Kids Archives - Page 18 of 62

The Amazing Universe – December 2016

Hubble Space Telescope image of a small part of the universe filled with galaxies. It would take around 25 million pictures like this to cover the whole sky – space is really big! Image credit: NASA, ESA, H. Teplitz and M. Rafelski (IPAC/ Caltech), A. Koekemoer (STScI), R. Windhorst (Arizona State University), and Z. Levay (STScI) “The cosmos is all that is, or ever was, or ever will be.” is is how astronomer Carl Sagan described the universe. Cosmos is another word for universe. e universe is made up of everything we know of. Earth, the sun, and the moon are part of the universe. In fact, so are all of the planets, stars and galaxies. All of space, time, energy and matter exist inside the universe. e universe is so big that we cannot even see it all, and never will! But where did the universe come from? Scientists who study the universe are called astronomers. Astronomers discovered evidence that the universe was created in an enormous expansion beginning about 13.8 billion years ago called the Big Bang. At that moment, all of the matter and energy in the universe was created. Time and space were also created in the Big Bang. At the time of the Big Bang, everything in the universe was squeezed together in an incredibly hot and compressed state. e heat and pressure caused the universe to expand at extremely high speeds, which created space. As the universe expanded and cooled, stars, planets and galaxies formed out of the matter present at the Big Bang. Today, the universe contains billions of galaxies, each of which contain millions or billions of stars, and possibly millions or billions of planets and moons. But all of the things that we can see in the universe — such as planets, stars and galaxies — make up only about 5 percent of what is in the universe. Most of the universe is made up of mysterious forms of matter and energy that we cannot see. These forms of matter and energy are called dark matter and dark energy. We do not yet understand what dark energy and dark matter are. However, experiments show that they exist. Dark matter is thought to make up about 27 percent of the universe, while about 68 percent of the universe is thought to be dark energy. Dark matter clumps together similar to the way galaxies do. Dark energy is thought to ll all of space, maybe the same everywhere, but maybe different at different places and times. So as you can see, the universe is a huge, amazing place with many exciting mysteries to solve and discoveries to be made! If you want to learn more about the Big Bang, visit the NASA Space Place: http://spaceplace.nasa. gov/big-bang/en/

Movie Reviews for Kids by Kids

MOVIE REVIEWS – December 2016

Middle School: the Worst Years Mia A, age 12 Middle School: the Worst Years of my Life is the best movie I have seen for middle school kids in a long time! It is fun and creative, and I absolutely enjoyed it. This movie is based on the book by the same name, about a kid named Rafe (Griffin Gluck) who is in middle school. He is one of those troubled kids, although we really like him. He has been expelled from many schools, and this is the last school he can get into. His school is very strict and he doesn’t like it at all, so he decides a plan to try to get back at the principal for making all these horrible rules. My favorite character is Rafe, the main character, because he is hilarious! Rafe is creative and shows a lot of emotions. His little sister Georgia (Alexa Nisenson) is funny and sassy. There is one scene where Georgia cries and she almost made me cry. It is so realistic! Lauren Graham from The Gilmore Girls plays the loving mom. The other adults are more like human cartoons. Their behaviors are stereotypical and over-the-top silly. The music really sets the tone of the movie and gets the audience involved. I enjoyed the music a lot because it includes some of the most popular songs today. It got me more into the movie and made me think it was a real middle school that other kids attended. I think the animation is incredible! It looks very much like a drawing from an artistic person, and it gives your brain something to think about. The animated creatures are funny and creative and they feel like they are Rafe’s friends. The animation helps us explore more of Rafe’s imagination as the characters come to life. I really like how the characters are so detailed, and colorful. They look like they are hand-sketched, making you think Rafe actually drew them. The audience was very into this movie. Everyone was on the edge of their seats. The plot is unexpected. The audience seemed to connect to all the characters, especially one of the main teachers, Mr. Teller (Adam Pally). He is relatable and seems like a great teacher that a lot of kids would want to have as their own teacher. My favorite scene is when Rafe puts sticky notes all over the whole school. It’s creative and funny. I loved the artwork of the vice principal’s face in sticky notes. . I recommend this film for ages 8 to 15 and rate it 5 out of 5 stars. The Adventures of Gumby: The 60s Series Volume 2 Gerry O, age 14 Fifty years ago, before computer animation, we had hand drawn animation and stop motion animation. The Adventures of Gumby: The 60s Series Volume 2 not only contains spectacular stop motion animation, but it also has fantastic and fun adventures that kids and adults of all ages can greatly enjoy. This series is meant to be an adventure, but it doesn’t hold back on humor and will make you laugh time and again. It also has some mild action and even a slight bit of intensity, but nothing to be too concerned about. Even those intense scenes are full of light and good nature. Each episode focuses on a different story. Some may focus on an adventure into a Dinosaur World or into space or even into a micro world where germs live. Each episode follows Gumby and his friends and what happens during their adventures while teaching kids some valuable information. Most episodes have some sort of moral message and, since there isn’t a continuing plot, viewers can watch at any point of the series and understand what is going on. I enjoy the fact that, despite most of it being pretty fantasy-like, it intertwines actual science and real-world knowledge to the point where I found myself learning stuff about economics, which was a pleasant surprise! My favorite episode is “Shady Lemonade.” In this one, Gumby and his friends go to a lemonade place and discover that the owner scammed them. Later that day, they save a man’s cat and the man gives them a very large reward. They decide to use that money so people can get lemonade at a cheap price and not worry about getting scammed. I picked this episode because, despite it not have some fun adventure, it is still a unique and fun story and it kept me entertained. On top of that, the moral of the story is great — for every action there is a reaction. This series is designed for kids, and parents have nothing to worry about. I recommend it for ages 4 to 18. I believe adults will enjoy this show. too, even though it is a kid’s show because it sparks your imagination and its out of this world stories will make you laugh. For spectacular stop motion animation, wonderful voice acting, fantastic songs and perfect stories, I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Movie Reviews for Kids by Kids

