The mindboggling stats of the Olympics!

We’ve been doing a lot of Olympics-inspired assignments in class this past week—like writing fake biographies on some of the athletes who will be competing in Rio de Janeiro this summer, pinpointing the torch relay on a giant map of Brazil, or brainstorming reasons why some of the Russian athletes might/might not be allowed to compete.

But yesterday, we researched some mindboggling stats (for a neat math lesson) that are so cool I had to share.

Like, did you know that in the sports events alone, the Games will use 400 footballs, 250 golf carts, 54 boats, and about 32,000 tennis balls? And get this: The Olympic village—the largest to date—will house 80,000 chairs, 70,000 tables, 29,000 mattresses and 60,000 clothes hangers. Oh, and 6,000 TV sets. Crazy!

I know math isn’t my best subject, but those numbers impress even me.

Grandpa is always saying it takes a village to grow canola—scientists, mechanics, labourers and so many more professionals!—but I think to put on the Olympics, you need, well, an entire nation.

I don’t know about you, but all these lessons in class are getting me pumped to watch my favourite athletes compete for gold this August. What sport is YOUR favourite? Who will YOU be watching this summer?

Gotta jet! Have a great weekend. And Happy Father’s Day to all the great dads out there, especially mine.

— Chase Superman Duffy

Gearing up for summer break—with a challenge!

I don’t know what’s happening in YOUR school, but at mine, we have officially launched into “review” mode—and you know what THAT means, right? SUMMER BREAK is just around the corner!

Don’t get me wrong—I like school. But throughout July and August, I get to sleep in (a little), write as much as I want, and read as many books as I can cram in. Not to mention watch movies, binge watch Netflix, help my grandparents on the farm, practice my sprints at ANY time of the day, and…well, you get the picture, I’m sure.

Every year before summer break, I make a list of things I’m going to tackle over the next couple of months. This year, I’m bringing back the usual suspects—like writing a short story, practicing my photography skills with Dad, and running at the farm—but I’m adding a special challenge for myself: READ MORE BOOKS.

I have read a sad number of books this year, and it’s not because I haven’t wanted to! I just haven’t made the TIME.

Well, this summer, I’m blocking off a chunk of EVERY day to read—one page, one chapter, one book…whatever I can get in. By September, I plan to have read 12 books. That’s 6 in July, another 6 in August. Think I can do it?

What about YOU?

Consider this me throwing down the official challenge gauntlet . Be sure to share your “read” books in the comments section of this blog—and I will too. Starting July 1, the challenge begins! (Of course, you should already be reading… this blog post is your (and my) reminder!

Gotta jet! Have a great weekend... reading?

— Chase Superman Duffy

How will YOU recognize World Environment Day?

Maybe it’s because my grandparents are farmers, or the fact that my dad and I love to take wildlife pictures, but World Environment Day is kind of a big deal in our family—and in my opinion, it should be in yours too.

World Environment Day is an opportunity for everyone across the globe to understand environmental issues—and to take action. Obviously there are major initiatives underway (for this year’s theme and information about the “host” country, check out the WED website here. but like my grandpa always says, there are things we can be doing every day to gain awareness about environmental issues. (That’s something he thinks about as a farmer all the time!)

This weekend, I’ll pay more attention to turning out the lights, and to watch less TV to conserve energy. Mom will cook using whatever local produce is available and  we’ll bike  as a family—why drive  any short distance? Amelia and I will help  dad do a recycling trip – old papers to the local shredding event, drop off a couple of broken computer chairs at the community league’s large bin event. Get the idea?  

And on Sunday when we go for dinner to my grandparents’ house, I’m going to learn how to make  compost. Well, on second thought, because they are using worms, I will learn by watching Amelia set up the compost. That should be fun, right?

I might even write a haiku or a poem about World Environment Day—if the muse strikes.

So, what am I missing? Share you WED  ideas in the comments!

Gotta jet! Have a great weekend. 

— Chase Superman Duffy

PS – If you’re in the Red Deer, AB area this weekend, check out the Central Alberta Children’s Festival. The author of the Superman Duffy comics will be there talking about how you can get copies of the books for YOUR school or library—FREE!