KV-dec-11

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Dear Kids, Brrrrr! December is the start of winter, and where I am, it certainly feels like it! Snow, icicles and sleet, oh my! I’ve got some fun wintry trivia for you on the puzzle page this month.

And December is always synonomous with the holidays. Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa — there’s a lot going on. Read all about these holidays in this issue. What’s your favorite part of the holiday season? Does your family have any favorite traditions?

I don’t know about you, but during the holidays, I like to get a new outfit.

Sometimes it’s hard to find clothes to fit me, but I try to stay stylish! This month I spoke with a fashion designer. Nico Morrison Sidell is a fashion creative director — she helps clothing companies come up with new ideas. She also keeps up with the trends to know what will be most popular in the stores. She has a really cool job!

I hope you have a dynamite December. While you are on winter break, have fun and stay safe! Keep reading Kidsville News, and visit us online for fun and games at www.kidsvillenews.com.

Your friend,

COME OUT AND PLAY!

Basketball Basics & History Making Did you know that the birth of basketball is From college basketball to professional basketball, it is one of the world’s celebrated in December? In December of 1891, at a most popular sports. Just last month, a basketball game made history! The YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts, Dr. James Naismith Carrier Classic was the first college basketball game to be played on an active was trying to keep his gym class busy on a rainy day. aircraft carrier. The college basketball teams of the University of North Carolina He needed a sport that would be challenging and keep and Michigan State faced off on the USS Carl Vinson on Veteran’s Day. Men his students physically fit and something that could be and women from all branches of the military, along with celebrities and dignitarplayed in a gymnasium during the long winters. Basketball was born! ies, filled the temporary 7,000-seat arena. President Obama and the First Lady Basketball gets its name from the peach basket (not the color, but really, were even there! Also present at this once-in-a-lifetime event was sports writer a basket that you would pick fruit with) that was mounted on a 10-foot-high Aaron Fitt. track. Originally the basket still had the bottom in it, so they had to get the ball “It really was an amazing night and a great chance to thank our military out by hand after each point was scored. This didn’t work so well, so eventually servicemen and women for everything they do for us. The players were thrilled the bottom of the basket was taken out. to put on a great show for the soldiers and sailors. Everyone was amazed by the The basic game of basketball consists of two teams of five players each. sight of a basketball game being played outside, on the deck of an active aircraft Each team tries to score points by throwing carrier! The president is a huge basketball fan, the ball through the top of a basketball hoop. and he looked as excited to be there as the fans The hoop is 18 inches wide and mounted to a and the players. It was a night that everyone in backboard at 10 feet high. There is a basket at attendance will always remember,” said Fitt. each end of the court.

And while he was impressed with the The ball is moved down the court by event, the game itself was also pretty passing it to teammates or by dribbling the ball. impressive. Fitt added that “It takes a Dribbling is bouncing the ball while walking or remarkable amount of athleticism and skill running. Dribbling was not a part of the origito play basketball for a team like UNC or nal game because they used a soccer ball, which Michigan State. Those players are all very tall didn’t really bounce well because of the shape.

— some of them even 7 feet tall — and have The players have different positions on the worked hard their whole lives to become some court. The positions are point guard, of the best players in the world. But you don’t shooting guard, small forward, power forward have to be 6-foot-5 to enjoy playing basketball. and center. The position one plays depends on It’s a wonderful game that rewards teamwork Sports writer Aaron Fitt took this picture aboard the ones speed, size and ball-handling skills. and makes for great exercise!”

USS Carl Vinson at the Carrier Classic.

DECEMBER 2011

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Kidsville News!

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The Origins of Christmas Traditions

While gifts are certainly a fun part of the December holidays, the memories you’ll have when you think back on this year will almost certainly concern something you did with your family. Baking cookies? Driving around to see holiday decorations? Singing Christmas songs? These are the things we remember, and they are what become our traditions.

We sometimes assume that some of the standard holiday traditions (decorating a tree, sending cards, giving gifts) have been done “forever,” but many of them are relatively new.

The version of Christmas we celebrate in the United States dates back only about 150 years. Before the Civil War, each part of the country celebrated differently, using the traditions of the country from which most of the townspeople came. But by the 1870s, merchants were beginning to look for ways to commercialize Christmas, and this began to bring a more unified approach to some of the traditions.

Here are some fun facts about some of the traditions we take for granted: The Christmas Tree: Decorating a tree for the holiday began in Germany. The tradition began to spread throughout England and to the United States after 1848 and the appearance of a newspaper image of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert standing by a decorated tree at Windsor Castle. (Just like today, Americans paid attention to what the English royalty did.)

Gift giving: This tradition also began in Germany.

Small toys used to be tied on to the branches of an evergreen tree for the children; if a toy was too big, then it was placed under the tree, which is where we got our current tradition. Until the early 20th century, most gifts were handmade items — scarves or hats or baked goods.

Christmas Cards: This tradition began in the 1850s when sending cards at the holiday began to replace writing personal letters. Today we are witnessing a similar transition as people send e-greetings instead of cards sent through the U.S. mail.

Santa Claus: While other countries had their “gift bearers” (for example, Kris Kringle and St. Nicholas), the idea of Santa Claus we now hold came from two different American sources. The concept of Santa grew from Clement Clark Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (1822), the poem that begins:

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The actual image of Santa comes from the vision of other men. Thomas Nast was a political cartoonist, and one day while he was working, his wife read him “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” After hearing Moore’s poem, Nast drew the image he thought Santa deserved: that of “a round jolly old elf.”

By 1931, Santa was further refined by an artist who was drawing ads for the Coca-Cola Company. Haddon Sundblum depicted Santa in a red suit with a black belt and white-fur trim, black boots and a soft red cap.

That’s the Santa we think of today.

A Traditional Story and Where It Came from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was written in 1939 by a staff copywriter at Chicago’s Montgomery Ward department store. The story was written to be the narrative of a coloring book that would be handed out by Santa when children visited him at the store.

