MeettheGreens.org

Go green with this helpful site.

Entertainment Value: Entertaining in a hip and quirky way Graphics: Fun animated videos and illustrations Playability: Easy Reading Level: Heavy Website: http://www.meetthegreens.org

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this site is a great place for kids to learn about environmental issues through animated cartoons, games, quizzes, and blogs. The site may motivate kids to start making changes in their lives -- and they may even suggest that you make changes as well, including washing your clothes in cold water or learning about the clothes you buy. The content is limited, but the site has plans to add more stuff monthly.

Families can talk about environmental issues and the role of activism. Which changes in our lives are worth making? Can one person's behavior have an impact? How do we motivate others to change? What information from the site motivated you to do something different?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Jinny Gudmundsen

Kids who want to take better care of our planet can learn how to do so with the help of the wacky Green family on MEETTHEGREENS.ORG, an ad-free site produced by the WGBH Educational Foundation (the same group that created the award-winning FFFBI.com).

Two cartoon cousins, Izz and Dex -- and the people that fill their world -- share their experiences about how to help the environment through regularly updated animated cartoons, games, quizzes, and blogs. Aimed at tweens and teens, the site uses humor and clever dialogue to get kids to learn. For example, in "Pants on Fire!" (think: "liar, liar, pants on fire") the cousins present conflicting environmental facts and you have to guess which one's lying.

The site focuses on things kids really care about and explores how those things have an environmental impact. The first animated episode is about fashion and how to put on a fashion show using recyclable materials. Coffee filter dress, anyone? Future episodes will be about shopping, school, and the outdoors.

Dex and Izz are hip and dorky at the same time, and their humorous banter sucks kids in to the discussion of "going green." They talk about celebrities who care for the planet and use interesting facts (4% of landfills are stuffed with used clothing) to get kids jazzed about environmental issues. Armed with facts and information from this site, kids can turn the talk into the walk. It's also a great source for other environmental sites on the web.

Budding environmentalists should also check out EcoKids.ca, WebRangers, or EPA.gov/kids.

Reviewed: 05/31/2007

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence
Language
Message
	Social Behavior Teaches kids how to help the planet.
	Commercialism The site is ad free!
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco
	Educational Value Does a great job of explaining environmental issues to kids.