PROUDLY SPONSORED BY Nancy Hall Publications
HEY! THIS PAPER BELONGS TO:
BLADEN AND ROBESON COUNTIES’ FUN FAMILY NEWSPAPER
•
DECEMBER 2008
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
FIGURE SKATING, WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK WITH AN NFL TEAM AND MORE!
Coastal Speech Center,Inc. 518 Liberty Hill Road, Lumberton, NC 28358
of Try This At Home
See if you can use the pictures to understand the poem.
I put on my sweater and my My coat, my
. My warmest
, my scarf, and my
buttoned and
and
Reading aloud to your family is a great way to share books, magazines, and stories with each other! Cozy up with your children and a good book! You can escape to a warmer climate with a book about other seasons, other countries, or other sides of the world! Some of our favorites are: Gorilla Walk by Ted and Betsy Lewis The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry Rumble in the Jungle by Giles Andreae “Slowly, Slowly, Slowly,” Said the Sloth by Eric Carle Verdi by Janell Cannon Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People Ears by Verna Aardema
.
on my hands.
Seahawk Science
s zipped keep me warm as can be.
Now that I am outside, it’s too bad that I can’t see! What to do: 1. Put a piece of black paper in the freezer for a few minutes. 2. Quickly pull the paper out, and lightly spray it with water. Put the paper back in the freezer.
These rebuses use pictures to spell some words. Can you read them?
a gr-
friend.
Pl-
a
!
Write your own rebus poem, story, or note for your friends and family! You can draw your own pictures, cut them out of a magazine, or use a computer.
3. Wait a few minutes for the water spray to freeze. When you take the paper out of the freezer, you will see frozen ice crystals!
What you need:
5 A freezer 5 Black paper 5 A spray bottle of water
How does it work? The water that you sprayed freezes to the paper inside your freezer. The black color of the paper helps you see the frozen crystals.
Visit the Watson School of Education at www.uncw.edu/ed or call (910) 962-4142 for more information.
Tips for Helping Your Child with Math:
U n i v e rof s i t yNorth o f N o rCarolina t h C a r o l i nWilmington a Wilmington University
◊ Explore math in everyday life! Counting out forks to set the table, pouring milk to drink, or telling the time when a favorite TV show begins are easy ways to help kids realize that math is all around them!
the perfect stocking stuffer summer camp
gift
◊ Begin each math homework session by asking your child to explain what he or she is supposed to do. By listening to what your child says, you will know if he or she can do the assignment alone, or if you will need to help. ◊ Encourage your child to say his or her problem solving thoughts out loud, so you can understand his or her thinking.
certificates $25 • $50 $100 and up
◊ When helping your child, ask questions to help guide him or her through the process, such as: “Where do you begin?” “What do you need to nd out?” “Can you show me in a drawing how you got your answer?” ◊ If the subject makes you nervous, try not to pass your feelings on to your child. Share only what is helpful, not harmful. ◊ It’s okay to say that you do not understand a problem. It gives you an opportunity to review the lesson together.
To purchase a gift certificate and for more information, visit
www.uncw.edu/marinequest or call 910.962.3195
Tips from www.schwablearing.org/articles
2 KIDSVILLE NEWS
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DECEMBER 2008
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THE CAPE FEAR REGION’S FUN FAMILY NEWSPAPER
Todd Godbey todd@mykidsvillenews.com
KIDSVILLE NEWS INC. PRESIDENT Bill Bowman bbowman@kidsvillenews.com
KIDSVILLE NEWS! PUBLISHER PO Box Your 15944 Info Here editor@yourpaperhere.com Wilmington, NC 28408 KIDSVILLE NEWS! NATIONAL EDITOR 910.338.1205 Joy G. Kirkpatrick kvnews@kidsvillenews.com www.KidsvilleNews.com/CapeFear
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PRESIDENT, KIDSVILLE NEWS! INC. SALES & MARKETING Bill Bowman Sam Lum - sam@upandcomingmag.com bbowman@kidsvillenews.com
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KIDSVILLE NEWS! NATIONAL EDITOR ILLUSTRATOR Joy G. Kirkpatrick Cover & Truman • Dan Nelson kvnews@kidsvillenews.com
KIDSVILLE NEWS! PO Box ILLUSTRATOR 53790 • Fayetteville, NC 28305 Cover & Truman •• Fax Dan(910) Nelson (910) 222-6200 222-6199 Copyright ©2008 by Kidsville News! Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this issue may be reproduced in whole or in part in any information, form without permission of the call publisher or For advertising please copyright holder. Neither participating advertisers nor the publishers will be responsible or Jack Stultz, Marketing Manager liable for misinformation, misprints or typographical errors. The publishers reserve the right 222-6200 to edit any submitted material. Kidsville(910) News! Incorporated is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or other material. Children’s submissions should include name, address, telephone number, and permission to publish signed by a parentAll or guardian. Copyright ©2007 by Kidsville News! Incorporated. rights reserved.
Audit Pending No part of this issue may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without permission of the publisher or copyright holder. Neither participating advertisers nor the publishers will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints or typographical errors. The publishers reserve the right to edit any submitted material. Kidsville News! Incorporated is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or other material. Children’s submissions should include name, address, telephone number, and permission to publish signed by a parent or guardian.
Dear Kids, Finally, the last month of the year is here! And what a great month it is! December means winter fun, holidays and family traditions. The holiday spirit makes everyone a little more giving at this time of year. You and your family might collect canned goods for a food bank or serve food at a homeless shelter. Did you know that even your favorite football teams give back to their community? This month, I spoke with the Community Relations Director for the Baltimore Ravens. His job is to get the football players out into the community to give back and help their fans. What a terrific job to have! Even though its winter, you can still enjoy sports — ike ice skating! Learn more about it and give it a try. You might find a new hobby. Have a dynamite December! Enjoy your winter holidays, and be sure to visit my Web site at www.kidsvillenews.com for more fun. Your friend,
Bladen County Hospital is pleased to announce the arrival of Bladen County’s first Pediatrician
Nileshwa Senthe, M.D. 300 A East McKay Street Across from Bladen County Hospital Elizabethtown Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. For an appointment, please call (910) 862-5500
DECEMBER 2008
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KIDSVILLE NEWS 3
Kidsville News!
The name Christmas comes from the Old English Christes Maesse, or Christ’s Mass. The story of Christmas is told in the Bible. The Gospels of Saint Matthew and Saint Luke tell how Jesus was born in Bethlehem. According to the story, his mother Mary and her husband Joseph, were traveling and tried to find a room in an inn, but the inn was full. There was only room in the stable where the animals were kept. The baby Jesus was born there. Angels announced his birth to shepherds outside the town, and a bright star led the Wise Men to him. But the Gospels do not tell the date of Christ’s birth. The early Christian churches were divided over when to celebrate Christmas. The Western church, based in Rome, chose December 25, while the Eastern church chose January 6. Eventually, the holidays merged, and Christmas was celebrated in a 12-day festival that included both days. Today only the Armenian church observes Christmas on January 6. In other churches, this day is known as Epiphany and is said to mark either the visit of the Wise Men or (in Eastern churches) Christ’s baptism. For a thousand years or so, the birth of Christ was a religious day. There were no Christmas trees or toys or carols or gifts. It
was a very solemn day, celebrated in church with prayer. Sometimes, Christians would return from church and have a big meal to celebrate. Gradually, the Christmas meal became bigger and bigger. By the Middle Ages, it had become a grand feast with storytellers and singing. As years went by, the feast became more and more like a wild party. It became so wild in fact, that the Puritans in America made Christmas illegal in 1643. In Massachusetts, they even outlawed mince pies. By the 1800s, immigrants from all over Europe were coming to America, bringing with them all kinds of customs. People from the Netherlands brought the story of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children who came in the night and left good children gifts. German immigrants had a custom of bringing an evergreen tree into their house and decorating it with candy. Dutch settlers in New York called St. Nicholas Sinter Klaas, and told the Norse story of how the goddess Hertha came down the chimney and brought good luck to the home. Then, in 1823, Clement Moore wrote a poem called “A Visit from St. Nicholas,”
The Aztec Calendar Stone, or the Sun Stone, was discovered in December 1790. The intricately carved store, one of the wonders of the western hemisphere, was found buried by workmen. It is believed that the 25-ton stone was carved in 1479 and served as a calendar for the Aztec people.
