Kids Konnect January/February 2021

K i ds

Owatonna, MN January/February 2021

konnect G R O W • P L AY • L E A R N

Did you know Januaryaisl Nation l Oatmea Month?

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Games & Activities Planning for 202 Don’t forget 1: childhood vaccin es

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S c i e n ce Te c hnology Engineer ing Ar ts M athematics

Snowman Building:

Tips for Making the Perfect Frosty

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id Jack What d o Frosty ay t Frost s owman? the Sn ay!” an ice d “Have Where do s love to nowmen dance?

At a sn ow ball . e best What is th akfast kind of bre eat in the cereal to winter? kes!

Frosted Fla

How do you know when it is too cold to picnic outside?

You chip your tooth on your soup!

What do s nowmen li ke to eat for din ner?

Iceburgers!

What sna ck should y ou make for the Snowma n Holiday P arty?

“Ice Krisp y treats.”

do Where eep en k snowm ney? o their m it in ep e k y The nks. snowba

What ’s the kind of do best gt for th e holi o get da A “po intsett ys? er!”

What does a gingerbread man put on his bed?

A cookie sheet.

An icicle fe ll off the roof an d hit a snowma n on the head. W hat happened next?

He was kno cked out cold.

a How can you scare ? an m snow him.

Point a hair dryer at

Wha t snow ’s a man favo rite c ’s Sno-C andy? aps.

What d o mount ains w ea to kee p warm r ?

Snowc aps

If your reindeer lost his tail, where would you go to buy him a new one?

A retail store!

What kind of cake does the Ic e Queen like to eat on her birthday?

The flavor d oesn’t matt er as long as it has lots of frosting.

What is re d, white, and blue over winte r break?

A sad cand y cane.

r to uicke Is it q r cold? to r, be ho quicke i t Ho s an c se you becau . old catch c

Why do m ummies lik e holiday gif ts?

Because of all of the wrappings.

Let’s Smile, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization based in Steele County since 2013. Dental services are provided in School Based Dental Clinics and at the Steele County Community Pathways. letssmile@outlook.com www.letssmileinc.com Like Us On Facebook 2 • January/February 2021 • Kids Konnect

K i ds konnect G R O W • P L AY • L E A R N

Volume 2, Issue 1 January/February 2021 PUBLISHER Steve Fisher

K i ds

konnect CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: G R O W • P L AY • L E A R N Jessica Abrahams Sarah Brooks Melanie Busch Brenda Donahe-Stevens Mary Hawkins MaryAnne Higgins Jean Krause Darla K. Lager Thomas Meagher, PhD Mary Rahrick, M.D. Sarah Reichert Mary Urch COVER/PAGE DESIGN Kate McGillen ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Tom Kelling ADVERTISING SALES Amber Casterton Crystal Hobart For editorial or advertising inquiries, contact us at 507-444-2389 Kids Konnect is published by

Southern Minnesota LLC Southern Minn Media 135 West Pearl Street Owatonna, MN 55060

Contents 5.

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Snowman Building: Tips for Making the Perfect Frosty

Did you know January is National Oatmeal Month?

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S cience Technology Engineer ing Ar ts M athematics

Hap Py 20. New Year!

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puzzles, Crafts, coloring and more!

Kids Konnect • January/February 2021 • 3

The tradition of New Year’s Celebrations The start of the year is celebrated on January 1st. This is per the Gregorian calendar used by much of the world.

The end of the previous year, New Year’s Eve, is celebrated on December 31st. You may be asking yourself, what does New Year’s Day celebrate?

New Year’s Day is the first day of the year. It celebrated both the successes of the past year and hopes for the coming year. New Year’s Day is celebrated around the world and is a national holiday in the United States. Common holiday traditions include attending parties, eating special foods, making resolutions, watching football games, and firework displays.

Many countries including France, Germany, Italy, and Austria call New Year’s Eve “Silvester” in honor of Pope Sylvester I who died on December 31st. The National Hockey League plays an outdoor hockey game called the Winter Classic on this day. In Canada some people jump into ice cold water called a Polar Plunge to celebrate the day. In Sweden and Norway rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is served on New Year’s Eve. It is said that whoever finds the almond has 12 months of good luck. Ring-shaped pastries and cakes are a sign the year has come full circle in the Netherlands, Mexico, and Greece.

The first celebration of New Year’s dates back 4500 years ago in the city of Babylon. The Babylonians started the tradition of beginning their New Year with the first New Moon after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring) in mid-March. Today in Babylon, New Year’s celebrations last eleven days What do people do to celebrate New Year’s in the United States? In the United States, New Year’s Day is a national holiday as most people have off of work and school. The celebration usually starts out the night before on New Year’s Eve. This is night of parties, fireworks, and large gatherings of people to watch the dropping of the ball in Times Square in New York City. Many people countdown to 12:00 a.m. as they make a new resolution for the coming year to something different or better such as quitting a bad habit, exercising more often, or getting better grades in school. Many people spend New Year’s Day watching college football and the famous Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

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In Owatonna, the Owatonna Diving Club has a 60-year tradition of holding a dive on New Year’s Day! In 2021, the dive took place in the quarry pond north of Owatonna.

