INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Perimeter is the outside boundary around a closed geometric figure, and different shapes will require different approaches. If the shape that you want to find the perimeter of is not a closed shape, the perimeter cannot be taken. If this is the first time you are calculating perimeter, try a rectangle or a square. These regular shapes will make finding the perimeter easier. You will use this rectangle as a practice shape and will find its perimeter. Make sure that the opposite sides of your rectangle are the same length. You can do this with a ruler, measuring tape, or by making up your own example. Write down this number by the side it represents so you don't forget its length. As a guided example, imagine that the length of one side of your rectangle is 3 feet. For small shapes you may want to use centimeters or inches, while feet, meters or miles will work better for larger perimeters. Since the opposite sides of rectangles are equal, you will only have to measure one of each set of opposing sides. You can measure the width with a ruler, measuring tape, or by creating your own example. Write down the value for your width next to the horizontal side of your rectangle it represents. Continuing with the guided example, imagine that in addition to a length of 3 feet, that the width of your rectangle is 5 feet. Rectangles have four sides, but the length of opposite sides will be the same. This is also true for your rectangle's width. Add the length and width used in the guided example (3 feet and 5 feet respectively) to the opposite sides of your rectangle. One a piece of scratch paper, or on the paper you have written the guided example, write: length + length + width + width. So, for the guided example, you would add 3 + 3 + 5 + 5 to get a perimeter of 16 feet (4.9m). You can also use the formula 2(length + width) for rectangles, since the length and width values are doubled. In our example you would multiply 2 by 8 to get 16 feet (4.9m). Unfortunately, different shapes will require different formula for you to solve for perimeter. In real life examples, you can measure the outside boundary of any closed geometric shape to find its perimeter measurement. But you can also use the following formulas to find the perimeters of other common shapes: Square: length of any side x 4 Triangle: side 1 + side 2 + side 3 Irregular polygon: add all sides Circle: 2 x x radius OR x diameter. The symbol stands for Pi (pronounced like pie). If you have a key on your calculator, you can use it to be more accurate when using this formula. If not, you can approximate the value of as 3.14. The term "radius" refers to the distance between the center of a circle and its outside boundary (perimeter), while "diameter" refers to the length between any two opposite points on the perimeter of a circle that pass through the circle's center.

SUMMARY: Determine the shape you want to measure. Draw a rectangle on a piece of paper. Find the length of one side of your rectangle. Find the width of one side of your rectangle. Write down the correct measurements on the opposing sides of your rectangle. Add all your sides together. Adjust your approach for different shapes.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Try to focus on each of your senses, one at a time. What do you hear, see, smell? What do different grasses and flowers feel like? This is a good way to really enjoy nature on its own. For example, you could start by sitting outside with your eyes closed. Focus on what you can hear. What animals or insects do you hear that you don't normally? Can you hear water or the wind in the trees? You could also focus on really looking while you're outside. Look for details you wouldn't normally notice, like the pattern bark makes on a tree trunk, or the veins in a flower petal. This is an especially great activity if you've got kids you're teaching to appreciate nature. Pick up unusual leaves or rocks. You can also look for flowers or fruit. If you're collecting with a kid, you can get a glass jar for them to store their goodies in. It makes it feel more special and gives them somewhere to store their things. Be careful about picking up stuff off the ground. You don't want to accidentally pick up poison ivy or anything like that. What's in season will change, but there's more to do than just pick apples in the fall. You can go berry-picking at a local farm. You can also pick oranges in the spring and summer months if you live where they're grown. You could also go to a farmer's market and choose fresh produce. Farmer's markets are almost always held outside, and they feature seasonal fruits and veggies. A home garden will require you to be outside pretty regularly while you tend to your plants. Measure the space you want for your garden and ask an expert at a home garden store for plant suggestions. If you have a tent, put it up in the backyard. Otherwise, you can just lay out sleeping bags and sleep under the stars! Try to avoid taking any electronics outside with you. Instead, enjoy the weather, look at the stars, and take some time to take in where you are.
Summary: Engage each of your senses while you're outside. Collect objects from nature. Pick fruit. Plant a home garden. Camp out in the backyard.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Once you have finished a draft of your book, you should read it out loud. Read it out loud to yourself and notice if you crack up at your own writing. This may be a good indication that your book might be funny to others. You can also read the book out loud to others, such as a friend or a family member to see if they laugh or find your writing funny. Perhaps you bring your funny book to a writing group and get feedback from others on whether it is funny or if it needs some work to get there. Or maybe you have a writing partner that you exchange work with so you can both critique each other and make your writing that much funnier. Accept feedback from others on how you can make your book funnier and push the humor a little more. It will only make your book stronger. Once you have received feedback on your book, you may be ready to revise it and polish it until it is at its best. Adjust any dialogue that comes across as forced or awkward instead of funny. Add in language that is more embellished and humorous so your writing comes across as funny. Remove any sentences that do not add to the humor in your book.

SUMMARY:
Read the book out loud. Show the book to others. Revise the book.