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Wildville

Camel

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bo vidae Genus: Camelus Species: C. drome dar ies, bactrianus, ferus Camels are amazing animals that live in the deserts of North Africa, some of Asia and the Middle East. These animals are especially designed for desert life. Due to these amazing adaptations, humans have been using camels for transport for thousands years. In fact, one of their nicknames is “the ship of the desert.” There are two species of camels. They are similar in most aspects. The major difference is that the Arabian or dromedary camel has only one hump and lives in the Middle East and North Africa. The Bactrian camel has two humps and comes from Asia. Some of the most amazing adaptations camels have are how they protect themselves from the sand. To protect their eyes, they have very long eyelashes and bushy eyebrows. Camels can also close their nostrils to protect against wind and sand. The slotted shape of their nostrils also helps them lessen the amount of water they lose from breathing. Their ability to survive in one of the harshest climates in the world is incredible. They are also known as being gentle and patient animals. It is no wonder they have been helping humans for so many years. Here are some interesting facts about camels: • Camels can travel 100 miles in the desert without water. • Camels can drink 30 gallons of water in 13 minutes. • Their extremely long eyelashes help to keep sand from their eyes. • They can travel 25 miles a day with heavy loads. • From their shoulders, camels are about 6 feet tall. • Camels are herbivores; they eat plants. • Wide foot pads help them travel in deep sand. • Camels are used for transport, meat, milk, fur and leather. • Camels’ blood cells are ovals instead of circles. This helps prevent clumping in dehydration. • Camels have split lips to help them grab on to the desert foliage when they graze. • They also have tough lips so they can eat thorny desert plants. • The humps store fat that camels break down into energy and water. *To defend themselves, camels “spit” a green badsmelling liquid from their stomachs.* YUCK!

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Where in the World

Iraq

Iraq is a 168,754-square-mile country located in the Middle East. It is surrounded by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria and Turkey. People have been thriving in this region for thousands of years, which is why Iraq is nicknamed “the cradle of civilization.” The Sumerians were the first people to create civilizations in Iraq around 3000 B.C. After the Sumerians, Iraq was ruled by many different people, including the Babylonians, the Persians, the Arabs, the Ottomans and the British. Iraq finally became independent in 1932. Each group of ruling people left its mark on the history and culture of Iraq, so this long history makes for a rich and varied culture among the people. For centuries and through many different rulers, Iraq was the center of wealth, knowledge and commerce in empires. Some of the most important inventions in human history have come from Iraq. The Sumerians created the first forms of writing called cuneiform, which is created by pressing sticks into clay tablets. The Sumerian king Hammurabi is also recorded as creating the very first system of laws. The invention of the wheel and measuring the day in two sets of 12 hours are also thought to have come from Iraq. Here are some facts about Iraq • 40 percent of Iraq is desert. • 30 percent is mountain range. • The two major mountain ranges in Iraq are the Taurus and the Zagros. • The two major rivers that most people live near are the Tigris and the Euphrates. • It used to be known as Mesopotamia. • Most of the country is Muslim. • Baghdad is the capital and home to 6 million people. • It is traditional to eat with one’s right hand. • The national dish is Masgouf or impaled fish. • The national cookie is Kleicha, which means circle or wheel. • Iraq has never competed in the winter Olympics. • Soccer is a popular sport in Iraq. • One of the major exports is the fruit date. • The first written story, the “Epic of Gilgamesh,” is about a king trying to save an Iraqi city. • The official name is the Republic of Iraq. • The national bird is the chucker partridge. • Iraq’s currency is the dinar.

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Weather

It’s A Snow Day

Did you ever wonder how much snow it takes to close your school for the day? Many people hope schools close for a “snow day” so that they can stay home and play with friends! In the winter months, the most common reason schools close is because of snow or ice storms. There is no set amount of snow that will definitely close schools. The reason schools close is to ensure the safety of the students, teachers and people that work at the school. A major concern is that the roads and sidewalks are safe to travel for school buses, cars and walkers. Some parts of the United State are more equipped to handle snow or ice than others. In some areas, as little as an inch of snow could close a school, while in other areas it could take a foot or more to cancel school. Another important factor is the time when the snow occurs. If it snows overnight but ends before the morning (when everyone is travelling to work or school), then it’s possible that the roads can be cleared and safe for travel before school opens. Other times of the year, schools may close due to the threat of tornadoes or flooding. Who decides to close a school? The superintendent of your school district or county is the person that manages your school and decides whether school will be open or closed. In many cases, the superintendent talks with other public officials in the community to decide if it is safe to have school. In particular, the superintendent may talk with public works officials or road supervisors who may be out driving the local roads very early in the morning to see if they are safe. In most instances, the decision on whether school will be open is normally made during the evening hours of the night before or during the early morning hours of the day. If the decision is made to close a school, then everyone needs to be notified. The school district uses many different ways to notify families and staff of a school closure. Information on the school closing is usually posted on the school’s website. Local radio and television stations are informed so they can get the information out to the public. In some cases, the school may use a “robocall” system to notify the local television stations and the families of students. The robocall system is a computerized auto dialer, text and email system that delivers a pre-recorded message as if it were from a robot. Just remember, snow days typically need to be made up later on in the school year. What do you plan to do on your next snow day: Sled, build a snowman, play games or watch shows? Enjoy the snow days when they happen! Nikki Becker is the Observation Program Leader at the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine.

