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Czech Horse Breeds

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Perissodactyla Family: Equidae Genus: Equus Species: E. ferus Subspecies: Caballus The relationship between horses and humans is a long one. It started around 30,000 years ago when humans most likely hunted horses for food. The relationship grew and changed into a partnership around 6,000 years ago. Scientists think that the first people to domesticate horses were the Botai who lived in the Eurasian Steppes. These tamed horses helped to shape human society. Domesticating horses spread across the world and they became a priceless part of human development. They were used for farm work, transportation, warfare and more. As the relationship grew over thousands of years, humans also started to influence the way horses developed. The animals were bred for specific uses. Larger and stronger horses could pull plows easier and smaller quicker horses were great for messengers. These distinctly different kinds of horses are called breeds. One of the oldest breeds in human history is the Kladruber. • It originated in what is now the Czech Republic. • It is almost 400 years old, bred in 1579 by Rudolf II. • The breed takes its name from the region in the Czech Republic that they come from, Kladbury nad Labem. • This breed was originally used by the rulers of the Hapsburg Empire to pull their royal carriages, but are also well built for riding. • It is a rare breed with less than 500 known mares in 2011. • They are either gray or black. • Average horses are measured as around 15 hands high (5ft). • Modern Kladrubers measure between 15 and 17 hands high, which is smaller than their original size. • The breed was almost destroyed by the Seven Years War and the other conflicts that affected the Czech Republic — like the World Wars. • They are known for being powerful and calm and for having great endurance. • In the Hapsburg Empire, black Kladrubers were used specifically for funerals or the clergy. • They were poplar among many royal families in Europe. • The United Nations recognizes the breed as a “World Cultural Monument.”

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Where in the World

The Czech Republic

• The Czech Republic is a landlocked country. • The highest point is Snezka at 5,256 feet high. • Prague is the capital city. • Prague is home to the largest ancient castle in the world called the Prague Castle. • The official language is Czech, but Slavic is considered a minority language. • Czech and Slavic are so similar that speakers of each language can usually understand each other. • The most popular sport is ice hockey. • There are more than 2,000 castles and castle ruins in the Czech Republic. • The Czech Republic is surrounded by mountains. • The Czech Republic makes a lot of its money from tourism. • Charles University in Prague is the oldest university in Eastern Europe. • It was founded in 1348. • The sugar cube was invented here in 1843. • The national flag is red, blue and white. • Czechs love mushroom hunting in local forests. • The currency is the Koruna. The Czech Republic is a small nation in central Europe. The Czech people have been part of many different nations since the land was first inhabited by Slavic tribes in the 10th century. After World War I, the Czechs and Slovaks came together in hopes of forming a more powerful nation: Czechoslovakia. The nation was occupied by Nazi Germany in World War II, but was liberated by Soviet and American forces in 1945. Eventually, the union between the Czechs and Slovaks dissolved into two different nations on Jan. 1, 1993. Czechoslovakia became the independent nations of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic has given the world some of the most amazing scientists, inventors and artists in all human history. One such scientist is Gregor Mendel the father of modern genetics. While many people identify him as Austrian, Mendel was actually born in 1822 in what is now the Czech Republic. He was a monk. While he lived in the monastery, he used pea plants to study heredity. This is how the parents’ DNA combines during reproduction to create the next generation of plants. His work was revolutionary and because of his efforts, scientists today can do amazing things with genetics and DNA. For example, they can use DNA to predict diseases or catch criminals.

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Weather

Stay Safe on Spring Break!

Cabin fever is a real thing. After a long winter, you want to get outside. You want to get rid of your jackets and mittens. You want to go to the beach! Every year, thousands of families head to the beach for spring break. It’s a time to relax with your toes in the sand! Soak up some rays! Have some fun in the sun! But don’t let the good times fool you. The beach is beautiful but also a little bit dangerous, if you’re not careful. Some of the dangers you can find at the beach include heat exhaustion, getting sunburnt and rip currents. What can you do to stay safe on spring break? 1. Only swim at beaches where a lifeguard is present. Lifeguards are there to keep you safe. Never go swimming without a lifeguard. This is the most important safety tip to remember when you go to the beach. 2. Break the grip of the rip! Rip currents are dangerous currents that can pull you out to sea. If caught in the grip of the rip, don’t panic. Try to swim parallel to the shoreline until you can escape the current’s pull. If you can’t reach shore, call or wave for help. Remember: Wave and yell … swim parallel! 3. Drink plenty of water at the beach. If you don’t drink enough water, you could get dehydrated and light-headed. 4. Wear sun protection. Too much time in the sun could lead to a painful sunburn. Make sure to wear sunscreen when at the beach. 5. Stay cool! Overdoing it in the heat and humidity can lead to heat exhaustion, which can make you dangerously sick. Take breaks from the sun in a cool, shaded location.

