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Back to School: Five Weather Tips to Stay Safe!

Fall is here — it’s time to go back to school! While it’s great to see your friends again, fall is full of weather hazards, including floods, heat, lightning and tornadoes. Don’t let bad weather catch you unprepared. Make sure that you’re ready for the weather before you leave home. Remember these five weather tips to stay safe. Don’t let the weather ruin your day. Be prepared for it! Doing so will keep you and your friends and family safe. Make sure that they know these five tips, too. Want to learn more about the weather? Visit weather.gov/owlie to discover more great weather science and safety information from Owlie Skywarn, the official mascot of the National Weather Service. You can also become a Young Meteorologist, print out Flat Owlie and read Owlie’s journal! Heat: Beat the Heat! It can be hot when the school year starts! When it gets hot, slow down. Drink plenty of water. Stay out of the sun until it cools off. Be smart and beat the heat. Know Before You Go Don’t get caught at the bus stop without an umbrella! Start your morning by checking your local forecast at weather.gov. It will tell you how hot or cold it will be, whether it will rain and other important information. You can check weather.gov on a computer, iPad or even a mobile phone. Know before you go! Tornado: Take Shelter! A tornado watch means that tornadoes are possible. A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted — seek shelter in a sturdy building immediately! Make sure that you know where the tornado shelter is in your school. And always follow your teacher’s instructions when it comes time to find shelter. Floods: Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Flooded rivers and roads covered by water are dangerous. Even vehicles as large as a school bus can be swept away in as little as two feet of water. Do not attempt to cross. Turn around, don’t drown! There is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area. If you hear thunder, you are in danger! Whether you’re on the playground or playing an after-school sport, go indoors immediately when you hear thunder or see lightning! When thunder roars, go indoors!

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Letter From Truman

September 2015 – Letter from Truman

Hi, Kids! Did you know that even as the earth circles the sun, the ground under your feet is moving, too? It’s called continent drift! The movement is super slow and in very small distances but it’s happening all the time – and it’s because of Earth’s tectonic plates. You can read more about how those work in the “Connections” section. There are actually scientists that study the movement of the earth’s surface and how it changes over time. They are called geodesists. I was lucky enough to talk to one this month! Check out my interview with Dr. Theresa Damiani in the “What’s It Like to Be…” section to learn more. There are so many amazing things about Earth that it is hard to imagine all the wonderful systems that work together to keep this great planet functioning. What is your favorite cool fact about Earth?

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Space Place

Hello, Pluto!

By Katie McKissick National Aeronautics and Space Administration It’s over three billion miles away from Earth. We’ve only known about it since 1930. Pluto is an icy rock about a fifth the size of Earth. We called it a planet until 2006, but now we say it’s a dwarf planet. Scientists decided that it’s not a planet like Venus or Jupiter because it’s just one of many objects in the Kuiper Belt. That’s a ring of icy rocks on the edge of our solar system. But just because it’s not quite a planet like Venus and Jupiter, that doesn’t mean we don’t want to learn more about it. It’s so far away that it’s hard to see with even the most powerful telescopes. To get a better look, we sent a small spacecraft named New Horizons to visit Pluto. It left Earth on January 19, 2006. New Horizons is the fastest spacecraft ever launched. It left Earth travelling 31,000 miles per hour. That’s really fast. But because Pluto is so far away, it still took nine and half years to make it there. It flew right by Pluto on July 14, 2015. For 22 hours, it took lots of pictures and measurements of this icy world. While it collected information, we couldn’t talk to the spacecraft. New Horizons has a radio antenna, cameras and other tools. It uses the antenna to send messages to Earth. But New Horizons couldn’t point its cameras at Pluto and keep its antenna pointed toward Earth. This meant it couldn’t photograph Pluto and send messages to Earth at the same time. Scientists chose to get as many pictures of Pluto as possible, even if that meant we couldn’t get messages from New Horizons for a while. After the flyby, the mission team reconnected with the New Horizons spacecraft. They wanted to make sure everything went as planned. New Horizons sent a message to Earth saying it was OK. Because the spacecraft was so far away, the message took 4 hours and 25 minutes to reach us. When we heard from New Horizons on July 14, it was just past 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Everyone was overjoyed. We sent a probe to Pluto, we took pictures and the spacecraft worked just right. For months to come, New Horizons will keep sending back the information it collected near Pluto. It takes a long time to get data from so far away. We’ll learn about Pluto’s surface, temperature, atmosphere and moons—especially its largest moon, Charon. That’s not bad for a spacecraft the size of a baby grand piano!