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Letter From Truman

Jan 2015 – Letter from Truman

Hi, Kids! Have you ever noticed that there are a lot of rules that kids have to follow every day? Well, grown-ups have rules they have to follow, too. This month, we are looking at Hammurabi’s Code – it’s an ancient system of rules and laws. Check it out in the “Connections” section. Hammurabi lived in Mesopotamia, which includes modern-day Iraqi. You can find out more about Iraq in “Where in the World.” “What’s It Like to Be” features Iraqi architecture and what it is like to study some of the ancient ruins there. Camels live in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East. Find out why they have humps in “Wildville.” Did you know that some camels have two humps while others only have one? You can find out more about that in “Wildville,” too.

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Kids

A Bright and Stormy Night

Alex H. Kasprak National Aeronautics and Space Administration You might think Uranus looks boring compared to the swirling surface of Jupiter and the mighty rings of Saturn. You wouldn’t be alone! It has a hazy and dull bluish color. It’s dim. It’s hard to see, small even in a telescope. It’s kind of…boring. But lately something exciting is happening there — huge storms! These large storms with dramatic bright patches have been popping up so clearly that even amateur astronomers are taking note. The storms excite professional astronomers, too. But this wild weather also confuses them. That’s because they don’t know why so many storms would be popping up now. They expected Uranus’s stormiest days to be back in 2007. The sun would have been shining right on its equator then. All the heat from the sun would have made the gases in its atmosphere circulate faster and cause storms. But not much happened in 2007. And now all those storms are occurring on a part of the planet where the sun’s warming is weakest. Scientists don’t know about any other source of heat. If not the sun, what could be causing all the excitement? Nobody has a clue! According to one Uranus weather expert named Heidi Hammel, “Why we see these incredible storms now is beyond anybody’s guess.” Perhaps Uranus hasn’t received the attention it deserves. That’s too bad. It’s likely that the more people look at this “boring” planet, the more it may surprise, confuse and excite us. Why did it take so long to discover Uranus in the first place? Check out NASA’s Space Place to learn the answer! http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/uranus.

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Movie Reviews for Kids by Kids

Hunger Games: Mockingjay

A Sure Hit With Teens and Tweens. The latest installment of The Hunger Games trilogy, based on the best-selling books by Suzanne Collins, was released to an eager youth adult crowd. With the Games now destroyed and in pieces, Katniss Everdeen, along with Gale, Finnick and Beetee, now end up in the so-thought “destroyed” District 13. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her friends, Katniss becomes the “Mockingjay” and the symbol of rebellion for the people. KIDS FIRST! Critics Brianna B. comments, “I completely love this film and the overall production. It’s intense and has such a grand feel to it. With scene after scene, it gets bigger and bigger, and you see just how powerful one voice can be.” See her full review below. Watch here http://youtu.be/T-bE_40fOcg. This epic story continues with Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), who both play a big part in the lives of District 13’ers, each in his or her own way. They want to unite and save an entire nation. In order to do this, they need the help of their friends and new alliances. I completely love this film and the overall production. It’s intense and has such a grand feel to it. With scene after scene, it gets bigger and bigger, and you see just how powerful one voice can be. The aerial shots, emotions, excitement and anticipation of what’s happening next basically keep your eyes glued to the screen. I’ve read all the books, and this adaption is very true to the original stories. Jennifer Lawrence’s performance is incredible. She becomes her character completely, with a range of emotions –– anger, doubt, disbelief and feeling sorry. She is so convincing. My favorite character is Peeta. Although he is not on screen as much as the other characters, he plays a big part in the film. Peeta is what drives Katniss throughout the film as she struggles to get to him. Almost everything she does is a result of her wanting to save Peeta. I also like Peeta because, every time he is on screen, he seems to change and intensify the situation. My favorite scene is when Katniss sees Peeta for the very first time. She is shocked and, at the same time, grateful that he is alive. It is nice to see all of the questions that go though her mind through her own eyes. Katniss’ eyes reveal how she feels about Peeta. I recommend this film for ages 13 to 18, and I give it 4 out of 5 stars. It is a little slow in the beginning, but I understand why. They have to bring you up to speed with what happened in the previous film. I cannot wait to see Part Two!

