Synthetic Products

[Veronica]

What do you think are some synthetic products 10 year olds might be familiar with?

So far I've got food, beauty products, building materials and clothing.

Veronica

[PamNY]

Electronics and batteries?

[Veronica]

Sorry, I should have specified I'm looking for things that would have a natural equivalent. It's for a compare/contrast thing.

Veronica

[zoom-zoom]

Transportation, toys

[Dannielle]

toys (wooden toys vs. plastic), dishes (stoneware vs plastic), packaging (cardboard vs. plastic), paintbrushes, yarn , grass (astroturf vs real grass), shoes (leather vs pleather)

[GLC1968]

You could also do things like teeth, hair, fingernails and boobs...but I'm not sure the point you are trying to make.

[Veronica]

Mostly I'll be trying to get them to think. Why would companies make synthetic shirts instead of cotton shirts? Why Polartec (I think it's synthetic?) instead of wool? Why Legos instead of wooden blocks? Cheetos instead of cheese and crackers? Or that gross spray cheese? Silk hose as opposed to nylons? And as a consumer, how should you spend your money?

The more examples I can give them, the more likely they will have some schema (background knowledge) to write a decent essay.


Veronica

[Veronica]

You could also do things like teeth, hair, fingernails and boobs...but I'm not sure the point you are trying to make.

I think I'll stay away from boobs. I hope they have no schema for that!

Veronica

[Irulan]

yes polartec is synthetic: polyester

cheez whiz vs. real cheese
egg beaters vs real eggs
juice drinks vs real juice
tofurkey vs turkey
wonder vs wheat
live theatre vs a movie (?)
fake plants vs real ones

[NbyNW]

music made with instruments vs. music made using a computer

[zoom-zoom]

yes polartec is synthetic: polyester

cheez whiz vs. real cheese
egg beaters vs real eggs
juice drinks vs real juice
tofurkey vs turkey
wonder vs wheat
live theatre vs a movie (?)
fake plants vs real ones

I wouldn't call food substitutes synthetic, per se...they aren't really made of synthetic ingredients, just highly-processed ones with little nutritional value (or downright healthy). Different than a comparison of sugar vs. artificial sweeteners, which are entirely of synthetic chemical. HFCS is still natural sugar, just not a healthy natural. Nutrasweet is not natural.

The theatre/movie thing is a cool comparison, though. That could even be a discussion of 3D/tangible vs. 2D/intangible.

[PamNY]

Stuffed animals vs. real animals
Dolls or puppets vs. real people
Fake snow (used for holiday decorating) vs. real snow

[oxysback]

Wigs vs. real hair...or for that matter, hair extentions
Acrylic nails
False eyelashes
Dentures

[NbyNW]

prosthetics

[zoom-zoom]

Thinking 10 year olds again (my son is 9.5)... Wii vs. actual sports. My son has a hard time going outside to play, yet will play the same things indoors on the Wii. He hates bugs.

Ooh, bugs...how 'bout synthetic bug sprays vs. natural repellants, like citronella or other citrus oils/extracts, herbal stuff, etc.