Kids Archives - Page 57 of 62

A Glimpse Into the Past

Alex H. Kasprak National Aeronautics and Space Administration Science would be a lot easier with a time machine, wouldn’t it? Scientists are always asking questions about how things in the past led to the universe we know today. Take the formation of our solar system 4.6 billion years ago. We’ve got a pretty good idea of how it happened, but wouldn’t it be great if we could see actual snapshots of the entire process? We can actually get pretty close to doing that, it turns out. A group of astronomers recently went back and looked at some old photos taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. They wanted to see if a new way of looking at the photos would allow them to observe other stars in the early stages of forming a solar system. What these astronomers were looking for were hazy, dusty disks of debris surrounding young stars. That’s because we are pretty sure that our solar system formed from a dusty cloud that turned into a star. The material left over would have collected into a massive disk with gas, dust and larger bits of space junk colliding and growing in size as they orbited around the star. Eventually, we think, these clumps would have formed into the planets, moons, asteroids and comets we know today. It’s pretty hard to see dust or even a planet elsewhere in the galaxy. We’ve seen them before, but it would be great to be able to go back and use old data to try and find more of them. These scientists decided to take a look at how light scattered around some stars already imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope. They looked for evidence of material blocking the path of the stars’ light. Their efforts paid off. Using the new technique, they found five new disks around stars that showed no signs of having a disk the first time scientists looked at them. One of the stars, HD 141943, appears to be exactly like our own sun when it was first forming planets. It’s practically a snapshot of the birth of our own solar system! With any luck, scientists will be able to locate more and more planet-forming disks by applying this method to other old (and new) images. If we find more systems similar to our own at different stages in their evolution, we might be able to see the whole process of solar system formation from start to finish. That would be as close to using a time machine as we are ever going to get! Watch this cool video about how our solar system formed at NASA’s Space Place and then download the accompanying poster: http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/solar-system-formation.

Kidsville Kitchen

Antipasto Bean Salad

Now that winter is behind us and schedules are beginning to fill up, the best kind of weeknight meal is a quick, easy and delicious one. In about 15 minutes, Antipasto Bean Salad can be on the table, or ready for toting to the office potluck or a neighborhood picnic. Starring classic antipasto ingredients, this main dish pasta salad doesn’t require cooking, except for the pasta. While the pasta is boiling, there’s time to prep the other ingredients. Start with high-quality prepared foods that can be purchased at the supermarket. No gourmet food shopping necessary, but the finished salad will be reminiscent of one from a specialty deli or food shop. Begin with a can of READ 3 or 4 Bean Salad. This combination of green, wax and kidney beans, with chickpeas making the fourth bean, is the base for the salad. The beans, along with jarred roasted peppers, canned artichoke hearts, mozzarella cheese and strips of salami, make a great-tasting Italian-inspired meal. For the simple dressing, add olive oil, fresh garlic and herbs to some of the reserved liquid from the bean salad, then toss with the pasta and bean mixture. Serve it at room temperature or chilled — this dish is destined to become a favorite go-to recipe. For other delicious recipes made with READ Salads, visit www.READSalads.com. Antipasto Bean Salad Preparation Time: 15 minutes Servings: 4 1 can (15 ounces) READ 3 or 4 Bean Salad 1/4 cup thin strips roasted red bell peppers 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella or provolone cheese pieces (about 1/2-inch pieces) 1 cup chopped artichoke hearts (canned or frozen; thaw if frozen) 1/4 cup thin strips salami or pepperoni 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil Dressing: 1/4 cup reserved bean liquid 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, optional Drain bean salad; reserve 1/4 cup liquid. For dressing, combine reserved bean salad liquid, oil and garlic; whisk until combined. Add fresh herbs, if desired. In large bowl, toss together drained bean salad, roasted bell peppers, cheese, artichoke hearts, salami and fresh basil. Toss with dressing. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Note: Parsley, basil, thyme or other favorite herbs can be used. Nutrition information per serving: 250 calories; 8 g protein; 16 g carbohydrate; 16 g fat; 870 mg sodium; 25 mg cholesterol; 3 g dietary fiber; 1 mg iron; 0 mg thiamin; 1010 IU vitamin A; 21 mg vitamin C.

