Circle Gazette December 2009

THE CIRCLE GAZETTE DECEMBER 2009

A Newspaper by Children

by Children

INKHEART by Cornelia Funke: A Good Read Issue 3

by Daniela Gomez, Age 9 Margate, FL I really can't think of a story with two plots except for Inkheart. This amazing tale written by Cornelia Funke, is about a twelve-year-old girl named Meggie and her father, whom she calls Mo. This story is based on books, a particular, made up by the author book: Inkheart. There is the plot of what happens to Cornelia's characters and the plot of what happens in Inkheart, a book that those characters read.

It starts when Meggie was reading a story at night and saw a blond haired man (Dustfinger) standing outside her window. That incident starts the adventure and when Mo, a bookbinder with unknown magic powers, and his daughter go to visit their great aunt Elinor Loredan in Italy, they find themselves in trouble with some very bad people. Mo is a Silvertongue, a person that can read characters out of their books. Dustfinger had magic powers with fire and he could do amazing things. Elinor was a book loving woman who was very particular about her books.

Many years before, Mo had read Dustfinger, Capricorn (the bad guy) and Basta (the bad guy's helper) out of Inkheart and unfortunately, Meggie's mom went into the book. Dustfinger wants Mo to read him back to the world he came from. Capricorn wants Mo to read aloud to him and make

CONTENT Page 1 Inkheart by Cornelia Funke: A Good Read by Daniela Gomez Shop Smartly this Holiday Season by Roman Costa Page 2 RAY DAY by Violeta Tumolo The Story of The Burrowing Owls by Zurie Lewis Page 3 Best Friends by Sara Cross I'm Milky Way by Daniela Gomez Pages 4 and 5 Readers, Writers, Artists - Editorial Page 6 Leatherback Seaturtles at Grande Riviere by Julian Lewis Cedar's Art Gallery Bean Salad by A.J. Cross Page 7 Tut's Mummy: Lost and Found by Maria Schlecht Edgar Degas by Natalie Schlecht Imagine This by Glen Oglesby The Story of Judah Maccabee by Daniela Gomez Page 8 The Cat and The Crow by Elizabeth Abrams Nice Frog by Emma Gomez Kids can Give Back by T. Hayness Page 9 Green Tip of the Month by A.J. Cross The Shortest Day of All by C. SChultz Inspired to Write by Roman Costa Questa Enters The "Ho Ho Down" by Logar Silverman and Nick Gambardella Pages 10 and 11 ART BOX and Did you know...

money and riches come out of books.

He doesn't like his own world. He wants to stay in ours because he is a more powerful person in this new home. Meggie discovers that she has her own magical talents and has to try to save her dad and rescue back her mom while fighting all of her enemies by trying to return everyone to their books.

I recommend this story and its movie to everyone who loves and cares for books. The only thing I wouldn't recommend is the Spanish translation of Inkheart, because even for Spanish speakers like me (I come from Venezuela), it is hard to understand and follow the meaning of the story.

I like Inheart because it has everything a good book needs, and even more. It has some reality and also it explains things that probably wouldn't regularly happen in this world (fantasy). Part of the story is funny while the other is scary and serious. In this tale the author knows it all, so the reader can see and experience the story from each character's point of view.

Which made me wonder things like: what if I could read someone out of a book? What if I was read out of my world? What if I had lost my mother when I was little? I wonder what I would do. Would I be like Dustfinger?

Trying to desperately get back home?

Would I be like Meggie? Longing to know people's secrets? Would I be like Capricorn? Leaving my own home behind and searching for new

Photo by P. Gomez "I recommend this story and its movie to everyone who loves and cares for books." adventures? Would I be like Mo? Clinging to the memories of someone I have lost? Or would I be like Elinor?

Being very protective of my books?

So many questions you could ask yourself when you read a story written like Inkheart, and I think that's just

what needs to happen when someone reads a great book.

I would probably like to read Curious George out of a book! Who would YOU read out of a book?

up that chocolate bar and CD you have been dying for, get something you need like a new pair of socks. To be a smart shopper, you have to know the difference between what you need and what you want.

Next, with all the holiday advertising jingles, the commercials and sparkling billboards tempting us, it is easy to get sidetracked. A smart shopper must beware of the tricky temptations of holiday advertising. So you came to Publix for some eggnog, and you see dangling above, the new and improved toy Hot Wheels car, just calling you to pick it up. It looked so cool in that dazzling commercial, it is hard to resist, but a smart shopper is not tricked by an exaggerated ad. He puts the car back on the display, and heads straight for the check-out line, past all the goodies, and doughnuts.

Finally so you made it past the beginner's temptation, but now you will be put to the test.

As you are walking through the mall, your eye spots something you wish it didn't - the X-Box original on sale for only $99!! But you have estimated the cost of your shopping list, and brought only what you needed, so that temptation is no longer a threat. You are a smart shopper! And a smart shopper arrives at the mall with a detailed spending plan (budget) and sticks to it. Groovy Baby, yeah!!!

To be a successful shopper you must know what you need, steer clear of catchy advertizing, and have a detailed spending plan. So as you prepare for the holiday shopping season, these tips should help you stay on track with your holiday spending budget, when making sure you get everything you need.

Enjoy your holidays, without the stress and worries. You are a smart shopper now!

Smashing Baby, yeah!!!

Shop Smartly This Holiday Season

by Roman Costa, Age 11 Hollywood, FL

Smart shopping is very important and effective for saving money. With the holiday season upon us, and the economy struggling, shopping smartly is more important than ever.