Robert May (1905-1976) was the copywriter who wrote the story, and he based it on his own experience growing up. He was smaller than the other kids in his grade and was often teased about it. Rudolph’s experience of being teased about his red nose mirrored May’s experience, and of course, Rudolph is a hero in the end because he is able to guide Santa’s sleigh through the fog.

White House Traditions and the First Lady The White House generally depicted the first lady as overseeing decorations or participating in charity work to help the needy at holiday time. Eleanor Roosevelt had more important issues on her mind, and in 1939, she talked about the Roosevelt Christmas plans, but she also used the opportunity to talk about a plan for training young women for jobs — a new and much more serious thought for that time.

And that’s a good thing to remember this holiday. Traditions are all about believing that something is fun and important and sharing it with others.

What tradition might you like to start that would make the holiday even better for you?

Written by author Kate Kelly. To learn more about America’s pastimes and traditions, please visit author and historian Kate Kelly’s website, www.AmericaComesAlive.com.

Wright Brothers Day is recognized on December 17.

This is the day, in 1903, that Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first powered flight of an airplane.

The flights at Kitty Hawk, NC, were less than one minute.

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On December 10, there will be a total eclipse of the moon. The lunar eclipse will be visible in North America, eastern Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Pacific Ocean. A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the shadow of the earth. During a lunar eclipse the moon may turn a reddish color.

Lunar eclipses occur only during a full moon, when the Moon is directly opposite the Sun.

DECEMBER 2011

AR

Iran

UND THE W

On December 21, Yalda is celebrated in Iran. This is the longest night of the year.

Tradition has it that light and good struggle against darkness and evil. Family and friends gather together and stay up all night with the lights on and fires lit. This is to help the sun in its battle against darkness. On this night, they tell stories, recite poetry and eat until daylight comes.

Mexico

During the week before Christmas (Navidad) Eve (Dec. 1624), friends and families get together for a special celebration called Posadas.

They form a parade, carrying candles and little dolls of the baby Jesus. They sing carols and walk to a neighbor’s house, commemorating Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

The happy end to each Posada is the piñata — a jar covered in paper maché and filled with goodies. It is traditionally made in the shape of a star to represent the star that guided the Three Kings to the baby Jesus.

RLD

Guam

In Guam, Lady of Camarin Day is celebrated on December 8. A three-foot, 60-pound wooden statue is known as Our Lady of Camarin. She is the Patron Saint Santa Marian Kamalen, who stands watch over the people of Guam and the Marianas Isles.

Tradition says that the statue floated onto the shores of Merizo escorted by two crabs with lit candles on their backs over 340 years ago. The statue is made of ironwood, which does not float, so her arrival was thought of as a miracle. Each year on this day, the statue is taken down from its home behind bulletproof glass in the Basilica, cleaned and placed on a cart of blossoms. The cart is pulled around Hagatna, the capital city of Guam.

Flying Squirrels

Look! Up in the air! It’s a bird! It’s a plane!

It’s a — flying squirrel?

The smallest of the squirrel family, flying squirrels weigh around three ounces as adults and measure about nine to 10 inches long — and Kingdom: Animalia almost half of that length is their tail! They are the only nocturnal squirrels; they sleep during the day and are active at night. Very large eyes help them to see in the dark, and long whiskers or vibrissae are thought to help them Phylum: Chordata navigate when they fly.

Class: Mammalia But flying squirrels don’t really fly. They actually glide, 80-150 feet, from branch to branch. They steer, using a furry membrane between their front and rear legs called Order: Rodentia the patagium, and use their long, flat tail as a stabilizer Family: Sciuridae and to brake before they land. Flying squirrels often close or partially close their eyes just before landing.

Genus: Glaucomys Two species of flying squirrels exist in the U.S., the Northern and the more common Southern. They prefer coniferous and mixed forests with good tree cover, like maple, beech, hickory, oak and poplar, where the trees are close together. Flying squirrels do not like to spend much time on the ground! They live in colonies and make several different kinds of nests: refugia nests, or dens, for daytime; natal nests for raising their young and aggregate nests that they share with others during the winter.

Flying squirrels eat a variety of foods, including fungi, lichens, mushrooms, tree sap, insects, carrion, buds, flowers, bird eggs, seeds, berries, insects, slugs, snails, bark and of course, lots of nuts, storing up to 15,000 nuts in a season! They are the only squirrel that eats a nut by chewing one hole in the shell rather than breaking the nut apart. They love to cache, or hide, their food. They are very social animals and have been kept as pets since Colonial times and Sally, a rescued baby Southern flying squirrel. Note the can live 10 to 15 years in captivity. large eyes, very long whiskers, patagium and flat tail.

Sources: Care for Baby Flying Squirrels (Flyers), www.arcforwildlife.com/flyers.htm; Her temporary habitat is a hamster cage until she can be www.flyingsquirrels.com; Flying Squirrels in Nestboxes, www.sialis.org/flyingsquirrel.htm. released in the spring. Photo: Sophie Poppele.

DECEMBER 2011

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Hanukah, or Chanukah, is the eight-day Festival of Lights celebrated by Jewish people throughout the world. The holiday (which begins on December 21 this year) celebrates a miracle that happened long ago.

According to the story, a Syrian King tried to make the Jews give up their religion. A small group of Jews, called the Macabees, were outnumbered but fought so bravely that they were able to fight off the King’s huge army. Their temple was ruined, and there was only enough oil for one day. But when the priests lit the oil, it burned for all eight days that it took to make new oil.

Each year, Jews celebrate that miracle. Each night, a candle is lit on the Menorah (a candelabrum with nine branches), and the children get small gifts. Why the ninth candle? It is called the shamash, and it is the helper candle that is used to light the other candles. It remains lit on the eighth night.

It’s easy to associate winter holidays with Christmas, Chanukah and New Year’s, but winter is host to many holidays across the globe. These holidays are wintertime traditions far and wide:

* Chinese New Year: The most important of the traditional Chinese holidays, Chinese New Year is determined by the lunisolar Chinese calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year, but always between January 21 and February 20. In 2012, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated on January 23. * Pancha Ganapati: This five-day Hindu festival celebrates the Lord Ganesha, Patron of Arts and Guardian of Culture. During each of the five days of Pancha Ganapati, which is celebrated from December 21 through December 25, the entire family focuses on a different spiritual discipline. * Kwanzaa: Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African culture and heritage that begins the day after Christmas and continues to New Year’s Day. Kwanzaa was first celebrated from December 26, 1966, to January 1, 1967, and was initially an effort by professor Ron Karenga to create a specifically African-American holiday.

