University of Illinois Extension-Macoupin County-Just for Teachers

Talking with kids about fears of "Swine Flu"

Children often become quite concerned about items they hear in the news without the experience to put that information into any kind of context. They may hear the words "flu" and "died" and become quite fearful. Schools, rightfully so, will be stressing hand washing and good hygiene. Children know something big is going on. Here are some resources, via the Extension Disaster Education Network, to help parents and caregivers talk to children about disasters. We also have additional informationj on our own web site at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/disaster/teacher2/guide.html

Other resources:

CDC -- Coping with a disaster or traumatic event: Information for Individuals and Families -- http://emergency.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/general.asp

Children and Disaster: What Parents and Caregivers can say and do -- http://web2.msue.msu.edu/bulletins/Bulletin/PDF/E2953.pdf

Illinois Department of Public Health: Swine Flu Page http://www.idph.state.il.us/

Extension Tips

Aging Woodchips

Fresh woodchips should be allowed to age a month before application to landscape material, though little damage will occur if used immediately. If chipped material is from dead trees, shrubs or evergreens, there is no need to allow the material to age. Fresh chips can temporarily deplete the soil of some available nitrogen, resulting in slow growth or yellowish foliage. Scattering a handful of fertilizer on new chips would reduce the tie-up of soil nitrogen.

Questions? Contact Paula Robinson, County Extension Director at probinso@uiuc.edu

Agricultural Literacy Program

The Mississippi River is the longest in the United States, stretching 2,320 miles. The Mississippi River flows through or forms part of the border of 10 States (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Questions? Contact Connie Niemann, Coordinator, Agriculture Literacy at cniemann@uiuc.edu

Featured Websites

Additional Websites

Great Corn Adventure
Zea Mays explains the importance of corn, how it grows, and its thousands of different uses.
All About 4-H
All About 4-H is a terrific resource for 4-H volunteers, parents and youth!
Secret Life of Trees
Learn all about the parts of a tree and why trees are important to us!
Adventures of Herman
Squirmin' Herman the Worm teaches students all about worms and how to make their own worm bin in this interactive curriculum.
Nibbles
Ideas for coping with the challenges of parenting and preparing your children for success.
Out on a Limb
It's not easy to get along. Help Maria and her friends solve their problems peacefully.
Let's Talk about Insects
Join C.P. to learn the benefits of insects, their basic anatomy, and what makes an insect an insect. You can even create a new insect!
Social and Emotional Learning
Social and emotional learning refers to both a core set of competencies and a process of learning whereby adults and youth learn the skills, attitudes and values to manage themselves, their relationships and their tasks effectively and ethically.
Working with Youth with Special Needs
Resources for working with youth with special needs.

Local Programs
	Agricultural Literacy

Just for Teachers Resources

Choose a category:

Our other program areas....

4-H School Enrichment
School enrichment programs are 4-H projects you can use in your classroom, after school programs and at your library. Click here for a listing of programs in Macoupin County.

News & Updates
Agricultural Literacy News
Nibbles Ideas for coping with the challenges of parenting and preparing your children for success.

For more information about these programs, please contact:

Macoupin County Unit
#60 Carlinville Plaza
Carlinville, IL 62626
Phone: 217-854-9604
FAX: 217-854-7804
macoupin_co@extension.uiuc.edu

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | College of ACES | U of I Extension