4 KIDSVILLE NEWS
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describing a white-haired fellow in a red suit named Santa Claus, who came down the chimney with a bag full of gifts which he left under a tree. Children everywhere believed in him. They called him Santa Claus, and Christmas became not only a religious holiday, but a family holiday as well.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is the eight-day Festival of Lights celebrated by Jewish people throughout the world. The holiday (which begins on December 21 this year) celebrates a miracle that happened long ago. According to the story, a Syrian King tried to make the Jews give up their religion. A small group of Jews, called the Macabees, were outnumbered but fought so bravely that they were able to fight off the Kings’ huge army. Their temple was ruined, and there was only enough oil for one day. But when the priests lit the oil, it burned for all eight days that it took to make new oil. Each year, Jews celebrate that miracle. Each night, a candle is lit on the Menorah (a candelabrum with nine branches), and the children get small gifts. Why the ninth candle? It is called the shamash, and it is the helper candle that is used to light the other candles. It remains lit on the eighth night. Each year, the First Flight Celebration is held at Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina on December 17. The celebration is in honor of the Wright brothers’ first successful flight at Kitty Hawk. It is held at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
DECEMBER 2008
AR UND THE W RLD Mexico
During the week before Christmas (Navidad) Eve (Dec. 16-24), friends and families get together for a special celebration called Posadas. They form a parade, carrying candles and little dolls of the baby Jesus. They sing carols and walk to a neighbor’s house, commemorating Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The happy end to each Posada is the pinata — a jar covered in paper mache and filled with goodies. It is traditionally made in the shape of a star to represent the star that guided the Three Kings to the baby Jesus.
Canada
The Day after Christmas is a legal holiday known as Boxing Day in Canada, the United Kingdom and many other countries. It is thought that Boxing Day received its name because churches open the boxes of money, food and other items donated during the Christmas season and deliver them to the poor on this day. Another legend is that the name came from the old custom of noblemen giving their servants boxes with gifts on this day. People who performed public service often carried around boxes on the 26th to receive tips.
Iran
Yalda is a celebration of the winter solstice in Iran. It is celebrated on December 21and has been celebrated for thousands of years. This night is the longest of the year, and they believe that Light and Good are battling against Darkness and Evil. Traditionally, the people celebrating Yalda kept fires burning all night to help the sun be victorious over the darkness. There were prayer ceremonies and feasts. Today, the holiday is mostly a social occasion for family and friends to get together.
Gecko
The gecko is a small lizard of the Gekkonidae family. Geckos are usually nocturnal, which means they sleep during the day and are active at night. They have a short body with a large head. Their feet have toes which are covered in pads and tiny, forked hairlike hooks which help them grip. That’s what makes them such great climbers! Geckos can be two to six inches long, including their tail, Kingdom: Animalia which is usually about half of Phylum: Chordata their length. The largest gecko — Class: Reptilia the tokay gecko — can grow Order: Squamata up to 14 inches. Geckos have a Family: Gekkonidae clear covering over their eyes for protection. And they lick it to clean it! Geckos are special from other reptiles because they have a voice and make a call that can sound like a click, chirp or bark. Geckos live in warm areas and occur on all continuents except Antarctica. There are over 1,000 species of gecko. The newest species was recently announced at France’s National Museum of Natural History. The newest gecko species, called Lepidodactylus buleli, was discovered by French scientists on Espiritu Santo, an island east of Australia. Nine tiny eggs were discovered and taken back to France wrapped in a Kleenex! Only one of the baby geckos survived. Sources: “Gecko” Encyclopædia Britannica; National Museum of Natural History, Museum National D’Historie Naturelle, www.mnhn.fr.
DECEMBER 2008
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KIDSVILLE NEWS 5
Puzzling Presents
Winter Word Find
Find the words below that relate to winter holidays.
Help Truman get to the presents!
CARDS CELEBRATE DECORATE FAMILY
O V V U U E Q F H C A F R I H
A B H O H N T M A Y K E B T O
F S K D Z D A A D M I Y I T B
E T A R O C E D R N I Z S G T
GIFTS HOLIDAY MERRY REINDEER
Q F A A K R K C D B M L L X J
Holiday Ho Ho Ho! for What do snowmen eat ! breakfast? Snowflakes
ta have Why does San So he can three gardens? ho-ho-ho.
H I Y B G K M E H S E S Y O T
W G A R E D E T O N I L L X M
D G N U R R R C L O Q R E L P
V B R D S E Q I I W L A W C K
SNOW STAR TREE WINTER
C Z R Y E I M W D A I P O Y X
M X Y T L D N P A C S Q Y Z H
G T I R V I T W Y D M X C K P
B W I N T E R L R Z K Y M X N
B P S R A T S A Y I M K D T Q
A O I C P T C H M D D P G I F
What do you get when you cross a snowm an with a vampire? Fro stbite! What do you get when you cross an archer with a gift-wrapper? Ribbon hood.
Hey Kids! Come visit the Kidsvile News! website.
Check out the cool games, info and puzzles. Plus — talk to Truman! Also Online we now have “Flip” editions
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DECEMBER 2008
This page is brought to you by Coloring Corner
Truman loves ice skating. What’s your favorite winter sport? Write a sentence about it and color the picture.
Truman
Truman’s Tricky Picture
Find these items in the picture and then color it! Have fun! Look for the solution on www.kidsvillenews.com.
DECEMBER 2008
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KIDSVILLE NEWS 7
This page is brought to you by By: Scott Bladenboro Primary
Hey Kids! Send me your artwork and poetry (be
sure to use the ‘Send It’ form). Also, send in something for “Me & My...” It could be a picture of you and your best friend or favorite animal, anything really — just be sure to write two paragraphs telling me about the photo.
By: Cheyenne Southside Ashpole Elementary By: Conner Dublin Elementary
By: Benjamin St. Paul’s Elementary
Hey Kids! Truman wants your original artwork, letter, poems and stories! We may print them in a
later issue or use them on our website! Just have your parents fill out this form and send it with your work to: Kidsville News!, PO Box 15944, Wilmington, NC 28408 Name___________________________________________________________________________Age___________ Address________________________________________________________________________________________ City___________________________________________________________State____________ Zip_________________ School________________________________________________________________________________________
By: Jennifer Bladen Lakes Primary
Your signature (This is my own work): ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Parent’s Signature (Permission): ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Helpful Hint: Send in your drawings IN COLOR AND ON UNLINED PAPER!
8 KIDSVILLE NEWS
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DECEMBER 2008
Myth Busted We would like to thank all of this year’s Kidsville News! in Education program partners for providing Kidsville News! to area schools.
