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Dear Kids, It’s July, and that means I am celebrating the birthday of our country! Happy Birthday, America! In this issue, you can read about the fight for our country’s independence and what the 4th of July is all about. It’s more than fireworks and cookouts. In fact, this month I talked with someone who still fights for our freedoms and protects our country. Our friends, relatives and neighbors who are in the military have a very important job. Read more about it in this month’s “What’s It Like to Be...” feature. I hope you enjoy this issue of Kidsville News! Keep reading this summer, and be sure to visit online for more fun and games. Hope you have a jamming July! Your friend,
COME OUT AND PLAY! Try Cycling in July!
It’s July, and the Tour de France is this month. This is the world’s greatest bicycle contest. What’s all the hype about? Watch it and see! Cycling is a fun sport, a great way to exercise and a convenient mode of transportation. Most people ride bikes for exercise and recreation, but some people use their bicycles for transportation and ride them to school or work. Riding a bike is fun, but it is also considered a vehicle, and you must follow traffic rules. There are many different types of cycling. Whether you are interested in mountain biking, road riding, BMX or touring, it is important to know the rules of the road and how to control your bike. Here are some important tips for young riders from the League of American Bicyclists: • Always wear your bicycle helmet and make sure that it fits. It should sit level on your head and be snug. It should not flop around. • Practice balancing in an open field or vacant parking lot. Practice riding in circles as well as in a straight line. • Practice starting and stopping. Remember that driveways, sidewalks, and crosswalks are danger zones. Look left, then right, then left again before crossing the road. It might be best to get off your bike and walk it across a busy intersection. • To get better at riding straight, use a painted line in a parking lot. • When riding on a road, it is important to scan for traffic in front and in back of you. It’s also important to use hand signals for turning if you are riding in traffic. Does your bike have gears? Do you know how to use them? The idea is to keep pedaling at a consistent level that’s right for you — not too easy, and not too hard. Shifting gears helps you do that. The left shifter controls the front derailleur and which chainring your chain is on. Bikes come with two or three chainrings. Three chainrings are for
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mountain biking or touring. These chainrings are are low-, medium- and high-range, or low and high for road bikes with two chainrings. The small ring is low gear for climbs, the middle ring for flats and the big ring for descents. The right shifter controls the rear derailleur, which moves the bicycle chain from one cog to another. Two or three shifts down is equal to one shift down on the front derailleur. The smaller the cog on the cassette, the harder the gear is to push. Most bikes have seven, eight or nine cogs. Ten Commandments of Bicycling I. Wear a helmet for every ride and use lights at night. II. Conduct an ABC Quick Check before every ride (check the air in the tires, and do a quick check of your brake pads, chain, crank and cassette). III. Obey traffic laws: ride on the right, slowest traffic farthest to right. IV. Ride predictably and be visible at all times. V. At intersections, ride in the right-most lane that goes in your direction. VI. Scan for traffic and signal lane changes and turns. VII. Be prepared for mechanical emergencies with tools and know-how. VIII. Control your bike by practicing bike handling skills. IX. Drink before you are thirsty and eat before you are hungry. X. Have fun! Sources: Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, www.bicyclinginfo.org; League of American Bicyclists, www.bikeleague.org.
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Kidsville News!
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Happy Birthday, America! It’s July, and that means it’s time for a birthday party! The birthday of the United States of America is known as Independence Day, or the Fourth of July. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. This meant that the colonies were separating from Great Britain and becoming an independent country. The Original Colonies So what led to the birth of our nation? In 1750, there were 13 small colonies in America. Each colony was separate, but they were all ruled by the king of England. The colonies had to send money to England to pay taxes. All of the laws and rules were also made in Great Britain, and there was no representation or input from the people of the American colonies. The people of the colonies began to believe that they should be independent and not ruled by a king who lived across the ocean. They wanted to be free to choose the kind of government they wanted. The king refused to give up the American colonies and sent ships filled with soldiers to America. The colonies realized that in order to fight the king and his army, they would need to unite. Each colony chose men to go to Philadelphia and meet. This was called the “First Continental Congress.” They drafted a letter to the king and asked him to change unfair laws and to send his soldiers back to England. Instead, the king sent more soldiers to America, and the Revolutionary War began. There will be a Solar Eclipse on July 1. The partial eclipse of the sun will be visible in the Southern Indian Ocean. Do you know what the ZIP in ZIP code stands for? It is an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan. The US Postal Service introduced the five-digit ZIP code on July 1, 1963.
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The Declaration of Indepedence The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson in June of 1776. In the Declaration, Jefferson expressed the feelings of the American people. It explained the ideals of individual liberty through “self-evident truths,” proclaiming that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain rights, and among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The document also explained that governments are created to help ensure these rights. When a government abuses the people and denies their rights, it is the duty of the people to remove or change that form of government. The Declaration listed grievances against the King and how the government of Great Britain was infringing on the rights of the people, and justified the separation of the colonies from Great Britain. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted. The ringing of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia signaled that a new nation had been born. All Americans are encouraged to read the Declaration of Independence, to understand better the rights that our forefathers fought for so that we can live the lives that we do today. Have you read it? The Revolutionary War The first shots of the Revoluntionary War were fired on Lexington Green on April 19, 1775, before the Declaration of Independence. The war for independence was not an easy war. Even after the Declaration of Independence, the war continued. It lasted eight years. Finally in 1781, Cornwallis, leading the British, surrendered to then Gerneral George Washington in Yorktown, Virginia. The final peace treaty, the Treaty of Paris, came in 1783. The United States of America was finally free! The anniversary of man’s first landing on the moon is July 20, 1969. Two U.S. astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin Jr., landed the module Eagle on the moon from the Apollo XI. They brought back photos and rock samples.