Go watch as divers don wetsuits with air tanks to dive deep into the dark water as they look for interesting items.

Snowman Building:

Tips for Making the Perfect Frosty Owatonna Parks and Recreation is holding a Snowman Building Contest in January.

Follow the steps below to create your own Frosty, have your parents help you enter your snowman in the contest, and you could win a prize!

1. Know your snow. You probably know there’s a difference between dry, powdery snow and wet, slushy snow. You also know how to make a snowman with the right type of snow—something between wet and powdery. If the snow is too dry, turn your garden hose to a light mist and spray the area you’d like to start building on. If it’s too wet, you might have to wait for some fresh powder before you begin.

2. Find the perfect location. Give your snowman the best shot at a long life by situating him someplace flat and shady. Prevent his facial features from melting down his body by facing him away from the sun. Ideally, your spot will be in the center of the patch of snow you plan to roll your balls in.

6. Get creative with decorations. Just because building a snowman is a classic activity doesn’t mean you can’t use nontraditional decorations. How to make a snowman is only as important as how to decorate a snowman. Give him a funky cap or an ugly Christmas sweater to wear, or piece his face together using unlikely materials.

Parents, this information is for you! Owatonna Parks and Recreation is planning their Annual Winter Weekend Out to be held January 29-31. The weekend will be filled with fun, safe, winter activities. For more information on the weekend’s activities, visit the Owatonna Parks and Recreation’s website.

Source: How to Build the Perfect Snowman: 6 Tips | Reader’s Digest (rd.com)

3. Aim for this structure. Help your snowman find his balance by aiming for a 3-2-1 snowball ratio (for example, if the lowest ball has a diameter of three feet, the middle ball would be two feet, and the top ball would be one foot). Also consider that the lower to the ground your snowman is, the more stable he will be.

4. Roll like this. Rolling gigantic snowballs is easier said than done. Give yourself a head start by packing your snowball as large as you can with your hands first.

Place the ball on the ground and roll it around your space until you’ve reached the desired size. Once you’ve got your first snowball rolled, brace the area around it by packing extra snow around its base.

5. Flatten each ball. Flatten the top of each snowball before placing the next one on top. That way your snowman will have more stability.

Here for you in the New Year!

Child and Teen Checkups are available to children from birth through age 20 who are covered by Minnesota state health plans such as:

• Medical Assistance • South Country Health Alliance STEELE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH 507-444-7650

Call if you need help with transportation, interpreters or making an appointment with a doctor or a dentist.

Kids Konnect • January/February 2021 • 5

Did you know January is National Oatmeal Month?

Author: Sarah Brooks, Director of Nutrition Services

You might be thinking, what’s so special about oatmeal. You may even be picturing a bowl of bland, mushy oatmeal right now. But wait, don’t rule out this amazing and nutritious grain just yet! Oats are one of the most popular breakfast foods that can be used in so many different ways. Almost all types are whole grains which help you feel fuller longer while providing high levels of protein and healthy fats.

This is how oats grow before they are harvested and processed into different types of oatmeal.

Image Source: https://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/grain-monthcalendar/oats-%E2%80%93-january-grain-month

Get creative with your plain bowl of oatmeal!

• Make your oatmeal with milk, or a milk-alternative, instead of water for more flavor and creaminess.

• Add foods like seeds, nuts, or nut-spreads to your oatmeal for added protein and healthy fats. Allergic to nuts? Use your favorite nut-free spread instead.

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Adding fruits makes your oatmeal sweeter and makes it look better. My personal favorites are bananas, apples, and berries. Dried fruit like raisins or cranberries add great flavor and a chewy texture. Frozen fruit also offers the same sweet taste and nutrition; just put it in your oatmeal when cooking to warm it up.

• If it still isn’t sweet enough for you to enjoy, it’s ok to add a sprinkle of your favorite sweetener like brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or plain table sugar.

• Spice it up! Add a sprinkle of cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, cardamom, apple pie spice, or pumpkin pie spice.

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If you are not a fan of warm oatmeal during the summer months, try making overnight oats! You can use your same favorite recipe for warm oatmeal but instead of cooking the oatmeal, soak all of your ingredients in a bowl or jar overnight that is ready to go in the morning.

Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients • 1 cup milk or milk-alternative • 1 cup old-fashioned oats (Note: quick or instant oatmeal can be substituted but they tend to dissolve in the batter as it cooks changing the texture of the muffin) • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, spoon & leveled • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled • 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup • 1 large egg, at room temperature • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries. If using frozen berries, do not thaw berries and reduce the milk down to 3/4 cup.

Instructions: 1. Combine milk and oats. Set aside for 20 minutes so the oats puff up and soak up some moisture. This is crucial to the recipe!

While milk and oats are soaking, melt the butter so it has a few minutes to cool. If you find the oats haven’t soaked up any moisture after 20 minutes, give it a stir and wait 10 more minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or use cupcake liners.

3. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl until combined. Set aside. Whisk the melted butter, honey (or maple syrup), egg, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stir a few times, then add the soaked oats (milk included, do not drain) and blueberries.

Fold everything together gently just until combined.