MOVIE REVIEWS – December 2016

Movie Reviews for Kids by Kids

MOVIE REVIEWS – December 2016

Kids

Kidsville Kitchen – Truffles

Healthy Holiday Dessert Option A certain measure of overindulgence is anticipated during the holiday season. Rich foods and desserts are served, and parties are plentiful. However, those who plan to stick to their healthy eating plans can still enjoy tastes of the season without compromising their fitness or dietary goals. Many recipes can be made healthier with some simple substitutions, and that even includes decadent desserts. Take, for example, “Wickedly Decadent Deep Chocolate Truffles” from Low Fat for Life, (DK) by Sue Krietzman. This low-fat version of a high-fat classic will taste delicious without being too sinful. Wickedly Decadent Deep Chocolate Truffles 6 ounces semisweet chocolate 6 ounces very low-fat fromage frais 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1⁄2 ounces semisweet chocolate, grated 1. Break the chocolate into a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Let it melt, stirring occasionally. 2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the fromage frais and sugar. Whisk in the vanilla. 3. When the chocolate is melted and smooth, remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Slowly whisk the chocolate into the fromage frais mixture, using a rubber spatula to incorporate every bit of chocolate. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for an hour. 4. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Scatter the grated chocolate on a plate. Scoop out the chilled chocolate mixture in teaspoonfuls, roll into balls, then roll the balls in the grated chocolate and put on the prepared baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until rm. 5. Put the truffles in small paper cases. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use. Per truffle: Total fat: 2 g; saturated fat: 1 g; unsaturated fat: 1 g; cholesterol: 1 mg; sodium: 3 mg; calories: 52. Makes 24 truffles.

Cultural Connections

Cultural Connections – December 2016

Folklore is traditional art, stories, knowledge and practices that are passed down through generations. O en these traditions are only passed down through oral communication, which is like when grandparents or parents share an old recipe, song or story. When things aren’t written down it is easy for them to get lost or forgotten, which is what makes paying attention to folklore so important. Here are some examples of folklore in the United States. A lot of times these were real people whose stories evolved over time. • Johnny Appleseed is remembered as a kind and generous man who brought apple trees to the Northeast and Midwest regions of the nation. • Davy Crockett is known as a brave and strong hero who tamed the wild frontier. • Paul Bunyan was a lumberjack with a big blue ox named Babe. His stories o en involve him racing against machines to see who could chop down the most trees. • e Lone Ranger is a hero in the Wild West who fought raiders and robbers to bring them to justice. • Molly Pitcher is remembered as a female hero in the Revolutionary War. She brought pitchers of water to wounded men on the battle eld to give them comfort. • Bigfoot or “Sasquatch” is supposed to be a human/ape-like creature that lives in the forests of the Paci c Northwest. • Champ is like the famous Loch Ness monster. It is a mysterious and giant creature that is supposed to live in Lake Champlain which is near the U.S. and Canadian border. Because it comes in so many di erent forms it can be di cult to recognize folklore. e most important thing is understanding that the memories, stories and traditions that people share are worth paying close attention to. If no one new learns these stories and retells them, they will eventually be gone forever. For more information visit the following sites: AFSNET.org NY Folklore

Conservation Corner

Conservation Corner – December 2016

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 91 percent of long-distance holiday travel is by personal vehicle. And while many people may associate holiday travel with long lines at airport check-in counters and security checkpoints, the BTS notes that just 5 to 6 percent of holiday trips are taken by air. e remaining 2 to 3 percent are taken by bus, train, ship or another mode of transportation. e average long-distance holiday trip for the Christmas/New Year’s holiday is 275 miles, which is slightly longer than the average long-distance trip during the rest of the year, indicating that many travelers are willing to travel farther for the holiday season than they might be during the rest of the year. In addition, when traveling long distances for the Christmas/New Year’s holiday, travelers spend roughly four nights away from home on average.