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The 98th annual Tour de France will be held July 2-24. One hundred and eighty cyclists compete for the yellow jersey in this bicycle race that covers over 2,235 miles.
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AR
Canada
UND THE W
In Canada, July 9 is Nunavut Day. This day is a public holiday in the Nunavut Territory. It marks the day that the parliament established the area as a territory in 1993, separate from the Northwest Territories. Activities and events are held in the territory to celebrate the holiday. There are special breakfasts, history competitions,and celebrations with traditional foods, dancing and games.
DISAPPEARING LADYBUGS
Some species of native ladybugs in North America are disappearing. In the past 20 years, these beneficial predators of garden, forest and farm pests have become extremely rare. The Lost Ladybug Project is asking for everyone’s help finding ladybugs!
WHAT ARE LADYBUGS?
Ladybugs are not actually bugs, they are beetles. These insects are in the Coccinellidae family of the beetle order, Coleoptera. Ladybugs help control insect infestations by eating pests like aphids and scale insects. They enable gardeners and farmers to use less pesticides and chemicals to protect their crops. A single ladybug may eat more than 5,000 aphids in her lifetime – one year!
HOW DID LADYBUGS GET THEIR NAME?
Legend says that during the Middle Ages in Europe, swarms of aphids were destroying crops. The farmers prayed to the Virgin Mary for help — and help came in an insect that devoured the plant-destroying pests and saved the crops. The grateful farmers named these insects “Beetles of Our Lady,” which became “Lady Beetles.” In some places they are called ladybirds or ladybird beetles.
Guam
Guam is an island in the western Pacific Ocean near Japan. It is a territory of the United States. During World War II, Guam was attacked and invaded by Japanese forces. It was occupied for almost three years. On July 21, 1944, the U.S. returned and fought the Battle of Guam to recapture the island. Guam became a territory of the United States, and the Guamanian people were granted United States citizenship. Each year on July 21, the people of Guam celebrate Liberation Day with ceremonies, parades, fireworks and gatherings with family and friends.
MISSING NATIVES
The two-spot, nine-spot and the transverse ladybugs were once common, but now they are very rare. The good news is that they are not extinct. There may be a rare ladybug in your backyard right now! Nine-spotted ladybug has four spots on each wing and one split in the middle. Until 20 years ago, it was one of the most common ladybugs across the U.S. and Canada. Transverse ladybug has markings on its back that resemble ink drops that have slipped sideways, forming a black band close to the front. This ladybug was once very common but is now almost as rare as its nine-spotted cousin. Two-spotted ladybug is usually bright red with two dark spots on its wings. This beetle is considered native to both North America and Europe. Although it is still occassionally collected in the midwestern U.S., this ladybug may soon be gone from much of its former range.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
WHY ARE THEY BRIGHTLY COLORED?
Ladybugs’ bright colors and spots serve as a warning to predators that the beetle will release a distasteful fluid if attacked. Because of this, birds don’t really like to eat them.
Brought to you by this newspaper and
France
The French love to celebrate on July 14, Bastille Day. The fall of the Bastille prison marked the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789. The people of Paris stormed the Bastille prison and freed the political prisoners, who were placed there by order of the King. Although there were not many prisoners, the storming of the Bastille was a symbol of defiance to the King and the monarchy. Now, the French national holiday is celebrated by dances, parades, dinners and fireworks.
RLD
Entomologists need you to look for ladybugs, take pictures and submit them to The Lost Ladybug Project. Looking for ladybugs is as simple as searching in your backyard and neighborhood. The best time to look is early summer. Look in lush plant growth, agricultural fields that haven’t been sprayed with pesticides and near wild flowers, weeds, trees and shrubs.
Funded by the National Science Foundation
Scientists need detailed information on which ladybugs are still out there and how many individuals can be found. Here’s how to participate in our research project:
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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS... PERU?
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 76ºW and latitude of 10ºS, and you'll find the country of Peru. It is located on the western coast of South America. It borders the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador. The territory of Peru is very different, depending on what part of the country you visit. There is the western coastal plain, the rugged Andes mountains in the center and the Amazon rainforest in the east. Although it is near the equator, the temperature is not just tropical. The climate varies — the west is dry desert, the peaks of the Andes Mountains are frozen and the jungle region has heavy rainfall and hot temperatures, but cold winters in some areas. Peru also has many natural hazards — earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides and volcanos. Peru was home to some of the oldest civilizations in the world. Important Andean civilizations, like the Norte Chico Civilization and the Incas, were in Peru. Machu Picchu, "the lost city of the Incas," is a historic site of ruins from the 15th century. Archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as the home of the Inca emperor Pachacuti. It is now a tourist attraction and was voted one of the New Seven wonders of the World in 2007. In the 16th century, Peru was conquered by the Spanish. They declared their independence in 1821 and celebrate July 28 as Independence Day. Peru is didvided into 25 regions, similar to our states, and the province of Lima, which is the capital. Each region elects a government, including a president and council, for the region. The country as a whole also has an elected president. Photo, left: Machu Picchu has been declared a World Heritage Site and was named one of the "New" Seven Wonders of the World. Sources: "Peru," The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ gl.html; "Machu Picchu," Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org.
