Mathematics

Have students brainstorm all the different ways they use technology in a day. Then have them keep a log for several days their activities, including the types of technology they use and the number of minutes they spend using these different types. Next, have them use technology to calculate the percentage of their daily lives in which technology is used, and challenge them to try and live a day without technology.

Wellness

Take the class on a walking tour of Providence. Use tourist guides and maps to find landmarks.

Go for a class hike. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (http://www.riparks.com) has many well marked trails in Rhode Island. Use the map of the trail and develop a scavenger hunt of items to be found along the way. Use wildlife and plant books to identify and list what the students see in the habitat.

Take the class or school outdoors for the day (Polaski Park in Glocester, R.I. has facilities and a pavilion). Incorporate and integrate math, science, language arts, music, art, and physical education lessons out in the environment. Be sure to allow for some free time to let students find alternative activities to computer games, Web surfing, and text messaging!

Technology

Can you go a day without technology? People rely on technology of all types for entertainment, communication, and education. Many people can't do their jobs without computers, but these jobs were once done without that technology. Video games and electronic media are forms of entertainment that have been around for only 30 years, yet almost every home has one of these systems. Ask students to list the electronic devices that they use at home and school. Require them to select their favorite, and then ask them to describe what their lives would be like without that technology if it was taken away for one day, or even a week.