School Fun

FACEBOOK.COM/FUNFORKIDZ • FUNFORKIDZ.COM

School Fun!

Mystery Picture Puzzle

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Answers on page 30

flag apple 2 tepees envelope mushroom

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cup sock bottle caterpillar microscope

pear bird crown soap pencil canoe 2 hearts mouse candy kiss wristwatch bushel basket

cone ruler chalk popsicle flower pot

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Presents...

S chool F un

12 20

4 6 8 12

The Last Night of August

Activities:

School for

Puzzles:

2, 10, 11, 27

Mammoth Musicians

Science:

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Mrs. Fly

Cartoon:

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Flippin’ Out

Puzzle Solutions:

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over School

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14 Max & Gracie 15 Home Is Where the School Is

20 Dylan’s Plan 22 School at

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the Aquarium

24 Picture Day 26 Banda Goes

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to School

28 I Hope I Don’t

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Get Mr. Gray

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29 Wild Zoo School

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The Last Night of August

by Daryl-Lynne Gottier • illustrated by Pamela Harden ‘Twas the last night of August, when all through my mind, Flew the visions of summer I was leaving behind: The swimming, the biking, the beach in the sun, The hunting for fireflies, the cool things I’d done.

Finding shells at the ocean and frogs in the lake, Making paths through the tall grass and scaring a snake, My bike through the puddles, bare feet in the sand, Out late every evening. Summer life was just grand.

Now my sisters were tossing and turning in bed, Which made me believe school was something to dread.

On my chair lay my school clothes, backpack by their side, My stomach had jitters, and there was nowhere to hide.

The full moon was shining around me so bright, I knew I would have my eyes open all night.

School really was starting the very next day.

If I closed my eyes tight, would it just go away?

The leaves would be turning, the air, it would cool.

There was no way to stop it . . . tomorrow was SCHOOL! Soon alarm clocks were ringing, breakfast sat on my plate.

Mom told me to hurry or else I’d be late.

Now, Brittany and Ashley, brush your teeth and your hair.

Josh, I checked the street corner, your bus soon will be there.

Grab your jacket and backpack, don’t forget your lunch money.

Now, hurry up, hurry up, HURRY UP, HONEY! So out of the house I flew like a flash, Chasing two sisters in a shaky-legged dash.

And up to our corner the yellow bus flew, With a bus full of big kids and a huge driver too.

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And then in a twinkling, the bus “pulled” me inside.

It was doomed to be an unforgettable ride.

My breakfast just sat in my gut like a lump, And the bus driver hit every single road bump.

At last at my school, and then at my class, I peeked in the door and sure wished I could pass.

The desks were all lined up in nice little rows.

The teacher peered at me down the end of her nose.

Her eyes, how they darted, her cheeks were quite red.

She opened her mouth. I don’t know what she said.

I was led to a seat that was right by her desk, And was told, “You sit here, Josh, I am Mrs. Levesque.”

She started a grin that showed pearly white teeth.

Curly hair topped her head, big brown eyes just beneath.

She had a sweet face and a sweeter perfume That left us all grinning as she moved through the room.

I was calming down slowly and soon looked around.

My eyes grew in amazement at the cool things they found.

There were puzzles and books covering every long shelf.

I just might have some fun here, in spite of myself.

The walls had great posters and pictures and maps, A job chart with chores and names written on flaps.

In a corner were sticks, stones, and leaves in a tank.

It was home to the class pet, an iguana named Frank.

We did word games, some reading, and arithmetic too.

We practiced a fire drill so we’d know what to do.

We went to the library and picked out some books.

I bought my first hot lunch and met the two cooks.

We played Four Square at recess, and I made a new friend.

Soon the bell rang to tell us that school would soon end.

I heard my teacher call out as I walked out of sight, “You survived the first day, now go have a GOOD NIGHT!”

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School for

Mammoth

MUSICIANS

by Jacqueline Adams • photos by Richard Lair

What’s gray, weighs 30,000 pounds, has 9 trunks, and plays music? The Thai Elephant Orchestra!

Does the idea of elephants playing musical instruments sound strange to you? It didn’t sound strange to elephant expert Richard Lair. He’d already seen talented elephants pick up brushes and learn to paint abstract art. When he met musician Dave Soldier, the two of them decided to create the world’s first elephant orchestra.