4. Spoon the batter into sprayed pan or liners, filling them all the way to the top. Bake for 5 minutes at 425 then, keeping the muffins in the oven, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Bake for an additional 16-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The total time these muffins take in the oven is about 22-23 minutes, give or take.

(For mini muffins, bake 11-13 minutes at 350°F.) Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling.

5. Muffins stay fresh covered at room temperature for a few days, then transfer to the fridge for up to 1 week.

Recipe & Image Source: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/blueberry-oatmeal-muffins/

Kids Konnect • January/February 2021 • 7

Planning for 2021:

Don’t forget childhood vaccines

By Mary Rahrick, M.D., Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Owatonna, Minnesota.

As you plan ahead for 2021, don’t forget scheduling childhood vaccines. There are many serious illnesses that not only make you or your child feel terrible but also present major risks to health. Fortunately, vaccines have been proven to be effective and safe in preventing a wide variety of diseases and conditions. Some of these diseases may appear to pose a minimal threat but the recent COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the wide-reaching impact of a disease that cannot be easily treated or prevented with a vaccine.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents are asked to be thoughtful about bringing children to public spaces such as retail stores and clinics. However, families should try to keep their children on the recommended vaccine schedule as much as possible.

Importance of vaccines Vaccinations are very important, especially for young children.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infants receive some passive immunity from their

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mothers after birth. However, these immunities wear off during the child’s first year, some starting as early as 2 months of age.

Without vaccinations, young children’s bodies often can’t fight diseases. This can lead to serious complications with life-long impacts and even death.

Immunization schedule The CDC has a recommended schedule of immunizations for children based on when your child will get the most protection from the vaccine. In some cases, it is not as simple as “catching up” the next year because your child will remain unprotected for a year or there could be other consequences.

This is the schedule recommended by The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and many other groups.

Safety at clinics Medical clinics are open and ready to safely administer vaccines for your child. However, traveling to the clinic may cause some uneasiness. Your family’s safety is a priority for your health care provider so that’s why health care organizations have made significant changes to their spaces and processes to protect the safety of patients of all ages.

Changes could include screening at entrances, requiring everyone to wear a mask, enhanced cleaning standards and limiting the number of people in the building. These changes are made to create safe environments for in-person care to patients while protecting the safety of patients, staff and visitors.

Talk with your health care provider Your health care provider can answer your questions and help your family determine if vaccines are needed now or can be postponed. Factors that should be considered include if your geographic area is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases, the age of your children, which vaccines are needed, and safety measures implemented by the health care organization.

In a world of uncertainty, protecting yourself and your loved ones is of paramount importance. Vaccinations are at the front line of disease defense and are one of the safest and most cost-effective preventive health measures.

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STEAM’in WITH “Dr. M”

A new year means looking forward to new things & ideas! , PhD Thomas Meagher na (known to Owaton is ”) the students as “Dr. M or for the STEAM Coordinat School District.

Owatonna Public

Each new year brings new opportunities to explore and create new ideas, let’s see what’s new for science, technology, engineering, art and math. In this issue of Kids Konnect we’ll explore what’s new in each of the fields of science. What are some new technologies we’re hoping to see this year? How can you become an engineer this year? What are the new things happening in the art world?

Building a mathematical mind is more than add, subtract, multiply & divide! These are some big ideas, so follow along and see what we’re hoping to discover in 2021!

Send us pictures of your S.T.E.A.M. projects. Be sure to include your Kids Konnect magazine in the photo. You can also share your photos with Dr. M through his twitter handle: @meagher3dan or #Owatonnaproud.

Kids Konnect • January/February 2021 • 9

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What’s happening in these science fields this year?

Geoscience: “Climate comeback” NASA climate kids: Can I help nature to help us? (https://climatekids.nasa.gov/how-to-help/) Yes! We can all take notice of our environment. We can learn how our planet works. We can learn how to live on it without making a mess of it. We can help to keep it magnificent for ourselves, our children and grandchildren, and other living things besides us.

Some of the ways you can help may have to wait until you are a little older—like choosing an energyefficient car, installing solar panels on the roof of your house, or choosing a “green career” where your job as an adult can be to help to protect the environment.

But there are many important ways you can help right now.

You can help by growing your own vegetables and fruits. You can help by planting a tree. Your new plants and trees will help to remove the greenhouse gas CO2 from the air. If you grow some of your own food, you will also help to prevent more CO2 from entering the air from the fossil-fuel-burning trucks, planes, and ships that transport your food to you from far away.

Life Science: The battle between vaccines and viruses Since a vaccine means that the medicine to help protect us against COVID-19 viruses needs to be injected inside our bodies, with a shot from our doctor,

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ugh. Our skin helps protect our bodies from many things and the nerves it has helps us know how to feel when things are soft, hard, squishy or sharp.

It’s the pain receptor nerves that are scary when we feel pain and sometimes a shot can feel sharp, but it’s a very quick and very safe way to receive the vaccine. So how can we overcome the fear of the shot so we can get the vaccine in time to protect our families and friends? The Children’s Hospital has some great tips to help when it’s time to get a vaccination: • Be honest: Shots can pinch, but that it won’t hurt for long, remember the last time someone pinched you?