Have you you ever ever heard heard that that poinsettias poinsettias are are poisonous? poisonous? Have Recent studies are finding that the beautiful plant, typically used for holiday decoration, is not poisonous. Dr. Picco of the Mayo Clinic says that ingesting the plant might cause an upset stomach. “But that's about it. If a child eats part of a poinsettia plant, rinse out his or her mouth with water or gently wipe the inside of the mouth with a damp cloth.” (www.mayoclinic.com). He suggests that if a child has a mild skin reaction to touching the sap, the parent should wash the area with mild soap. Should a child develop difficulty breathing, vomiting or diarrhea; medical assistance should be sought immediately. While you no longer have to be concerned with the Poinsettia myth, it is important to talk to your children about possible dangers and warn them of poisonous things that they should avoid. As parents and caregivers, be informed and make sure that you have the toll free number for the Carolinas Poison Center posted in your home and/or child care facility. If your child eats a plant or berry or you have other concerns, call the Carolina Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. For a FREE parent packet, send a self-addressed business size envelope to: Carolinas Poison Center PO Box 32861 Charlotte, NC 28232-2861
Call Amy Cox, Program Manager for the Robeson County Partnership for Children, at 910-738-6767 for more resources about children birth to five in Robeson County.
Dickerson’s
PHARMACY Supporting education in Bladen County since 1982
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Highest Quality Service Lowest Possible Prices
Did You Know…
…that to pervent chapped lips and dry skin. Use skin lotion and chap stick for your lips.
503 Doctors Drive • Elizabethtown NC • 910-862-3465 DECEMBER 2008
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KIDSVILLE NEWS 9
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE... A COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIRECTOR? Football season is here! One of my favorite teams is the Baltimore Ravens, winners of Super Bowl XXXV in 2001. There are a lot of people, besides the 53 active players for the Ravens, who help the team be the best it can be. One of those people is Kenny Abrams, Community Relations Director for the Baltimore Ravens. He took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to tell us about his job with this great team. TRUMAN: What does it take to become a Community Relations Director for a NFL football team? ABRAMS: To become a Community Relations Director, you must have a college degree, be personable and flexible and pay attention to detail. TRUMAN: What exactly do you do every day?
ABRAMS: I ran track and participated in relays and sprints. It was important to me because I loved to race. I felt it was great exercise for me and kept me focused on managing my time with school work. If I did not do well academically, I would be unable to participate in track. TRUMAN: What was your favorite subject in school?
ABRAMS: I am responsible for managing the various community projects for our team, foundation and player foundations. TRUMAN: What kind of projects do you organize for the team?
ABRAMS: My favorite subject was social studies. I loved to learn about history of countries as well as various traditions around the world. TRUMAN: What’s the hardest part of your job? ABRAMS: The hardest part of my job is fulfilling appearance requests with our market. We are overwhelmed with various requests from organizations and individuals. We try our best to assist as many requests as possible.
Kenneth Abrams (above) presents keys
to new homeowner Dynetta Wilson and ABRAMS: I am her daughter. Abrams discusses Habitat responsible for for Humanity partnership with Garrison projects such as our forest School faculty member Butch Ravens Family Food Darrell (right). Drive. We collect food and monetary gifts at M&T Bank Stadium during one of our games before Thanksgiving. All food and proceeds benefit the Maryland Food Bank, which distributes items to soup kitchens, food pantries and emergency shelters throughout the holiday season.
TRUMAN: What’s the best part of your job?
TRUMAN: What’s it like working with the football players?
ABRAMS: The best part of my job is making a difference in the community. As part of an organization, I am proud to be a part of the solution instead of the problem.
ABRAMS: It is great working with players who have a passion about giving back to the community. They spend a great deal of time in the community.
TRUMAN: What kind of advice would you give to kids who might be interested in one day becoming a Community Relations Director in the sports industry?
TRUMAN: When and why did you first become interested in working in community relations?
ABRAMS: I would advise students to do the following: • Get an internship with a sports organization so you can gain experience. • Network with individuals who are in the sports field within your area. • Volunteer your time with a sports organization so you can meet people within the organization and possibly make an indelible impression on them.
ABRAMS: I became interested in this profession during my senior year in college. My college roommate was a huge sports fan and interned with the Washington Bullets. We both did a public relations project to enhance the Baltimore Orioles image. While working on the project, I learned a lot about the business side of the sports industry. TRUMAN: Did you play sports in school? Was that important to you?
10 KIDSVILLE NEWS
TRUMAN: Well, thanks for talking to us about working with the Baltimore Ravens and the work you do in the community!
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DECEMBER 2008
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS... ISRAEL?
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! This time of year, you hear a lot about the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the country of Israel, also known as the Holy Land. It is located in the Middle East and is a small country, even smaller than our state of New Jersey. To find it, get out your globe, and find longitude 34º E and latitude 31º N. Israel is located in Southwest Asia between the Mediterranean Sea and the deserts of Syria and Arabia. The country's geographical borders are the Mediterranean to the West, Jordan to the east, the mountains of Lebanon to the north, Syria in the northeast, Egypt to the southwest and Eilat Bay at the country's southern tip. The Gaza Strip, Golan Heights and the West Bank are all bordering areas that have caused much dispute between Israel and Palestinians. These regions are currently occupied by Israel. Over seven million people live in Israel. Almost 75% the population is of Jewish religion, 16% are Muslim and the remaining are Christian and other faiths. Hebrew is the official language, although the Arab population speaks Arabic. English is the most popular foreign language that is used in Israel. Although Israel is small, its climate and geography are diverse. It is divided into three regions, the coastal plain, the mountain region and the Jordan Valley Rift. The rift was caused by seismic activity. Israel's largest river, the Jordan, flows through the Jordan Valley. It also includes Israel's two lakes: the Kinneret or Sea of Galilee, Where in the the largest body of fresh water in Israel, and the Dead Sea, which is salt water and is the World Word lowest point on earth. The climate of Israel is subtropical with a lot of sunshine. They have a occupy [ok-yuh-pahy] hot, dry summer and a winter with colder weather and some rain and snow in the mountains. to take possession and Sources: The World Factbook prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency; www.goisrael. control of (a place), as com, The Israel Ministry of Tourism; "occupy," Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1), Random by military invasion. House, Inc.
r to Ou e m Co New tion Loca
210 What is the connection between Speech Therapy and Reading?
Building Blocks for Successful Reading
Learning to read is a complex process that involves a number of cognitive skills. It is very Understanding important to identify which skill or combination what you read of skills needs to be addressed in order for your child to read with ease and understanding. Addressing a reading problem requires careful diagnosis and an individualized plan of Reading Understanding treatment. Speech-language pathologists Words Language (SLP’s), more commonly known as Speech Therapists, are specially trained in sound (phonological) awareness, spoken language, vocabulary develpment and understanding language, Sound Sight Spoken which are some of Vision (Pholological) Vocabulary Words Language the important skills Awareness for reading.
DECEMBER 2008
Memory
Ability to concentrate Willingness to read
Background information knowledge
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KIDSVILLE NEWS 11
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Reminding you to play it safe around electricity!