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Kidsville Kitchen

Easy Tips for a Healthy School Year

Another school year is underway and with it comes homework, play dates, team sports and more, which can make the task of feeding your kids healthy snacks a daunting one. Fortunately, there are several ways parents can make snack time easier and more nutritious. Healthy, convenient and naturally sweet options, such as California raisins, are a great solution for snack time throughout the school year. “California raisins are an all-natural, dried-by-the-sun fruit parents can feel good about giving their kids,” says Larry Blagg, senior vice president of marketing for the California Raisin Marketing Board. “The ingredient list says it all – raisins.” Because they are 100-percent fruit with no added sugar, raisins contain zero empty calories, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food-a-Pedia website. In fact, a recent study presented at the Canadian Nutrition Society found that children who eat raisins as an after-school snack may prevent excessive calorie intake and may increase satiety (or feeling full) when compared to other common snacks. For naturally sweet and satisfying ways to avoid falling into a snacking rut, follow these simple tips: 1.) Don’t leave snacking to chance. Avoid unhealthy snacks by preparing nutritious options ahead of time. Try a no-fuss option like a hearty trail or snack mix and add California raisins for sweetness without the sugar. 2.) Make grab-and-go snacks. Make snacks that are portable. On busy days, having go-to snacks that travel well in backpacks, lunch boxes, your purse or car will save time and satisfy hungry tummies. 3.) Involve the kids. Create healthy habits by involving kids in snack preparation. When kids are engaged in creating their own snacks, parents can make valuable connections between food choices and nutrition. Choose fun and simple recipes kids can make on their own or with little help. 4.) Don’t forget the fun. Remind kids that snacking healthy can be creative and fun. Introduce them to the rainbow of colors, shapes and tastes included in a healthy diet. 5.) Remind kids: healthy is tasty. It really is possible to make healthy snacks kids won’t trade at recess. Prepare wholesome snacks, like this chewy and delicious Honey Nut Raisin Snack Mix, made with naturally sweet California raisins. For more information about California raisins and more great recipes, please visit www.loveyourraisins.com and sign up for a California Raisins snack pack on the California raisins Facebook page at facebook.com/californiaraisins. Honey Nut Raisin Snack Mix Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes Cool time: 30 minutes Servings: 6 cups 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup honey 2 tablespoons almond butter 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 1/2 cups brown crispy rice cereal 1 cup sliced almonds 1 cup rolled gluten-free oats 2 cups California raisins 1/2 cup California golden raisins Line large baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Add honey, almond butter and cinnamon and bring to full boil. Let boil for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in cereal, almonds and oats. Spread 1-inch thick on baking sheet and then separate into 1-inch clusters. Let cool completely; then sprinkle in raisins. Store in an airtight container. Note: For crunchy clusters, spread cooked mixture 1-inch thick on a prepared baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned. Stir to form clusters and let cool completely. Sprinkle in raisins.

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Kidsville Connections

Hammurabi’s Code

Mesopotamia is sometimes referred to the birthplace of civilization. The earliest cities and civilizations developed there more than 6,000 years ago. There are many reasons it is called the birthplace of civilization: the first cities grew up there, they developed the earliest forms of writing and the first real rules and laws for the way a group operates were established. The Hammurabi Code was put into place by King Hammurabi, who ruled from 1792 to 1750 B.C. The code includes 282 laws and standards. These rules covered everything from the way people conducted business to punishments for people who broke the law. The code was inscribed onto a finger-shaped black stone pillar, which was a four-ton slab of diorite. At its top is a two-and-a-half-foot carving of Hammurabi getting a measuring rod and tape from the the Babylonian god of justice. The measuring rod and tape represent the law. The stone was stolen by invaders and was rediscovered in Iran in 1901 by Jacques de Morgan, a French mining engineer, who led an archeological dig. CODE noun \ kōd\ 1: a systematic statement of a body of law; especially: one given statutory force 2: a system of principles or rules 8 Things You May NOT Know About Hammurabi’s Code • It’s not the earliest known code of laws. • The Code included many bizarre and gruesome forms of punishment. • The laws varied according to social class and gender. • The Code established a minimum wage for workers. • The Code includes one of the earliest examples of the presumption of innocence. • Historians are still unsure of the role the Code played in Babylonian culture. • The Code endured even after Babylon was conquered. • The laws weren’t rediscovered until the 20th century. Did you know? Hammurabi’s Code includes many harsh punishments, sometimes demanding the removal of the guilty party’s tongue, hands, eye or ear. But the code is also one of the earliest examples of the idea of the accused being considered innocent until proven guilty. Here are some examples of the rules: If a man steals an ox, he must pay back 30 times its value. A doctor’s fee for curing a severe wound would be 10 silver shekels for a gentleman, five shekels for a freedman and two shekels for a slave. A doctor who killed a rich patient would have his hands cut off, while only financial restitution was required if the victim was a slave.