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A SPECIAL OPERATIONS SOLDIER? As we celebrate Independence Day, I thought it would be neat to talk to a soldier who fights to protect our country’s freedom. Walt Zajkowski is a Special Operations Soldier. He is a Sergeant Major and has been in the military for 17 years. The soldiers in Special Operations are the best of the best. And that’s not just an expression — Walt really is the best! In fact, he just won the Best Ranger competion for the second time! The competition is a grueling contest that Walt completed with his partner Eric Turk, also a two-time winner. TRUMAN: What does it take to become a Special Operations Soldier? ZAJKOWSKI: You have to be an above-average soldier. Every year thousands of soldiers apply to become a part of Special Operations, but on average less than 50 will make it through the grueling selection process and advanced training. You have to be highly motivated and extremely physically fit, as well as mentally and physically tough. But, we are not just tough guys; the average Special Operations Soldier scores high on military aptitude tests and has some college. The guys I work with are very levelheaded decision makers that I can rely on in dangerous and challenging situations. TRUMAN: When did you first become interested in joining the Army? ZAJKOWSKI: I was near the end of my time in college and was not sure what I was going to do after school. My grandfather was a Marine, and my father was a Navy Chief, so I was raised to respect service to our country. After talking with military members and reading a lot about the various military jobs, I made the decision to enlist in the Army under a four-year Airborne Ranger contract. My plan was to graduate Ranger School, become an Airborne Ranger and do as many exciting and challenging things as I could during my four years. I didn’t have any plans to stay in Special Operations the Army and make a career of it, but I quickly Soldier Walt Zajkowski, found that I enjoyed jumping out of airplanes, winner in the 2011 Best flying around in helicopters, shooting guns and Ranger competition. sneaking around in the dark using night vision goggles. I reenlisted to stay in the Army and made the choice to keep serving as long as I was enjoying what I was doing and believed in the mission. During my fifth year in the Army, I decided to challenge myself even more, so I tried out for Special Operations. I made it through the selection and training and was very happy with my decision. TRUMAN: What do you do every day? ZAJKOWSKI: I get to do so many fun and exciting things in my job, it is hard to know where to begin. During a typical week, I will shoot pistols and rifles, skydive out of airplanes or drive motorcycles and ATV’s. It isn’t all action however; I also practice speaking a foreign language, as well as research and learn about foreign cultures and customs. One of the less exciting parts of my job is having to do paperwork, too. I am responsible for training the soldiers I work with. That means that I have to use a computer to type up training schedules and write assessments on how the guys perform during training.
ZAJKOWSKI: This past year, I competed in the Best Ranger Competition for the seventh time in my career. This was the second time that I have won. My first win was in 2007. The Best Ranger competition is the Olympics of soldiering. Best Ranger is a threeday-long nonstop competition to determine which unit in the military has the best two-man team. During the competition, you get as little as one to two hours of sleep and a limited amount of food to fuel you through three tough days. You are always competing with and racing against the other two-man Ranger teams in events such as canoeing, shooting, first aid, throwing hand grenades, making radio transmissions, obstacle courses, swimming, navigating cross country with only a map and compass for distances up to 40 miles, roping out of a helicopter and then shooting enemy targets and running with your rucksack and rifle for distances up to 25 miles. All of the equipment you carry during the competition weighs close to 80 pounds, so you have to be strong and have great endurance. Performing all of these soldier skills on little food and sleep is extremely challenging. TRUMAN: Wow, that sounds hard! How do you train for the competition? ZAJKOWSKI: When I prepare for Best Ranger, I train like a professional endurance athlete. Stretching, sleeping at least eight hours a night and eating a balanced diet are very important during the training phase. Most of my physical preparation consists of running up to 15 miles, swimming, climbing ropes, obstacle courses and walking for hours while wearing a 50-pound pack. I wear running shoes for the training runs, but I wear a uniform and boots for the long rucksack marches. My partner and I also have to practice and master all of the military skills tested during the competition. I will normally start training a full year before the competition because I still have my work duties to perform. If you are not properly prepared for this competition, you will not finish, or worse, you could get hurt. TRUMAN: What advice would you give to kids who are interested in becoming a Special Operations Soldier?
ZAJKOWSKI: The toughest part of my job is spending time away from family and friends. Although I love my job, it is hard to spend long periods of time away from the ones you love. Having said that, I really believe it is harder on my family never knowing just what I am doing or where I am. You can’t just pull out a cell phone and call home or be called when you’re deployed.