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Letter From Truman

April 2016 – Letter from Truman

Hi, Kids! Have you ever wondered what it is that makes you so special? Of course, there are many things that make each of us unique. One of them is our genetics. We are each made up of genes that determine what we look like as well as other things like whether or not we are likely to get certain diseases. Gregor Mendel is known as the father of modern genetics. It was his work in a monastery garden in the 1800s that laid the foundation for genetic study. Check out the “Connections” section to learn more about him. Kevin Bishop is a technician within the National Human Genome Research Institute. He is working to understand and cure diseases like cancer. In “What’s It Like to Be …” he talks about the specifics of his work and how genetics plays a role in it. I think it is great that scientists are studying to learn more about genes and how they work. I am happy with the genes I have. I hope you are, too!

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Kids

Saturn’s Rings: More than Meets the Eye

When Galileo Galilei first spotted Saturn in his telescope, he didn’t know what the shapes on either side of the planet were. He thought they might be two large moons. Today we know they’re beautiful rings. Saturn isn’t the only planet with rings. Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune have them too. But Saturn’s are the most visible and complex. Saturn’s rings are made mostly of pieces of water ice, with a little bit of dust and rocks. Some pieces are smaller than a grain of sand. Others are the size of a refrigerator. Saturn’s rings aren’t the same all over. There are brighter parts, darker parts and gaps in between them. Scientists have named the different parts of Saturn’s rings. They talk about the A ring, B ring, the Cassini Division between them, and the C ring. Scientists have been taking a closer look at Saturn’s B ring with data from NASA’s Cassini mission. This spacecraft took off in 1997 and has been exploring Saturn, its ring system, and its many moons. The B ring is the brightest and the most opaque (the least see-through) of Saturn’s rings. Until now, most people thought that the B ring was the densest — that it had the most ice and rock. This sounds like it makes sense based on our everyday experiences. If there’s more stuff in the ring, it’s harder to see though, and more light bounces off of it. This could explain why the B ring looks so thick and colorful. But new information shows this isn’t the whole picture. Scientists measured how much material was in the B ring at different spots. Where the B ring is brightest and where it’s not as bright, there’s the same amount of stuff. This is surprising. Why would they look different if they have the same amount of material? It means there is something else that determines how visible the rings are. It could be the sizes of the individual pieces in the rings. Scientists have lots of questions. Making measurements like these can teach us more about Saturn’s rings and how they came to be and how old the different rings are. Do you want to learn all about Saturn? Visit spaceplace.nasa.gov/all-about-saturn.

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Kidsville Kitchen

Power UP with a Protein-Packed Breadfast!

You may recognize the importance of protein as part of a healthy eating plan, but if you’re like most people, you may not realize that the time of day you consume your protein matters. According to the Institute of Medicine, 10 to 35 percent of total daily calories should come from protein. For a 2,000 calorie diet, this translates to about 50 to 175 grams per day. However, most Americans tend to eat most of their protein in the evening, leaving them without the appropriate fuel to feel energized in the morning. Distributing your protein throughout the day, starting with a power punch at breakfast, will energize your mornings, and you’ll feel fuller longer and be able to focus on tackling the day ahead. In addition to energy and focus, getting 25 to 30 grams of protein at each meal can help support bone health, maintain a healthy weight and build lean muscle. To jumpstart your morning with protein, pair a glass of milk with your favorite breakfast foods — like eggs — or mix milk into your favorite smoothie or overnight oats combination. Whether in a glass, cup or bowl, or mixed into a simple recipe, milk is an ideal way to get high-quality protein, along with eight other nutrients you need, like Calcium, vitamin D and potassium. For additional recipes and to learn more about the power of dairy protein, visit MidwestDairy.com. Power Up Muffin Cups Servings: 12 nonstick cooking spray 8 large eggs 1 3/4 cups plain 2 percent Greek yogurt 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1 1/2 cups frozen chopped broccoli, thawed 1 1/2 cups cubed whole-grain bread Heat oven to 375 F. Coat standard 12-cup nonstick muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. In large bowl, beat eggs and yogurt until thoroughly combined. Whisk in onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir in 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, all cheddar cheese, broccoli and bread; mix thoroughly. Let stand for 10 minutes. Stir thoroughly, then divide mixture evenly among prepared muffin cups. (Cups will be about two-thirds full.) Top evenly with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

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Movie Reviews for Kids by Kids

Eddie The Eagle

I was truly delighted to watch the new film, Eddie the Eagle because it is an astoundingly energizing and powerful film. I love to watch films based on true stories and this is an unquestionably good one. In this film, you will see the story of Michael “Eddie” Edwards, an Olympic British ski jumper and learn how his determination enabled him to participate in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. This movie tells the story of Eddie the Eagle (Taron Egerton) and shows the tough obstacles that Eddie overcame to achieve his dream of participating in the Olympics. I love how this movie doesn’t feel rushed. I love the casting. Taron Egerton looks identical to real Eddie and plays him with conviction. Hugh Jackman also gives a great performance. Jo Hartley, who plays Eddie’s mom, gives a stunning performance of a mother who supports her child’s dreams no matter what. The 80s soundtrack also plays an important role in the movie, since it is the type of music that was around when Eddie made his jump. This year is the 28th anniversary of when he made his ski jump in the 1988 Winter Olympics. The moral of this movie is never give up no matter what. We see individuals who don’t have faith in Eddie and think his fantasy of setting off to the Olympics is an exercise in senselessness that he would never be capable of achieving. We see how Eddie never gives up. He is persistent, even though people think he is crazy. Eddie never gives up on what he believes in and does his best. Throughout this movie you see Eddie overcome obstacles and he never gives up. This is definitely a good movie for kids to see, especially if they have been put down, taunted, bullied or told they can’t do something they love to do. They can benefit from seeing this film. I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to kids ages 5 to 18. I think adults will like this film as well. Those who like docudramas and family movies will particularly enjoy it.