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Cultural Connections

Cultural Connections – January 2015

Iraq is located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and includes land that is known as Mesopotamia, or the cradle of civilization. Some archaeologists believe this is where the biblical Garden of Eden was located. Mesopotamia was home to the first cobblestone streets and city buildings – even before ancient Greece, Egypt and the Roman Empire. Since this is where many archaeologists believe civilization began, it is full of archaeological artifacts and treasures. The Sumerians are thought to be the first group of people to make buildings other than barns and houses around 3500 B.C. Most of these buildings were made of mud-brick made from clay because there is not a lot of stone in the area. Early architects did not know how to make big hollow buildings that would stand up (like a sky scraper) so they built solid structures. Egyptian pyramids are an example of this, and so are the ziggurats that the Sumerians built. Ziggurat comes from the Assyrian word ziqquratu, which means high. Ziggurats are basically big mudbrick staircases that would take people to the top of a brick platform where there would be a small brick house. Each city would build its own ziggurat. The townspeople used them as temples for their gods. It was also a way to show how powerful the town was. The bigger the ziggurat, the more prestige the town had. The Sumerians knew how to build walls, too. They built walls around their towns using the same mudbricks as they did to build ziggurats to protect them from enemies. They also built palaces, but they didn’t look like the palaces we think of today. Sumerian palaces were built as a place for kings and their families to live, but also as a place to store wheat and cloth and even taxes that the king collected from his people. For more information visit: http://architecture.about.com/cs/countriescultures/a/iraq.htm, www.historyforkids.org/learn/westasia/architecture/sumerian.htm and www.crystalinks.com/sumerart.html.

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Kids

New Year – New Effort to Stop Bullying

When the kids came into class after school today, they were happy to see each other. Ms. Gilmour greeted each and asked them how they enjoyed their holiday vacation. Tanner was first to speak. “I had a great time with visiting family. We did a lot of fun things together.” Carmen added, “I had so many relatives around, I couldn’t remember who was who.” All the kids laughed at that. Rudy shared, “I had to share my holiday with my dad and his new family, and my mom’s. It was weird.” Nicole added, “We went away for a holiday trip to where it was warm. It was a lot of fun.” Stephen then added, “My family did some things in the community to help those in need. At first I didn’t want to do that, but after I did, it made me feel good, and I knew it was the cool, kind thing to do.” The kids cheered for Stephen. Everyone looked at Truman the Dragon to see what he was going to share. He stood up to his full height, breathed fire out of his nostrils and said, “We had a family reunion. Dragon relatives came from all over the country. We had big dragons, small dragons, baby dragons and grandma and grandpa dragons. It was way too many dragons for me. We had fun, but I was glad when they all went home.” The kids started asking Truman questions about his dragon family. Ms. Gilmour stopped them and said they could talk to Truman about his “Dragon Reunion” after class. She then asked the question, “We’ve been talking quite a lot lately about bullying and how to prevent it. Since this is a new year, what are some ways you can think of to stop bullying before it starts?” Nicole was first to answer. “Encourage kids to be both kind and cool.” Tanner jumped in with, “Talk to kids about The Golden Rule — ‘Treat others the way you want to be treated.’” Rudy added, “And show kids the difference between the real Golden Rule, and the one too many people are living by, ‘Treat others the way they treat you.’” Ms. Gilmour responded, “Those are all great ideas.” Carmen was waving her hand. “I think we should try to be on our best behavior all the time, wherever we go.” Rudy added, “We should look our best at all times, too. That will help us be more confident.” Everyone agreed that was a good one. Truman spoke up next. “We have talked a lot about the ‘Cool Kind Kid Challenge.’ That will help kids learn that it’s ‘cool to be kind’ and that we need to be ‘tough enough to be kind, too.’” Ms. Gilmour looked around the class and said, “You have all remembered what we have been learning here. Now, I have a challenge for you. Are you cool enough to share these tips with your friends?” Every hand went up as the kids yelled, “Yes!” Note to Parents from Ms. Gilmour: Bullying is the #2 epidemic in the US. In addition to these Cool Kind Kid articles, we endeavor to provide up-to-date research, articles, and other news on this topic on our Facebook page. For your kids, we post Tanner’s Tuesday Tips on Tuesdays, and Cool Kind Kid Challenger Tips on Thursdays. Our newest feature is Tips from Oliver on Fridays. We also post Shocking Sunday Stats to keep this issue in the forefront of people’s minds. We’d love to post stories and photos of your kids being Cool Kind Kids, and hear about how you have successfully dealt with bullying. Go to http://www.facebook.com/coolkindkid. To send photos and stories, and give your permission to post, go to info@coolkindkid.com.

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