Images Source: Metrocreativeconnection.com

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS...

THAILAND?

It’s time to get out your globe! You need to know about the imaginary lines on globes and maps. These lines are called lines of latitude and longitude, and they tell a pilot or ship’s captain exactly where in the world a certain place is located. Basically, latitude lines (also called parallels) are the horizontal lines on your map. Lines of longitude (also called meridians) are the vertical lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. This mapping system is written in degrees and uses the symbol °. Get ready to travel the world!

On your globe, find longitude of 100ºE and latitude of 15ºN, and you'll find the beautiful country of Thailand. It is located in Southeastern Asia and borders the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. It also borders the countries of Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. The climate of Thailand is tropical with a rainy, warm monsoon season from May to September.

It is dry and cool November to March. The southern isthmus (narrow strip of land with water on both sides) is always hot and humid. The terrain is mountainous with a central plain.

The people of Thailand are called Thai. They speak Thai and English. Thailand is the 20th most populated country in the world, with over 66 million people. The religion of most people in Thailand is Buddhist, but there are also many Muslim people. They celebrate the birthday of King Phumiphon (1927) as a national holiday on December 5. The country is a constitutional monarchy and has a king. The monarchy is hereditary, which means it is passed down through the family. The prime minister serves as the head of the government. The king appoints a member of the House of Representatives as the prime minister. National elections are held for the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Thailand is a beautiful country, and tourism is a major industry.

Thailand has exotic wildlife, many rivers and intriguing islands. The country has many historical attractions, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and spectacular forests, waterfalls and beaches. They also produce textiles, clothing and jewelry. Thailand is the world's third-largest tin producer.

Photo, left: View of the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

Source: "Thailand," The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/br.html.

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DECEMBER 2011

A FASHION DESIGNER? What’s on your wish list for the holidays? Maybe a new pair of jeans or the latest and greatest shoes? Do you like to play dress up? If so, then you just might want to keep reading about what it’s like to be a fashion designer! Nico Morrison Sidell has been a Fashion Creative Director for 18 years. Nico was educated at the Sorbonne in Paris, France, and carries Bachelor of Arts degrees from Meredith College. Over the last decade, she has launched two organic clothing companies, Mille Nico, a natural fiber and sustainable clothing collection, and Peligrosa, a 100% organic and sustainable apparel company. She lives in Pittsboro, North Carolina, with her husband and two daughters, but she travels the world, giving fashion advice to other designers. She helps them make decisions about what the best looks for the season are and what is going to sell the best in the store. Keep reading to find out more! teaching kids how to recycle fabrics and old clothes into new fashions and crafts. We cut, sew and trim into new treasures. This community project is called Redo Reuse (http://redoreuse.com) and it provides fundraisers for the schools.

TRUMAN: What does it take to become a fashion designer?

NICO: Creativity and a good understanding of color and geometry. You use a lot of math in fashion since you are always calculating materials needed, the angle of the armhole and the measurements between sizes! You will most likely work in a team, so understanding people and personalities is a great help. Most fashion companies will expect you to have a four-year university degree, and there are schools such as NC College of Design and Textiles and Fashion Institute of Technology in New York that provide fashion concentrations. However, I found that a broad liberal arts education is best since you will apply your art, math, science, language and technology in the workplace.

TRUMAN: It sounds like a lot of fun. What’s the hardest part of your job?

NICO: Fashion is always changing! One great brand today may be gone tomorrow. You must always watch, read and study the world to catch the next hot thing.

TRUMAN: What’s the best part of your job?

NICO: The runway and the parties! There is a lot of fun in celebrating a new collection, but after the show, it’s back to business.

TRUMAN: What is your favorite hobby or thing to do when you are not working?

Nico Morrison Sidell is a Fashion Creative Director. Right: Nico hard at work making a new creation out of recycled fabrics from old clothing.

NICO: Making recycled crafts and planning parties! My daughters have parties all year round (Halloween, spring luau, etc). All very crafty, of course!

TRUMAN: When, and why, did you first become interested in fashion?

NICO: I loved fashion from the start! When I was seven years old, I would take the sheets off my bed and wrap them around my body into evening gowns. Since I loved making crafts, I would grab the kids in our neighborhood to set up craft stands (like a lemonade stand) in our front yard. Mom taught me to sew when I was eight or nine years old, and I tested out different trends and looks throughout junior high and high school. In these experiments, you learn what looks best on you — and what doesn’t. It’s been great education to learn how to design for classic style rather than what’s hot today. Trends fade; style does not!

TRUMAN: What was your favorite subject in school?

NICO: Math and creative writing.

TRUMAN: What do you do every day? What’s a typical day on the job?

NICO: I travel to New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo three to four times a year to meet with designers and their business people to review their collections for selling internationally. We talk about the colors and looks of the season and what is selling well in the USA. We then choose styles for the international market, plan out the distribution to our stores and open new stores for the brand. Since I’m often traveling, I also use my fashion experience in my community by

DECEMBER 2011

TRUMAN: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

NICO: I wanted to be a teacher!

TRUMAN: What advice would you give to kids who are interested in becoming a fashion designer?

NICO: Study math, accounting and business — fashion is ultimately about selling clothes. Go to museums and learn art history — fashion often repeats itself and has historical references, which are neat to better understand our culture. Take sewing classes or take apart an old shirt — this is maybe the best way to learn how clothing is made. Stay true to your originality — the most successful designers have been creating for 20 or 30 years or more.

TRUMAN: Thanks, Nico, for talking to us about what it’s like to be a fashion designer. It looks like you really enjoy what you do. What a cool job to have! (See Conservation Corner for two of Nico’s recycled craft projects!)