Cultural Connections

Storytelling

Storytelling is an important art form that humans have practiced for as long as people have known how to communicate. For many cultures around the world, storytelling is very important because it is a way to preserve traditions and history. In every culture, the methods and stories are different, but they serve the same purposes. Stories can be used to pass down religious beliefs. Many traditional storytellers talk about the origins of the Earth and the beginning of man. Through stories, people pass on these beliefs and lessons. Storytelling also helps to preserve cultures, to keep them alive. By passing down, or retelling stories, people have a connection with their past and their ancestors. Continuing these stories keeps the culture alive. Stories are entertaining. A great storyteller knows how to weave together amazing tales, and nothing can brighten a day like a beautiful story. Here is some information about different cultures and their storytelling traditions. India Storytelling in India is usually formal. There are many different forms of expressing these stories, but they are all very ritualistic. Very specific steps must be followed to tell a story. Also, the stories are usually religious in nature. One example of a traditional style is Pandvani. In this style, a singer has a stringed instrument called a Tambura and recites episodes of classic Indian epic poems. It is a mix of poetry and music. Often the singer is backed by four other musicians, who may ask questions to move the story along. Another traditional Indian method is called Par or Pard or Pata. Beautiful pictures are painted or embroidered (sewn) onto cloth tapestries. Usually the stories focus on a traditional hero. Ghana The storytellers in ancient Ghana, now most of West Africa, were called Griots. Their kind of storytelling was very community based. Often the entire tribe or village would surround the fire to listen to the Griots or Griottes tell their stories. In ancient Africa, there was no written history. Instead, the Griots kept the history. Each tribe had one, and they passed on the legends, family histories, tribal histories and traditional songs for years. These people are highly respected as wise and powerful. Besides keeping histories, they can also sing special songs to bless people, to praise people and even to name babies. In return for their songs, people give them gifts. The job of the Griot is inherited, passed down from parent to child, and is a very important position in the tribe. Without the Griot, the past would be lost. For more information on storytelling, visit the following sites: www.timsheppard.co.uk/story/dir/traditions/asiamiddleeast.html, http://africa.mrdonn.org/griots.html

Cool Kind Kid

Be Cool Kind Kid Camp Challengers

by Barbara Gilmour The kids all came to class excited. When Ms. Gilmour asked them why they were so happy, one by one they said, “No more school!” “No homework!” “It’s summer!” “It’s fun time!” Ms. Gilmour added, “It’s also CAMP time!” Everyone cheered for camp. She then added, “What are some types of camps that you may be going to this summer?” Tanner was first to say, “I’m excited to go to sleep away camp for two weeks.” Nicole said, “I’m going to Girl Scout Camp with Carmen.” Carmen added, “I can’t wait. It will be so much fun.” Rudy shared, “My school has a cool day camp that lasts the whole summer. We do lots of fun things.” Steven, who is crazy about sports, added, “I’m going to a sports camp with my whole team. We learn and practice every day. That sounds like it’s hard, but it really is fun.” Truman, who had been quiet while the other kids talked, said that he was going to be part of a neighborhood camp. Some of the kids asked what that was about. He said, “We have a lot of kids in my neighborhood, and other nearby ones, so our town has a cool camp that anyone can go to. We swim, play sports, do crafts, go on field trips, and other fun stuff. We even work on a play that we perform at the end of the camp.” The kids all agreed that Truman was going to have a good time this summer. Ms. Gilmour then mentioned, “In our last few classes, we were talking about being Cool Kind Kid Challengers in school, especially in the classroom. What do you think are some ways to be Cool Kind Kid Challengers when at camp?” Nicole said, “I think many of the things we said about school apply to camp. We should be respectful to the counselor or instructor, just like our teacher.” Carmen added, “We should be respectful to other kids, just like in school. That means being accepting, kind, and caring.” Rudy was waving his hand, “We should be respectful of camp property, just like school property.” Everyone high-fived Rudy. Carmen added, “And we should do our best at camp, in sports, games, swimming, whatever; just like in school.” Truman was eager to share, “We can definitely challenge our friends at camp to be accepting, kind, caring, and respectful, just as we should be in school. We can help kids learn that being mean, rude, teasing, and bullying aren’t cool. We can each be a good example for other kids. We can challenge kids to be friends with everyone, even if they are different from us.” The kids all cheered for Truman. Ms. Gilmour then added, “Many of you will be at camp for the 4th of July; so how should Cool Kind Kid Challengers celebrate that holiday?” “With respect!” “With flags!” “With a parade!” “With fireworks!” were some of the kids’ lively suggestions as they left class. (C) Cool Kind Kid Barbara Gilmour, Tanner’s grandmother, is the creator and developer of the “Cool Kind Kid” Social Skills, Character Values and Anti-Bullying educational materials and the award-winning “Cool Kind Kid” Audio CD. She also writes the Children’s Manners Blog, offering tips for teaching your children manners and social skills. www.CoolKindKid.com.