ZAJKOWSKI: If you think you would like to be an elite soldier in Special Operations, I would recommend that you learn to be self disciplined. Participating in team sports and student government are excellent ways to learn the skills of teamwork and leadership. Graduate high school and attend college before you join the military; you need to be well rounded and think creatively. You should enjoy being outdoors and active. This job requires you to spend a lot of time training outside, rain or shine. There are no selfish individuals in this line of work. Every member of a team must work well with others and know how to cooperate.
TRUMAN: What’s the best part of your job?
TRUMAN: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?
ZAJKOWSKI: The best part of my job is the satisfaction that I get from the work I do. I wake up every day excited to go to work because I enjoy my job. I feel blessed to be able to do this kind of work and to be surrounded by some of the very best people that our country has to offer.
ZAJKOWSKI: I like to hang out with my family and friends. Most of the time, you can find me doing something outside like wakeboarding, mountain biking, fishing or just relaxing while I read a good book.
TRUMAN: That sounds like a really cool job! What’s the hardest part?
TRUMAN: What are some of the things you have to do in the Best Ranger Competition?
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TRUMAN: Thanks for sharing with us what it’s like to be a Special Operations Soldier, and thanks for protecting our country.
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What’s the Difference?
It’s time for a 4th of July cookout! There are five things different between picture A and picture B. Can you find them all?
July Word Find
Find the hidden words in the puzzle that relate to the month of July. BIRTHDAY COLONY CONGRESS DECLARATION
F H N L F Y N I W Q N U D N N
X T I F N O O C A O I U O D O
B R X O B O O I I R I R L G I
B U L U M N S T S U M M E R T
E O C V G K A R E L U T O L U
FOURTH INDEPENDENCE JEFFERSON JULY
C F Z R J R A X E L F B H A L
E X E I A Y K C S F C N I Y O
A S H L J M N Y O Y F B Q H V
S G C X C L G W L F O E R E E
H E E D I B I R D U O A J N R
D R D X C U A B I T J C B O B
LIBERTY REVOLUTION SOLDIER SUMMER
I N D E P E N D E N C E I H F
Y A D H T R I B R R Q X B Y F
I U O V K M F I P E T N K D R
J G U H E I A V R B Q Y G B Y
Mad Math
Try to fill in the missing numbers. Use the numbers 1 through 9 to complete the equations. Each number is only used once. Each row is a math equation. Each column is a math equation. Remember that multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction. 9
6
4 Source: www.metrocreativeconnection.com
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Coloring Corner Truman is leading the 4th of July parade! Color in the picture and write a sentence about how you celebrate Independence Day.
Truman Tru-
Truman’s Tricky Picture
Find these items! Be sure to find Truman’s hat!
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Salute to Freedom By Barbara Gilmour “Happy July everyone! Welcome back! I’m glad to see Tanner, Rudy, Nicole, Stephen, Carmen and Truman the Dragon today. I hope you enjoyed meeting Paul or Pauly last time.” Freedom “Boy, he sure knows a lot about flag stuff,” Rudy said. “I learned some cool stuff about how to Freedom for me Freedom for you take care of our flag, added Tanner. “I like Available to all to see it outside my house, so I asked my dad to put a light on it. I’ll be sure to take it In the red, white and blue down in bad weather.” “I’m going to be in charge of our flag at Respect our flag my house,” shared Truman. “It reminds me Our country, too of all we have in our country.” And each person here “Did you remember to put your flag out So they’ll respect you on Flag Day?” Nicole jumped up and said, “I got up Take care of our land early that day because I couldn’t wait to put Water, trees and shore it out.” If we don’t do that “I saw flags all along my street,” added They will be no more Carmen. Truman looked thoughtful and said, “I guess everyone wants to show they’re patri- Show that you care Be grateful, too otic. ‘Cool Kind Kids’ are patriotic!” “This month we celebrate another patri- For all that we have In the red, white and blue otic day, the 4th of July.” “That’s my favorite holiday in the summer,” said Tanner. “I love to go to the parade in the morning and have a picnic in the afternoon,” added Stephen. “Wow, the fireworks at night are the coolest,” yelled Truman. “Dragons love the FIREworks.” “Those are all fun things to do on the 4th of July, but why do we celebrate that day?” “I know,” Rudy offered. “That’s the day our country got free.” “You mean when the Declaration of Independence was signed?” asked Nicole? “That’s it,” added Rudy, ”I learned that in school.” “It means that we are free to be who and what we want here, and everyone is free to live here, even dragons,” said Truman. “That’s a good way to say it, Truman. I’m proud of you,” added Carmen. “Cool Kind Kids” appreciate all the freedom we have in this country. “What are some ways to show how much we appreciate our freedom?” “I know a way,” Tanner said with his hand raised, “My scout troop is working on a float for the 4th of July parade. It will be very patriotic.” “That sounds cool, Tanner. Let’s all go to the parade to see it.” The kids all thought that was a great idea. “What else can we do to show gratitude for our freedom?” “When I see a veteran, I thank them,” said Rudy. “Sometimes my class sends thank-you cards to the veterans’ hospital nearby,” added Nicole. Stephen was waving his hand to share, “There are kids in my class whose moms or dads are away fighting a war. We make cards for them. We make up care packages, too. Sometimes when they come home, they come to our school to surprise their kids. That’s really cool!” “‘Cool Kind Kids’ can show we care about the military people and veterans who have done so much for our freedom by just saying, ‘thank-you’ when we see them.”