Here are some ideas to help you shop smartly and save a ton of money. You will need to decide what you really need, be cautious of gimmicky advertising and have a detailed spending plan.

First, we all want unnecessary stuff, games, electronics, that new CD, but there is a big difference between getting what we want and getting what we need. A smart shopper knows the difference and sticks to buying what he came for. When you are going to pick up that light-up reindeer sweater for granny, don't pick

THE CICLE GAZETTE Join our group of writers and artists! Contact us at: info@enrichmentcircle.com or at 954-9182541. More information about this publication at www.enrichmentcircle.com

The Holistic House Call Vet ...your pet's second best friend Housecalls-Phone Consults 561-3915615 www.therightremedy.com

THE ENRICHMENT CIRCLE, INC A non-profit corporation for the advancement of education.

ART, NATURE, MUSIC, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, LANGUAGES, BOOK CLUBS AND THE CIRCLE GAZETTE. www.enrichmentcircle.om

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THE CIRCLE GAZETTE A Newspaper by Children for Children

RAY DAY Land and Sea Stories ...

DECEMBER 2009

There are Sting Rays, Butterfly Rays, Electric Rays, Some time in spring, I was Round Rays, Manta Rays, playing in the shallow water Guitar Fish, Saw Fish and at the beach. I ran to my dad there are rays called Skates. and ran back to the water where there was a Ray Skates lay eggs and rays' swimming by. A man asked, babies are born live. A ray's "Did you see the Sting Ray?" tail is thinner and a Skates rays are thicker. Rays are I nodded but I didn't think it usually bigger than skates.

by Violeta Tumolo, Age 9 Fort Lauderdale, FL

was a Sting Ray. I think it was a Butterfly Ray. I don't I don't know if it was a ray or a skate that I saw that day, know for sure. but chances are that it was probably not a Sting Ray.

..."Did you see the Sting Ray?"

THE BACKYARD WILDLIFE ONLINE FORUM

by The Enrichment Circle www.enrichmentcircle.com

The Backyard Wildlife project is an initiative of The Enrichment Circle, Inc. and it consists of an on-line forum in which families participate in a fun game of identifying the little and big critters we all run into on our backyards/neighborhoods day to day.

The idea is to use this playful exchange to "enhance"

and "sharpen" our appreciation of the animals that surround us; and while we are having fun at it we also: *Develop the ability to describe the features of the species we encounter *Strengthen our connection with the natural world so we can care better for it *Revisit and apply the geographic concepts of location (latitude, longitude, altitude) - geotagging.

At Plantation Central Park

Burrowing Owl

"They were so cute. They were pretty small." Illustration by Zurie Lewis. Pencil on paper.

OWL FAMILY

"They like to eat small lizards, frogs, birds, small insects and snakes." PHOTO by G. Goddard.

Speotyto cunicularia

*Generate data (population, geographic distribution, behavior, migration) that can be used for parents/educators and scientists on their conservation projects.

The more we know about something, the more we enjoy it.

We will have experts mediate the discussions and help us ID each creature!

Illustration by Violeta Tumolo. Wax Crayons on Paper.

HOW DO YOU JOIN? If you are interested in participating, this is what you have to do: *Create an account at www.enrichmentcircle.com *Go to the Wildlife Repository in "Nature" (Main Left Vertical Menu) *Go to the category of the Wildlife you found and upload your picture directly from your computer, along with a title and a description. Place the geotagging coordinates in the description so we can update it. *Start the online discussion about the image in the Wildlife Forum (Top Menu in the Home Page).

Join the discussion and have fun!

The Story of The Burrowing Owls

by Zurie Lewis, Age 8 Plantation, FL One night, when I was on my way to soccer practice at Plantation Central Park -Field #3, I saw three burrowing owls on the ground. Two were surrounded by a fence and the other one was by the fence which goes into field 3. There was a fence around them because they are a protected species. They were so cute. They were pretty small.

Do you know how our eyes are white with a black spot inside it?

Their eyes were yellow with a

black spot. When we got too close it made a sound like a scared cat over and over again, and it turned its head back and forth, also the black spot in its eyes got bigger. I read in my Animal book that they try to sound like rattlesnakes to scare off other animals. They like to eat small lizards, frogs, birds, small insects and snakes.

We can help burrowing owls by digging burrows in our yard to make new homes for them. This is the first time that I saw an owl in the wild! I was like "Wow! A wild Owl!

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THE CIRCLE GAZETTE A Newspaper by Children for Children

THE ENRICHMENT CIRCLE BOOK CLUBS

by The Enrichment Circle www.enrichmentcircle.com

Organize your own reading circles by age, interest and location. Enjoy our online library, suggested reading lists, study guides and book reviews. Create your own list, define the frequency of your meetings: tailor your reading club and enjoy the experience!

What does it mean to be a member of a book club? *Members should come up with a name for the Book Club!

I'M MILKY WAY

*Members can volunteer and vote to select a Club

by Daniela Gomez, Age 9 Margate, FL

Small and fierce With pointy ears Don't get in my way Or I'll make you pay A purple nose And tiny toes Popping eyes And a little surprise You can't figure it out I'll see to that But hey! My friends By the wayDon't you know?

I'm Milky Way

Representative or Leader. This person (or family) will serve as the administrator of the club. This person (or family) will have an account in The Enrichment Circle website that will allow him/her to post and update information about the club in our site.