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KIDSVILLE NEWS - PAGE 7

What’s the Difference?

There are five things different between Picture A and Picture B. Can you find them all?

December Word Find Find the hidden words in the puzzle that relate to the month of December.

CANDLES CHRISTMAS FAMILY HANNUKAH

N Z C S F F P S V R N E U C I

I O E A A Q T K E L R Y P H J

W B R M N O N E N Z V K R R Z

J I I T C D D J O P C U J I M

NORTH POLE PRESENTS REINDEER SANTA

A L N K H N L J Y R Z U Z S A

Y V I T I P H E L E J S S T H

H N C E E V O Z S S P T O M I

G V R X Y R D L B E J C D A M

H A N N U K A H E N P S S S H

V I E V K K E S K T M A K E C

SNOW STOCKING TREE WINTER

F X X I H E J L O S N H I S I

L Z X Y R M Y M K T S N O W J

L R R T Q I C W A Y M C O Q Z

N H I V N A A M A T B E Y S H

D Z G N K I E X Z X R O Y P I

Wintry Trivia The world record for the most snowfall in 24 hours was 76 inches in Silver Lake, Colorado.

Icicles most often form on the south side of buildings.

of snow 10 inches n to about melts dow . liquid rain an inch of

Source: www.metrocreativeconnection.com

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At -40°F, water freezes spontaneously; if you poured a cup of water out of a window, the water would freeze before it hit the ground!

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DECEMBER 2011

Coloring Corner In December, Christmas, Hannukah and many other holidays are celebrated all across the world. Color in Truman as he spreads the message of peace on Earth.

Truman Tru-

Truman’s Tricky Picture

Find these items! Be sure to find Truman’s hat! Look for more fun and games at www.kidsvillenews.com.

DECEMBER 2011

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KIDSVILLE NEWS - PAGE 9

Story Time with Truman Quetzalcoatl

Quetzalcoatl is a Serial Story by Carl Gundestrup.

Captain Gonzales said that the Incas, the Aztecs and the Mayas all spoke of a great bearded white God who had visited their people anciently.

The legends tell how Quetzalcoatl came down from the heavens and visited their people. He healed the sick, raised others from the dead. He laid his hands upon their children and blessed them. He loved the people and taught them how to love one another and live together in harmony. The legends say that he went back to heaven and promised that one day he would return. Captain Gonzalez learned from his grandfather that when Quetzalcoatl visited the people who lived near the ocean, many animals came to worship him also. He said that when Quetzalcoatl touched one of the creatures in the water, it changed.

GARRETT: The sea snake or whatever the creature was became a feathered serpent and was given a very special gift. All of the descendants of that first creature are what we now call a Quetzalcoatl.

DAVY: Well, I’ve heard bits and pieces of this throughout my life. It never made any sense until now.

CATHERINE: Do you really believe this?

JAMES: Jose is a fine man. I know he wouldn’t have told Garrett this if he didn’t believe it was true.

GARRETT: The Quetzalcoatl of Shiloh’s Island is a descendant of that first sea Creature that was touched by the hand of Quetzalcoatl. Captain Gonzalez says that Quetzalcoatls live in oceans, lakes and rivers all around the world.

DAVY: Jose has seen one hasn’t he?

GARRETT: Yes. He said Quetzalcoatls are very kind, but very shy. They are gentle and wise and especially like children. But the most mysterious thing about Quetzalcoatls are their gifts.

CATHERINE: What kinds of gifts?

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(Ketz-al-co-ah-Tel) Chapter Four GARRETT: The God, Quetzalcoatl, scales. He said you can’t tell the difis perfect. He has all wisdom, talents, ference unless you are close enough gifts, virtues and abilities in a perfect to touch them, and if you get that combination, like a great circle. Like a close, you probably won’t live to tell slice of that perfect circle, each Quetzalanyone. coatl has a gift, talent or ability. And it is CATHERINE: What do sea with that gift that Quetzalcoatls are able dragons do? to make the world a better place.

GARRETT: A sea dragon is a CATHERINE: If it were true, and I mean, evil creature full of hate and am certainly not saying it is, what would mischief. a Quetzalcoatl be able to do?

CATHERINE: Oh! GARRETT: Nate McMillan said GARRETT: If a ship capsizes in a a Quetzalcoatl could have the power white squall or runs aground on a reef, to calm a storm. Warn of danger. Heal a sea dragon will fill his belly with the someone who is sick. Comfort someone crew, then tear apart the ship and carry who was grieving or afraid. Change the the gold, silver, diamonds or whatever feelings in someone’s heart. Give a booty he can find and take it to his lair. person a new idea or the wisdom to Not because they have any great desire solve a problem. for riches, but because they know that DAVY: Nate told you about being treasure is the best bait for catching pushed overboard, didn’t he? I was there. greedy men.

GARRETT: Tell me what happened.

CATHERINE: This all sounds like a DAVY: Nate had a run in with a lot of seaman’s nonsense. new man. Hainous Grimes. Grimes GARRETT: Nate McMillan told me was even bigger than Nate and used that after Grimes pushed him overto having his way. He and Nate had board he swam for hours. He knew it words. It appeared nothing came of it. was only a matter of time before the Next morning, Nate was nowhere to be sharks would find him. There was a found. Two months later, Nate turned terrible storm. During the calm right up on the docks, thin, sunburned and before the storm hit, Nate just sat there quiet. Even quieter than normal. I treading water. Waiting and watching guess Grimes figured they were going the sky darken. Suddenly he said he felt to get into it eventually, so he figured to like his belly was on fire. Then it was settle things while Nate was still weak. his back. I promised I wouldn’t tell any I didn’t see the fight, but I heard that more than that. But I’ve seen the marks. it didn’t last long and anyone that saw There is no creature in the ocean that it said they’d take their chances swimwould leave the kind of scars he has. ming with the great white sharks before DAVY: I’ve seen the scars, too. they’d tangle with Nate McMillan.