Kidsville Connections

Kidsville Connections – December 2016

Think how boring the world would be if all the flowers were one color or if there was only one kind of bird or if every street in every town was exactly the same. What if you could only eat carrot soup for every meal? That would get boring pretty fast. Variety keeps things interesting, but it is important, too. Take people for example. We are all unique and that is a good thing because it means we have different strengths that we can use to impact our world. Some people are great at math, which is important because they can design safe buildings, cars and other things. Other people are wonderful singers, and there is a role for them to play in the world, too. They bring joy to the people around them. Sometimes being different doesn’t always feel great, but it shouldn’t stop you from reaching for the stars. Here are some people who didn’t let being different stop them from succeeding. • Kyle Maynard was born with no arms and no legs, but he is a mixed martial arts fighter and competes against other fighters who do have arms and legs. Maynard has also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro without any help. He is the first- ever person with no arms and no legs to do that. • Helen Keller was blind and deaf, but she loved learning. She was the first blind and deaf person to get a college degree. • Ralph Braun was born with muscular dystrophy. He founded the Braun Corporation, a company that makes wheelchair-accessible vehicles. • Stephen Hawking is one of the most well-known physicists in the world. He was diagnosed with ALS when he was 21. • Performer Solange Knowles and actor Will Smith both have ADHD, but are successful in the entertainment industry. • Marla Runyan is blind, but she loves to run. In fact, she was the rst legally blind athlete to ever compete in the Olympics. • Albert Einstein discovered the theory of relativity, but he had a learning disorder. • Franklin Roosevelt had polio when he was a child and was con ned to a wheelchair. He was the 32nd president of the United States.

Kids

COME OUT AND PLAY- SOCCER

Soccer, or football as it is known in many places, has a long history. It started in England in 1863. e Football Association in England was formed when rugby and football started to split. Since then, the game has spread across the globe. It was most likely brought to many di erent countries by English colonists. Even though 1863 was the o cial beginning of the soccer we know today, people have been using their feet to kick a ball around for much longer. Similar games were recorded in China during the Han Dynasty and in ancient Japan. e Greeks and eventually the Romans played similar games, too. • To play, you rst need two teams of 11 people. • e next step is nding a ball. • e eld should be a at, long space with a goal on either end. • e objective is to kick the ball into the opposing team’s goal. • Only the goalie can use their hands to touch the ball. • e goalie is the person who stands right in front of the net and tries to keep • the ball from going in. • No one else can use their hands, but feet, chests and heads are all useful tools. • e team that scores the most goals during the allotted time wins. Modern professional soccer has a lot of speci c rules, but because it is the most popular game around the world, there are a lot of variations. O en, the changes are made because in many countries the people playing don’t have access to the right equipment to play like professionals. ey may just have a ball, a few friends and some clear ground. Of course, if you can play on a real eld with equipment and all the o cial rules, that is great. But the most important thing is having fun. You don’t need fresh grass, cleats and a brand new net to have fun. All you need to have fun and play football like millions of people around the world is a few friends, a ball and a little imagination. For more information visit the following sites: http://www.historyofsoccer.info, http://www. fa.com/about- fa/who-we-are/the-game/& https://kidskonnect.com/sports/soccer/

Around The World

AROUND THE WORLD – DECEMBER 2016

Several faiths have significant holidays in December. Christmas falls on Dec. 25, which is a Sunday this year. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Many people exchange presents at Christmas time, too. Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration that lasts eight days. Some Hanukkah customs include eating potato pancakes, or latkes, and playing with a dreidel, a spinning top with Hebrew letters on it. Many people also give gifts at Hanukkah. Kwanzaa is a celebration that honors African-American culture and heritage. It lasts from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Kwanzaa focuses on seven principles, they are: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. The United Nations has declared Dec. 3 as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the rights of people who live with disabilities. Prior to having a day of recognition, the U.N. had a Decade of Disabled Persons. It was from 1983 to 1992. During this time, governments and organizations around the world implemented measures to help improve life for disabled citizens. When the Decade of Disabled Persons ended, the U.N. chose to set aside a day every year to raise awareness.

Category - Kids

The Amazing Universe – December 2016

MOVIE REVIEWS – December 2016

MOVIE REVIEWS – December 2016

MOVIE REVIEWS – December 2016

Kidsville Kitchen – Truffles

Cultural Connections – December 2016

Conservation Corner – December 2016

Kidsville Connections – December 2016

COME OUT AND PLAY- SOCCER

AROUND THE WORLD – DECEMBER 2016

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