang dang dang…” As the annoying school bell rings, Kuan-kuan and Jun-jun rush back to the classroom for class. When Kuan-kuan tries to open the faucet to wash his hands, he finds out that there is no water.
“How come there is no water? Is the faucet stop working? ” said Kuan-kuan. Then he tries another faucet. “Only a few drops drip down. How come ?”
“It suppose to be a water outage. ” said Jun-jun.

“I am sweated and my hands are durty. It’s so uncomfortable.” said Kuan-kuan.
“I jumped down from the swing and fell. Look! There is dirt everywhere on my hands, knees and skirt! ” said Jun-jun. They are talking to each other, and…
When the teacher said to take a break, Shuan-shuan and Jan-jan run to the toilet immediately.

They smell some kind of disgusting and rotten smell from the toilet before they get in. Jan-jan said to Shuan-shuan, “It is too stinky! I don’t want to go in. I’ll wait outside. ”
Shuan-shuan has no idea. She pinches her nose and go in.
Shuan-shuan and Jan-jan are discussing about the stinky-smelling toilet while they are walking.
“I wonder who made the toilet so dirty, and the students responsible to clean the toilet also didn’t do their work indeed. I want to tell the teacher. ”said Jan-jan with anger.
Shuan-shuan said: “No one did wrong. It is because of the water outage.” After listening to Shuan-shuan’s explanation, Jan-jan stops her anger and hold Shuan-shuan’s hand to go to the garden for a walk. She wants to enjoy the colorful flowers and watch the butterflies flying. Shuan-shuan holds back her hand and says slowly: “I didn’t wash my hands after I use the toilet.”
They watch each other with a forced smile and said: “It is really inconvenient
without water.”

Kuan-kuan laughs and says: “Jun-jun, your face is the same as a clown fish! There are many black dots on your face.”
“Yap! Your clothes is like zebra crossing too.” Jan-jan says.
Jun-jun bursts into tears after she heard them. She is very clean usually, so how can she put up with the dirty spots on her face and clothes, and other classmate’s laughing. She wipes her tears and explains: “I fell down at the amusement area, so there is dirt everywhere on my hands, knees and skirt. Unfortunately, there is no water so….” Jun-jun feels very unfair and cries louder and louder.
Everyone knows that they are in trouble.

At the moment, Haw-haw said in a hurry.:“The teacher is coming! Be quiet! ”
After the teacher walks into the classroom with a bucket of water, she sees Jun-jun with red eyes. The teacher asks the class what happened, and Shuan-shuan raises her hand to answer the question.
After hearing Shuan-shuan’s answer, the teacher comforts Jun-jun. Then the teacher explains to the class: “Because the water company is covering the underground pipeline, we will have no water for half a day. The school saved some water in the previous day, so each classroom has one bucket of water. Now who wants to wash hands can come here and wait in line.” After hearing the teacher’s explanation, the students realize the reason of water outage.
Kuan-kuan and Jan-jan walk to Jun-jun’s seat and bow to her. They said: “Sorry, you can wash your face and clothes first.” A bucket of water washes away their quarrel, and also washes away…..

This story is translated from the Ministry of Education, Taiwan.

Traditional Chinese version of the story         
Traditional Chinese version of the story MP3 file