CATHERINE: Did he say he was GARRETT: Nate swears the stories saved by a Quetzalcoatl? of Quetzalcoatl’s are true. And what he GARRETT: He’s alive. And he told me fits with what I have read and swears that the stories about them are what I know. true. He told me that an sea dragon’s DAVY: And what do you know? lair is impossible for a human being to GARRETT: The stories are true. get to.

Captain Gonzalez said that no two CATHERINE: You don’t believe Quetzalcoatls are exactly the same. this foolishness, do you?

Each one has a different gift.

DAVY: I have seen for myself the GARRETT: The legends say that work of a sea dragon. And I’ve seen when a Quetzalcoatl is born, that there Nate’s scars. So I wouldn’t be too hasty is a miraculous sign demonstrating what about brushing this all aside. Garrett. that Quetzalcoatl’s gift will be. Nate Did Jose tell you what Teotihucan also told me about sea dragons. They means in Spanish? look almost exactly like a Quetzalcoatl, GARRETT: No. except instead of feathers, they have DAVY: It means the birth place of

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the Gods.

CATHERINE (answering the door): Who could that could be?

RONDA STEENECK: Hello. I’m Ronda Steeneck. I brought Garrett’s homework.

CATHERINE: Well, thank you, Ronda. Won’t you come in?

RONDA STEENECK: I’d like to.

But I have to be home soon, or I’ll get extra chores.

CATHERINE: Well just a moment.

Garrett, a girl from your school, Ronda Steeneck, has brought your homework.

You go thank her.

GARRETT: Mom! CATHERINE: Garrett!

GARRETT: Thanks for bringing my school work. Did Mrs. Hammerhead make you?

RONDA STEENECK: No, really. I wanted to.

GARRETT: Why? RONDA STEENECK: Everyone in the whole school is talking about you.

GARRETT: I kinda figured that.

RONDA STEENECK: Everyone respects you.

GARRETT: What?

RONDA STEENECK: You’re the only person who has ever had the guts to stand up to Toby Hallorand. Everyone else is afraid of being beaten up.

GARRETT: I’ve never been beat up before. (to be continued). To listen and read-along with the rest of this month’s episode of QUETZALCOATL, go to www. talesofdavyjones.com or www.kidsvillenews.com. A Teacher’s Guide to accompany this 12-chapter story is available at www.KidsvilleNews.com. An audio version CD-set and workbook are also available online. Copyright 2011 by Carl F. Gundestrup. All rights reserved.

DECEMBER 2011

Holiday Happenings

By Barbara Gilmour

“Hi everyone. Welcome back. We have two guests today. Please say “hello” to Gracie and Hiroshi.” Tanner, Nicole, Rudy, Stephen, Carmen, and Truman the dragon all greeted their guests by standing, making eye contact, shaking their hands and telling them their names. “I’m so proud of you. Great introductions.”

Truman said, “Thank you! I introduce myself so people know that I’m friendly. I don’t want kids to be afraid of a dragon.”

Nicole patted Truman on his arm and said, “That is so kind and soooooo cool.”

“Today we are going to talk about the holidays and parties.”

Tanner was first to share, “My grandparents live far away, so we have a big family party.” Nicole added, “I help my Mom plan a big party for our neighbors. It’s lots of fun.”

Truman said, “We collect food and clothing in my town and have a party for kids.”

Gracie said, “That’s so kind.” Hiroshi added, “And so cool!”

We don’t all celebrate the same way at holiday time. How do you think a “Cool Kind Kid” should act about the way people celebrate holidays? Stephen waved his hand, “I know. Respect their customs.”

Everyone agreed that it would be fun to learn about other’s customs.

“Holiday parties are fun for everyone. Gracie and Hiroshi wanted to join us today because they love parties. They are party animals.” The kids all laughed. “Let’s think of some cool things a good guest should know. We’ll call these Gracie’s Guest Guidelines.”

Nicole was first to say, “Let the person know you’re coming to the party.” Tanner added, “RSVP to the invitation. That’s French and means respond.”

“If we have a party at home and invite friends from school, we should invite everyone in the class so no-one feels left out,” Carmen added.

Rudy said, “I was left out of Robbie’s party and it hurt my feelings.” Truman put his arm around Rudy and said, “I know how you feel.”

“A good guest finds out what to wear, what to bring, and arrives on time,” shared Gracie. “A good guest is happy and fun, and has good manners,” Nicole added.

“Obey the rules and offer to help is what my mom says,” according to Rudy. Stephen added, “My mom always reminds me to say “thankyou” when leaving. A good guest will always be invited back.

“Now what should a cool, kind host know? Let’s call these Hiroshi’s Host Hints.”

Hiroshi had his hand up first, “Always ask permission to have a party or kids come over.” Good one.

Nicole raised her hand next, “Be sure to help plan and get ready for the party.” Tanner added, “And, help clean up.”

Carmen said, “It’s kind to talk to everyone.” “Tell guests what they’ll be doing and about the food,” added Rudy. Truman shared, “Say thanks for a gift, and thank them for coming.” “Cool Kind Kids” remember to send a thank-you note for a gift or a good time.

Barbara Gilmour, Tanner’s grandmom, is the creator and developer of the Tanner’s Manners: Be a “Cool Kind Kid” Social Skills, Character Values and Anti-Bullying educational materials and the award-winning “Cool Kind Kid” Audio CD. © Cool Kind Kid. 866-KID-KIND. www.CoolKindKid.com.

DECEMBER 2011

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C o n s e r v a t i o n o r n e r Recycled Crafts Make Great Green Gifts!

If you are looking for a fun craft project to do over winter break or an idea for a gift that you can make yourself, try your hand at a recycled craft project!

The impact of recycling is outstanding; the average person in the U.S. generates 4.4 lbs of municipal waste per day (World Resources Institute, http://www.wri.org/). Not only is recycling important in the protection of our environment, but recycling can also save you money and inspire creative, enjoyable craft projects!

With any recycled project, first be sure that all recycled items are clean and dry. Wash all materials with hot, soapy water. Run old T-shirts and textiles through a laundry cycle. Check for any sharp edges and if working with younger children, avoid materials with small parts that may pose a choking hazard.