Kids

Composting

Composting is a kind of recycling. It’s how nature reuses leaves and other plant materials. Dead plants are full of nitrogen and carbon. When the plants decompose, these nutrients go back into the earth and help other plants grow. People can compost at home as well. Instead of throwing leftover fruit and vegetable parts into a landfill to rot, they can be recycled and used in gardens. Thirty percent of the trash in landfills could have been composted. Here are some tips for composting: • Don’t compost meats, oils, milk, bones or sick plants. • Grass clippings and even newspapers are great additions to the compost pile. • You can use a pile or a bin; it depends on what is best for you and your yard. • Welcome the worms. Worms are great for compost piles; they help the decomposition process • Be patient. Composting can take anywhere from two months to two years. • The smaller the pile, the faster the process will finish. • Try to keep it moist — a dry pile won’t work. • Make sure the soil isn’t too tightly packed; air is an important part of the process. Turn the pile occasionally to let air in. • Line the bottom with small twigs and leaves. • It’s normal for the pile to be warm, between 90 and 140 degrees. • Make sure there is a good mix of material. • You can speed up the process by adding enzymes. • When the compost is finished, use it in the garden to help plants grow. There are many different ways to compost. There are bins, piles and all kinds of bacteria to add to the process. No matter how you do it, it is a great way to reduce waste and help the environment. People throw away left over plants every day. Everything from grass clippings from mowing the yard to potato skins is tossed in the trash. They are making landfills bigger and rotting. Instead they could be helping new plants grow in a beautiful garden. To learn more about composting, visit the following sources: www.michigan.gov/kids/0,4600,7-247-49067-62499–,00.html www.benefits-of-recycling.com/compostingforkids/ http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/earth/recycle/compost2.htm

Kidsville Connections

Archaeology Big Digs

Summertime is a great time to enjoy being outside, with so many fun things to do and warm sunshine, green grass and dirt! Do you like to have fun playing in the dirt? Maybe you like to dig with a small shovel. What kinds of things do you find when you dig? Maybe when you grow up, you could study archaeology and be an archaeologist. How do things get buried so deep underground? As time passes, they just get covered up deeper and deeper. How do archaeologists know where and what to study? Archaeologists conduct many hours of studying and researching books, maps and the Internet to gain information. • Archaeologists learn how ancient people lived long ago by studying the artifacts they find. • They can gather information to learn about their culture, their appearances and what tools they used. • Since limited written records to read about prehistoric civilizations exist, artifacts may be some of the only clues used to gather information to study the past. How would you like to find thousands of clay soldiers? Well, that’s just what some workers who were digging a well discovered in 1974. The soldiers were deep underground in corridors. They were very life-like in appearance and in standing position. They were also placed according to their rankings. Archaeologists also discovered weapons like arrows and swords. They also found chariots made of wood with clay horses. Why were these soldiers there? Archaeologists learned that they were buried there along with China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang Di, to guard him. This discovery is known as one of the greatest archaeological findings in the world. Another amazing discovery is the Newport ship. In June 2002, this sailing vessel was found by archaeologists at Newport, South Wales, in the UK on the bank of the River Usk. Construction of the Riverfront Theatre was taking place when the ship was discovered. The entire length of the ship was originally 25 meters (about 80 feet). Damage to the ship may be the reason it was brought to Newport and abandoned. What was found on the ship? Hundreds of things were found: a stone cannonball, pieces of cork, Portuguese coins, an hourglass, grape seeds and an expensive shoe. Experts think that the cork, coins and seeds may have been present on the ship because of trade to and from the Iberian peninsula. ar·chae·ol·o·gy noun är-k-ä-l-j – a science that deals with past human life and activities by studying the bones, tools, etc., of ancient people ar·chae·ol·o·gist noun är-k-ä-l-jist – a scientist who studies the remains of past civilizations or groups of people; a specialist in archaeology Did You Know? Sometimes people who aren’t archaeologists make discoveries without even intending to. As house builders are digging to build houses, they have to dig deep in the ground and sometimes find things. Farmers also make accidental discoveries while working. They can then contact archaeologists for help. SOURCES: http://idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/season7/archaeology/facts.cfm http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/archaeology/emperor-qin/, http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/li/List_of_famous_archaeological_discoveries, www.newport.gov.uk/heritage/index.cfm/home/