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Cultural Connections

Cultural Connections – March 2016

While the history of man-made glass can be traced back to 3500 B.C., it wasn’t until about 1000 A.D. that the glass-making industry really started to take off. Today, the Czech Republic is well-known for its high-quality glass, but the history of glass making in this country goes back a long way. While there is evidence that the Celts that inhabited the area were making glass 2,000 years ago, it was during the 1200s that Czech glass became a leader in the industry. The natural resources in Ore, Jizera, the Lusatian Mountains, the Giant Mountains, the Forest Maintains and Moravia in the northern part of the country provided everything glass makers needed to thrive. There were plenty of trees to use as fuel for the furnaces. The ashes from the furnaces were mixed with chalk (limestone) and silica (sand and quartz) and melted to make glass. The Bohemians weren’t the only people making glass in Europe at this time, though. In Italy and Germany the glass-making industry was prospering, too. What made Czech glass special was the potash (ashes from the furnace) that they used. The Czechs discovered that by adding the ashes to the glass making process the glass was clearer than the glass made in other countries. This also made the glass more stable. That meant is was more durable so things like windows and goblets and vases would not break as easily as those made without potash. This made it more desirable. It was also used to make jewelry, ornaments and chandeliers. Today, the Czech Republic is still an industry leader when it comes to glass. It is common to see brightly colored glass and intricately carved items as well as hand painted glass and sculptural items from the Czech Republic.

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Cool Kind Kid

Cool Kind Kid – March 2016

As the kids came into class they were talking all at once. Ms. Gilmour stood there and waited. One by one, Tanner, Nicole, Stephen, Carmen, Rudy and Truman the Dragon noticed that Ms. Gilmour was watching them. Then they each dramatically greeted her with “Hello,” “How are you?” “It’s good to see you again” and other greetings. She greeted each in return. As the kids settled down, Ms. Gilmour asked what they were all talking about when they came in. They each took turns telling her about the response at their schools to the posters they did last time. Tanner shared, “When I took my poster to my class, the kids all wanted to add new things to it.” Nicole was excited when she said, “Kids in my class did that, too!” Rudy added, “Some of my friends made jokes and said things that a Cool Kind Kid wouldn’t do, but the other kids corrected them. That was cool.” Truman the Dragon was quiet for a while, and then said, “My teacher put the poster where we could all see it. During the day, if someone did or said something that a Cool Kind Kid wouldn’t do, he asked the class if that should be on the poster or not. That made the kids think about what they were saying or doing.” Ms. Gilmour looked around the class and asked what the kids thought that meant. Stephen said, “The teacher was using the poster list of who and what a Cool Kind Kid is to teach the difference between cool/kind and uncool/unkind behavior.” Everyone then high-fived Stephen. Carmen was waving her hand and asked Ms. Gilmour if she could share an idea. She said, “I think we could get more kids involved and make them more aware of how Cool Kind Kids act if we ask our art teachers to let us make more posters. We could make it a contest with each classroom adding new ways that Cool Kind Kids talk, act and think.” Ms. Gilmour agreed that was a great idea. All the kids said they would go back to their schools and present this idea. One thing Ms. Gilmour reminded them about was, “When you present your ideas to your art teachers, or classroom teachers, be sure that you tell them how excited kids were to get on board with this and offer their own ideas for the posters.” The kids all agreed that they could do that. Ms. Gilmour then said, “Here’s an idea for the next time we meet. The posters are about what Cool Kind Kids say, do and think. Let’s add the Challenge in. We’ll take all the content on the posters, what you have added at your schools, and think about how to make Cool Kind Kid Challenges out of them. For example, ‘I’m a Cool Kind Kid, so I’m tough enough to not be mean or rude to others.’” Everyone thought that was a great idea. Note to Parents From Ms. Gilmour: In response to parent focus groups, Cool Kind Kid® has just introduced new products to help parents (and educators) provide the social skills tools necessary for their children (or students) to reject bullying. These include three books, flash and game cards, a Bullying Prevention Resource Kit and more. All can be found at www.CoolKindKid.com.

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Kids

Stormwater Causes Pollution In Our Cities

Though urban areas may not be in close proximity to beaches, lakes or streams, stormwater from such areas is one of the primary ways that pollutants are delivered to major bodies of water. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, high stormwater flow can send untreated sewage into our waters, including our oceans. Stormwater from urban areas also may be responsible for delivering heavy metals, pathogens (bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms that can cause disease) and sediment into our waters. That’s why it’s important not to put waste or chemicals in storm drains. Eco-friendly infrastructure can reduce and treat stormwater at its source, preventing many of the environmental problems associated with stormwater runoff.

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