• Bring distractions: Bring comforting items, like a favorite book or stuffed animal, to help calm and distract you.

• Sit up, sit still and look the other way: I find it’s best to look out a window, or at a picture or the ceiling until they’re finished.

• Keep your cool: Try your best to appear calm and keep a positive attitude. Your parents will be more anxious if they sense that you are anxious as well.

• Focus on health: The pinch is to help protect you and your family from getting sick, so consider it a “good luck” pinch in the arm!

Physics: Long-awaited telescope launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, the world’s largest, most powerful telescope ever built.

This telescope will be the most amazing and exciting telescope that has ever been made and will provide photographs of things in the universe we’ve never seen before. Since the telescope will be floating in space, it will be able to receive

light from objects farther away than we’ve ever been able to see before and maybe, just maybe scientists at NASA will find another planet that is like ours and answer the question, “Is there life somewhere else in the universe?”

Kids Konnect • January/February 2021 • 11

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TECHNOLOGY

S cien ce Te c h n o l o gy En gi n e e r i n g Ar ts M ath e m ati c s

What can we expect to see in new technologies?

Artificial Intelligence “AI” Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a computer program or machine that can remember and learn things from interacting with us. Some devices that are beginning to take on AI abilities such as our smartphones, Alexa or

Vehicle automation This is the future of driving cars, trucks and motorcycles, where the vehicles can listen to each other and help protect us from crashes and not getting lost. As more and more people are using smart vehicles hopefully there will be fewer car accidents and less people injured when out driving.

In large cities this will also help reduce traffic jams and protect pedestrians who are out walking!

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Google Home speakers or smart watches. In 2021 we should see even more everyday items that will listen and talk to us that will remember what we said and respond to our we’re asking the machine to do, that’s pretty smart!

Internet of Things (IoT):

Where “Dumb” machines become smart by connecting to other machines using the internet.

The Internet of Things (IoT) connects dumb devices like refrigerators to the internet and uses software to connect them to our daily lives.

Can a car talk to a house? In the future, your car might tell your house that you are five miles away and please turn on the lights and warm up the house.This is an example of an idea called the “Internet of Things” or IoT. Because wi-fi networks have become so common, dumb objects like refrigerators, washing machines, and cars can include internet access with software to make use of the internet connection.

Kids Konnect • January/February 2021 • 13

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ENGINEERING

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How can we become engineers to solve everyday problems?

Rube Goldberg M a c h i n e Contest All yo

u need is a good imag ination and a pile of junk! Sponsor ed by the Institute of Competition Science Deadline March 31st , 2021(www.rubegoldb erg.com) Since 1988, thousands of students have celebrated Rube’s legacy by creating Rube Goldberg Machines in our annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest® and they’ve learned – and laughed – a lot. This STEM / STEAM (Science, Technology Engineering, Art and Math) learning experience came naturally to Rube - who was trained as an engineer but was an inventor and artist at heart.

A Rube Goldberg Machine (RGM) is a crazy contraption which accomplishes a simple task in the most complicated – and funniest – way possible! Based on the “Invention” cartoons of the famous Pulitzer Prize-winning American

cartoonist, Rube Goldberg, actual machines are at the heart of the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest. They tell a story and, most important of all – they make you LAUGH. The task, which changes on a yearly basis, is announced on our website in early Fall.

Rube Goldberg Machine Contests help students learn while having fun and creating unique Rube Goldberg Machines out of recycled items and everyday objects. Students learn to problem solve as a group, discover critical thinking skills, support each other and experience the results of real teamwork.

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What’s happening in the art world?

Art and Science will come together when we combine close observation with the beauty we find in nature, color, texture and design.

Trying some exciting new experiments using colors, like combine water color paints and oil based paints produces amazing swirls of color since oil and water will NOT mix together!

Create beautiful ice sculpture using water with food coloring or invest ice candle holders that are all different colors that can light up the neighborhood in a rainbow of light.

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Winter is also a great time to experiment with light, since the angle of sunlight is low to the horizon, try creating a mobile of clear ice sculptures.

Performance will be more virtual

Post pandemic art will bring the outside world in “Biophillic design” Make the most of available natural light by keeping your windows clear, clean and unobstructed by blinds and curtains.

Add greenery in pots, trailing plants hanging from the ceiling and a herb garden on the kitchen windowsill.

Include natural colours and patterns – those that remind you of positive experiences you may have had in nature. Blues will be calming, greens invigorating, and yellows warming and social.

Use natural wood grains to add texture on furniture, flooring or wall panels.

Make the most of sensory spaces such as bathrooms, with textural contrasts. For example with fluffy towels against cool tiles, plus gentle lighting and calming scents.

Build a terrarium with “Bottle Biology”

Kids Konnect • January/February 2021 • 17

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MATHEMATICS

S cien ce Te c h n o l o gy En gi n e e r i n g Ar ts M ath e m ati c s

What do you mean “Mathematical Mindset”?

See the world with an eye to finding patterns

Fractals in nature: No matter how close or how far away the pattern is the same.

Count everything, and see the ratios that emerge. The Golden Ratio is everywhere if you look closely!