*Members agree on the book to read - every member can participate on the making of their club's Reading List *Members must read the book before the meeting. *Members can be:

Ages 5 and 6 Ages 7 and 8 Ages 9 and10 Ages 11 and 12 Ages 13 and up

- BEGINNERS 1 - BEGINNERS 2 - INDEPENDENT 1 - INDEPENDENT 2 - TEENS

One of the most fun but difficult parts of managing a Book Club is choosing the books to read. You want titles that aren't too hard but aren't too easy, books that will be interesting for readers who like different things. Where on earth can you find these magically perfect selections? For our monthly suggestions, visit www.enrichmentcircle.com.

The best way to make sure your club's happy with the book choices is to create a list and then vote on which ones you're going to read. The more informa-

DECEMBER 2009

tion you have on each book (author info, recommendations, previous reading experience), the easier it'll be for your club to make a smart decision. Some clubs like to plan out their reading for a whole year, but we suggest that a list be created for 3 months, since interest varies often.

Sometimes it's risky to try a book that no one's heard of before, but by experimenting you might find a new favorite.

Choosing your books should be fun; make a good list and then enjoy the best part --- reading and discussing great books!

For more information about how to conduct a book club meeting, where to find books and post reading activities visit our web page and join The Enrichment Circle Books Clubs!

BEST FRIENDS

Ages 4 and under - YOUNG BOOK LOVERS (Parent reads to child)

by Sara Itka Cross, Age 9 Boca Raton, FL

I am a cat, my name is Yammi, if you're looking for a dog, talk to my friend Sammi.

We run around, we play and fight, but even when we're mad we never bite.

I like to drink milk, I like to eat fish, and if a mouse runs by, I'll put it on my dish.

We do everything together, just Sammi and Me, and I don't know why, I just can't see.

Sara Cross. Aquarella pencils on paper.

"I like to drink milk, I like to eat fish, and if a mouse runs by, I'll put it on my dish"

Why do people think that dogs and cats fight? ones that are not friends, maybe just might.

I am a dog, my name is Sammi, if you're looking for a cat, talk to my friend Yammi.

"I like to drink milk, I like to eat meat, and if I find a bone, I get a treat"

Sara Cross. Aquarella pencils on paper.

We run around, we fight and play, and at night in each other's dens we stay.

I like to drink milk, I like to eat meat, and if I find a bone, I get a treat.

We do everything together, just Yammi and me, and I don't know why we just can't be.

Why do people say that cats and dogs fight? ones that are not friends, maybe just might.

Sara Cross. Aquarella pencils on paper.

"Why do people say that cats and dogs fight? ones that are not friends, maybe just might."

THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

YOUNG READERS Page 4

DECEMBER 2009

by The Circle Gazette Editorial Team

Everyone has experience based on interests and talents.

This experience/talent might be big, it might be small but that doesn't matter. What matters is that you have something unique to offer. This is why we developed The Circle Gazette project. Children from all over the world can share their skills and knowledge with our readers. What if you are passionate about cooking? gardening? video games? art work? books? writing?

nature? sports? music? math? theater? movies? What if you sent and you're your ideas printed in the Gazette?

Everyone who sees or reads your creation will be inspired and you will be proud and encouraged to keep going.

Children are the future. In this special issue we get to meet some of our artists and writers, children like you, ages 3 to 12. These kids create new shapes and meanings to our world with their work. It is

like a breath of fresh air when encountering their uniqueness.

It's wonderful that through their mind and eyes our future world is invariably fashioned.

The Circle Gazette creates the opportunity and outlet for ideas, images, thoughts and words of wisdom to be passed on and introduced to the rest of us. Being a published author gives children ways to process ideas and fosters enthusiasm and confidence.

YOUNG WRITERS

Aaron Cross, Age 12 Boca Raton, FL

My name is Aaron, but for writing I go by the pen-name A. J. Cross. I am twelve years old. I live with my mother, father, and little sister. I wrote my first story when I was three, and I have been writing more and more ever since. I like to play with LEGO toys, play computer games, cook, do origami paper folding, and help the environment, along with authoring. (See my 'Green Tip of the Month' column for ways to help Planet Earth.)

Fenella Riordan, Age 6 Fort Lauderdale, FL

My name is Fenella Riordan. I am six years old and I love doing pictures and stories for the Circle Gazette. I am the youngest in the FLCT production of "A Christmas Carol" and I am in the chorus with Emma and Dani Gomez. I hope to be in lots more shows as I get older. I can't wait until I am old enough to be a babysitter.

PHOTO by P. Gomez

Cost of printing: beyond our reach, extra hours of work: counteless. A child intently reading the paper: PRICELESS!

Maria Schlecht, Age 8 Wil Murphy-Hacker, Age 9 Daniela Gomez, Age 9 Fort Lauderdale, FL Pompano Beach, FL Margate, FL

Julian Lewis, Age 11 Plantation, FL

I enjoy fishing, climbing trees, building tree forts, & laughing and playing with my friends.

I like video games. I like eating macaroni and cheese, pizza, and chinese noodles. I like to play with kids and I am very friendly. I have always wanted to become a basketball player -or an artist if that does not work out.

My favorite things to do are playing on hills and in trees, math games and board games, and playing instruments such as the violin, piano, and recorder. I love animals, especially cats and otters. I don't like it when people cut down forests to build apartments, hotels, houses, and businesses. When I grow up, I want to be a veterinarian and a writer.

Cedar Schultz Brandon, Age 11 Hollywood, FL

My favorite food is tuna sushi. My favorite hobbies are reading Fantasy Series, Lego, baseball, video games, Yu-gi-oh, board games, shooting my sling shot, watching PokĂŠmon, and climbing trees. I love to play with my friends and my cousins. Right now I'm working on creating a video game, building the ultimate Yu-gi-oh deck, and making a made up Yu-gi-oh deck. I'd like to be a Spiderologist/scientist and a video game designer when I grow up.