This electrical safety tip is sponsored by:
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Keep your tree well hydrated. Dry branches can ignite when they come in contact with lights Never use electric decorations on an aluminum tree If your tree is artificial, make sure it is fire retardant Do not place your tree close to a heat source, such as a heater, vent or fireplace When disposing of your tree, never put the branches in the fireplace. Rather, take your tree to a recycling facility or have it discarded by a community pick-up service
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Christmas trees account for 200 fires annually, resulting in an average of six deaths, 25 injuries and more than $6 million in property damage. Keep your family and home safe with the following tips:
Trees Trees
The holiday season is meant to be a festive time spent with family and friends. Practice electrical safety during this special time to protect your loved ones.
Never leave candles burning when you are away Never put lit candles on a Christmas tree Never discard wrapping paper by throwing it in the fireplace
Other Decorations Decorations Other
Avoid plugging multiple strands of lights into one outlet When decorating with lights, look for frayed or broken cords and damaged light bulbs Immediately replace a broken light bulb with a new one. Leave the old one in until you find a replacement Don’t run extension cords under rugs or furniture, especially under a Christmas tree skirt Only use lights with the label “Underwriters Laboratories Approved” or “UL Approved” Do not leave lights on unattended
Lights Lights
Share the following tips with your parents to ensure your family has a safe, joyful holiday season:
In the spirit of the season, it can be easy to become engrossed in holiday decorations and lights. However festive, these embellishments also add extra electrical strain to your home and safety must be considered when plugging in those giant Santa statues and miles of icicle lights.
Safe Holiday Decorating
Play-it-Safe
Texas Became 28th U.S. State, 1845
Islamic New Year
29
Chanukah, Feast of Lights, Dec. 22-29
22
✪ Bill of Rights Day
15
8
30
23
Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, 1773
Birthday of Ludwig Van Beethoven, 1770
16
9
Special Education Day
2
✪ This symbol recognizes the holiday as a Presidential Proclamation.
Pledge of Allegiance Recognized, 1945
Endangered Species Act Signed, 1973
28
National Haiku Poetry Day
Pilgrims Landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620
21
South Pole Discovered, 1911
14
✪ National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
7
Basketball Created, 1891
1
New Year’s Eve
31
Christmas Eve
24
✪ Wright Brothers Day
17
Birthday of Poet Emily Dickinson, 1830
Mississippi Became 20th U.S. State, 1817
10
3
Kwanzaa, Dec. 26 - Jan. 1
26
50th Anniversary of the First Radio Broadcast From Space, 1958
19
❍ FULL MOON, also called the Cold Moon
12
5
l New Moon
27
20
National Day of the Horse
13
6
BLADEN COUNTY LIBRARY BRIDGER MEMORIAL LIBRARY CLARKTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
111 N. Cypress St. 313 S. Main St. 10413 N. College St.
Saturday, December 13th at 10-11 a.m.
Bladen County Library will host BREAKFAST WITH MS. CLAUS
library.bladenco.org
First Indoor Baseball Game, 1888
Christmas Day
25
18
Indiana Became the 19th U.S. State, 1816
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December
ART GALLERY Kandinsky and Abstract Art Russia, Kandinsky continued creating artwork but also helped establish Wassily Kandinsky was a very influential early numerous museums, founded the Russian Academy of Arts and Sciences modern abstract artist from Russia. He was born and published several articles on art. Although he was well-known, many in Moscow in December 1866, but his family Russian critics did not like Kandinsky’s artwork. Also, the Russian moved to Odessa when he was five. As a youngster, government was becoming less supportive Kandinsky studied music of artists. Tired of the criticism, Kandinsky and drawing. Although moved back to Germany in 1922. he loved art, Kandinsky’s In 1929, Kandinsky held his first oneparents thought he should artist show in Paris, France. Looking to become a lawyer. So after explore new art worlds, Kandinsky moved finishing high school, he from Germany to France in the early 1930s. moved back to Moscow to In France, Kandinsky became friends with study law at the University other abstract artists, like Piet Mondrian and of Moscow in 1886. Joan Miró and took his art to a new level. When Kandinsky was 30, he gave up a His work during this time period was seen as softer and more romantic than his early successful law career to pieces and combined a lot of different pursue his dream of Composition X, 1939 abstract and impressionistic concepts. becoming an artist. In 1897, Kandinsky died on December 13, 1944 in France. he moved to Munich, Germany, to His work can be seen at art museums all over the world, including the attend art school. After three years in school, he founded an artist group Guggenheim Museum in New York City and the Hermitage Museum in called Phalanx. With Phalanx, he helped opened a new art school and organized art exhibits for group members. During this early part of his art Russia. Written by Tamar Burris, a former elementary school teacher who now career, Kandinsky painted in an impressionistic style, using simple colors works as a freelance writer and curriculum developer for PBS, the Discovery and light. However, he soon began experimenting with new styles, and in 1910, he created his first abstract watercolor paintings. From then on, his Channel and other education-related companies. Sources: Painter Wassily Kandinsky, www.wassilykandinsky.net. art became more abstract, using brighter colors and geometric shapes. At the beginning of World War I, Kandinsky moved back to Russia. In
Bladen County Schools
BLADEN COUNTY SCHOOLS DECEMBER 2008 LUNCH December 2008 Bladen County Schools Tuesday
Wednesday Wed - 12/3/2008
Thu - 12/4/2008
CHEESE PIZZA CHILI CON CARNE Potato Rounds Tossed Salad Apple Peaches Whole Wheat Roll Milk
BEEF TACO SLOPPY JOE ON A BUN Oven Baked Fries Collards Mexicali Corn Orange Pears Milk
COUNTRY STYLE STEAK TURKEY ROAST Mashed Potatoes/w Gravy Turnip Greens Sliced Carrots Banana Mixed Fruit Cornbread Milk
PORK ROAST CHICKEN SALAD Rice Garden Peas Vegetable Dippers Apple Pineapple Cup Whole Wheat Roll Milk
Manager's Choice
Mon - 12/8/2008
Tue - 12/9/2008
Wed - 12/10/2008
Thu - 12/11/2008
Fri - 12/12/2008
CHICKEN AND NOODLES SPAGHETTI Green Beans Toss Salad Apple Peaches Whole Wheat Roll Milk
PIZZABURGER ON A ROLL GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH Oven Baked Fries Garden Salad Orange Pears Milk
HAMBURGER CHEESEBURGER/BUN Turnip Greens Scalloped Potatoes Lettuce & Tomato Cole Slaw Banana Mixed Fruit Milk
BEEFARONI TURKEY HOAGIE/LETT/TOM Mixed Vegetables Tossed Salad Apple Pineapple Cup Whole Wheat Roll Milk
Manager's Choice
Mon - 12/15/2008
Tue - 12/16/2008
Wed - 12/17/2008
Thu - 12/18/2008
Fri - 12/19/2008
PEPPERONI PIZZA COUNTRY STYLE STEAK Rice Turnip Greens Apple Peaches Whole Wheat Roll Milk
TURKEY DRESSING SUPREME SLOPPY JOE ON A BUN Green Beans BLAD Sweet Potatoes Cole Slaw Orange Pears Whole Wheat Roll Milk
TOASTED HAM/CHEESE SANDW SMOKED SAUSAGE Macaroni & Cheese Steamed Cabbage Sliced Carrots Banana Mixed Fruit Whole Wheat Roll Milk
GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH GRILLED HAM/CHEESE SANDW Vegetable Beef Soup Apple Pineapple Cup Crackers Milk
Manager's Choice
Mon - 12/22/2008
Tue - 12/23/2008
Wed - 12/24/2008
Thu - 12/25/2008
Fri - 12/26/2008
NO SCHOOL TODAY ANNUAL LEAVE
PrintedTODAY on Recycled Paper NO SCHOOL HOLIDAY -CHRISTMAS
NO SCHOOL TODAY HOLIDAY -CHRISTMAS
NO SCHOOLDECEMBER TODAY HOLIDAY -CHRISTMAS
Mon - 12/1/2008
Monday
NO SCHOOL TODAY NEWS 14 KIDSVILLE ANNUAL LEAVE
Tue - 12/2/2008
Thursday
Fri - 12/5/2008
Friday
2008
Zambian Vocal Group of Africa
You Can Make a Difference in Your Community
• Reach every K-5th grader in the county and their families • Help raise EOG scores • Help lower the high school drop-out rate Elizabethtown Primary students were recently honored with a visit and entertainment by the Zambian Vocal Group of Africa.