Recycled Fabric Checkerboard

You will need: • One 10x10 pc of felt • Eight strips of one fabric, each strip one inch by 10 inches long (try using an old shirt or table cloth!)

• Eight strips of a contrasting fabric, each strip one inch by 10 inches long • 24 bottle caps • White glue How to make it: • Lay down eight strips of fabric, closely side by side, on top of the felt base.

• Take the other eight strips of fabric, and individually, weave them between the first eight strips of fabric. (These other eight strips should be pushed closely together, side by side, to form a tight weave.)

• With a hand on top of the woven fabric and a hand slid under the felt, flip the entire board over like a pancake.

• Peel off the felt, and generously apply glue to the felt. Press felt back onto the woven fabric.

• Flip back over; add glue to the loose ends.

• Use old bottle caps for the checkers. (Tip: You can use the same 24 caps, flipping over half to create an opposing team, or you can paint or add stickers to create two teams.)

Make Your Own Monster

You will need: • White cardstock or copy paper • T-shirt or fabric scraps or leftover felt for two pieces, 8x11 size felt, buttons, ribbons – your choice • Stuffing (shredded fabric or polyfil) • White glue How to make it: • Using white cardstock, draw a blob-style body and cut out the shape. (Don’t make any appendages too narrow, or they will be difficult to stuff.)

• Using the cardstock body as a pattern, place the shape on any old T-shirt or fabric. Cut two pieces.

• Pre-thread a needle and use a running stitch to sew around the outline of the body. (A running stitch: Thread the needle and knot the thread. Place needle through the top fabric and bring it back up to the top side from the bottom side of the fabric. Repeat.)

• Leave a three inch opening to stuff your monster. Stuff, and then sew to close.

• Cut felt into two one-inch circles for the eyes, or choose buttons and/or ribbons for eyes, mouth, hair.

• Glue to attach felt eyes, buttons or ribbon mouth.

Nico Morrison Sidell started a local community project, Redo Reuse, which teaches kids how to recycle old materials into new crafts. She regularly holds fundraisers for area public schools and nonprofit organizations through her craft tutorials and create-your-own centers. To learn more, visit www.redoreuse.com.

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Art Gallery Henri Matisse: Founder of Fauvism pointillism, a style where artists paint patterns of colored dots on the canvas that come Henri Matisse is remembered as one of the most importogether to look like a picture when you stand a few feet away. tant French painters of the 20th century. He was also a printmaker and a sculptor, and produced many drawings Henri had his first solo exhibit in 1904. Even though it did not get a lot of attenand other artwork. tion, he continued on. He traveled to London, Corsica, and other places to learn from different artists. He also took painting and sculpture classes. As he experimented with Henri Emile Benoît Matisse was born on December 31, his art, Henri founded a new art movement. It was called Fauvism. Fauvism combined 1869 in a town in northern France. His parents were merchants and he was their first son. Along with helping run his bright color with wild brushstrokes. Although the movement did not last long, Henri continued to use pure, bold colors throughout his career. father’s store, Henri’s mother used to paint pictures on porBy the 1920s, Henri was making money as an artist. His sculptures first went celain. Although she passed along her love of color to her son, Henri was not interested in being an on display in New York in 1912, and his paintings could be seen in several places in France and London by 1913. He drew and painted artist until he was already an adult. mostly people and things in nature, and he used bright colors to do it.

As a child, Henri lived with his family in the town of Bohain-enThe scenes in his artwork were always recognizable. In addition to his paintings, sculptures, and drawings, he also experimented with makVermandois. When he was 10, his father ing paper cutout collages and even helped design theatrical costumes sent him away to school in St. Quentin.

After finishing high school, Henri left St. and stained glass windows!

Henri spent a lot of his life living and working in Nice, in the Quentin to attend law school in Paris in south of France. He loved the way the light shined there and felt it 1887. Even though Henri thought being a lawyer was boring, he returned to St. made his paintings even more beautiful. Even though he traveled a lot, he usually found a way back to Nice. Henri died on November 3, Quentin to work in a law firm in 1888.

1954 at the age of 84 and was buried near Nice. Two years before his He did not seriously consider art until the following year when he took ill. In 1889, Henri had appendideath, in 1952, he opened the first Matisse museum collection (Musée Matisse) in his birth town. It is now the third-largest collection of his citis. His mother brought him art supplies to help pass the time while he recovered. Almost immediately, Henri was hooked! artwork in the world.

Written by Tamar Burris, a former elementary school teacher who In 1892, Henri returned to Paris to study art. At first, Henri now works as a freelance writer and curriculum developer for PBS, the painted still lives and landscape scenes in traditional styles. His Discovery Channel and other education-related companies. Sources: colors were dark and his paintings were gloomy. After a few years, Biography of Henri Matisse, www.henri-matisse.net/biography.html, he started exploring Impressionism and began using brighter Woman with a Hat by Henri Henri Matisse on Biography.com, www.biography.com/people/henricolors to show light in his paintings. He also experimented with Matisse, 1905. matisse-9402564, Henri Matisse on Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org.

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DECEMBER 2011

AT THE MOVIES Alvin and the Chipmunks — Chipwrecked (In Theaters: Dec. 16) Jason Lee is back again with his crew of squeaky Chipmunks and Chipettes. Dave needs a vacation — bad. But he probably won’t get much rest on the luxury cruise he takes because he brings along Alvin (voiced

by Justin Long) and his lovable pals.

Between episodes of bursting into song — you know the “munks” love to sing — our little child-like rodents manage to strand themselves on a remote island in the middle of the ocean. Will Dave be able to rescue his tiny pals? Will the Chipmunks and Chipettes learn any important lessons during their wild adventure? One thing’s for sure: Little kids are going to love laughing at Alvin and the gang doing what they do best — having fun.