Emma Gomez, Age 6 Margate, FL

I love to do theater and swim. I would like to start playing the violin. When I grow up I would like to live in a big house and be a musician.

I like to learn new stuff everyday!

I am a very experienced actress with The Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre and I love to read and write.

Not long ago I joined the Coral Springs Swim Team. I am tall, friendly and love to meet new people.

Natalie Schlecht, Age 6 Pompano Beach, FL

I love to play a game called "Guess Who?", going to the beach, and dancing especially! My favorite subjects are spelling, art, and writing. I don't like it when people fight.When I grow up, I want to be a gymnast in the Olympics, and maybe also be an artist. I have two dogs, Buck and Titan, and a cat, Katy. I also have an older sister, Maria, whom I love even though we don't get along sometimes. Maybe we'll each have our own room soon!

Jack Riordan, Age 8 Fort Lauderdale, FL

I'm Jack Riordan. I go to Sea Star Initiative in Boca Raton and my favorite subject in school is Math. I am a very good friend of the Gomez family. My all time favorite sport is Rugby - I even went to Ireland three weeks ago to watch a game between Ireland and Australia - it was great fun. When I grow up I would like to be a professional rugby player for Munster and Ireland. I would like to be an author as well.

YOUNG ARTISTS Violeta Tumolo, Age 9 Danny Hernandez, Age 9 Caracas, Venezuela Fort Lauderdale, FL

Liora Elkoby, Age 8 Hollywood, FL

I enjoy surfing, snorkleing, and climbing trees. I also love to paint , draw and record music with my brother. I like to make friends with families visiting our local beaches, and I have a knack for helping them become comfortable getting into it's warm waters.

Hola amigos! I am Danny, the twin brother of Andy. Of course, I am 10 years old, even though I am the second one! I am Venezuelan and I live in the capital city, Caracas. I study at The British School Caracas and I am currently in 4th grade. I have a great teacher, Mr. Rumsey. I like to read and my favorite books are fiction and Guinnes World Records. My hobbies are play guitar, go to the cinema and go down to the park.

I hope you read my articles and have fun with the news paper. Bye!

My name is Liora L ove collecting and playing with dolls and dressing up.

I can be spotted by my red hair (and enjoy swimming like Ariel the Mermaid).

O nly child. (Wish I had a baby sister.)

R eally ready to be grown up.

A rtist at heart, drawing and watercolors my favorite.

I live with my mother, father, big brother, and my many pets including our pet iguana named Latka. I wrote my first story when I was five years old. It was about a butterfly named Karlina. I have been writing ever since then. My dream is to be a professional singer and dancer. I have already composed a couple of songs, and a dance to go with one of them.

I love going to Hebrew school. I also enjoy gymnastics and to play the piano! I can dance, sing and read stories all day long!

I enjoy writing, playing/watching sports and, like almost every other boy, video games/electronics.

Sara I. Cross, Age 9 Elizabeth Abrams, Age 5 Roman Costa, Age 11 Fort Lauderdale, FL Hollywood, FL Boca Raton, FL

Andy Hernandez, Age 9 Caracas, Venezuela

Hola a todos! My name is AndrĂŠs but everyone calls me Andy. I am 10 years old. I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, where I still live with my family.

I have a twin brother called Danny. I am in 4th grade and I study in The British School Caracas. My hoobie is to play bass guitar, football, tennis and travel. My teacher says that I am a good reader and writer, and have a good imagination. I have a music band and I enjoy writting songs. I am happy to be part of this newspaper and I hope you enjoy my articles. Bye!

Ellie Gomez, Age 4 Margate, FL

I have two sisters and when I grow up I'm going to be a doctor, a cook and a nature teacher.

Zurie Lewis, Age 8 Plantation, FL

I have 7 pets: 5 chickens, 1 dog, and 1 turtle. One of my favorite things to do is to play with my dog Benji. I also like to play the piano. One of my favorite colors is baby blue, and I Iike to eat pizza. My future dream is to become a good dessert maker.

Abigail Abrams, Age 3 Fort Lauderdale, FL

I love "The Wizard of Oz" and I enjoy being Dorothy very much. I always wear my red slippers. I love to read, dance and sing!

To our young writers and artists: You have shown initiative, talent and hard work. We hope that you have experienced great pride, satisfaction and confidence in your abilities. You should be very proud of your work and continue to embrace your dreams as the world needs your fresh take on things.

To young artists and writers all over: You can all benefit from the experience of being part of The Circle Gazette community. You don't have to wait until you grow up to be a writer or artist: You can be a published author today. You all have it in you to shine and showcase who you are or what you have to say. This project gives you the opportunity to introduce yourself to the community and the world at large. It instills pride and ownership of your ideas and thoughts.

You too can become one of our featured authors. Take pride in your abilities and join us. After all it is you, young author, who are the future.

Great Experiences come by taking chances and being pro-active, and in many other ways too. Those who are determined to find Great Experiences will find the way. The Circle Gazette provides an opportunity to experience just that!

Congratulations to all our 24 young writers and artists! May you all continue to enlighten us.

(See 4 more wonderful authors on page 6).

Page 6

MORE READERS WRITERS ARTISTS

THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLES AT GRANDE RIVIERE Visiting Trinidad and Tobago

by Julian Lewis, Age 11 Daniela Gomez, Age 9 Plantation, FL Margate, FL

Gracie Slentz, Age 4 Plano, TX I'm excited to start Kindtergarten and I spend lots of time with books. I love making Christmas Cookies!