Like any group of musicians, this orchestra spends time learning how to play together. It’s like going to a music school for very large students. The musicians in this unusual orchestra live in Thailand at the Thai

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Elephant Conservation Center. At first, two male and four female elephants made up the orchestra. Was it hard to teach them to play instruments?

“It was easy,” says Richard, “perhaps because they are used to painting and because they like the sound.”

Elephants can play some human instruments, such as harmonicas, but most instruments for humans aren’t the right size and shape for a huge animal that uses a trunk instead of hands. Richard, Dave, and three of their coworkers designed most of the elephants’ instruments, including a xylophone of large metal pipes, a ten-foot keyboard, and a gong made from a logging saw.

The orchestra rehearsed outside, in the shade of teak trees. Dave wanted to hear what the elephants would decide to play, so he didn’t teach them songs. He signaled when it was time to start and stop playing, but the elephants chose their own notes.

Do elephants enjoy making music? “To some, it’s just a job,” says Richard, “but others, such as Princess and Tadpole, simply love it.”

Princess, a seven-year-old female elephant, likes her xylophone so much that she sometimes refuses to stop playing! Tadpole, a six-year-old male, performs on several instruments. He taught himself how to play the diddley bow, which is a drum with a wire that makes it sound like an electric

bass. “Music puts Tadpole in a good mood,” explains Richard.

It took the Thai Elephant Orchestra only 11 days to record their first CD. The money raised from selling the CDs bought milk formula for orphaned baby elephants and will help run a school for elephant trainers.

Three more elephants have joined the orchestra. One is Look Aet, who is only three years old, but is one of the orchestra’s most talented musicians. Tadpole has a new drum kit, and the other elephants are learning new instruments. They will keep playing music that entertains humans and helps elephants.

You can hear a sample of elephant music or order a CD at www.mulatta.org.

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by Paula Matzek • illustrated by Shannon Comins “Yea!” shouted Chuck, “No teacher today!”

It was true. At least it seemed to be true. Mr. Digman was nowhere to be seen, and there was no substitute teacher, either.

“Yippee!” yelled Amy. “We can have a good time today!”

“Let’s have a party!” screamed Chris, dancing wildly around his desk.

Suddenly, at the height of the celebration, a calm, pleasant, high voice was heard above all of the commotion. “Good morning, class.

Please take your seats.”

“What was that?” gasped a stunned Chuck.

“It came from the direction of Mr. Digman’s desk,” whispered Marie.

“Correct! I am your substitute teacher.

Please sit down and get started on your journals.”

“There’s nothing over here but a fly!” exclaimed Chris, who was examining Mr. Digman’s desk top.

“That’s Mrs. Fly to you,” said the fly firmly. “Please sit down and get to work.”

A shocked silence was followed by a sudden flurry of murmured conversation.

“A talking fly!” . . . “This can’t be real!” . . . “What’s going on?”

“Mr. Digman is sick today,” explained Mrs. Fly, “but I expect you to follow all of the regular rules and procedures. My nephew Bernie Fly has spent many days visiting your class.

Perhaps you remember him observing your reading group.”

“Yeah,” said Chris, “I remember that fly. He hung around for days.”

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“Yes,” said Mrs. Fly, “that was Bernie, and he always came home just buzzing with excitement. He was

quite impressed with the behavior and work habits of your class.

So, naturally, I am thrilled to have this opportunity.”

Chuck was having so much fun that he forgot all about his plans to squash her.

“Let’s squash her at recess,” whispered Chuck to John.

When the day was over, the students were sad to say good-bye to Mrs. Fly.

John.

“Sh-h-h,” whispered

The class soon discovered that Mrs. Fly could be very strict.

Anyone who failed to follow directions immediately found Mrs. Fly sitting directly in his or her ear, buzzing angry orders to “Pay attention,” “Sit up straight,” “Get busy,” and “Proofread your work.”

Marie liked having Mrs. Fly for a reading teacher because Mrs. Fly walked along each line of print as Marie read. Marie never lost her place once.

Mrs. Fly’s handwriting lessons were the best.

She shuffled around in the chalk dust on the chalk tray and then marched carefully and precisely across the chalkboard. She formed every letter perfectly with a series of tiny footprints.

“That’s cool!” shouted Chris, forgetting to raise his hand.

“Yes, and you can do it, too, just as soon as you learn to walk on walls,” chuckled Mrs. Fly. “I hope she teaches us how to do that during recess,” whispered Amy. But when recess came, Mrs. Fly led the class in a lively game of Simon Says.