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Play with numbers and data to find interesting hidden gems.

Finding prime numbers.

If you shuffle a deck of cards properly, it’s more than likely that the exact order of the cards you get has never been seen before in the whole history of the universe.

Back in a jiffy? You’d better be fast! A “jiffy” is an actual length of time, equal to about 1/100th of a second.

In a classroom of 23 people, there’s a 50% chance two of them have the same birthday.

When multiplying with ones (1) you will always create a palindrome number, that means the number will read the same way forward or backward!

When Canada geese migrate south for the winter and north for the summer, they fly 2,000 to 3,000 thousand miles. If the weather is good, they can travel up to 1,500 miles in one day!

11x11 = 121, or 111x111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321 (Hint count from 1 to 9 and backwards again!)

Seven is just a “lucky” number; it’s the most common number that can appear when two six sided dice are rolled together.

Also, the opposite sides of a single die always add up to seven. Just looks at this example here: (If you look carefully at this pair, each side showing can add up to seven, the tops, the insides and the outsides!)

(Can you see the sevens here?)

Kids Konnect • January/February 2021 • 19

Happy New Year!

In the United States, as well as many other countries, New Year celebrations begin on December 31, New Year’s Eve, and continue through January 1, New Year’s Day. Did you know that not everyone celebrates the New Year on January 1st?

For instance, the Chinese New Year is celebrated between mid-January or February and lasts for 15 days. In Ethiopia, New Year is called Enqutatash and is celebrated on September 11 or 12, for two or three days. Iranian children celebrate the New Year or Nouruz, on the first day of spring, beginning April 20 or 21 and lasting for three days.

Do you eat a special meal to celebrate the New Year? At midnight, or on St. Basil’s Day, in Greece, families eat a special bread called vasilopita. It has a coin hidden inside. The person who receives the slice containing the coin will have good luck in the new year. In Israel, Rosh Hashanah is celebrated in September or October. On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, a meal with sweet foods, including honey cookies and apples dipped in honey are served.

By eating these foods, people hope that the new year will be sweet and filled with happiness. In many homes in Spain and Mexico, people quickly eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, they believe this brings good luck for each month of the new year. In Puerto Rico it’s 13 grapes, twelve grapes for sweet months in the coming year, the thirteenth grape is for good luck.

What color are your underwear? In many countries including Mexico and Turkey, people wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s day. It symbolizes good luck. Red underwear is also important to those who are looking for love. People who are seeking money or wealth wear yellow underwear instead. In Columbia, people will also wear yellow underwear on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. They believe it brings health and good fortune for the coming year.

If you want to learn more about how the New Year is celebrated around the world check out this book:

Happy New Year, Everywhere!

by Arlene Erlbach Millbrook Press, Brookfield Connecticut

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20 • January/February 2021 • Kids Konnect

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s e i r r e b p s Ra m a e Cr d n A s e l c i Pops Ingredients 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream 1 cup low fat Greek yogurt 1/3 cup maple syrup 1 cup frozen organic raspberries (If using fresh omit orange juice) 2-3 tablespoons orange juice SERVINGS: NINE 3OZ POPSICLES

Instructions In a blender puree raspberries and orange juice.

In a bowl whip heavy cream and maple syrup until soft peaks form. Fold in yogurt and half of the raspberry puree.

Snip the top edge of the Dixie cups with scissors for easy peeling. Fill Dixie cups1/4 of the way with the whipped mixture. Add about a teaspoon of the raspberry puree and spread evenly using your finger over the top of the whipped mixture.

Fill the cup with remaining whipped puree. Place a popsicle stick in the middle of each Popsicle and freeze 4-5 hours before serving

Note: You may not have to freeze Popsicles before inserting Popsicle stick. The whipped cream is strong enough to hold the stick in place.

Source: https://www.eatgood4life.com/raspberries-and-cream-popsicles/

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Are there more black fish or more white fish swimming below © 2021

by Vicki Whiting, Editor the Jeffice?

Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 35, No. 7

© 2021 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 35, No. 7

Here are a few popular fish ice fishermen catch. ice fishing on Lake __________ Do the math to discover last weekend. The strange thing the name of each species. about this lake is that you are

more likely to catch __________

Ponds, lakes and other bodies of water freeze from the top down. The 16 + 7 + 13 = fish at the bottom are alive and well in the deeper, unfrozen water.

16 + 7 + 13 =

began to __________ across the

FISHING FLEXIBLE PORTABLE 15 + 8 + 3 = DRILL LURES RODS ANNUAL 11 + 5 + 11 = CHISEL BUNKS 26 = Pike 27 = Bluegill WIND 33 =step.

Walleye he pictures Oops! from We1put to 6. the wrong picture with each Number the pictures from 1 to 6.

ALIVE 36 = Rainbow Trout SIGNALS SPOT CATCH is ICE a light, flexible rod

res, ods ps the

Find Sit onthe a perfect fishing portable chair spot. or overturned bucket and look through the hole to watch for a fish.

When Use an your ice hands augerget tocold, drill grab a hole a Thermos completely of through hot cocoa. the ice until you can see unfrozen water.