Abby Slentz, Age 8 Plano, TX I'm really big into reading and listening to audio books. I like Goosebumps, Geronimo Stilton, and Hank the Cowdog. I also enjoy the making of Christmas cookies.

Hi I'm Julian. This is a story about the Leatherback Turtles that we saw earlier this year. I hope you enjoy it.

Riviere (means Big River), which is a beach in Trinidad, where thousands of turtles come up over the turtle egg laying season, to lay and In April, I drove with bury their eggs. my cousins, sister, brother, mother, and At night they came aunt to Grande up on the beach to lay

CEDAR'S ART GALLERY

by Cedar Schultz Brandon, Age 11 Hollywood, FL

Today I am posting photos of Pokémon characters I made up. I won't always post Pokémon sometimes I will post Mario pictures or Yu-gi-oh.

Today's pictures are Lizoat, Limerine, and Aquadon.

LIMERINE

Photo credt 3

Limerine: the second evolution of Aquadon.

Nick Gambardella, Age 11 Hollywood, FL I attend Summit Questa Montessori School and enjoy mounting bike, singing, playing the guitar and baseball.

their eggs-many at a time-We even got to touch one. Some of them came up in the afternoon and morning also.

are huge! They grow to over 4 feet long!

Grande Riviere is one of the most popular beaches in the world for these turtles to lay their eggs because You should go and they are highly prosee these turtles at tected from people Grande Riviere. They who want to kill them.

BEAN SALAD *1 c cider vinegar or pickle vinegar, *½ c olive or vegetable oil, *½ c chickpea water, *2 tbsp minced onion, *1 tsp oregano, *1 tsp salt, *¼ tsp pepper, *½ tsp garlic powder.

*Two 16 oz. Cans or ½ lb. Cooked dried chickpeas, *One 16 oz. Can baby corn, *1 c diced pickles, *½ c chopped onion, *½ c diced sweet red pepper, *½ c sweet orange pepMix the ingredients well per. in a large bowl. Make the dressing and mix well.

Ingredients for the Pour the dressing over the Dressing: salad stir lightly, and serve.

It's about 3'2", it is able to use the plates on its back to glide off a cliff or waterfall to get away from predator or swoop down to attack its opponent.

AQUADON Aquadon: A large super powerful Pokémon able to create huge geysers of water strong enough to crush boulders.

Photo Credit 4

"They are huge! They grow to over 4 feet long!"

Ingredientsfor the Salad:

LIZOAT

Lizoat: the first evolution of Aquadon.

A small Pokémon - that's all there is to say.

Photo by G. Goddard

by A.J. Cross, Age 12 Boca Raton, FL

I hope you enjoy.

Logan Silverman, Age 11 Hollywood, FL I enjoy to play the guitar!

DECEMBER 2009

Photo credit 5

Enjoy!

Photo by A.J. Cross

THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

EDGAR "Tut's Mummy: Lost and Found" A book by Judy Donnelly. A review by Maria DEGAS Schlecht.

DECEMBER 2009

A Book Review

Page 7

Maria Schlecht, Age 8 Pompano Beach, FL

Author: Judy Donnelly Type: Non-fiction Purpose of the book: to inform, to tell about the discovery of King Tut

Little Dancer Age 14

by Natalie Schlecht.

by Natalie Schlecht, Age 6 Pompano Beach, FL Author: Mike Venezia Type: Non-fiction biography Purpose: to inform, to tell about Degas' life and art Edgar Degas was a French impressionist. He was born in 1831. He was friends with Mary Cassatt. His family worked at a bank. When he was young, his father liked to take him to the art museum.

One day, Degas told his father he was tired of working at the bank and wanted to be an artist, and so he was. He preferred more to paint inside than outside, where it was noisy. He took pictures outside then he would go inside and paint them. Even after he sold them, he would still be working on them!!!!

When Degas lost his eyesight, he started making clay models of dancers. The only one he would show to anyone was "Little Dancer Age 14." After he died in 1917, people were surprised to discover that there were more models in his studio.

I like him because I like his paintings and he's an artist, just like me. My favorite sculpture is "Little Dancer Age 14."

I liked this book.

In the 1800's, people in England suddenly became interested in Egypt. They looked for artifacts until they could not find anymore. Then Howard Carter wanted to keep looking because he found artifacts that belonged to King Tutankhamen. He did not think, like others did, that this king had been found.

Carter found some steps that led to a door, and he sent a letter to Lord Carnarvon, the man who was financing Carter's dig. Carter wrote him that he found a door and wanted him to be there when they opened it. The door said "Tutankhamen" on it.

It took two weeks, but Lord Carnarvon arrived and they opened the door. They found lots of gold stacked up six feet high! Then they found the door that led to King Tut's sarcophagus. Carter opened it and looked at the face. King Tut quickly became famous.

"I liked this book..."

curse of the mummy because Tut was angry that he had disturbed him. Carter lived a long life, though, so the curse was not true.

Photo by R. Schlecht.

hieroglyphs around the edge and its pieces look like chess pieces. It was found in his treasure room.

The Story of Judah Maccabee In England, people made jokes about him and wrote about him in newspapers. Lord Carnarvon died from an insect bite but people said it was the

by Daniela Gomez, Age 9 Margate, FL

Once upon a time, in a land of Jewish people known as Judea, there ruled a Syrian King named Antiochus. This king wanted all the people he ruled to believe in the greek Gods that he believed in. Many accepted this, but some people, the jewish people didn't.