“Simon says wave your left wing – oops, I mean arm,” giggled Mrs. Fly.

During science class, Mrs. Fly told her whole life story, including her narrow escape from a hungry spider in the shed behind the gas station last summer.

“Will you ever be our substitute again?” asked John.

“Yeah, and teach us to walk on walls?” pleaded Amy. “We’ll see,” said Mrs. Fly. “In the meantime, you may be seeing my nephew Bernie at school. He’s been having some trouble with using the guide words in the glossary.”

When Mr. Digman returned the next day, he asked the students to write about their day with the substitute teacher.

“Well,” he said after reading their papers, “I can’t believe that you all got together and collaborated on this wild story. A teacher who can walk on walls and fly around the room? How did you think of such a thing?”

The students just grinned at each other and tried to keep from giggling.

Later, when the reading group was gathered around the table, Mr. Digman heard a faint buzzing sound and saw a small black speck moving around on his open glossary page. “It’s that fly again!” he exclaimed.

“BERNIE!” shouted all of the students.

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by David Lindo • illustrated by Jane Bodnar Please read carefully. Find the letters described by the fraction given in each of the following statements. Print the letters you select, in the order provided, onto the lines found below the puzzle. What did you find? Where you surprised?

What kinds of comments could a genius make?

The first 1/3 of WINTER The last 1/5 of JOKES The middle 1/2 of NECK The first 2/7 of RAINBOW The last 2/5 of BLACK The middle 1/5 of POSSE

the Classroom inby MaryEllen s e r u t a e r Uthlaut C Every creature on the list below has a favorite subject in school. Match each one with its numbered clue, and write the correct answers in the puzzle.

Then use the letters in the yellow blocks to read about an outstanding class whose teacher also stood out. (The numbers underneath the riddle show which answer contains that letter.)

HYPNOTIST ASTRONAUT SEAMSTRESS SNAKE AARDVARK PIG CAT DOG WORM BEARS 2 4 ACROSS 4. Spell – ing 5. Sew – cial studies 8. Sci – ants 10. Pen – manship

Answer: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Answers on page 30

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DOWN 1. Fuzzy – cal education 2. Earth – metic 3. Launch – time 6. Hiss – tory 7. Mew – sic 9. Mutt – ematics

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7 8

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Why was the teacher wearing sunglasses? because his students were

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _!

Back to School

by Shirley Pearson Starting with the phrase SCHOOL DAYS, carefully follow the directions in order to discover what always happens at the end of every school year. Each instruction applies to the new “word” that you have just made. These “words” may not make sense until you solve the puzzle. It might be helpful to check off each instruction as you go.

SCHOOL DAYS 1. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 2. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 3. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 4. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

3. If there are two of the same letter, side-by-side, remove the first one.

4. Take the first vowel, and move it after the N.

5. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 6. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

5. Move the third, fourth, and fifth letters, in order, to the end.

7. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

6. Reverse the last three letters.

8. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 9. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

7. Replace the third and fourth letters with two E’s.

8. Swap the first and fifth letters with each other.

10. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 11. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 12. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 13. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 14. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

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1. Replace DAYS with NIGHTS.

2. Take away the first and third consonants.

Answers on page 30

9. Reverse the second and third letters.

10. Replace the C with VI. 11. Swap the T and the S with each other.

12. Change all the E’s to A’s.

13. Reverse the fourth, fifth, and sixth letters.

14. Replace SALIVA with VACA.

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Answers on page 30

Fraction-nition

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I Finished My Homework written & illustrated by Neal Levin

I finished my homework for once in my life.

I finished my homework on time.

I felt so elated. I felt so inspired.

I felt positively sublime.

I felt I was sitting on top of the world, And the stars were in perfect alignment.

But then I discovered, while turning it in, That it wasn’t the proper assignment.

a c k Lo p k gic c a B Puzzle

Glue skin, new skin, Growing on my thumb.

Rub off, scrub off, Peeling “skin” is fun!

Blow it so it Has a chance to dry.

“Waste not, Want not,” Teacher says Is true.

Must be Mr. Glee Never played With glue!

by Liana Mahoney illustrated by Roy Green

1. Lauren’s pack is 2

pounds heavier than Isaac’s.

2. Wendy’s pack is

lighter than Ellen’s.