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Movie Reviews for Kids by Kids

Ant-Man

From Marvel comes the newest superhero thriller, Ant-Man with a mixture of comedy and action that brings pleasure for people of all ages. The film is about a scientist, Dr. Hank Pym, played by Michael Douglas, who gets forced out of his own company and left searching for someone to bravely take on the missions he requests. With his invention of a super suit which provides superpowers, shrinking abilities and the control of an army of ants, Pym finds his talent, Scott Lang, to be the one and only “Ant-Man.” Seeking redemption for his past criminal behavior, Scott accepts the challenge to save the world and fight off enemy scientist Darren Cross from using his similar suit for evil. Things take a turn when the world is not the only thing that needs saving. The film’s many wonderful aspects start with the amazing performances from actors including Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas and Corey Stoll. I always know an acting performance from an antagonist is amazing when I actually believe the person is evil in real life. The acting job from Corey Stoll proves to be great when I find it hard to believe that he can be nice in real life. With his past experience in many comedic films, Paul Rudd easily and naturally portrays the witty character Scott without seeming fake or cheesy. The movie is uplifting and funny in so many ways. The movie throws out jokes about other Marvel characters and icons, which are surprising and hilarious. The film is authentically different in style from the typical superhero or even Marvel film. The film does include lots of violence and scenes with foul language which is why I’d definitely say the film is for people 13 years of age and older. Furthermore, I would recommend the film to people of ages 13 to 18. Adults will enjoy this as well. The film guarantees laughter and entertainment to people of all interests, including those who are not fans of Marvel or superhero movies. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars. Video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxfi0yhPir0

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Kidsville Kitchen

Tips for creating healthy, homemade meals

The start of a new school year means less time to think about dinner. The good news is, with just a little advance planning and these three easy tips, in no time you’ll be whipping up wholesome meals your family will love. Stock Your Pantry Add canned fruits, vegetables, proteins and soups to your back-to-school shopping list. Like home canning, cans seal in foods’ natural goodness and nutrition, making hearty, homemade meals simple and delicious. Get Creative For a healthy, home-cooked dinner, all you need is a can opener, a strainer and some imagination. Canned crushed tomatoes, sliced carrots and chopped spinach create a savory vegetable lasagna worthy of seconds, and canned chicken with white beans, hominy and chicken broth combine for a white chicken chili that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Involve Kids in Meal Prep Moms face a number of challenges when trying to get their kids to eat more fruit and vegetables. According to a recent study conducted by Cans Get You Cooking, canned foods help a majority of moms (76 percent) get fruits and vegetables on the table, and into kids’ diets. Another way to encourage kids to eat healthy meals is to include them in meal preparation, which also teaches skills like measuring, counting and following directions. For more nutritious and flavorful recipes for back-to-school, visit www.Cans-GetYouCooking.com. Vegetable Lasagna Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 40 minutes Servings: 12 1 28-ounce cn crushed tomatoes 1 large garlic clove, crushed 1 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese 1 large egg 12 no-boil lasagna noodles 1 14.5-ounce can sliced carrots, well drained 1 13.5-ounce can chopped spinach, well drained 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese – In 2-quart saucepan over high heat, heat tomatoes, garlic, basil, salt and pepper. – Heat to boiling; reduce to low and simmer uncovered 10 minutes to blend flavors. – Heat oven to 375°F. Grease 12-by-8-inch baking dish. – In medium bowl combine ricotta cheese and egg until well mixed. – Spoon tomato sauce on bottom of dish to coat. – Place 3 uncooked noodles lengthwise across the pan. – Top with 1/3 of tomato sauce. – With spatula, spread 1/3 of ricotta mixture. – Scatter 1/3 of carrots and spinach on ricotta and 1/3 of mozzarella cheese. – Repeat with uncooked noodles, tomato sauce, ricotta, vegetables and mozzarella two more times. – Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. – Cover dish with foil; bake 30 minutes. – Uncover dish; bake 10 minutes longer. – Let cool before cutting.

