Learning Nugget April 2020
What do cows have to do with the first vaccine? First and foremost, we hope this month’s Learning Nugget finds you safe and well. Countries’ responses to the virus that causes COVID-19 have had a very sudden and enormous impact on economies and daily lives across the world. It’s hard to tell when things will get back to something […]
Learning Nugget March 2020
The surprising life of Katherine Johnson History is full of people whose works or actions have inspired others. The plays and poetry of Shakespeare, the non-violent movements of Gandhi and Mandela, and the kindness of Mother Theresa are just a few examples. But there are also many amazing stories we hear very little about. For a long time, one of those stories was […]
Learning Nugget February 2020
Sticking to your New Year’s resolutions When 2020 started over a month ago, did you make any promises to yourself? Maybe you said that this year you would quit smoking, start exercising, or (our favorite) learn a foreign language. If you told yourself anything like that, you made what English speakers call a “New Year’s […]
Learning Nugget January 2020
20/20 vision in 2020? We can do better! Did you know that in the USA, vision – how well you can see – is often measured using a scale you’ve probably never seen? In much of Europe, eyesight is measured using positive and negative numbers. As you probably know, -1.00 vision means you can only see objects when they […]
Learning Nugget November 2019
Happy Turkey Day! Thanksgiving’s history and three modern traditions Thanksgiving is one of the most important holidays to U.S. citizens. Airlines make millions from people flying to see family around the country, and Americans eat about 46 million turkeys, which is why the holiday is also sometimes called “Turkey Day.” The holiday always falls on […]
Special Learning Nugget October 2019
Listen and learn: Three great podcasts Ich weiß etwas, was Sie nicht wissen! Heute starten wir einmal ganz anders – nämlich in Deutsch! Wir möchten allen die Chance geben auf den ersten Blick zu verstehen, worum es heute geht! Kennen Sie die richtige Antwort? Sie fragen sich worauf? Wissen Sie wofür die 6 Buchstaben von […]
Learning Nugget September 2019
Greenwashing and the Grüne Knopf Recently, the German Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller saw one of his initiatives become reality: the Grüner Knopf. This “Green Button” is a symbol that textile sellers can put on their products once they have been certified to meet standards set by Germany’s federal government. The standards relate to the physical, social, and economic welfare of the workers producing the textiles and […]
Learning Nugget June 2019
Our rocky relationship with lawns With a wet few weeks at the end of May and a sunny, warm start to June, conditions were just right for almost every green thing to grow like crazy. But, for those who have a yard, it’s likely you paid the most attention to the growth of your grass. […]
Learning Nugget May 2019
A short look at tall tales Sometimes work can be fun. At TIP TOP, it certainly has been as we’ve prepared for our first Day Out on May 19th. The theme is castles and fairy tales, and we’ve had a great time learning more and more about these topics to share with those who join us. Our […]
Learning Nugget April 2019
Spring has sprung! Two spring traditions you’ve likely never heard of In the Western world, this time of year brings traditions like spring cleaning and decorating Easter eggs to mind. However, it’s less likely that you’ve had a recent desire to chase a wheel of cheese down a very steep hill or attend a festival dedicated to […]