July Word Find
Find the hidden words in the puzzle that relate to the month of July. BIRTHDAY COLONY CONGRESS DECLARATION
F H N L F Y N I W Q N U D N N
X T I F N O O C A O I U O D O
B R X O B O O I I R I R L G I
B U L U M N S T S U M M E R T
E O C V G K A R E L U T O L U
FOURTH INDEPENDENCE JEFFERSON JULY
C F Z R J R A X E L F B H A L
E X E I A Y K C S F C N I Y O
A S H L J M N Y O Y F B Q H V
S G C X C L G W L F O E R E E
H E E D I B I R D U O A J N R
D R D X C U A B I T J C B O B
LIBERTY REVOLUTION SOLDIER SUMMER
I N D E P E N D E N C E I H F
Y A D H T R I B R R Q X B Y F
I U O V K M F I P E T N K D R
J G U H E I A V R B Q Y G B Y
What’s the Difference?
Answers: 1. Fork turned the other way 2. Chef hat bigger 3. Background square missing 4. Not wearing apron 5. Larger flame
Mad Math
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. She also writes the Children’s Manners Blog, offering tips for teaching your children manners. http://childrenmanners.blogspot.com. © Cool Kind Kid.
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Art Gallery Gustav Klimt & Symbolism Gustav Klimt was a famous Austrian painter of Klimt painted mostly women and landscape scenes. For several years, he the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is known experimented with using gold leaf and mosaic patterns in his works. Some for his experimental, decorative painting of the most famous of these types of works style and his use of symbols in his work. are his Portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer I and Symbolist painters used mythological and The Kiss paintings, completed in 1907 and dream-like images in their work. 1908. In 1911, his painting Death and Life Gustav Klimt was born on July 14, won first place in a world exhibition in 1862, to a gold engraver and his wife Rome, Italy. on the outskirts of Vienna, Austria. The Klimt died in Vienna on February 6, Klimt family had seven children and was 1918, after suffering from pneumonia and very poor, but Gustav and his brothers a stroke. He left behind several unfinished were all fine artists from an early age, and pieces. Long after his death, many of his art and music were encouraged in their paintings were stolen by the German Nazi family. When Gustav was in his early Army during World War II and lost. Since teens, he was awarded a scholarship to that time, some have been found and have the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts. sold at the highest prices ever recorded There he studied to be an architectural for an individual work of art. An art colpainter until 1883, when he began a lector paid $135 million for the Portrait of career painting murals on public buildings Adele Bloch Bauer I, and another painting, like the Art History Museum in Vienna. a landscape called Birch Forest, sold for Gustav’s early murals were well more than $40 million! Adele Bloch-Bauer I, by Gustav Klimt, received, and he enjoyed the success. However, as his career Written by Tamar Burris, a former elemenwhich sold for a record $135 million in 2006. continued, he experimented more and more with vibrant color tary school teacher who now works as a freeand painting in different ways. People did not like his new work lance writer and curriculum developer for PBS, as much. In fact, in 1894, the three paintings he created to display in the the Discovery Channel and other education-related companies. Sources: Gustav Klimt University of Vienna were refused because there was so much criticism on the Complete Works: Biography, http://www.klimtgallery.org/biography.html; Gustav the “radical” themes and symbolic style. This was the very last public Klimt Landscapes, http://www.clarkart.edu/exhibitions/klimt/klimt/bio.cfm; Gustav commission he ever took. After that, Klimt became even more devoted to his Klimt on Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Klimt. own personal style of art.
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Conservation o r n e r Grow Your Own Veggies!
Do you know how far the fresh produce that you buy at the supermarket travels –– from where it is grown and harvested –– before you put it in your grocery cart? On average, your fruits and veggies travel 1,500 miles! Ninety percent of fresh produce is grown in California, and many items we enjoy come from other countries. Not only might your produce cost more because of the distance it must travel, but some items are picked before they are really ripe to prevent damage during shipping, so they may not taste as good as something you picked yourself or purchased at your local farmers’ market. Cut down on your food’s travel distance and enjoy fresh, ripe veggies by growing your own! It’s fun, easy and very economical, and there’s nothing like watching a seed sprout and grow into a plant that blossoms and presents you with fresh produce that you pick at just the right time. And you don’t need a lot of room to grow some vegetables. Many will grow very well in containers, like pots, hanging baskets, window boxes — even garbage cans! Some of the easiest vegetables for children to grow in containers include cress (a type of green), fast-growing leaf lettuce, Swiss chard and green beans. As long as the container is deep enough, kids may also grow beets, carrots, onions, radishes and potatoes (garbage cans make harvesting potatoes, which grow underground, very easy). Simply follow the directions for each vegetable’s growing needs, including watering and fertilizing dos and don’ts, sun and soil requirements and protection from any pests. By planning, planting and growing your own veggie gardens, you learn an important skill, spend time outside in the sun and fresh air –– and maybe you’ll even eat more veggies since you grew them yourself! Source: “Growing Vegetables,” www.kiddiegardens.com/growing_vegetables.html.