Not Rated at Press Time (20th Century Fox) The Adventures of Tintin (In Theaters: Dec. 21) Steven Spielberg pulls out all the stops in adapting the popular Belgian comic-strip character Tintin with eye-popping state-of-the-art 3D-motion capture that far improves on the animation of similar movies like The Polar Express. Actor Jamie Bell gives movement and voice to the smart red-haired Tintin who, with the help of his quick little dog Snowy, conducts investigations as a boy reporter into whatever mysteries come his way. In his European home town, Tintin buys a fancy model ship named the “Unicorn” at an outdoor market, only to be followed by a creepy Ivanovich Sakharine (Daniel Craig), who insists on getting his hands on the model ship. It turns out there’s a secret message hidden inside the boat. So begins an epic adventure that puts Tintin and Snowy onboard a giant steamer ship named the “Karaboudjian” headed for Morocco under the shaky hands of the ship’s Captain Archibald Haddock (Andy Serkis). The Captain and Tintin become friends and team up to piece together clues to find a giant amount of hidden treasure. The

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Adventures of Tintin is full of laughs and has some of the coolest animation you’ve ever seen. Rated PG for adventure-action violence, some drunkenness and brief smoking. 100 mins. (Paramount Pictures) We Bought a Zoo (In Theaters: Dec. 23) What if you and your family lived in a zoo? Well, that’s just what happens to Matt Damon’s single dad Benjamin Mee when he decides to buy a house that comes as part of a small zoo. There’s a tiger, a lion, a bear, a kangaroo, a few zebras and 42 other animal species that come along with the property. Scarlett Johansson plays Kelly Foster, one of the zookeepers who inspires Ben to throw himself into his new job of making a great home for his family and for the animals he grows to love.

We Bought a Zoo is one of this year’s big Christmas family movies that promises to put a warm spot in everyone’s heart, a tear in a few eyes and smiles all around. Not Rated at press time. (20th Century Fox) MOVIES ON DVD

Kung Fu Panda 2 (Available Dec. 13) Large-scale animated spectacle set in China’s natural beauty is a big part of DreamWorks Animation’s winning sequel to the 2008 original — a movie so widely celebrated that the Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek devoted pages in his latest book to it. Though the filmmakers only make full use of the film’s 3D effects once — when Jack Black’s panda character Po throws dumplings — the animation is gorgeous. Now that Po has mastered the art of Kung Fu, he must learn inner peace. So advises his Kung Fu master Shifu (once again voiced by Dustin Hoffman). Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan, David Cross and Lucy Liu also return from the first installment to reprise their roles as the “Furious Five,” creatures that represent different styles of Kung Fu. The cartoon martial arts violence approaches an extreme level of exaggeration. Whether or not that’s a good thing is a question parents — and Slovenian philosophers — will have to grapple with.

Cole Smithey, also known as “the smartest film critic in the world,” has been a film critic for 11 years and writes for over 50 publications, in print and on-line. Truman loves to watch movies and has the highest appreciation for great popcorn.

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DECEMBER 2011

KIDSVILLE KITCHEN

Together Time — Ask an adult for help with projects!

A Tiny Berry with Big Taste This tiny little berry packs a powerful — and flavorful — punch! Cranberries score among the highest of all fruits in antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables with high antioxidant values, like cranberries, may help support memory function and coordination.

They are also a cholesterol-free, fat-free and low-sodium food, and help maintain a healthy heart. The tiny berry is one of only three fruits native to North America. It is grown in several states around the country, but Wisconsin-based growers produce more than half of the world’s entire supply of cranberries. That’s a lot of cranberries!

Cranberry Oat Bran Muffins

Makes one dozen muffins.

What You Need: • 1 1/2 cups flour • 1/2 cup oat bran • 3/4 teaspoon salt • 1/3 cup sugar • 3 teaspoons baking powder • 2 eggs • 1/4 cup vegetable oil • 1 cup milk • 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped • 1 cup chopped walnuts • 1 teaspoon orange peel, grated How to Make It: • Preheat oven to 400°F. • Mix flour, oat bran, salt, sugar and baking powder. Set aside.

• Beat together eggs, vegetable oil and milk; add to dry ingredients.

• Add cranberries, walnuts and orange peel. Stir all together; batter may be lumpy.

• Pour into muffin tins and bake 20 minutes at 400°F.

Recipe provided by Family Features and Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association. For more cranberry recipes, visit the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association at www.wiscran.org.

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Planet Hunting

By Dr. Marc Rayman For centuries scientists have studied our own solar system consisting of the Sun and planets. But they did not know of any other solar systems until just the last few years. That’s because planets around other stars are really hard to find. Planets shine only by the light they reflect from their star. Other solar systems are very far away, so seeing one of their planets may be harder than seeing a grain of sand next to a car’s headlight from miles away.

Nonetheless, in the middle 1990s, astronomers found strong evidence of planets around other stars. They couldn’t see them directly, but they discovered that some stars wobble just a little bit. They figured this wobble was most likely due to the force of a large planet’s gravity as it orbited the star. Although the star’s gravity holds the planet tightly in its orbit, the planet’s gravity also tugs on the star and makes it wobble, and that is what astronomers This artist’s rendering shows a steaming hot measure. (with water!) planet discovered in another Astronomers then solar system. found other ways to detect planets. For example, as a planet orbits its star, the planet may pass in front of it and block some of the star’s light. Even though the planet is tiny compared to the star, extremely sensitive instruments can measure the tiny change in the star’s brightness.

How common are other solar systems? Is our solar system typical, with giant planets like Jupiter and smaller ones like Earth?

Are there other planets capable of supporting life?

So far, astronomers have found more than 500 solar systems and are discovering new ones every year. There may be tens of billions of solar systems in our galaxy, perhaps even as many as 100 billion. No one yet knows how accurate this estimate is or how similar other solar systems are to ours. NASA is working on space missions that will help scientists to find other solar systems and to study their planets in greater detail. Soon we will know much more.

Visit The Space Place and read about Lucy, the girl who dreamed of someday finding another Earth and did something to make her dream come true. Go to http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/ story-lucy.

