The Japanese whaling fleet is on its way to the Antarctic Ocean as you read this (December 8 2010). They plan to slaughter over 1000 whales for commercial purposes, including 50 endangered fin whales. President Obama made this campaign promise: “As president, I will ensure that the U.S. provides leadership in enforcing wildlife protection agreements, including the international moratorium on commercial whaling. As the commercial whaling season begins, it’s a good time to remember that this issue is nowhere near resolved, and President Obama needs to know people care. Whales are dying, marine wildlife is being decimated . . . be aware of it . . . hold a candle . . . do what you can, if you can . . . remember the gentle leviathans of the deep in your thoughts, prayers, and actions . . .
Sea Shepherd and Save the Whales
Amazing experience! Because we’re the source of classic boardgame Save the Whales, we were privileged to be invited to a benefit for Sea Shepherd, the world’s largest marine mammal conservation society. It was a great night in the Hollywood Hills, with awesome vegan food and cocktails a plenty. Never met so many people in one place willing to put themselves on the line to protect whales from commercial exploitation. PASSION in action-wow! Saving the whales (and the oceans and ourselves) is serious business but the quest can be as fun as it is important–Sea Shepherd (& Save the Whales) show that!
Family Game Night
Has your family forgotten about family game night? You remember: pop corn, hot chocolate, and gathering at the kitchen table over a rousing board game. It’s not too late to get back into the game groove. Shop our fine selection of COOPERATIVE board games and everyone wins! www.cooperativegames.com
Teaching Cooperative Skills Through Play
Cooperation is important in any group endeavor from the family home to the classroom and beyond. Teachers use cooperative learning to teach cooperative skills and it works! Caregivers teach cooperation through modeling and rewards. That works too. But COOPERATIVE PLAY is a fun and effective vehicle for teaching cooperative skills that is often overlooked. The advantage of discovering the joy of cooperation through fun, cooperative play is that learners have an immediate understanding that cooperation FEELS GOOD and keeps group situations running smoothly. Rather than explicitly teaching the benefits of cooperation as lesson material, let kids experience the fun of it. Follow up with reflecting on the cooperative experience together, to solidify the learning. This kind of experiential learning is highly meaningful according to many experiential educators working today.
Whale Watching in Monterey
We went whale watching in Monterey, CA last Wednesday. We ferried out from shore almost an hour on choppy seas. When we were over a submarine canyon, we lingered for about an hour. During that time, we had about 8 North Pacific Blue Whale sitings. They don’t fluke but we could see their expansive blue-ish backs and the spray from their blow-holes. We had at least 20 Humpback sitings too. My two favorites sights of the day were: seeing a Humpback beat its tale back and forth to communicate with its peers; and seeing a Humpback’s mouth wide open close to the boat. So pink! The skipper said there are only about 5000 North Pacific Blue Whales left—their numbers having been drastically reduced over the last 100 years. The biggest factor in that was 19th century whale hunting for oil. Has anyone else been whale-watching this summer? It’s the best whale-watching year in a couple decades in the Monterey area due to a massive upwelling of marine nutrients there.