Use an ice a device Use chisel to special that signals when a lures, widen the yourjigging fish hits line. rods hole to no or tip-ups more than something to catch the 12that inches fish. attracts fish to across. bite your hook.

21 + 8 + 4 = Find the words in the puzzle, then in this week’s Kid Scoop stories and activities.

15 + 8 + 3 = H S O G W H C T A C

T K P I N O C N A F

S N O C W I N D L T

L U R E S U H E E C 11 + 5 + 11 = A B T H A P X S V F 26 = Pike I Z N R A L R I 27O= O Bluegill 33 = Walleye F T L Trout G E B N B 36O= F Rainbow H A I I L L I R D S S E E S C H I S E L

is a light, flexible rod used for panfish.

Sit on a When your a device portable chair hands get cold, that signals when a or overturned grab a fish hits your line. bucket and Thermos of look through hot cocoa. something the hole to that attracts fish to watchafor a With partner, select an article today’s bitein your hook. fish. newspaper.

One of you inks out all the vowels

in the article and then gives it to the other

totoread. that person read it without s right on the ice to keep out the wind Some people build shelters rightperson on the ice keep Can out the wind me of these even have heaters, satellite and cold while fishing. Some of the thesevowels? even have heaters, satellite wns form TVs, stoves, sleeping bunks and bathrooms! Shanty towns form on many northern lakes where the fishing is good.

The annual catch in Wisconsin is 88 million fish. If winter fishing makes up 1/4 of the annual catch, about how many fish are caught in that state each winter?

Look at the housesfor-sale ads in the print or online edition of the newspaper. Using these as examples, write a classified ad to sell a dream ice shanty.

26 • January/February 2021 • Kids Konnect

than fish.

It was windy as the three of them

21 + 8 + 4 =

used for panfish.

Have a friend give you each type of word to fill in the blanks.

Then read the story aloud!

Ed took his two grandchildren

Here are a few popular fish ice fishermen catch.

Do the math to discover What happens to fishthe name of each species. when lakes and ponds freeze over?

When the temperature drops below freezing and the lake freezes over with the ice at least six to eight inches thick, it is time to go ice fishing!

Are there more black fish or m swimming below the

Look at the housesfor-sale ads in the print or online edition of the newspaper. Using these as examples, write a classified The annual catch in Wisconsin is 88 ad to sell a dream I cut a hole in the ice on a frozen million fish. If winter fishing makes up ice shanty. myhow surprise, I saw...

1/4 of thelake annualand catch,to about many fish are caught in that state each winter?

Complete this story.

___________ surface of the lake.

Grandpa Ed had constructed an

Find the wor FISHING FLEXIBLE stories an _____________ and it was quite PORTABLE H S O G W comfortable DRILL inside the structure.

T K P I N LURES RODS S N O C W Using a __________ , Ed showed ANNUAL Ua R E S Nathan and Emily how toLcut CHISEL B T H A hole in the ice. Emily putAsome BUNKS __________ WIND _________Non Rher A L R G E B N B lineALIVE and lowered it into the SIGNALS I I L L I ______________ water. Nathan SPOT S tied a small ______________Eto E S C CATCH the end of his line.

ICE

then in this w ice house of _______________

Grandpa Ed caught several _______________ , Emily had caught many _______________ ___________ , and Nathan had

With a partner, select an art newspaper. One of you inks o in the article and then gives person to read. Can that perso the vowels?

caught a lot of ____________ .

This week’s word:

SHANTY

The noun shanty means a crude shelter, shack or hut.

Sue built a shanty to shelter herself from the wind on the cut ice a hole lakeIwhile fishing.in the ice lake and to my surpri Try to use the word shanty in a sentence today when Complete this s talking with your friends and family members.

¿Qué les sucede a los peces cuando los lagos y lagunas se congelan?

Las lagunas, lagos y otras masas de agua se congelan de arriba para abajo. Los peces que se mueven en el fondo están sanos y salvos en las aguas profundas y descongeladas.

Cuando la temperatura cae por debajo de los 0 grados Celsius y el lago se congela y forma una capa de hielo de por lo menos seis a ocho pulgadas, ¡es hora de ir a pescar en el hielo!

He aquí algunos de los pescados más conocidos que pescan los pescadores de hielo. Realiza las ecuaciones para descubrir el nombre de cada uno de estos.

16 + 7 + 13 =

21 + 8 + 4 =

15 + 8 + 3 =

11 + 5 + 11 =

© 2021 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 35, No. 7

FISHING FLEXIBLE PORTABLE DRILL LURES RODS ANNUAL CHISEL BUNKS WIND ALIVE SIGNALS SPOT CATCH ICE

En el acertijo, encuentra estas palabras FISHING en inglés, luego encuentra la traducción al español de estas palabrasFLEXIBLE en la página de Kid Scoop de hoy.

He aquí algunos de los

en Español

© 2021 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 35, No. 7

PORTABLE DRILL H S O G W H C T A C LURES N A F T K P I N O CRODS D L T S N O C W I NANNUAL pescados más conocidos que pescan los pescadores de hielo. Realiza las ecuaciones para descubrir el nombre de cada uno de estos.