3. Isaac’s pack weighs more than Wendy’s.

10 pounds

8 pounds

Pick it, Flick it, Make the glue Skin fly!

Want some? Have some!

Here’s a dab for you.

Use the clues to decide whose backpack weighs 5 pounds, 7 pounds, 8 pounds, and 10 pounds.

5 pounds

Tacky, smacky, One more dab of glue.

7 pounds

by Evelyn B. Christensen

Ellen Isaac Lauren Wendy Answers on page 30

If you like, use the grid to eliminate possibilities.

Put an “x” in a box if you know a weight doesn’t go with a student.

Put an “o” if you know it does.

Word Search Puzzle

by Gertrude Knabbe

Look forward, backward, up, down, and diagonally to find the following words in capital letters. Cross the word off the list. After all the words are found, the letters remaining will spell something about School Fun. JUMP rope CLASS ESSAYS BOOKS ENGLISH TEACHERS RECITE STUDENT HOMEWORK POETRY SCIENCE EXAMINATIONS GRADES

E S S A Y S P E L L I N G S

N X D S T U D Y R B O O K S

G N A E K R O W E M O H T C

L O S M S N A E D P M U J I

I T M Y I K T D P T D T N E

S E A G D N E E E E R E W N

H S R I L E A R N P U A R C

T I K M T S C T C E N M I E

A E S I E S H S I N G S T N

M R C T E A E W L O U I E S

F E E D O P R F S M N E D H

R A A A N R S C L A S S A O

MARKS PENCILS HISTORY SPELLING

H R I P L A Y P O E T R Y P

G O A L L E B A N D D A E R

, .

Answers on page 30

RUN PEN GYM SING SHOP READ PLAY PASS HARD GOAL FAIL DESK DEAN BELL

BAND MATH WRITE TRAIN TRADE TESTS TEAMS STUDY NOTES MUSIC LEARN

ore oe B J y b

“This stuff must really be good for you.

It tastes and smells awful.”

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Flippin’ Out over School

by Linda Zajac

When it’s breakfast time in China, the cereal bowls don’t always end up on the table. Sometimes they spin on little feet. Other times, they are balanced atop little heads. You see, Chinese children need their practice. Some children as young as age four or five train to be in acrobatic troupes. Balancing bowls is a trick they practice over and over again.

Acrobats have been performing in China for a very long time. It’s an ancient folk art. Chinese acrobats, in colorful silk costumes, entertained the Imperial Courts over 2000 years ago. Today they entertain the world!

Long ago, Chinese farm families spent the winter inside. How did they keep busy when the weather was bad? They entertained themselves by learning to juggle household objects. Dinner dishes, tables, chairs, bottles, flags, buckets, and bicycles were juggled.

In China, teachers handpick students who show superior talent. These students receive extra training at special acrobatic schools. One school is the National Institute for Acrobatic Training in Taiwan.

In order to attend the school, the child must want to become an acrobat and be willing to work hard.

Unlike the US, only half of the day is spent on schoolwork. Before you pack your bags and head to China, be aware that the other half of the day will be training with coaches. It’s very demanding. Students are tired at the end of each day, and Sunday is their only day off.

Acrobats are expected to perform during holidays and festivals. October 1st is a holiday called National Day. It’s celebrated with dancing, singing, and acrobatics. New Year’s Day is usually celebrated at the end of January for three days. Firecrackers explode. In fancy dragon costumes, acrobats perform to the sound of beating drums.

It takes many years of training to become a master performer. Students start with somersaults and cartwheels. During the first few years, they work on flexibility, balancing, tumbling, dancing, and strength. Next, they perfect those skills. Complex routines are practiced many times until the timing and balance are perfect. This usually takes three to five years. Finally, at age sixteen or seventeen, they are ready to perform.

If you saw Chinese acrobats, you would be amazed at their stunts. The Chinese believe in chi kung. It’s the “inner strength” one gets when the mind and body work in harmony. When many performers work together, the results are spectacular.

All over the world, the Chinese are known for their daring acrobatics. They’ve earned many awards. In China, it’s a great honor to become an acrobat.

The next time you sit down to breakfast, remember the Chinese children on the other side of the world. Remember the years of hard work.

Remember the glory and the honor, but most of all, remember to keep your bowl on the table.

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Have you ever wanted to send a secret message to a friend – perhaps a picture that only your friend could see? It’s easy.