Come Out and Play

Come out and Play – Morra

At first it may look like a game of rock, paper, scissors that the players just got wrong. It’s a little more complicated than that. The game is called morra, and it has been played in Italy and Rome for thousands of years. It is mostly played by men for fun. Many Italian and even Spanish people still play the game. In northern Italy, people play while they sit, and in the south, they usually stand. Many believe that it was originally brought to Italy by the Turks in the 1500s. Another fun fact to know about morra is that it was illegal in Italy for 20 years because some people used it to gamble. There are some different ways to play, but here is a simple version: • All you need is two people, your hands and a referee. • Like rock, paper, scissors, the two players throw out their hands at the same time. • Each player can either have 1, 2 or 3 fingers up. • The goal is to try and guess what number of fingers the other person will throw out. • Both players should yell their guess when they show their hands (sometimes it can be fun and helpful to have other people around watching and listening to the numbers). • If no one is right, then no points are awarded. • If only one person is right, then their points equal the sum all of the fingers added together. • If both people are right, then no one gets any points. • The winner is the first player to get to 16 points, but the game can be longer or shorter. • Sometimes having another person or some paper to write on to add up all of the points can make it easier to keep track. • The game should be pretty fast, at about the same speed as rock, paper, scissors. • More fingers can be added to make it more difficult (if the number gets up to 10, then one player is allowed to show only odd numbers, and one is only allowed to show even numbers). • You can also just use one or two fingers to make it easier. • Some players also let a closed fist represent zero. For more information on morra, please visit the following sites: www.heilwood.com/people/fun-games/morra/, www.incamerano.net/morra.html, http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2011/11/15/the-game-of-morra-a-fun-alternative-to-rock-paper-scissors/#.UzHGZlySHwI. And here is a site to learn Italian numbers: http://italian.about.com/library/children/blnumber01.htm.

Around The World

Around the World – July 2014

When you think of the 4th of July, you might think about fireworks, parades and picnics, all of which have become traditions. But do you know what those traditions celebrate? The 4th of July is also called Independence Day, and it has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. But people have been celebrating since 1776, when the U.S. Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4. That declaration, written by one of our presidents, Thomas Jefferson, declared America’s independence from England. Now that’s something to celebrate! The Palio di Siena is the Italian equivalent to the Kentucky Derby horse race. Known in Italy as Il Palio, the race is held two times each year – once on July 2 and again on Aug. 16 in Siena, Italy. During the race, 10 horses, representing the districts in the city, are ridden around the Piazza del Campo three times. The race usually only lasts abut 90 seconds. What makes the race even more interesting is that the horses are not saddled. The riders are riding bareback. The lack of saddle results in many of the riders being thrown from their horses during the short race. Ouch! Boston is a city that celebrates its place in America’s history. Every year during the 4th of July, The festival celebrates the colonial and maritime (or sailing ) history of the city. The festival features Revolutionary war reenactments, concerts, historical tours and you can even see the tall ships with their massive sails come into the harbor. The festival, which runs July 2-6 this year has fun events every day and ends with one of the biggest fireworks shows you will ever see!!!