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KIDSVILLE NEWS - PAGE 17
AT THE MOVIES Zookeeper (In Theaters: July 8) Griffin Keyes (Kevin James) is the world’s most devoted zookeeper. He’s also looking for a woman he can marry. Griffin is ready to quit his job because it seems to be standing in the way of his matrimonial plans. But Griffin isn’t ready for the surprise that comes when he learns the animals he looks after day and night can talk. Not only can they speak to Griffin, but the zoo pets have plenty of advice to share about how to date a girl properly, at least from an animal’s point of view. Cher, Nick Nolte, Adam Sandler, and Sylvester Stallone provide funny voices for the animals that include a monkey, a snake, a lion and a wolf. Being a zookeeper might not be such a bad job after all. Rated PG for some mild rude humor. 91 mins. (Columbia Pictures/Sony) Winnie the Pooh (In Theaters: July 15) Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo, the energetic Tigger and the woeful stuffed donkey-without-a-tail Eeyore team up with their happy-go-lucky buddy Winnie the Pooh. The group go on an adventure to rescue Christopher Robin from an imaginary creature named “Backson” in the Hundred Acre Wood, where Winnie likes to collect honey. Jim Cummings, Craig Ferguson, John Cleese, and Kristen Anderson-Lopez add their voices to the cheerful animated fun. “Sometimes we all feel a little hungry, sometimes wise, a bit blue or very bold.” Zooey Deschanel performs songs about the honey-loving bear that anyone would want to give a hug. Winnie the Pooh is a classic children’s story about friendship inspired by A.A Milne’s famous books. This latest Walt Disney movie promises to give everyone who sees it a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. If the story comes with a few lessons in grammar and philosophy, then so much the better to enjoy the hand-drawn style of the animation on display. Rated G (Walt Disney Pictures)
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The Smurfs (In Theaters: July 29) “Our turf gets Smurfed.” The evil wizard Gargamel (Hank Azaria) uncovers the hidden Smurf Village on the far away planet they share. A magical accident sends the Smurfs and Gargamel — along with his snickering orange cat — to New York City. The little blue Smurfs and a cute little Smurfette (voiced by Katy Perry) land in the home of Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays as husband and wife Patrick and Grace. The couple is expecting a baby, but not a pack of little blue people. It’s up to the couple to help the blue gang return home, wherever that may be. George Lopez is the voice of Grouchy Smurf. Jonathan Winters is Papa Smurf. There’s also a Jokey Smurf, a Greedy Smurf, a Baker Smurf, a Chef Smurf, a Brainy Smurf and even a Handy Smurf. The Smurfs is a kids’ 3D-adventure movie where the word “Smurf” can be a noun, an adjective, and even a verb. Not Yet Rated. (Columbia Pictures/Sony)
MOVIES ON DVD Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Available July 1) Knowingly silly in its approach to kid humor, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is still a well-balanced children’s comedy movie. This second chapter in the “Wimpy Kid” series finds boy-with-a-diary Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) failing to escape constant pranking from his older brother Rodrick (Devon Bostick). The brothers’ parents (played by Steve Zahn and Rachel Harris) offer “mom bucks” for every trouble-free hour the boys spend together. But that’s probably not enough of an incentive to keep them away from problems. Rodrick plays drums for an annoying band called “Loaded Diaper.” Greg wants to get to know the new girl in school. Childhood dreams are the driving force in a story about how the brothers discover how to help one another. David Bowers, the director of Flushed Away and Astro Boy, oversees the goofy situations that young Greg finds himself in on a daily basis. Rodrick Rules might not be high art, but it is a perfectly sensible kid’s movie. Rated PG. 94 mins. (20th Century Fox) 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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KIDSVILLE KITCHEN
Together Time — Ask an adult for help with projects!
Breakfast Brain Food If you’re thinking of skipping breakfast, think again. Eating breakfast gives you more energy for the day and can even help you do better in school. And, now that you may be out of school for summer break, you might have a little extra time to try something new! Tired of eating the same old thing for breakfast? Try this scrumptious twist on French toast from Eggland’s Best.
Berry Delicious Stuffed French Toast Sandwiches Makes 4
WHAT YOU NEED: French Toast • 6 eggs • 1 1/2 cups 1% low-fat milk • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract • Nonstick cooking spray • 8 slices bread (Use whole grain for more fiber and other nutrients.) Filling • 3/4 cup part-skim milk ricotta cheese or low-fat cottage cheese that’s been blended in the blender or food processor • 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar • 1 cup fresh blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries
HOW TO MAKE IT:
• In shallow bowl or pie plate, lightly whisk eggs; add milk, cinnamon and vanilla. Whisk until well combined. • Heat nonstick griddle over medium-low heat. Coat with nonstick cooking spray. • Dip one slice of bread in egg mixture until well coated on both sides, allowing excess to drip into bowl. Place on griddle and cook about one minute on each side or until golden brown and egg has set. Transfer to a plate and cover until ready to serve. Repeat with remaining slices, coating the griddle with cooking spray as needed. Keep cooked French toast warm. • In small bowl, mix ricotta cheese and sugar. • Assemble sandwiches: Spread 1/4 of the ricotta filling on a slice of French toast. Top with 1/4 of the berries. Top with another slice of French toast. Slice each sandwich in half and enjoy. For more recipes and tips, visit www.egglandsbest.com. Recipe courtesy of Eggland’s Best and Family Features.