This publication is dedicated to the loving memory of
Nancy Hall-Godbey
Contact Todd Godbey at 910.338.1205 or todd@mykidsvillenews.com
Truman Out and About
May we all strive to be as intelligent as she was! DECEMBER 2008
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KIDSVILLE NEWS 15
Winter Word Find (Over, Down, Direction) CARDS (15, 7, SW) CELEBRATE (9, 14, NW) DECORATE (4, 8, N) FAMILY (1, 8, SE) GIFTS (7, 2, W) HOLIDAY (6, 9, E) MERRY (10, 7, NW) REINDEER (1, 13, NE) SNOW (6, 10, E) STAR (14, 7, N) TREE (7, 8, NE) WINTER (13, 2, S)
O V V U U E Q F H C A F R I H
A B H O H N T M A Y K E B T O
F S K D Z D A A D M I Y I T B
E T A R O C E D R N I Z S G T
Q F A A K R K C D B M L L X J
H I Y B G K M E H S E S Y O T
W G A R E D E T O N I L L X M
D G N U R R R C L O Q R E L P
V B R D S E Q I I W L A W C K
C Z R Y E I M W D A I P O Y X
M X Y T L D N P A C S Q Y Z H
G T I R V I T W Y D M X C K P
B W I N T E R L R Z K Y M X N
B P S R A T S A Y I M K D T Q
A O I C P T C H M D D P G I F
Puzzling Presents
Help Truman get to the presents!
Winter Word Find Election Word Find (Over, Down, Direction) CARDS (15, 7, SW) CELEBRATE (9, 14, NW) DECORATE (4, 8, N) FAMILY (1, 8, SE) GIFTS (7, 2, W) HOLIDAY (6, 9, E) MERRY (10, 7, NW) REINDEER (1, 13, NE) SNOW (6, 10, E) STAR (14, 7, N) TREE (7, 8, NE) WINTER (13, 2, S)
O V V U U E Q F H C A F R I H
16 KIDSVILLE NEWS
A B H O H N T M A Y K E B T O
F S K D Z D A A D M I Y I T B
Puzzling
E T A R O C E D R N I Z S G T
Q(Over, H WDown, D VDirection) C M G FB LB CA P Y E R J P C L (9, 7, FBALLOT I G G B NE) Z X T CW CP AO W O C W J Y V J CHOOSE (10, 14, E) ACLERK Y A (7,N 3,RSW)R Y I NI ES XI D C L C O S H L ADEMOCRACY B R U D (15, Y 4,T S)R QN ZR PC T S L L Y D I D M X R R E L E S Q I L (14, 6, SW) KELECTION G E R S E L V T A P JUDGE (14, 7, S) R E P R E S E N T A T RMARSHALL K D R E(8, 15, I W) D I CE ST KT K M S O Q B A N KNOVEMBER M E R Q(10,M15,NNW) T RR ZS RC D Z Q I G D D Z POLLS (4, 1, SE) CPRESIDENT E T C I W SE) P W OL WA AH E I F L D Y Y C (3, 4, DREPRESENTATIVE H O L I D (1,6,E) A Y TR RY YM F B P M T E T J SENATOR (1, 14, N) BVOTE S N(13,O12,W W)A C D AZ UI PD Z F M K D I N Q M E I Q L I S M NK BM CD A X J E O F E T L S L R A P Q X EY FK YP F R M N V W S V S E V W O D Q A O C H L Y L E W O Y C LM LD AG H S R A M U N M X O X L C Y Z K X T I J T M P K X Kidsville H P N Q F Counts! Printed on Recycled Paper
H K O L C I Z E K S V O K O P
B S O K T V L A C R W V Z O J
B T V Z W E J U D G E R V S H
Q Z U D E M O C R A C Y G E Q
DECEMBER 2008
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF ROBESON COUNTY
410 Caton Road • Lumberton, NC 28358 • 910-671-6000 • Dr. Johnny Hunt, Superintendent • Mr. Tommy Lowry, Assistant Superintendent DECEMBER 2008
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KIDSVILLE NEWS 17
Story Time with Truman The Mystery of the Lost Colony Chapter 4: The Mystery
A Quality Serials Story By Mary Maden Illustrated by Vicki Wallace THE STORY SO FAR… A group of English colonists are on Roanoke Island to establish a permanent colony. A native red wolf observes the activities of the colony. Duchess, the ship’s cat, has an encounter with the red wolf. One of the colonists is killed by hostile natives, and in anger, the colonists decide to attack the natives. “Come!” Manteo led the Englishmen to the camp of the hostile natives. The colonists opened fire. The attack was on! “Mercy!” cried a woman with a baby. “Stop!” Something was very wrong! Suddenly they saw that these natives were not the enemy. Too late, the colonists realized that they had attacked people from Manteo’s tribe! “Wanchese and his braves fled this place,” the woman explained. “We are only here to gather food they left behind!” Sadly, the noble red wolf looked on. By mistake, Manteo had helped attack his own people! Four days after the attack, Manteo was rewarded for his faithful service to the English. “I christen thee Lord of Roanoke,” declared the minister. Manteo was now a member of the Church of England and a lord! Hidden in the bushes, the red wolf witnessed the first Protestant baptism in what was to become America. Time passed and the colonists went about the task of making a permanent colony. Things were difficult. The colony lived with an ever-present fear of attacks from hostile natives. Also, supplies were getting low. Even though it was still summer, winter and the possibility of starvation was on everyone’s mind. There was one bright spot! On August 18, an exciting thing happened. Strange cries were heard coming from the Dare’s house. Governor White’s daughter, Eleanor, had given birth to a perfect
baby girl! “She shall be named “Virginia” — after this land,” declared Ananias Dare. Hidden in his lair, the noble red wolf heard the cries of the first English child born in the New World. He let out a mournful cry of his own! Just days after Virginia’s birth, Governor White had to leave his tiny granddaughter! He was chosen to return to England to fetch more supplies. Governor White was worried about leaving his family and the colony behind. Before he left, he devised a system of communication. If, for some reason, the colony had to move or leave before his return, they agreed on some signs to tell where they were and if they were safe. “If you move to a new place, carve the name of that place on a tree,” instructed Governor White. “If you leave because of danger, carve a cross as a sign of trouble.” Sadly, Eleanor watched White’s boat pull away. “Goodbye, Father,” she whispered. “Godspeed!” Something brushed against her skirt. It was Duchess. The cat knew it was her chance to get back to the ship! Duchess raced to catch the boat, but she was too late! “Golly gosh!” Duchess gasped. “I missed the boat!” The noble red wolf sat on the sandy shore — watching. After three long years, Governor White returned. White went to the settlement, but there was no one there. He searched for the colony, but only found a word carved on a tree. “Croatoan,” he read aloud. John White never saw his family or the other colonists again! They had disappeared — lost for all time. To this day, no one knows what happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoke!