Movie Reviews for Kids by Kids

Antboy

Antboy – A Calmer Type of Super Hero With super heroes all the rage, Antboy is a bit different –– in a good way. Based on a popular Danish comic, this is a good film for younger kids who may find the super-charged super hero films like Spider Man, Captain America and The Avengers a bit too much action. The story follows a young boy who is bitten by an ant and develops super powers. He is aided by a comic book nerd and, of course, has to deal with a super villain. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Anthony A., age 12, says, “I think this movie is pretty cool. It is funny and has a small amount of action.” Video review available here: http://youtu.be/J5fViThg1YQ Antboy is based on a popular Danish comic book series, and although I have never read the comic series, I think this movie is pretty cool. It is funny and has a small amount of action. It is really good, and I think other kids would enjoy it, too. This movie is about a boy named Pelle who is bitten by a rare and genetically altered ant. This ant gives Pelle super powers. Eventually, Pelle realizes these super powers only work when he eats sugar. He finds out his real powers when he runs into a boy named Wilhelm, who later becomes his friend and helps him discover what super powers he has. Pelle decides that his super hero name is going to be “Antboy.” When a super villain named “The Flea” captures a girl and invades the school, Antboy has to figure out how to stop him. The main characters in the movie are Pelle, Wilhelm, Ida and The Flea. My favorite character in this movie is Wilhelm because he is a really nice guy, and he is the reason Pelle decides to help people and become Antboy. He also loves comics, and while I wouldn’t say I love comics, I do like them. My favorite part in the movie is when Pelle figures out his super powers. He can bite through hard things. He can climb walls. He is really strong and his urine is acid. Sadly, his super hero powers only work when he has eaten sugar. Sometimes he doesn’t realize he has eaten any sugar at all. Sometimes he sleepwalks and eats all the candy in the house. I recommend this movie for ages 5 to 10 because it is really good with a lot of weird and quirky action. It is more of a movie for younger kids since teens and adults usually prefer films with more action. Credit: KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions

Kids

Bears

Celebrate One of Nature’s Most Majestic Mammals — Bears. In an epic story, Disney nature’s new film, Bears, showcases a year in the life of a bear family as two young cubs are taught how to make their way in the world. Set in the grandiose Alaskan wilderness, the film follows them as they emerge from hibernation and experience the incredible world in which they live, complete with predators, avalanches and the search for food. “Bears is a fantastic and inspirational wildlife adventure that many people will adore and watch again and again,” notes KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O, age 12. Video review available here: http://youtube/3kTcYEhKy9s I thought this documentary would be like a usual educational lecture-like film about bears and the life of a Mama-bear. Boy, was I completely wrong. Bears is a fantastic and inspirational wildlife adventure that many people will adore and watch again and again. The movie has a mix of action, thrills, adventure, education, comedy and, of course, adorable human-like cubs. They make you fall in love the second you see them on the screen. The story begins when a brown bear who lives in Alaska’s national park gives birth. She is planning to leave her winter nest soon with newborn cubs (Amber and Scout). Then she begins her big, hard journey trying to store enough food through the season. Her name is Sky. She meets a couple of friends and protects her little ones from predators. This film has crazy close-ups on the bears. At one point, I swore the bear was less than an inch from the camera. Unlike other documentaries, this one has a story line. Honestly, I thought that this fit better as a movie. The narrator makes us believe that the bears have feelings. I would love to know how the cameramen got so close to the bears and watched Sky when she was in her winter den. That was perfect and nearly impossible. Kudos to Disneynature for bringing us this unforgettable experience. My favorite scene is when they search for salmon. Scout and Amber go to the beach for the first time. While Amber keeps close to mommy, Scout is in the water getting clams stuck to his claws. The scene shows that there is some family fun time anywhere in the world — even with bears. This movie has some thrills and some violence, which is remarkable since it is unscripted. I recommend this for ages 9 to 18 and give it 5 out of 5 stars. Coming out in theaters April 18. Credit: KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions

Category - Kids

A Glimpse Into the Past

Antipasto Bean Salad

Storytelling

Be Cool Kind Kid Camp Challengers

Composting

Archaeology Big Digs

Come out and Play – Morra

Around the World – July 2014

Antboy

Bears

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