Eco Kids Self-Sufficiency Handbook E-Book

Alan & Gill Bridgewater

• Herausgeber: Happy Fox Books
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Seitenzahl: 118

Beschreibung

Everyone's interested in becoming more green these days—why should kids miss out on the fun? By cleverly combining creativity with eco-awareness, this timely book encourages children aged 7-14 to put down their mobile devices and get involved. From building a wind turbine and a go-kart to creating light, growing vegetables, and making green gifts, Eco Kids Self Sufficiency Handbook offers a wide range of ways to capture the imagination and make a positive contribution to the world around us. Twenty-eight exciting projects support integrated STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, art, math). With easy to follow step-by-step instructions and photographs, no project is too difficult for children to complete with adult supervision.

Leseprobe

Eco Kids

SELF-SUFFICIENCY HANDBOOK

The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.

—Denis Waitley, American motivational speaker (1933–)

Eco Kids

SELF-SUFFICIENCY HANDBOOK

STEAM Projects to Help Kids Make a Difference

ALAN & GILL BRIDGEWATER

© 2019 by Alan & Gill Bridgewater and Happy Fox Books, an imprint of Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552.

Eco Kids Self-Sufficiency Handbook is an original work, first published in 2019 by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc. Reproduction of its contents is strictly prohibited without written permission from the rights holder.

ISBN 978-1-64124-030-7

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Bridgewater, Alan, author. | Bridgewater, Gill, author.

Title: Eco kids self-sufficiency handbook / Alan and Gill Bridgewater.

Description: Mount Joy, PA : Happy Fox Books, an imprint of Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., [2019] | Audience: Age 7-14. | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018035061 | ISBN 9781641240307 (pbk.)

Subjects: LCSH: Environmental protection--Citizen participation--Juvenile literature. | Environmental responsibility--Juvenile literature.

Classification: LCC TD171.7 .B744 2019 | DDC 363.7/0525--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018035061

To learn more about the other great books from Fox Chapel Publishing, or to find a retailer near you, call toll-free 800-457-9112 or visit us at www.FoxChapelPublishing.com.

We are always looking for talented authors. To submit an idea, please send a brief inquiry to [email protected].

Fox Chapel Publishing makes every effort to use environmentally friendly paper for printing.

Printed in Singapore

First printing

All photos and illustrations provided by the authors except where noted below.

Shutterstock photos: Cover: John Roman Images (inset left), Hatchapong Palurtchaivong (inset center), A3pfamily (inset right), Sunny studio (main); ii: Sunny studio; v: Maxx-Studio (background); 6 (bottom left), 119: Poznyakov; 6 (bottom right), 152: Georgina198; 7, 84: MaraZe; 9: Romrodphoto; 10: Halfpoint (right); 11: EvgeniiAnd (left), Alena Ozerova (right); 13: Jacob_09; 14: Pressmaster; 18: Richard P Long; 27: Luis Louro (bottom); 19: IrinaK; 32: sasaperic (right), Nate Allred (left); 37: kakteen; 39: Gladskikh Tatiana; 47: Mary Terriberry; pgs. 48–49: Diyana Dimitrova; 50: Nitr; 54: BaselineWorks; 55: gorillaimages; 57: Fotofermer (right); 59: Titisak Wangkasem; 60: Martien van Gaalen; 61: 000; 62: Foodpictures; 69: gorillaimages; 71: TukkataMoji (top right), napocska (bottom), nikkytok (top left); 72: EF Photography; 77: donatas1205 (top); 78: Hortimages; 80: freeskyline; 81: aboikis; 82: TheLiftCreativeServices; 83: Stacyann105 (top), Nataly Studio (bottom); 85: annielimdesign (bottom right), Tatiana_Didenko (bottom left), Tanja Esser (top left); 86: B Brown; 87: Jeff Wilson (top), sirtravelalot (center), Aquir (bottom); pgs. 88–89: palidachan; 95: CL-Medien; 101, back cover (bottom): Trong Nguyen; 102: Benedek Alpar; 103: Serg64; 104: Zurijeta; 106: amenic181; 109: Olesia Bilkei; 110: Alessandro Pietri (top), Kevin Key (bottom); 111: Alexander Image (top), Joseph Sorrentino (bottom); pgs. 116–117: Christine Glade; 121: Dmitry Galaganov; 124: Graeme Dawes; 125: JueWorn; 127: Fotos593; 128: GOLFX (top), Paolo Bona (bottom); 129: Mr Doomits (top), science photo (bottom); 131: Monkey Business Images; 132: Lapina (top), Brian A. Jackson (bottom); 133: Dasha Rosato; 135: Monkey Business Images; 137: Hans Christiansson; 138: Photo_works; 139: altanaka; 144: Lunov Mykola; 145: Neil Lockhart; 146: Reid Dalland; 147: Richard Evans (top right), Olga Vasilyeva (middle right), Volurol (bottom right), A. L. Holmes (bottom left); 148: Chamille White; 151: kalavati (top), Frank1Crayon (bottom); 157: Helen Hotson; 158: roibu; 159: John Roman Images.