A Teacher’s Guide to accompany this four-chapter story is available on the Kidsville News! Web site at www.KidsvilleNews.com. Copyright 2004 by Mary Maden. All rights reserved. Mary Maden is an award-winning author. Visit her on the Web at www.marymaden.com!
CONGRATULATIONS
Truman says CONGRATULATIONS to Bladen County Schools November STAR Students, Gerardo Reyes of Dublin Primary, Alexander Gomes of Booker T Washington, and Margarita Gaitan of Tar Heel Middle
18 KIDSVILLE NEWS
Printed on Recycled Paper
DECEMBER 2008
M
N O
Minimum Payment: The minimum dollar amount that must be paid each month on a loan, line or credit, or other debt. National Bank: A bank that is subject to the supervision of the Comptroller of the Currency. A national bank can be recognized because it must have “national” or “national association” in its name. Offical Check: A check drawn on a bank and signed by an authorized bank offical. Member FDIC
www.lumbeeguarantybank.com
Comark is a national leader in the design and manufacture of quality temporary and permanent modular school space. Temporary or portable classrooms Complete one and two-story schools Education Facility Specialists
Explore our website and discover all the ways Comark can meet your needs for top quality results in a short amount of time. Be sure to check out our buildings for different clients including K-12, Head Start/Child Care and Universities as well as our Complete Campus Solutions. www.comarkschools.com DECEMBER 2008
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910.739.0900 KIDSVILLE NEWS 19
2008
$20 & Under Ducks in a Row Spring 2008 Games Ages: 5 - 7 yrs. Manufacturer: ThinkFun, Inc. Price: $11.99 Ducks in a Row is an easyto-assemble, easy-to-learn game. In this compact, sturdy board game, two players compete to line up four of their six ducks in a row. You may move as many spaces as you like, in any direction you like, as long as an opponent’s duck is not in your path. No dice, no learning curve, just good solid fun from the beginning. Seasoned players can work to think a few steps ahead. Not only do they have to maneuver their own pieces into line, but they must be sure to keep an eye on their opponent. If you’re not paying attention, somebody else will get her ducks in a row first!Ann Hillers ©2008 Parents’ Choice On the Dot Fall 2008 Games Ages: 10 & Up Manufacturer: Gamewright Price: $12.99 Challenging yet easy-to-play, the goal is to overlay 4 transparent square game cards so that they match the challenge card pattern of dots. You can flip, turn and overlap the transparent cards, but in the end, your dots must line up in order for you to be the winner. Play alone or with multiple players. Race against an opponent to complete the same challenge or have each player master her own pattern. It all adds up to a lot of on-the-dot, on-the-spot fun for kids and parents alike. Trish Reske ©2008 Parents’ Choice Cranium Bloom Let’ s Play Stamp & Mail Spring 2008 Games Ages: 3 & Up Manufacturer: Cranium, Inc. c/o Hasbro Inc. Price: $14.99 Mail Time is an exciting event in most houses — children love to race to the mailbox outside, even when it’s all likely to be junk mail (junk mail doesn’t get old until you’ve been an adult for a long time), and they love it even more when they send and receive real mail themselves. As sending and receiving real mail is not a daily occurrence for most kids, we’ve been playing pretend mail for a long time, even without the proper toys. But this set makes it all the more inviting by providing a box that won’t fall apart in a day and letters that can be written and rewritten (sensibly or with silliness or even with scribbles) and delivered over and over. The set appeals to a rather wide range of ages — our 8-year-old enjoyed it almost as much as
20 KIDSVILLE NEWS
our 3-year-old. There is plenty of room for creativity along with the pretend play, and there’s no reason why children can’t go beyond delivering only the cards and envelopes provided by making more “mail” out of paper and crayons. The set includes a mailbox (with flag and working door); a mailbag; a dry erase (washable) marker; several dry-erase note cards; postcards and coordinating envelopes and static-cling “stamps” for every envelope and postcard. Children can write and re-write messages and deliver the mail over and over. Maybe they’ll even learn to write thank you notes — and mail them before the postal rates increase. Emily Crawford ©2008 Parents’ Choice Cook It in a Cup Spring 2008 Toys Ages: 6 - 14 yrs. Manufacturer: Chronicle Books Price: $16.99 Cook It in a Cup! is a cooking set that appeals to both the beginning chef (for example, with the one-ingredient, microwave-based scrambled eggs or layered nachos) and the more experienced child (classic muffin and cupcake recipes and more interesting dinner entrees). The set encourages the development of kitchen skills (and, by extension, an understanding of basic chemistry) and creativity. Although our young kitchen staff occasionally needed guidance and assistance, as expected with any cooking set for kids this age, the recipes are easy to follow, largely nutritious and genuinely appetizing — even to picky eaters. The six brightly colored silicone baking cups are eye-catching but won’t burn small hands, even those that can’t wait to pull the creations straight from the oven. Our eight-year-old has been trying to learn to cook and was pleased to find something she could manage all on her own; our six-year-old had no real desire to cook until these showed up and piqued his interest. This is a set we expect to keep using for a long time to come. Emily Crawford ©2008 Parents’ Choice Chocolate Fix Spring 2008 Games Ages: 8 & Up Manufacturer: ThinkFun, Inc. Price: $16.99 If you’ve never had a chocolate fix, try this one. This game of logical reasoning has children (or adults, when they can sneak it away from the kids for a round or two!) placing chocolates in a tray according Printed on Recycled Paper
to clues provided in a puzzle book. Clues get progressively more difficult to follow, encouraging players to hone their logical deduction skills as they go along. This game was so compelling that my 8-year-old daughter carried it with her every day for a week and continues to play with it on a daily basis. By using pieces that can be manipulated on a grid, it bridges the gap between concrete maneuvering and abstract thought. Beginner games provide a quick road to a satisfying solution, but advanced games require that special flash of insight that comes from mulling the clues over and over until a clear line of thought breaks through. Too many kids go through life without being asked to think clearly. Chocolate Fix provides a fun route toward better, more remarkable thoughts. Emily Crawford ©2008 Parents’ Choice Square Up Fall 2008 Games Ages: 6 & Up Manufacturer: MindWare Price: $19.95 The object of this easy-to-learn game is to slide your tiles to form the same pattern as shown by the colors in your cube shaker. Two players each have a tray that holds 24 colored tiles in a 5 x 5 grid. The 25th space is empty to accommodate the sliding tiles. Each player shakes his/her cube shaker until the nine miniature cubes within are sitting properly in their slots, and then slides his/her tiles, trying to get the nine center cubes to match exactly the pattern in the cube shaker. For solo play, there are intriguing suggestions for pattern play with the tiles. One of the adult testers offered a Sudoku-like challenge: arrange the tiles so no color appears more than once in any row or column. Kids will certainly come up with their own ideas. Ruth B. Roufberg ©2008 Parents’ Choice Double Shutter, Shut the Super Box Fall 2008 Games Ages: 8 & Up Manufacturer: Blue Orange Games Price: $19.99 In order to appreciate this variation of a classic game, you need to know that the original game is played with a box that has nine tabs numbered from 1 to 9, positioned upright. The object is to turn all tabs down, thereby shutting the box. One player starts by tossing two dice and selecting which tab(s) to turn down. It can be either the actual numbers shown on the dice, or two others that equal the same total. For example, if the
DECEMBER 2008