In a small village near Jerusalem, there lived a priest named Mattathias and his son Judah. The priest was disappointed to see the poor state of The

There were both photographs and drawings in this book. The photo of the Senet board is cool. It has

Great Temple and was horrified at the sight of Zeuss' statue in the altar. The saddest thing of all was to see that the light of the temple didn't shine anymore.

Judah became known as the leader of a group of faithful jews that fought hard and long against Antiochus and his soldiers. He was known as Judah Maccabee (Judah "The Hammer") and his whole group of fighters were called "the Maccabees". They won many battles and eventually Antiochus left for good.

I liked this book because it tells about one of ancient Egypt's pharaohs and how he was found in an interesting way.

Judah and his group gave back the light to the temple, and the first light they lighted shined for eight nights straight.

Today, jewsih people around the world remember the the recovery of the temple by the Maccabees during the holiday of Hanukkah. They light eight candles, one each night.

Illustration below: Craft by Elizabeth Abrams, Age 5: "Chanukiah"

NICE FROG Page 8

THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

THE CAT AND THE CROW Elizabeth Abrams, Age 5 Fort Lauderdale, FL

An Environmental Story Emma Gomez, Age 6 Margate, FL

In the year 2001, a frog lived in a lovely lake in a valley. The lake soon became polluted with trash, oil, soap and other contaminants that flowed from a river.

The frog could not talk to the fish and the fish could obviously not walk on land. So the frog had only one choice.

He had to save the valley himself. He had heard that some people were coming to make a town and he thought that there were very tall mountains at the edge of the valley that would take years for the people to climb. The frog always climbed the mountains to get food so he wondered and then he knew that he could stop the people from getting in the valley by making a really tall gate. He knew a little place in the valley that had lots of wood pieces just the right size to make a big gate. He built the gate just far enough for him to get food.

The people arrived soon after and

Illustration by Emma Gomez. Soft Pastels on Paper.

"So the frog had only one choice. He had to save the valley himself." found a way to pass through the gate.

The frog had to come up with a better idea.

The frog had a friend from the crowd of people. This friend was the loveliest girl of the group and her name was Christina. He took her over to a little cottage close by that was filthy, to show her how it felt to live in such a dirty place. She found a way to clean it with a tiny sponge.

Christina decided to help the frog clean his home. She found a way to filter the oil, which was the worst of the pollution. She cleaned up most of the

Volunteering is fun!

by Tracey Haynes Plantation, FL

Not only is volunteering helpful for the communities and organizations you assist, but study after study has shown that helping others and giving pleasure make people feel happier and more fulfilled than seeking pleasure for oneself. Most of us know this. Most of us also feel overwhelming compassion for others less fortunate, whether it's sick kids, lonely senior citizens, displaced animals or hungry families. We want to help, but gosh, between work, homework, sports, activities friends and family, who has time? I understand completely, and this article is not meant to make you feel guilty, but as a reminder to myself and others that there is no better time than Christmas to get into the real spirit of giving.

I've been scouring the web researching interesting ways to do family volunteering this season and it turns out there are many, many things that kids and families can do that don't take enormous amounts of time. Find an activity that you enjoy or a cause you feel passionate about. The Teenagers Guide to the Real World lists some of the most popular programs.

•Homeless Shelters You might help prepare or distribute meals, work behind the scenes in the business office, help organize a food drive to stock the pantry, etc. http://www.miamirescuemission.com/browardoutreach.htm •Food Banks Food banks often work with homeless shelters, but they also serve poor people living in the community

(especially around the holidays). Food banks collect food, manage their inventory and distribute food to those in need. http://www.dailybread.org/index.cfm/category/1/page/2 /lang/EN.html http://breadoflifeinc.org/ •Volunteer from Home Nowadays lots of organizations have virtual volunteer opportunities like writing, editing, doing research, mentoring, providing tech support, and consulting.

•Special Olympics •Habitat for Humanities Habitat for Humanities builds and gives houses to poor people in local communities. Volunteers not only help others, but can learn a great deal about building houses by getting involved. See the Habitat for Humanities web site for more information. Call the national office or your local office for information about volunteer programs in your area.

•State Parks Many state parks offer volunteer programs, and in these programs you can try anything from educational programs to trail construction and maintenance.

•County Programs Most counties and cities, including those in Florida offer a wide range of volunteer opportunities.

•Helping Others Learn to Read When you think about it, reading is one of the most important skills an adult can have. Many adults, however, have never learned how to read. Literacy volunteers act as tutors who help illiterate children and adults learn this important skill.

•Hospitals •Libraries Many libraries need help reshelving books, running children's programs, making books available to the community, and so on. Contact a local library for volunteer opportunities in your area.

•Senior Citizens Centers Many senior citizen centers offer volunteer programs to provide friendship and community activities to senior citizens. If you would like working with senior citizens, call a senior citizen center in your neighborhood and see

Once there was a cat who sat on a rat.

And he found some snow on a crow.

But that cat did not move or throw the crow.

He wanted to throw the snow.

But the cat was hiding in the snow.

So he picked up a piece of snow where the crow was hiding, And the crow jumped out and said, "Hey! You get me back in my cold snow Because I am a funny crow. Ho! Ho! Hey, Ho Ho can be my name But can you get a better name for

me?

Lo Lo," said the crow.

"I am a small crow, but very useful."

And then the cat said, "I am a big cat but very useful too."

So the cat said, "Come and meet my friends."

The cat led the crow to her home where all the cats and dogs lived.

It was starting to snow more and more and more.