Tool icons on 8, 10, 11, and 15: Shutterstock/Moofer.

iStock images: 26 (bottom left), 38, 74, 77 (center right), 118, 155.

Take Eco Action graphic, notebook graphic (61), and abstract triangles graphics designed by Freepik (Freepik.com).

Hand icons and happy/sad face icons courtesy of Flaticon.com.

Sky background (cover) courtesy of pngtree.com

Grass letter filling in title (cover, pages i and iii) courtesy of FreeArtBackgrounds.com.

The authors would like to give a big thank you to the children who participated in the making of this book: Charlotte, Hamish, and Isobel Roberts, Terri Hill, and Harley and Jessica Bridgewater. Thanks also to the students and teachers of Esher School for the photo of the Eco Bike Trailer (page 123).

Safety Advice

Adults must not allow children to use ladders unsupervised, dangerous tools or be near dangerous structures and hazardous conditions. We recommend that children only be allowed to use a hammer, a handsaw and a cordless drill/driver and only when a loving, caring and responsible adult is supervising them. Adults using tools and ladders must follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation (wear a dust mask and eye protection if instructed to do so). Adults must not operate dangerous power tools with children nearby. Every project has a safety rating indicated by the following symbols.

ASK AN ADULT TO HELP:

The project uses dangerous tools; an adult must do the dangerous bits and kids must be supervised at all times.

BE CAREFUL:

The project needs adult supervision at all times.

ALWAYS ASK:

Kids should check with an adult before using the tools and materials.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How to Use Tools Safely and Properly

Introduction

ECO HOMESTEAD

Eco Den

Picnic Table

Campfire Circle

Adirondack Chair

ECO FOOD

Herbs and Salad Greens

Tomatoes

Low Tunnel for Crops

Runner Beans

Potatoes

Backyard Chicken Coop

Butter

Foraged Berry Milkshake

Mealtime!

ECO ENERGY AND WATER

Wind Turbine

Photovoltaic Cells

Solar-Powered Buggy

Solar-Heated Pool

Rain Barrel

Weather Station

ECO GO

Eco Bicycling

Eco Go-Kart

ECO ACCESSORIES, HOME DÉCOR, AND GIFTS

Eco Bangles

Native American Button Bracelet

Felt Shoulder Bag

Patchwork Rag Bag

Postage-Stamp Bowl

Knitted Bedspread

Furoshiki Wrap

Index

How to Use Tools Safely and Properly

The most important points to remember are not to allow children to use dangerous tools and always follow the tool manufacturers’ operating instructions. Below is a list of tools used and how to use them safely and effectively.

COMPASSES

A two-legged tool used for scribing and marking circles and radii. In use, set the legs a certain distance apart, spike one leg down on the workpiece, and then scribe the arc, circle, or step-off.

CORDLESS DRILL/DRIVER

Used for drilling holes and driving in screws. Safe (low voltage) and good for remote locations. For drilling, set the tool to drilling mode, fit the appropriate drill bit, and drill the hole, ensuring your free hand is away from the drill bit. For small holes use twist bits and for large holes (above ½ in. [10 mm]) use flat bits. For driving in screws, set the tool to screwing mode and the lowest speed and choose a torque setting. The torque setting (numbers dialed by rotating the end “chuck” of the tool) is a function to avoid over tightening the screws; a low number uses very little power for small screws and a high number uses more power for larger screws. The tool stops driving and starts clicking when the torque setting has been applied.

DARNING NEEDLE

A blunt-ended needle with a big eye used with thick thread for hand sewing. In use yarn or thread is passed through the eye and the needle is threaded in and out of the fabric.

GARDENING TROWEL

A small handheld digging tool. Used for digging small holes in soil.

HAMMER

Used for driving in pins and nails. A claw on the back of the hammer is used for extracting nails. The nail is held between finger and thumb, and gently tapped with the hammerhead until the nail supports itself, the supporting hand is then removed, and the nail is driven home.

HAND-AXE

Used to shape wood. Do not allow children to use this tool. In use, the tool is held in one hand and swung so the blade cuts the wood.