16 + 7 + 13 =

E E C L U R E S U HCHISEL BUNKS A B T H A P X S V F WIND +8+4= L R I O O I Z N R21A ALIVE T L F G E B N B O FSIGNALS 15 + 8 + 3 =

S A H I I L L I R DSPOT S E L S E E S C H ICATCH ICE

e a

H

T

S

L

A

N

G

I

S

11 + 5 + 11 =

26 = Lucio 26 = Lucio 27 = Pez sol 27 = Pez sol = Leucoma 33 nadando = Leucoma uno de los pasos. ¡Ooops!

Numera Colocamos estos dibujos la imagen de 1equivocada a 6. en33cada uno de los pasos. Numera estos de 1negros a 6. que blancos ¿Haydibujos más peces 36 = Trucha arco iris 36 = Trucha arco iris debajo del hielo?

¿Hay más peces negros qu debajo del h

Palabra de la semana:

CHOZA

Caña tipo “jigging”

varilla de pesca muy liviana y flexible, para pescados chicos.

Utiliza unEncuentra Siéntateelen unaUtiliza Cuando Utiliza un Siéntate en una Cuando tus tu tusUsa un cincel ebo especial, lugar silla perfecto portátil o taladro manos cebo especial, silla portátil o manos se de se para hielo cañas de para en pescar. una cubeta hielo enfríen, para agrandar cañas de en una cubeta enfríen, ve por parave por pescar dada vuelta y hacer un termo pescar dada vuelta y un termo de un de el agujero flexibles o observa por el chocolate hastaSeñuelo un observa por el chocolate agujero hasta algo que o - flexibles tip-ups para hoyo como que puedas caliente. máximoatrae de 12a lostip-ups para hoyo como caliente. peces para atrapar a los nadan los ver el agua pulgadas de elatrapar a los nadan los morder anzuelo. peces. peces. diámetro. peces. peces. líquida.

s construyen refugio en el mismo lugar donde Algunas personas construyen refugio en el mismo lugar donde pescar, para no sufrir el viento y frío. Algunos está el hoyo para pescar, para no sufrir el viento y frío. Algunos , estufas, literas de estos para tienen dormircalentadores, y hasta baños.televisión En satelital, estufas, literas para dormir y hasta baños. En vende a, estos refugios muchos forman lagos poblados. norteños donde la pesca esSe buena, estos refugios forman poblados.

choza para pescar

Caña tipo “jigging”

varilla de pesca muy liviana y flexible, para pescados chicos.

Señuelo - algo que

atrae a los peces para morder el anzuelo.

Pescando vocales

invierno en ese estado de la nación?

Ella construyó una choza para protegerse del viento mientras pesca en el lago congelado.

Intenta usar hoy la palabra choza mientras hablas con tus amigos o parientes.

Se vende choza para pescar

Observa los anuncios Observa los anuncios inmobiliarios de casas inmobiliarios de casas en venta ya sea en el en venta ya sea en el periódico de papel o periódico de papel o Junto a un compañero(a), escojan una nota en-línea. Usando Usando del periódico de hoy. Uno de losen-línea. dos deberá algunos de estos algunos de estos tinta de todas las vocales del artículo, La pesca anual del estado de Wisconsin es términos, escribe un La pescatapar anual con del estado Wisconsin es términos, escribe un para después dejarSique el(la) compañero(a) de 88 millones de pescados. Si la pesca de pescados. la pesca anuncio de venta para de 88 millones anuncio de venta para invernal aporta una cuarta parte de este una cuarta parte de este leaaporta la nota. ¿Puede leer el artículo? una soñada choza de invernal una soñada choza de total, ¿cuántos peces son atrapados cada pesca en el hielo. total, ¿cuántos peces son atrapados cada pesca en el hielo. invierno en ese estado de la nación?

El sustantivo choza significa una casa rudimentaria, como cabaña o covacha.

Pescando voca

un compañero(a), Yo Junto hice unaagujero en delhielo periódico el del lagode hoy. Uno congelado y para tapar con tintamitodas las vo sorpresa vi … dejar que el( para después lea la nota. ¿Puede leer el Completa este relato.

Kids Konnect • January/February 2021 • 27

Supplies: paint construction paper googly eyes pipe cleaners glue marker

Instructions: Before doing the activity, cut two large hearts and one small heart out of construction paper.

Also cut out a long oval for the butterfly’s body.

Cut the pipe cleaners to 3 inches and curl the ends.

Dip your child’s hand into washable paint and stamp it onto both hearts. (We recommend placing a bowl of water next to you so your

child can wash their hands right away.) Let the paint dry.

After it’s dry, attach the two hearts to the back of the body. (If you can, use a hot glue gun.

We found that Elmer’s glue made the marker bleed through the paper.) Then write the words “You make my heart flutter” on the body. Glue on the googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and draw a smile.

Source: https://teachingmama.org/make-heart-flutter-valentine-craft/

28 • January/February 2021 • Kids Konnect

St. Patrick’s Day Necklace

Use these shamrock s r to make you necklaces!

Supplies: Tootie Fruities or Fruit Loops cereal Paper Shamrocks Yarn or roping Hole Punch Tape (optional if you want to put it on the ends of the string) Instructions: Cut out and color your shamrock.