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Cultural Connections

Ragnar Axelsson

Born in Iceland in 1958, Ragnar Axelsson started his photography career at a young age. When he was 16, he started training in a photographer’s atelier (studio) and by the time he was 18, Axelsson was a staff photographer for the Icelandic newspaper Morgunblaðið. Axelsson’s photos focus mostly on the people of the Arctic region. He showcases the lives of hunters, fishermen and farmers in places like Northern Canada, Greenland, Siberia and Scandinavia. One of the reasons he is so diligent in recording the lives of the native peoples of the Arctic is because Axelsson believes that the traditional cultures and ways of life for the Arctic people are disappearing. Axelsson’s most famous works include Faces of the North, which is from 2004. This exhibit, which is also a book, takes a look at the lives of people who live in the remote northern regions of the world. The Last Days of the Arctic is from 2010. This work is more about climate change and how it affects the hunters in Greenland and Canada. His 2013 exhibit Behind the Mountains is a series of 100 photos that were taken over a 25-year period. It shines a spotlight on the local farmers and his relationship with them over time. One of the highlights of this exhibit is the focus on the farmers’ annual sheep round up in the Icelandic highlands.  

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Cool Kind Kid

Back to school cool!

It was the first day of class of the new school year, and Ms. Gilmour was as excited to greet the kids as they were to see her. Everyone wanted to tell her about their summer vacation. Tanner shared first. “I went with my family to a dude ranch. We had a great time riding horses and learning how to take care of them. We had barbecues and bonfires at night. It was cool.” Nicole added, “I ride my horse every day. I know how much work it is to take care of a horse. I had several horse shows over the summer, so my family did that with me. It’s fun to travel together.” Carmen then shared, “I had fun at soccer camp with my friends.” Rudy and Stephen also went to sports camp where they had a lot of fun as well. Truman the Dragon then added, “I traveled across the country in a camper with my family. We saw lots of interesting things, and had a great time together.” Ms. Gilmour shared that she had gone to London for a visit. She then said, “It sounds like you all had fun this summer. Now how can we make summer fun continue into the start of school?” Everyone groaned and made sad faces. Many said they didn’t think school could ever be as much fun as summer. Ms. Gilmour then asked the kids, “How can we make school a fun, cool place to go to every day?” Nicole was first to answer, “We have to get kids to be nicer to one another. In the summer, everyone seems to get along better.” Stephen added, “I think Nicole is right. I don’t see as many kids fighting or teasing others in summer sports.” Truman then said, “Why is that? I see that, too. Summer sports seem to be for fun, but school sports are often harder. Too many kids are hurting each other just to get a goal or steal a base.” Tanner then spoke up and said, “I think we need to be more accepting of others at school. In the summer we all seem to get along on the playground, or wherever we are.” Carmen agreed with Tanner, “In the summer, we try more to look past differences and see everyone as equals.” Truman added, “That’s right. We all need to act like Cool Kind Kids whether in school or having summer fun.” All the kids agreed. Ms. Gilmour then asked the kids, “What challenges are needed to make school a fun, cool place?” Nicole said, “We need to feel safe at school; so no bullying.” “So I think the first challenge is ‘To be tough enough to stand up for a friend who is being bullied’.” Tanner said, “I know a good challenge, “Be tough enough to tell a friend who is bullying that he isn’t going to have many friends.” Carmen added, “Be cool enough to be kind to everyone.” Class ended, and everyone said, “Goodbye.”