HANDSAW

A general-purpose saw for cutting straight lines in wood. The saw is held with one hand, the blade is aligned with the cut line, and is pushed and pulled.

TIP:

No matter how careful we are, accidents happen in the workshop. Keep a first aid kit handy, with emergency numbers listed for poison control as well as 911.

JIGSAW

A powered saw with a thin blade for cutting straight lines and curves in thin-section wood. Do not allow children to use this tool. In action, the blade is aligned with the line of cut, the power is switched on, and the tool is advanced.

KITCHEN KNIFE

Used for cutting insulation board. A saw-toothed knife is a safer option. Held in one hand and used like a saw.

KNITTING NEEDLE

Used in pairs for knitting wool. Choose the right size of needle for the thickness of wool. In use, the needles are held one in each hand and are used to hook and knot the wool.

MEZZALUNA

A two-handed knife used for chopping herbs and so on. Inherently safe since it is held with both hands. In use the tool is held with both hands and the food is cut with a chopping, rocking motion.

PAINTBRUSH

Used for applying paint and varnish. Instructions for using paint and cleaning brushes are found on the paint can.

SANDPAPER

Abrasive paper used for smoothing wood. In use, the paper is supported on the hand or around a block and worked back and forth in a scrubbing motion.

SEWING MACHINE

Used for sewing fabrics. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions.

SLEDGEHAMMER

A long handled heavy hammer for banging in posts, breaking rubble, and compacting earth. Do not allow children to use this tool. In use, the handle is gripped in both hands and the tool is swung so the head strikes the post, rubble, or earth.

SPADE

Use for digging holes in the ground. In use the handle is held and maneuvered by both hands, the metal blade is positioned where you want to dig, and one foot is used to push down on the top of the blade.

SPANNER

Used for adjusting nuts and bolts. Choose a spanner to fit the nut or bolt, place it on the nut or bolt, and rotate to loosen or tighten.

LEVEL

A testing tool to check that your work is horizontal or vertical. The absolute level is indicated by the bubble. In use, the tool is positioned on the workpiece at which point the workpiece is adjusted until the bubble is centered between two lines.

LADDER

A portable ladder consisting of a hinged frame with a small platform at the top. Has to be placed on a firm, level surface. Take extreme caution if allowing children to use a ladder. In use, the ladder is opened, positioned, and set level.

TAPE MEASURE

Flexible steel, retractable ruler used for measuring. Another fabric version is used for sewing projects. In use, the zero end is positioned, the tape measure is extended along the workpiece, and a mark is made or a measurement is taken.

TRY-SQUARE

Use for testing lines and edges are at right angles (90°) to each other. In use, the wooden stock is held hard up against the edge of the workpiece and a line is drawn along the edge of the steel blade.

T-SQUARE

Similar to a try-square but much larger.

WHEELBARROW

A one-wheeled cart used for moving soil and other heavy loads. In use, the barrow is filled, the handles are lifted, and the barrow is pushed along. The contents can be tipped out of the front.

Introduction

What Is Eco Kids Self-Sufficiency?

If as a kid you can do things like build a camp, light a fire, cook out in the open, sleep under the stars, fix your bike, grow your own vegetables, and keep chickens for eggs, then you are well on the way to becoming independent, or “self-sufficient,” which means you don’t have to rely on other people. Where it gets really exciting is that, if you can build a self-sufficient world in miniature, then when you are older you will be able to confidently shape and build your adult world.

Why Should We Care about the Environment?

If you imagine yourself travelling out into space and looking down at our world from a distance, you’ll see that all the things we know—our homes, families, friends, food, forests, animals, rivers, and seas—are down here on Earth. If we believe just a little bit of what we read and see on the TV, and if we take it as fact that our “Mother Earth” is sick, stressed out, and generally very unhappy, then it’s plain to see that we must begin to look after our wildlife, care for our plants, reduce pollution, and generally clean up our way of living. Think about it—if Mother Earth is all we have, and there’s nowhere else to go, we simply have no other choice than to look after our environment very carefully.

The world is a fine place and worth the fighting for.

— Ernest Hemingway, American Lost Generation novelist (1899–1961)

How You Can Help Improve the World

First things first—there’s no need for you to get stressed and anxious about eco issues. Things like pollution are important and real, and we do need to make huge changes, but the fact that these problems are real means that we can use muscle-and-brain solutions to sort them out. In the same way as you can keep your bedroom clean by taking off your shoes before you enter it—so that the floor doesn’t get covered in muddy footprints—we all need to make a number of small changes so that we move through everyday life without leaving a line of filthy, waste-covered, pollution-smeared, carbon-heavy “footprints.”