This article was written by Dr. Marc Rayman and Diane K. Fisher, and provided through the courtesy of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and support from the U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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DECEMBER 2011

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P ARENTOWN’S

K ID S MART

Put Kids on the Right Path with Money Lessons

Guiar a los niños por el camino correcto con lecciones de dinero

From the time children drop their first few coins into a piggy bank, they are ready to learn about setting savings goals and making smart spending decisions. While kids may struggle with giving up a candy bar today in order to save for a video game purchase next month, the lesson of saving becomes directly applicable to them.

But the bite of inflation? The wisdom of diversifying savings? Can a third grader understand these concepts?

The experts say yes, and the sooner parents start imparting these lessons, the more effective they will be in helping children grow into financially responsible young adults. The trick is to take advantage of teachable “money moments” that happen every day — such as when you go to the bank or the grocery store — to help children understand complex concepts in kid-friendly terms.

When a son questions his mother’s refusal to buy a toy she says the family cannot afford, the mother has the perfect opportunity to teach the son a money lesson about making choices. She can explain that purchasing that specific toy means there is less money to be used for future purchases, such as buying a bicycle or a video game the son has on his wish list.

Another example would be if a daughter asks her father why the family can’t fly instead of driving a great distance for the family vacation.

This question presents an opportunity to explain spending tradeoffs the daughter can understand. For example, the amount required for airline tickets may mean the vacation budget can’t allow for swimming with dolphins or a visit to the amusement park.

“If children are included in family financial discussions, such as planning for a fun vacation or purchasing a high-cost toy, then parents can begin to place daily spending decisions in a context their child will understand,” says Stuart Ritter, CFP, a family financial expert with T. Rowe Price and father of three. “Teaching children to set savings goals and make decisions about money that align with those goals is much easier when the discussion is concrete rather than abstract.”

Inflation and diversification may be more difficult for children to grasp.

In fact, some adults may have trouble defining these concepts. Simple explanations may work, such as explaining that college will cost a lot more several years from today, which means saving and investing differently for that goal than one would for a smaller item, such as a skateboard to be purchased in six months.

A complementary approach is to introduce children to games that teach basic money lessons. One example is the game “The Great Piggy Bank Adventure” at www.GreatPiggyBankAdventure.com. T. Rowe Price collaborated with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online to produce this free online board game, which conveys basic financial concepts in a way that is fun and easy for kids to understand.

To extend the lessons from the game, parents can also download a free “Journey to Your Dream Goal” activity book from www.FamilyFinancialHub. com. Puzzles, games and tricky challenges help guide kids through the process of making smart financial decisions.

To get your child started with saving and money lessons, visit www.FamilyFinancialHub.com.

Source: Family Features and photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Desde el momento en el que sus hijos depositan sus primeras monedas en su alcancía, ellos están listos para aprender sobre metas de ahorros y tomar decisiones sabias al gastar. Mientras que a los niños se les hace difícil no comprar una barra de chocolate hoy para poder ahorrar para comprar un video juego el próximo mes, es cuando la lección de ahorrar les aplica directamente a ellos. ¿Pero los niños de tercer grado entenderán sobre la inflación y la sabiduría de diversificar los ahorros?

Los expertos dicen que sí, y entre más pronto comiencen a implementar estas lecciones, más efectivas serán para ayudar a que se conviertan en adultos financieramente responsables. El truco esta en tomar ventaja de los momentos con lecciones monetarias que ocurren todos los días – como cuando van al banco o al supermercado – para poder explicar conceptos complicados en términos que los niños comprendan.

Cuando un niño pregunta porque su madre no le compra un juguete, ella le dice que porque no le alcanza el dinero, la madre tiene la oportunidad perfecta para enseñarle a su hijo una lección de dinero sobre tomar decisiones. Ella le puede explicar que el comprar ese juguete ahorita, significa tener menos dinero para compras futuras, como comprar una bicicleta o un video juego que el niño quiera.

Otro ejemplo seria si una hija le pregunta a su padre porque la familia no puede ir en avión en lugar de manejar una larga distancia para las vacaciones familiares.

Esta pregunta presenta una oportunidad para explicar los trueques de gastos que la niña pueda entender. Por ejemplo, gastar la cantidad de dinero requerida para los tickets de avión quiere decir que el presupuesto no les permitirá nadar con los delfines o visitar un parque de diversiones.

“Si se incluye a los niños en las discusiones financieras familiares, como planear unas vacaciones divertidas o comprar un juguete caro, entonces los padres pueden comenzar a poner decisiones de gastos diarias en un contexto que sus hijos puedan entender,” dice Stuart Ritter, CFP, un experto en finanzas familiares con T.Rowe Price, y padre de tres.

“Enseñarle a los niños a poner metas de ahorros y tomar decisiones sobre dinero que se alinean con esas metas es más fácil cuando la discusión es concreta en lugar de extracta.”

La inflación y diversificación quizás sean un poco más complicadas de entender para los niños. De hecho, algunos adultos van a tener dificultades al definir estos conceptos. Explicaciones simples pueden funcionar, como explicar que la universidad puede llegar a costar mucho, y que quiere decir que se tiene que ahorrar e invertir diferentemente para poder lograr esa meta, a diferencia de ahorrar para un objeto más chico, como una patineta que se compre dentro de seis meses.

Un acercamiento complementado es enseñar a los niños juegos que tengan lecciones básicas de dinero. Un ejemplo es el juego “The Great Piggy Bank Adventure” (Las aventuras de una puerquita alcancía) en www.GreatPiggyBankAdventure.com. T.Rowe Price trabajando junto con Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online para crear este juego de mesa en línea gratuito que convierte conceptos financieros básicos en una manera fácil y divertida de aprender. Para expandir las lecciones del juego, los padres también pueden descargar gratuitamente un libro de actividades titulado “Journey to your dream goal” (El viaje hacia tu meta deseada) de www.

FamilyFinancialhub.com Rompe cabezas, juegos y difíciles retos ayudan a guiar a los niños en el proceso de tomar buenas decisiones financieras.

Para ayudar a que su hijo comience sus lecciones de ahorros y de dinero, visite nuestra pagina web www.FamilyFinancialHub.com.

Fotos cortesía de Getty Images.

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DECEMBER 2011

P ARENTOWN’S K ID S HAPE

DECEMBER 2011

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