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JULY 2011
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P ARENTOWN’S Make the Change! Keep the Change! I am often asked, “Keva, how do I determine how much allowance I should set for my child?” I always respond by telling them to set a dollar amount to a specific chore and let your child decide how much they earn each week by the chores they select. Now we know there are some things that should not be included in the chore list, and one of them is making the bed. Think about it: As adults, are we rewarded to make our bed every day before we go to work? Now keep in mind I didn’t say cleaning their room, just making their bed. I was raised by my grandmother, during my formulative years, and I had to make my bed every morning before I left for school. I realized later in life my grandmother was teaching me discipline and neatness. She told me when I was an adult that making sure the bed is made before you leave the house each morning sets the tone for the day. I believe that to this day. Now back to the money lesson: Activity: Type a list of chores your child can do around the house, such as loading/unloading the dishwasher, taking out the trash and helping put away groceries. Assign a dollar amount that can be earned next to the chore. Be sure to have several chores listed, and of course, assign higher dollar amounts to the chores you want them to do the most. Every household is different, so your list will be different. Here’s another piece of wisdom from my Grandma Helen that I realized after she was gone: She only allowed me to do chores on a Saturday. She did not want it to get in the way of my “school lesson.” On Saturday morning, I sorted clothes in the laundry room, did dishes, vacuumed and dusted the living room tables. Now I am not saying no chores during the week, but assign the lesser dollar amounts to chores that can be done during the week so there is less emphasis on earning money and more time available for homework or the “school lesson.” Also do not forget to set a limit to the amount they can earn and the number of chores they can perform. Keep in mind that you don’t want to teach your child that earning money is unlimited, but we do want them to learn that the harder they work, the more money they earn. Sample List: Cleaning Room $3.00 Vacuuming $2.00 Loading Dishwasher $1.00 Taking Out Trash $1.00 Dusting $2.00 Benefit/Key Takeaway: Your children will begin to think about how much money they want to earn and learn that time and energy spent determine their financial reward. Keep in mind they probably already have in their head how much they want to earn because they probably already know what they will purchase with the money they have earned. Keva Sturdevant is the founder of Born To Save, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., with the mission of teaching kids of all ages the importance of saving and investing. Our goal is to begin conversations about money in households across America between parents and their kids. In an effort to foster those conversations, we grant actual shares of stock to kids. To register your child for a chance to win a share of stock in our monthly stock give-away, please visit our website at www.BornToSave.org
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K ID S MART ¡Haz el cambio! ¡Mantén el cambio! Siempre me preguntan, “¿Keva como establezco con cuánto dinero recompenso a mis hijos por hacer los deberes de la casa?” Siempre les digo que fijen una cantidad específica por cada tarea y dejen que su hijo decida cuánto dinero van a ganar esa semana, con los deberes que escojan. Hay algunos deberes que no se tienen que incluir en la lista de deberes pagados, y una de esas es tender su cama. Piénselo, de adultos no nos recompensan por tender la cama antes de ir al trabajo. Tenga presente que no dije limpiar su cuarto, solo tender la cama. Yo fui criada por mi abuela, durante mis años formularios, yo tenía que tender mi cama en las mañanas antes de ir a la escuela. Más adelante en mi vida me di cuenta de que mi abuela me estaba enseñando disciplina y pulcritud. Me dijo que cuando fuera adulta me cerciorara que tendiera la cama antes de salir de mi casa cada mañana eso fija el tono del día, y hasta el día de hoy lo creo. De regreso a lección monetaria: Actividad: Escribe una lista de los deberes que tu hijo puede hacer en la casa como meter y sacar los trastes de la lava platos, sacar la basura, ayudar a guardar la despensa, fija una cantidad que pueden ganar por cada deber que hagan. Asegúrate de tener varios deberes apuntados y por su puesto los deberes que quieras que hagan más ponles una cantidad más alta. Cada casa es diferente, así que sus listas van a ser diferentes. Aquí hay otra pieza de sabiduría de mi abuela Helen de la que me di cuenta ya que mi abuela no estaba aquí, solo me permitía hacer los deberes de la casa los sábados. Ella no quería que los deberes de la casa interrumpieran mis tareas escolares. Los sábados por las mañanas organizaba la ropa en el cuarto de lavado, lavaba los platos, aspiraba y sacudía las mesas de la sala. No estoy diciendo que no hagan los deberes entre semana, pero ofrezca menos dinero por los deberes que se hacen entre semana, para que allá menos énfasis en ganar dinero entre semana y tengan más tiempo para hacer las tareas de la escuela. También no olviden poner un límite a la cantidad de deberes que pueden hacer. Recuerda que no quieres enseñarle a tu hijo que ganar dinero es ilimitado pero si queremos que aprendan que entere más duro trabajen van a ganar más dinero. Lista de ejemplo: Limpiar el cuarto $5.00 Aspirar $3.oo Meter los trastes a lavar $2.00 Sacar la basura $1.00 Sacudir $4.00 Beneficio: Tu hijo va a comenzar a pensar acerca de cuánto dinero quieren ganar y asociar que el tiempo y energía que gasten, determina su premio financiero. Recuerda que lo más probable es que ya tienen en mente cuanto quieren ganar porque probablemente ya saben en que se quieren gastar el dinero que ganaron. Keva Sturdevant es la fundadora de Born To Save (Nacido Para Ahorrar), una organización sin fines de lucros con base en Washington, DC con la misión de enseñar a los niños de todas las edades la importancia de ahorrar e invertir. La meta es comenzar conversaciones acerca del dinero en los hogares a través de América, entre padres e hijos. En un esfuerzo para fomentar estas conversaciones, concedemos partes de acciones actuales a los niños. Para registrar a tu niño(a) para ganar una parte de acción en nuestra rifa mensual, por favor visite nuestra página Web www.BronToSave.org.