Be creative with colors and write your name on it.

Have an adult punch a hole into the top of the shamrocks. Next thread some yarn through the hole. Now it’s time to thread the cereal on the yarn. Once your are happy with how it looks, tie the ends together or use tape to close the ends together. Enjoy your tasty necklace!

Source: https://stayingclosetohome.com/st-patricks-day-crafts-recipes-pinterest-round/

Kids Konnect • January/February 2021 • 29

COVID-19 Basic Principles Sick students, teachers and staff should not come to school Enforce regular hand washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer Disinfect & clean dailyregistration highly used Kindergarten objects for and the surfaces 2021-2022 school Social distancing - including year began January 1. If limiting large gatherings you did not yet register for Wear cloth face coverings over kindergarten,there your mouth and nose in publicis still time! settings Visit our website,

Kindergarten Registration

#OwatonnaProud Calendar

www.isd761.org, School Attendance Lines ECSE andPre-K: click507-444-8050 on “enrollment.”

Lincoln: 507-444-8105 McKinley: 507-444-8205 Questions? Call Roosevelt Washington: 507-444-8305 Community Wilson: 507-444-8405 School:

507-444-7900

OWATONNA Free Meals PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Owatonna Public Schools is offering meals at NO COST to ALL children ages1-18, regardless of income. Free meals are now available through June 30,2021.

• Jan. 7 - Grades E-5 Transition Day, No School • Jan. 8 - Grades E-12 Transition Day, No School • Jan. 11 - Grades E-5 In-Person Learning,Grades 6-12 Hybrid Learning Resumes • Jan. 15 - End of 2nd Quarter • Jan. 18 - No School, Staff Development • Jan. 19 - No School, Teacher Work Day • Feb. 5 - Kindergarten Registration Deadline • Feb. 16 & 18 - Conferences, Grades K-5 • Feb. 19 - No School, Grades K-5,Conferences

StayConnected!

Connected!

Stay

Celebrate our Celebrate ourstudents, students,our our staff staff and our schools by following us and our schools by following us onon social likewhat what socialmedia. media. If If you you like you see, with you see,be besure sure to to share share ititwith others.

Together, others.

Together,we weare are #OwatonnaProud! #OwatonnaProud!

For more information, visit www.isd761.org/district-services/ nutrition-services or call 507-444-8616.

30 • January/February 2021 • Kids Konnect

@Owatonna761 @Owatonna761

#OwatonnaProud Thank you, Nutrition Services, for feeding our kids during distance learning!

Kids Konnect • January/February 2021 • 31

DO YOU HAVE A ROBOT IN YOUR HOME? If you have a vacuum cleaner that runs itself across the carpet or a device that can turn on the TV or lights when you ask it to, then you do!

Did you know that even thermostats can be “robots”? It’s true! They are called SMART THERMOSTATS. They can: • Use the Wi-Fi in your house to automatically raise or lower the heating or cooling.

• Can be controlled remotely by a smartphone or computer

Relax. It’s Main Street Dental We want you and your family to see what comfortable, neighborly dental care is all about.

Main Street Dental Clinics are locally owned and operated Blooming Prairie

Mankato

405 East Main Street 507-583-2141

287 St. Andrews Drive 507-720-0250

• Adjust to energy-saving temperatures when you are asleep or away

New Richland

Owatonna

132 N. Broadway 507-463-0502

1170 E. Frontage Road 507-455-100

Rochester 3110 Wellner Dr. NE 507-536-7700

mainstreetdentalclinics.com

Build a better lunch Wouldn’t it be cool to be sitting on the couch and use your smartphone to make the house warmer or cooler? We think so! So when your family buys a smart thermostat, Owatonna Public Utilities offers a

75 REBATE!

$

Have a grownup go to owatonnautilities.com to download a Natural Gas rebate application with complete terms and conditions.

½

Vegetables egetables & Fruits

+ ¼

Whole Grains ains

+ ¼

Lean Protein

box

n cucumber n vegetable soup n carrot sticks slices n sugar snap n green garden n cherry tomatos peas salad

n bell pepper slices

n orange n diced melon segments n fruit cup in n grape clusters 100% juice

n dried fruits:

n uns unsweetened

n whole wheat n baked tortilla chips bread, pita, bagel, or wrap n popcorn

n granola bar n brown rice

n whole grain crackers or cereal

n lower sodium, n tuna packed lean luncheon in water wa meats n peanut butter

n beans n hummus or bean dip

n handful of nuts n hardboiled eggs

w-fat or n string cheese n low-fa w-fa skim milk n low-fat yogurt

n un-processed n low-fat cheese cottage cheese

applesauce raisins, aapricots pplesauce or apples pples n berries

add

1 Serving of Low-fat Dairy

= 1 Balanced Lunch Box

NUTRITION EDUCATION EDUCA

with

*rebate is $75 for Energy Star / $50 for non-Energy Star smart thermostats

32 • January/February 2021 • Kids Konnect

495 West North St. Owatonna, MN 55060 Owa

071318_KidsKonnectAd3_75x4_9_3014

+