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Conservation Corner

How to keep water clean

For many people, getting fresh water is as easy as turning on the faucet but that doesn’t mean it is okay to take fresh water for granted. There are many ways to help keep sources of fresh water clean. Keeping water clean helps keep wildlife safe and healthy – and people, too! Water naturally collects in places like lakes and rivers. This water eventually makes its way to homes and businesses where people use it for things like cooking, cleaning and drinking. While it is in these lakes and rivers animals and plants use the water, too. Believe it or not, a lot of the things we do on land affect these water sources. Littering and pouring oils and other chemicals and pollutants into drains are just some of the things that can harm drinking water and damage living conditions for animals that rely on it. Litter can get swept into storm drains or into bodies of water and pollute the it. This also harms wildlife including fish, birds and other small animals. Pouring oils and other chemicals into drains changes the chemistry of the water making it unsafe for wildlife to drink it or live in it, as well.

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Kidsville Connections

Tectonics

tec·ton·ics noun: tekˈtäniks/ large-scale processes affecting the structure of the earth’s crust. Did you know there are plates on the surface of the earth? Not plates like your mom serves dinner on, but plates that are actually like skin wrapped around the world. The study of these plates is called tectonics. There are eight major plates on the surface of the earth and whole bunch of minor plates, as well. You would think the plates would stand still, right? But they don’t. The plates are constantly moving — but don’t worry, they aren’t moving that fast. In fact, they are only moving centimeters each year. You could grow very old waiting for them to make a complete circle of the earth. But if you wanted to see the movement, you could catch a glimpse if you were ever in an earthquake! The plates are the top layer of Earth. That layer is called the lithosphere. The layer beneath the lithosphere is the asthenosphere, which is made up of flowing molten rock. It is very hot there. The plates float on top of the molten rock, kind of like ice floats in your glass. When the plates move, it is called continental drift. Have you ever looked at a flat map of the world and thought, “Maybe those continents could fit together like a puzzle?” If so, you aren’t the only one. Scientists noticed that the continents looked like they could fit together, so they cut up a map, moved the continents close together and came up with a huge piece of land, or a super continent, called Pangaea. They also looked at fossils, which are remnants of long-dead animals and plants, on different continents. Believe it or not, they found that fossils in Australia were a lot like the ones in Southern Asia. They also found that rock formations on the West Coast of Africa are very similar to those on the East Coast of South America!! Imagine if the continents drifted back together. Your next door neighbor could be someone in Europe or maybe even Africa!!!

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Kids

Come Out and Play – Cowboys and Indians

Life in Iceland is traditionally quite challenging and there is a very small population. There are larger cities now, but traditionally the lives of Icelandic people revolved around farming. The large island is located far north in the Atlantic Ocean so it has short summers and harsh winters. This makes it important to be as efficient with food as possible. Icelanders must make what they grow during the short summer last all winter long. Out of necessity, Icelandic people would eat every bit of the animals that they raised and sheep heads became a delicacy. It then became common for families to save the sheep’s jawbone. Children would use the jawbone to play a game similar to “Cowboys and Indians.” • This is similar to the American game. • This game became popular in Iceland around the 1940s. • The jawbone is used as the prop gun when playing. • To play cowboys and Indians you need two even groups of children. • One group plays the cowboys; one group plays the Indians, you can even dress up to represent each side. • The game should be played outside somewhere — like a park or backyard. • One team defends a landmark and the other team attacks. • Both teams use their fingers and “shoot” at each other by pointing and saying bang. • If you are “shot” you are out. • The goal is to stay hidden and avoid being shot by using things like bushes as cover. • The team that still has members in the game at the end wins. • The groups then switch who is attacking and who is defending. • The more dramatic the better. • Be sure to have adult supervision! This game is all about imagination. It can use as little or as much equipment, props or costumes as you would like. This game can take place anywhere, a Native American village, a wagon train, a ranch full of cattle. The story is completely up to you! The more effort and imagination that is put into the game he more fun it will be!

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