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P ARENTOWN’S K ID S HAPE Water Safety & Swimming Smarts When the weather turns warm, everyone wants to be in or around the water. Hanging out at the pool or the beach on a hot day is a great way to beat the heat. Make sure water safety is a top priority this summer. For children age 14 and under, drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional death. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Most waterrelated accidents can be avoided by knowing how to stay safe and following a few simple guidelines that apply to children and adults. Be a “Water Watcher.” Although many parents are nearby when their children are in or around the water, most do not devote 100 percent of their attention to supervising playtime. Recent research by Johnson & Johnson shows that 88 percent of children who drowned were under adult supervision and that parents are overconfident about their children’s safety and abilities around water. Because drowning can occur silently and in a matter of seconds, at least one parent or adult should always be a completely focused “Water Watcher,” dedicated to monitoring children playing in the water. Get skilled. Speaking of emergencies, it’s good to be prepared. Learning some lifesaving skills, such as CPR and rescue techniques, can help you save a life. A number of organizations offer free classes for both beginning and experienced swimmers and boaters. Check with your YMCA or YWCA, local hospital or chapter of the Red Cross. Enroll your children in swimming lessons around age 4, but do not assume swimming lessons make your child “drownproof.” There is no substitute for active supervision. “Buddy up!” That’s what swimming instructors say. Always swim with a partner, every time — whether you’re swimming in a backyard pool or in a lake. Even experienced swimmers can become tired or get muscle cramps, which might make it difficult to get out of the water. When people swim together, they can help each other or go for help in case of an emergency. Know your limits. Swimming can be a lot of fun — and you might want to stay in the water as long as possible. If you’re not a good swimmer or you’re just learning to swim, don’t go in water that’s so deep you can’t touch the bottom and don’t try to keep up with skilled swimmers. If you are a good swimmer and have had lessons, keep an eye on friends who aren’t as comfortable or as skilled as you are. If it seems as if they (or you) are getting tired or a little uneasy, suggest that you take a break from swimming for a while. Swim in safe areas only. It’s a good idea to swim only in places that
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are supervised by a lifeguard. No one can anticipate changing ocean currents, riptides, sudden storms or other hidden dangers. In the event that something does go wrong, lifeguards are trained in rescue techniques. Swimming in an open body of water (like a river, lake or ocean) is different from swimming in a pool. You need more energy to handle the currents and other conditions in the open water. If you do find yourself caught in a current, don’t panic and don’t fight the current. Swim with the current, gradually trying to make your way back to shore as you do so. Even a very good swimmer who tries to swim against a strong current will get worn out. Be careful about diving. Diving injuries can cause permanent spinal cord damage, paralysis and sometimes even death. Protect yourself by only diving in areas that are known to be safe, such as the deep end of a supervised pool. If an area is posted with “No Diving” or “No Swimming” signs, pay attention to them. A “No Diving” sign means the water isn’t safe for a head-first entry. Even if you plan to jump in feet first, check the water’s depth before you leap to make sure there are no hidden rocks or other hazards. Lakes or rivers can be cloudy, and hazards may be hard to see. Watch the sun. Sun reflecting off the water or off sand can intensify the burning rays. You might not feel sunburned when the water feels cool and refreshing, but the pain will catch up with you later — so remember to reapply sunscreen frequently and cover up much of the time. Drink plenty of fluids. It’s easy to get dehydrated in the sun, particularly if you’re active and sweating. Keep up with fluids — particularly water — to prevent dehydration. Dizziness, feeling lightheaded or nausea can be signs of dehydration and overheating. Play it safe at the water park. OK, so you do more splashing than swimming, but it’s just as important to know your skill level at the water park as it is at the pool. Take a moment to read warnings and other signs. And make sure you do slide runs feet first, or you’ll put yourself at risk for a ride that’s a lot less fun — one to your doctor or dentist. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, one of the leading pediatric healthcare systems in the country, is pleased to offer health and safety tips for parents and children. Children’s is a not-for-profit organization that benefits from the generous philanthropic and volunteer support of our community. Operating three hospitals with more than half a million patient visits annually, Children’s is recognized for excellence in cancer, cardiac, neonatal, orthopaedic and transplant services, as well as many other pediatric specialties. Visit www.choa.org/healthandsafetytips for more info.
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