The crow said, "Come and meet my friends. They fly a lot."

The cat met the crow's friends and that was a happy ending.

trash and went back to the big town where she lived to clean up the river, so trash in the river would not flow into the lake again.

The frog almost had done what he was supposed to do. He cleaned up the rest of soap, trash and contaminants. He found a little dump and put the trash there. The people in the town finished cleaning the river and soon found the family that used to live in the cottage near the valley. When this people got to the valley, they said hello to their friend the frog and moved back into the cottage.

Kids Can Give Back Miley Cyrus wrote that "If you pick up a guitar when you're 8, you're really good at it by the time you're 20.

It's the same with giving back." She and her family visit Kentucky coal mining towns every year delivering clothes, gifts and school supplies to needy children.

They've been doing this since before Miley became Hannah Montana. Miley has an intensely busy calendar with all her entertainment activities, but she believes in giving back and making time to do it. We can find time too.

DECEMBER 2009

Illustration by Elizabeth Abrams. Wax crayons on paper.

"I am a big cat but very useful too."

"Not only is volunteering helpful for the communities and organizations you assist, but study after study has shown that helping others and giving pleasure make people feel happier and more fulfilled than seeking pleasure for oneself."

~T. Haynes

what kinds of volunteer programs they have available.

•Animal Shelters Many animal shelters are non-profit or government organizations, and therefore they welcome volunteers to help take care of animals, keep facilities clean and work with the public. Call a local animal shelter for more information. .

•Environmental Organizations The Sierra Club (and numerous other environmental groups) encourages volunteer support to help with environmental activities. You can help in many ways: by helping lobby on conservation issues, by leading hikes and other activities, cleaning up a beach or park.

•Political Campaigns You can find specific volunteer opportunities in Broward County at: http://www.volunteens.com/volunhere_bc.htm http://www.volunteerbroward.org So remember, volunteering offers much needed services to the community and it makes you feel good.

Don't just feel sorry when you hear or see something sad anymore ..help fix it!

(On the side: Photo of Homeschooler Tai Precilla, Age 7, volunteering to distribute water to runners at the Women in Distress Fundraiser)

Your ad could be here!

Happy Holidays!

Contact a staff member to find out how!

DECEMBER 2009

GREEN TIP OF THE MONTH

by A.J. Cross, Age 12 Boca Raton, FL Welcome to the first green tip of the month! Every month I will write some new easy things kids can do to help Planet Earth! Humans depend on the environment to live. If it is destroyed, the world that you know, will more than likely end. Every little thing that you do will help to save Mother Nature!

December is a good month to be green, even though it is winter (ha-ha). The holidays offer many opportunities to be environmentally friendly. Here are a few... * Decorate with natural items like the pine cones you find at the park, and fruit bowls. Herbs like basil and mint work, too. These not only make the house smell nice, but they also make wonderful tea and are great seasonings on food.

Be creative! * Buy real live growing Christmas trees to decorate instead of artificial ones that stay in the landfill forever. Artificial trees may last longer, but plastic will never decompose. Real trees will decompose and can last years if planted in the ground. If everyone planted a tree every year, soon there will be enough to create a forest! * Give your holiday gifts in reusable cloth bags instead of wrapping paper. You can buy these at most food and department stores. You, and those you give to, can use the bags when you go shopping instead of the plastic bags the store gives you. * Reuse the wrapping paper from the gifts your friends gave you by wrapping your presents with it, or cutting craft paper from it. * Tell your family and friends how to be green, too!

Give Earth the gift of green this holiday season!

The Shortest Day of the Year THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

Page 9

Teacher's Corner with...

The Nature Teacher, Christy Schultz

by Christy Schultz www.thenatureteacher.com

Two times a year, the Earth experiences what we call a "solstice" - it literally means "stopping of the sun". There is a solstice June 21 and then again, 6 months later, on December 21. Here in the Northern Hemisphere - north of the Equator, the solstice that happens in December is called the Winter Solstice and the one in June is the Summer Solstice. It is opposite for people in Australia.

Because of the angle of the Earth on its axis - 23.5 degrees, we have variation and seasons. When the Northern Hemisphere is angled away from the sun, the days become shorter and shorter and the weather becomes cooler. It reaches its peak on December 21 - which is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest day in the Southern Hemisphere (Summer Solstice). Because Florida sits relatively close to the Equator, we get more sun than someone in Canada, or Alaska where it is dark for most of the day during the autumn and winter. That is why it is still 80 degrees Fahrenheit out and it's not snowing!!

After the Winter Solstice, the days begin getting longer and longer, by minutes each day - because the Earth is beginning to tilt toward the sun again. It remains colder up North until the spring because the oceans remain super cold - which keeps the north cold, and because it takes many months for the Earth to angle back toward the sun.

The returning of the sun has been cause for celebration for people all over the Earth for millennia. Evergreen trees are brought into the house, fires are lit, songs are sung and stories told to mark the wonderful news that the sun is returning once again to bring bounty to the Earth. Evergreens (like your Christmas tree) are an important symbol of life; they survive the harsh winter and remain green - giving them a special place in the midwinter celebration. Fires and

Illustrations by Christy Schultz

"when the Northern Hemisphere is angled away from the sun, the days become shorter and shorter..." candle lighting (like your Menorahs and strung lights) are also important parts of midwinter celebration - they symbolize the light and warmth coming back with the return of the sun.

There are many ways to celebrate the return of the sun this Winter Solstice. One of my favorite ways is with a lantern walk outside - in the woods at a park or in your neighborhood, or maybe at the beach.