dice show a 3 and a 6, the player may turn down those two tabs, or a 9, or 8 + 1 or any other combination that totals 9. The player’s turn ends when no tab can be covered on a throw of the dice. A player’s score is the sum of the numbers remaining covered at the end of his turn. The player with the lowest score wins. The Double Shutter game has enhanced the play by adding behind the original row of tabs an extra row numbered in reverse order, 9 to 1. These numbers are revealed one by one as the tabs in the front row are turned down. The strategy is slightly more sophisticated as one tries to compute the odds of various number combinations. Ruth B. Roufberg ©2008 Parents’ Choice Pirates Undercover Fall 2008 Games Ages: 5 & Up Manufacturer: Educational Insights, Inc. Price: $19.99 The game board is divided into four quadrants containing images of the pirates, their ships and island hideaways. Each puzzle challenges the solo player to replicate a picture showing some images and hiding others. This is done by covering the board with the quadrant-sized cards that have various cut-outs. By orienting those cards properly on top of the correct portion of the playing board, the result will match the challenge picture. Ruth B. Roufberg ©2008 Parents’ Choice Eye Can Art Printmaking Kit Spring 2008 Toys Ages: 4 & Up Manufacturer: Eye Can Art Price: $23.99 Eye Can Art’s Printmaking Kit introduces youngsters to the art of the collograph — a simple printing technique that uses found materials arranged in a collage. With everything needed to make dramatic-looking collograph printed images, the kit offers step-by-step instructions to recreate the suggested design, or create an original. Younger children will need to work with an adult to get help with the instructions and certain steps, but older children will be able to work without help. All items are packaged in an easy-to-carry reusable container. Review ©2008 Parents’ Choice
$21-50 Hyper Jump Fall 2008 Games Ages: 6 & Up Manufacturer: Wild Planet Entertainment, Inc. Price: $29.99 Review: This clever, active game gets kids thinking on their feet — literally! — as they jump and hop to follow commands. Kids at the younger end of the spectrum can keep up with simple instructions such as jumping from one color or number to the next. Older kids will be challenged by more complex sequences that get trickier based on skill level, as well as a “reverse” command that requires them to remember the last steps they completed. Races between kids can be timed for added competition or kids can strive to beat their best time in solo play mode. Here, the words hyper and activity are a winning combination. Ann Hillers ©2008 Parents’ Choice
DECEMBER 2008
I Spy Memory Game 15th Anniversary Silver Tin Edition Fall 2008 Toys Manufacturer: Briarpatch Ages: 4 - 100 Price: 24.99 Featuring the beautiful, detail-rich photographic collages for which the I Spy books are well known, this memory and concentration card game provides thought-provoking entertainment for one child — or for the whole family. No two cards are alike, so players must use detail-recognition, observation and generalization skills to match the image in one card with a similar or related image on a second card. Fifteen riddle cards expand the options for challenging play, but may prove a bit difficult for preschool children. Cards come packaged in an attractive commemorative tin with instructions for several game variations included. Joanna Bell and Krista Mason © Parents’ Choice Tag Reading System Fall 2008 Toys Ages: 4 - 8 yrs. Manufacturer: LeapFrog Enterprises Price: $49.99 While kids may take the innovative technology that is the LeapFrog Tag reading system for granted, adults can’t help but be impressed. The pen is easy to hold and large enough so it is not easily lost. Inside the tip of the pen is a camera that reads the code embedded on the pages of the intelligently designed books. Emerging readers tap the pen on a word or image and the text becomes audible. Users choose to hear one word at a time, travel uninterrupted through the story or, if practicing their reading skills, can pause and work to master a stumbling block. The compact design makes it very portable and easy to use in the car or on airplanes. And yes, the pen can be connected to headphones (not included) for quiet play. Package includes a Tag Reader, USB cable, software CD, the book Ozzie and Mack. Additional books are sold separately. The two AAA batteries required are not included. At the time of our evaluations, Leapfrog’s online Learning Path, a Web site where parents can track a child’s reading prowess, was not fully operational. When it is, some parents will flock to the tracking opportunity; others will run from it. In our opinion, the Tag should be used to augment, not replace traditional book reading. The Tag is not the only way to read; it’s another way to read. And that’s an option to write home about. Review ©2008 Parents’ Choice Playmobil Dolphin Basin Fall 2008 Toys Ages: 4 & Up Manufacturer: Playmobil USA, Inc. Price: $49.99 As youngsters transform from aquarium worker to dolphin trainers, imaginative play includes questions (and fascinating answers) about the environment and conversation. Although it’s difficult to single out the best feature in this fully equipped set, the undisputed standout among testers was that the dolphin tank truly does hold water. With delightfully detailed props, from the seagulls waiting
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to scoop up any forgotten food, to the crane that hoists the ball for the dolphins to tap as they perform for visitors, to the watch on the dolphin trainer, the learning is playful and elaborate. Review ©2008 Parents’ Choice
$50 and up EyeClops BioniCam Fall 2008 Toys Ages: 8 & Up Manufacturer: Jakks Pacific, Inc. Price: $79.99 When a youngster shows signs of interest in science, a parent or grandparent is almost sure to show up with a microscope at the next gift occasion. Too often, these well-intentioned and expensive pieces of lab equipment gather dust, due to their intimidating looks, delicate controls, and array of small, easily lost accessories. The EyeClops Bionicam offers a redesigned microscope (think “eyeball on a stick”) combined with digital photography for still and video images. Bionicam in hand, young scientists can peer at the world at magnification of 100x, 200x, or 400x. See Lincoln sitting in his monument on the penny! Make a movie starring an ant! The images can be reviewed on the camera or transferred via USB drive to your PC for even closer viewing. This is a well-conceived device that combines the natural curiosity of children with high-tech entertainment, but there a few drawbacks. Our Bionicam often informed us that its batteries were low, immediately after we had installed new ones. Younger users with unsteady hands found the camera frustrating to use at times; at these high magnifications, it is easy to miss the target for your shot if your hands are wobbly. Once we mastered the learning curves of battery life, hand positions and that images read best in good light, the choruses of “oohs” and “aahs” resumed. Ann Hillers ©2008 Parents’ Choice Mighty World Complete Base Camp Fall 2008 Toys Ages: 4 & Up Manufacturer: International Playthings, Inc. Price: $84.99 Three young expeditioners, Jonsie, Tom and Megan, are well outfitted and ready for any adventure. Designed for hands to hold and maneuver the accurately themed accessories, the set includes an ATV, adventure truck, horse trailer complete with horse, flatbed trailer, kayak with paddles and tent with sleeping bags. Younger kids will enjoy playing with the pre-assembled figures and components while older children can take apart and reconfigure certain pieces, including the ATV and the adventure truck. The aptly-named Complete Base Camp by Mighty World is packed with 50 pieces for hours of play fun. Review ©2008 Parents’ Choice
About this Guide Established in 1978, Parents’ Choice is the nation’s oldest nonprofit guide to quality children’s media and toys. The Parents’ Choice Awards program honors the best material for children: books, toys, music and storytelling, magazines, software, videogames, television and Web sites. Parents’ Choice Foundation’s panels of educators, scientists, performing artists, librarians, parents and, yes, kids themselves, identify the very best products for children of different ages and backgrounds, and of varied skill and interest levels. For the complete Parents’ Choice 2008 Holiday Guide, visit www.parentschoice.org.
