Show and Tell

Show and Tell Jo Vosailagi

Tema and her friends are learning all about Climate Change. Their teacher asks them to make a model. “Bring it to school next week. We can have a climate change Show and Tell,” she says.

“I’m going to make a wind farm,” says Winston. “I’m going to make a solar panel,” says Sandeep. “I think I’ll make a coral reef,” says Kali.

Tema is excited. She loves making things. But what is she going to make?

When she gets home, Tema searches inside her big box of odds and ends. She is looking for an idea.

“You could talk about turtles,” suggests Grandma Bu. “Turtles don’t have anything to do with climate change,” says Tema.

“Actually, they do,” says Bu. “Sometimes the sand in the turtle nest gets too warm. When that happens most of the babies are girls.”

“That’s not good,” says Tema. “You have to have boy turtles too.” “Yes, you do,” laughs Bu.

“Tell me something else,” says Tema. "Well, the sea is getting warmer too,” says Bu. Tema nods. She learned that at school.

“It’s hard for turtles to find food in warm water,” says Bu. “Poor turtles,” says Tema. “It’s not nice being hungry.”

“Let me tell you something amazing,” says Bu. “Turtles always go back to the beach where they were born. That’s where they lay their eggs.”

Tema remembers something her teacher told them. “But sea levels are rising. What if there are lots of bad storms? The beaches might disappear,” says Tema.

“That’s right. The turtles might not find their way home,” says Bu. “Oh no,” says Tema. “I got lost once. It was scary.”

Tema thinks for a moment. “Thanks, Bu,” she says. “Now I know what to do for Show and Tell.”

For the next few days, Tema sits on the floor. She draws and snips … rips and folds … glues and paints … until …

Ta-da!

Tema puts her model carefully into her backpack. She can’t wait to tell her friends about the turtles.

“Bye Tema, good luck,” calls Bu. Tema smiles. This is going to be the best show and tell ever.