Questa Enters the Ho Ho Ho Down Logan Silverman & Nick Gambardella, Age 11

Hello!

We would like to tell you about an activity that any one can join.

Our school, Summit PHOTO by Logan and Nick, 6th graders at Summit Questa Motesori Questa Montessori School, " All trees are looking good but there is going to be a challenge! entered the annual DAVIE, FL HOLIDAY DECORATthing that is not water proof but there is going to be a ING CONTEST. it might get destroyed in all challenge! It is anybody's There are thirty different types of weather. game at this movement and time. Read next month's Christmas trees, three Also every year there is a news paper to find out who Menorahs, and a Kinara.

Anybody can enter the different theme. This year wins. competition. There are it is "The Ho Ho Down."

See you next time for prizes for all ages! But be All trees are looking good more... warned if you make some-

Decorate a jar with paint or wax and place a votive candle inside, hang some gardening wire around the top so you can hold it, then have an adult light the candle for you and take your family on a lantern walk.

Sing songs while you walk, tell stories, or walk quietly; maybe your neighbors would like to join you.

On the solstice, which is December 21, you could decorate your home with ever-

green branches, wreaths, or a tree. Instead of using a cut tree, you could decorate a potted tree or one in your yard. String lights around your home, light candles, or if it is cool enough - light a fire or a barbeque.

Spend the solstice evening telling stories with your family, eating warm soup, and honoring the movement of the earth and the beauty of its seasons. Happy Holidays everyone! See you outside!

INSPIRED TO WRITE Artist at Heart

by Roman Costa, Age 11 Hollywood, FL

Hi, my name is Roman Costa. I am 11 years old and I live in Hollywood Fl. I have one brother (7 years old) and no sisters. I enjoy writing, playing/watching sports and, like almost every other boy, video games/electronics. I participate in the Teens ‘N Tweens (TNT) homeschooling group and attend Broward Virtual School (BVS). A few years ago, I thought of writing as a death trap waiting to happen.

But with the help of my mom, and language arts teacher Mr.

Grimes, I have been very successful in writing. Something I took a similar approach on a few years ago, was art. I feel that I have grown substantially in art and I always look forward to sketching or drawing a picture. Compared to some of you, my art is nothing, but this just goes to show you how if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. I will be submitting at least one picture per issue in The Circle Gazette. Thank you and happy reading!

THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

ART BOX Page 10

Jack Riordan, Age 8. Fort Lauderdale, FL

Chomp: The waterish type creature with fiery red eyes, Chomp is a very grumpy monster. The big things sticking out of his body are none other than strong curling horns that have fireballs at

DECEMBER 2009

Jack Riordan, Age 8. Fort Lauderdale, FL

Flame Smash: Also known as "The Fire Creature", doesn't have scales to keep him cool inside from all the fire on his back. But he doesn't care, because he is almost entirely made of fire. He's

Wil Murphy-Hacker, Age 9

"River, River". Wax crayons on paper.

"Beach Girl". Crayons on paper.

Fenella Riordan, Age 6. Fort Lauderdale, FL

"Mommy and Baby". Color pencils on paper.

by Daniela Gomez, Age 9. Margate, FL

ART BOX

DECEMBER 2009

THE CIRCLE GAZETTE "Hebr e and C w Letters T hof" et, Gi mmel Acryl , Zayn ic and Temp era on Canva

by Eli s zabeth Abram Fort L auder dale, F s, Age 5 L

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Science, History, Books & Geography TRIVIA

The Northern Right Whale. Mother and Calf.

... that the northern right whale is perhaps the most endangered of the large whales? This whale lives and feeds close to the shore and it's easy to approach. It got its name from the whalers because it has all the "right" features to make it the ideal "catch".

... that the Showy Crotalaria (a Florida wildflower) is made up of 5' long clusters of numerous 1" yellow pea flowers.

The leaves are 8" long and the stems Showy Crotalaria, a are dark purplish?

Florida's Wildflower

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DID YOU KNOW ...

Page 11

This week we started preparing fo used the fo llowing reci r Chanucah pe from Th by making (Malka Dru e Family Tr Latkes. W cker and Nan e easury of Je cy Patz): 3 large pota wish Holid toes ays 1 small onio n 2 beaten eg gs 2 tablespoon s flour 1 teaspoon salt Pinch of pe pper ½ cup of ve getable oil We washed and peeled the potatoes We grated in . Th the fried them on onion and added the eg en we grated them in to a bowl. gs the pan and ate them with , flour, salt, and pepper Abigail and . We then sugar. They Elizabeth A brams, Age were delicio s 3 and 5 us!

Famous Portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Joseph Siffred Duplessis.

"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. First Edition 19 December 1843.

Rotterdam Port

Mother Chimpanzee carrying her baby!

that Benjamin Franklin was an inventor, a bestselling author and a father of the USA? When he was an apprentice at his older brother's print shop he wrote the famous Silence Dogood letters, in which he acted as if he was a middle-age woman of his time. He founded the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1723. The Circle Gazette carries the "Gazette" part of its name in honor to Franklin's newspaper.

... that the original edition of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens was originally sold for 5 shillings/copy?

(20 shillings used to equal to 1 pound until 1971) and that today a single copy of that first edition would be valued at around $30.000?

...that Rotterdam is the largest city in The Netherlands and it is probably the busiest port in the world? It is on the Maas River and usually more than 30.000 ships and 110.000 barges visit it every year. that the mother Chimpanzee builds a new nest in a tree for her young almost every night? It builds it by bending over and intertwining many branches to make a firm, leafy platform, away from predators.