KIDSVILLE NEWS 21
P arenTown’s K id S mart Prepare una lista y compruébela dos veces
The ABCs of Money: Make a list and check it twice By Susan Beacham PART 2 OF 3 Here we are at the height of the holiday buying season, the moment when it starts to look like there’s no way we’ll escape December with our sanity, much less our budget and bank accounts intact. That means it’s time to get creative. Consider giving gifts of time and talent. Give gifts of time by creating coupon books. Give one to your child that promises things such as a free pass from a chore they hate. (In my house, that would be dish washing.) Grandparents would covet a coupon for a regular visit — in person or on the phone — from their grandchildren. Encourage your children to think about people they know who might like a gift of time. They might even consider giving a coupon book to their teachers that can be exchanged for special help in the classroom. Or coupons for their friends promising an afternoon play date during which the friend gets to choose all of the games. Then, have fun working together to create your signature coupons. Next year, you may find that “time” is the first gift next to some of the names on your list. Give talent by sharing your immense skills and those of your children. If you are a musical family, prepare a private concert for the grandparents. For grandparents who are far away, record the performance and send it to them. They love hearing the “voices” and the talent of their grandchildren. And it’s a gift that keeps on giving — every time they share it with their friends. Allison and Amanda have given gifts to one another since they were young. It was one way of helping them realize that it was not all about them during the holidays. I also wanted them to see that they could and should take personal responsibility for remembering people during the holidays — starting with family. When Allison was just learning to read, her gift was to read to her sister — as much and as long as Amanda wanted. I have this “gift” on video. Allison and Amanda are both sitting in a rocker, and Allison, then about 4, is “reading” to her sister. Amanda was in heaven. Help your child give a gift of time or talent by modeling that behavior yourself and by helping them decide what is within their time and talent to give. Susan Beacham is the founder and CEO of Money Savvy Generation, which creates innovative products and services to help parents, grandparents and educators teach children money-management skills. E-mail her at Susan@MSGen.com. Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved.
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Por Susan Beacham PARTE 2 DE 3 Próximo mes: Facturas de las vacaciones Aqui estamos en la temporada de vacaciones de nuevo, el momento en el que parece que no podemos escaparnos del mes de diciembre con nuestra salud mental y mucho menos con nuestro presupuesto y cuentas bancarias intactas. Esto quiere decir que es hora de hacerse creativo. Considere el dar regalos de su tiempo y de su talento. De regalos de su tiempo creando cupones para libros. Dé uno a su hijo/a que prometa darles un pase gratuito para que no tengan que hacer una tarea que ellos odien. (En mi casa sería por ejemplo el lavar los platos.) Los abuelos podrían tener un cupón para una visita regular--en persona o por teléfono—de sus nietos. Anime a sus hijos a pensar en las personas que conocen a las que les gustaría un regalo de su tiempo. Puede que consideren darle incluso un cupón a sus profesores que puede ser cambiado por extra ayuda en la sala de clase. O cupones para sus amigos prometiendoles una tarde para jugar durante la que ellos eligirán todos los juegos a los que jugarán. Después, trabajen juntos para crear los cupones personalizados. El próximo año puede que encuentre que ese ‘tiempo’ es el primer regalo que se encuentra junto algunos de los nombres en su lista. Regale sus talentos compartiendo sus enormes habilidades y las de sus hijos. Si son una familia musical, prepare un concierto privado para los abuelos. Para los abuelos que viven lejos, grabe la actuación y enviésela por correo. Les encantará escuchar ‘sus voces’ y el talento de sus nietos. Y es un regalo que continua dándose una y otra vez cada vez que lo comparten con sus amigos. Allison y Amanda se han hecho regalos mutuamente desde que eran niñas. Era una manera de ayudarles a darse cuenta de que, no todo gira alrededor de ellas durante las vacaciones. También quería que vieran que podían y debían tomar responsabilidad personal de recordar a otras personas durante las vacaciones, comenzando con la familia. Cuando Allison estaba empezando a leer, su regalo era el leer para su hermana—tanto y durante el tiempo que Amanda quisiera. Yo tengo este “regalo” grabado en un video. Allison y Amanda están las dos sentadas en una mecedora y Allison, que entonces tenía cuatro años está ‘leyendo’ para su hermana. Amanda estaba como en el cielo. Ayude a su hijo a dar un regalo de su tiempo y de su talento modelando ese comportamiento usted mismo y ayudandole a decider que es lo que podría dar. Susan Beacham es la fundadora y Directora Ejecutiva de Money Savvy Generation, compañía que crea productos innovadores y servicios para ayudar a los padres, los abuelos y los educadores a enseñar a los niños las habilidades de gestión sobre el dinero. Copyright 2008 Todos los derechos reservados. Traducido por Maite Lamberri.
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DECEMBER 2008
KIDSVILLE KITCHEN
Together Time — Ask an adult for help with projects!
You Can Be a
Comfort Food with a Twist!
If you’re looking for a new take on home-style cooking, then George Duran has the recipe for you. Duran is a popular Food Network host and chef who likes to take favorite American dishes and give them a delightful twist. PBJ Bread Pudding, Cheeseburger Frittata and Tex-Mex Lasagna are just a few of the dishes he’s twisted. “Comfort food is something that brings Americans together,” said Duran, “but I noticed that I was going to be limited with the number and originality of recipes I could introduce. (After all, how many ways can you make a PBJ sandwich?) That’s when I decided to take classic American flavors and twist them into a gourmet dish.” Break out of the ordinary by adding fun along with flavor to your favorite comfort foods. Your taste buds will be glad you did.
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PEPPERONI PIZZA SOUP WHAT YOU NEED: • 2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed tomato soup • 3 cups water • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1-1⁄2 cups dried elbow macaroni (or other short dried pasta, such as ditalini or alphabets) • 2 green onions, sliced • 2 teaspoons dried oregano, crushed • 1⁄3 cup diced pepperoni • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 ounces) • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces) • dried oregano
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HOW TO MAKE IT (makes four servings): Preheat broiler. In large pan, put soup, water and garlic; bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in macaroni, green onion, oregano and pepperoni; cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until macaroni is almost done. Pour soup into 4 oven-proof bowls. Top each with 1⁄4 cup mozzarella cheese, 1⁄4 cup cheddar cheese and some oregano. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. Or serve soup in a small round, crusty loaf of bread. Cut top off bread and scoop out insides. Fill with soup, top with cheeses, and broil as directed above. Try different “toppings” as well, such as mushrooms, onions and sausage. Courtesy of Family Features. George Duran,“Take This Dish And Twist It: Comfort Food with New & Unexpected Flavors” (Meredith Books; November 2008).
DECEMBER 2008
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KIDSVILLE NEWS 23
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❆ ❆ Happy Holidays from these Bladen County Students ❄ ❄
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By: Cristal Bravo Plain View
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By: Ansel Grisset t East Arcadia Sch ool
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By:Kiance Morrisey Plain View
By: Djimon Faul kner Booker T. Washi ngton
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o-Ortiz By: Arely Alonz Dublin Primary
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M I S S I O N
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S T A T E M E N T
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By:Bridgette Munoz Bladen Lakes Primary
By: Ariana Young Booker T. Washington
By: Olivia Miller imary Bladen Lakes Pr
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We believe that all students can learn and achieve mastery of basic grade level skills regardless of, their previous academic performance, family background, socioeconomic status, race or gender. We believe that the purpose of our schools is to educate all students to their highest level of academic performance while fostering positive growth in social behaviors and attitudes. We accept the responsibility to teach all students so they can attain their maximum potential.
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