Use INVISIBLE INK. When you write or draw with invisible ink, the paper will look blank when the ink dries. To see what you have written, you must use a “developer,” which will cause the invisible ink to turn a dark color.

What You Need to Make Invisible Ink: • baking soda • a spoon • water Put two spoonfuls of baking soda in a cup, and add two spoonfuls of water. Stir. This is your invisible ink. Use an artist’s brush, a cotton swab, or even your fingertip to write or draw something on a sheet of plain white paper, and let it dry.

What You Need to “Develop” Invisible Ink: • red or purple grape juice Believe it or not, this juice is the “secret chemical” that will turn your invisible writing a dark color. Even some of the fruit juices that contain only some grape juice will work as a developer. Try whatever you have.

To see your invisible writing, simply dip a tissue in the grape juice, and rub it over the invisible ink.

The Science Secret Baking soda is a chemical, which is called a “base.” Grape juice is a different chemical, which is called an “indicator.” This means when grape juice is mixed with a base, it will “indicate” (this means it will show) the base by changing color.

When grape juice is wiped over the paper, it indicates the lines you have drawn with the base by turning them bluish-green. It looks like magic, but it really is just chemistry.

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Lincoln, Nebraska 7:10 PM

Clouds-blocking-the-sun kind of day

Max and Gracie and their owners, Linda, Craig, and their seven-year-old son, Ed, are driving the back roads of America. Perhaps you have seen Max and Gracie with their heads out the window. If not, here is a letter describing their most recent adventure.

ng she needed Everyone thought she’d learn everythi cie.

Gra to ners man hing teac due We’re long over e of what I do. s to only want to do the exact opposit to know from me. Instead, Gracie seem s. gs her head out the window and bark When I sit in the van quietly, she han ws her body across mine. cie runs around the room, then thro If I curl up in my bed to sleep, Gra arly when I’ve fallen asleep!

PLOP! It’s very distressing, particul l Gracie sits. That can each a bone, I sit and have to wait unti If Ed tells us to sit so he can hand us have to go through the whole it’s only for five seconds. Then we be a long time! Even after she sits, cie will learn, but n. Ed makes us go through it so Gra sit, stay, and calm down routine agai never going to learn to sit and she’s so excited to get a bone, she’s stay!

from me, so today she’s Nope, Gracie isn’t learning anything onal trainer. She’ll learn off to school to learn from a professi in a circle, bow, and fetch. how to sit, stay, stand, turn around there will be time – the If there’s time – and no one thinks command. Personally, trainer will teach her how to bark on barks all the time!

I think this is silly, since she already for the trainer.

I’m sure she’s going to be a handful So, yes, this is her first day of school! ch I can’t wait till she gets back, whi , Boy ght. toni 8:00 should be around , that is Why dog school runs late! do you think? Are dogs able to learn e better at night? Hmmm . . . I’ll hav to think on this one.

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Max

Home Is Where the School Is

Anna Gorin sits at a table with brightly colored threads and pieces of fabric scattered across the surface. She and the other girls with her chat and have fun together as they work their needles in and out.

Why isn’t Anna at school? Are the girls home with colds? No! Anna and the girls are homeschooled, and this is an embroidery club for homeschoolers. Anna is one of 1.5 million children in the US who are taught by their parents at home.

A typical school day for Anna includes writing, logic, French, Latin, and a subject she or her older sister, Arielle, chooses. Anna’s choice of subjects have included the War of 1812, poultry, airplanes, and cooking. “It’s fun when I’m learning about things that interest me,” she says.

Learning at home allows Anna lots of flexibility with her schedule. She often figure skates in the morning when the rink is not crowded, for instance, and studies in the afternoon. Likewise, her family enjoys taking time off when vacation crowds have thinned.

People often ask homeschoolers how they will be “socialized,” or learn to fit in with other kids. Anna answers by describing her involvement with two homeschool-support groups, 4-H, skating, swimming, skiing, piano lessons, and the embroidery club. With so many outside activities, there are plenty of opportunities to be with other kids.

As much as she enjoys her activities, Anna is not afraid to talk about what she doesn’t like about being taught at home. “Sometimes I feel different from other kids,” she says, “because most of them aren’t homeschooled. Meeting new kids can be harder, since I’m not with a group of them all day.”

Anna says she wouldn’t change a thing, though. Her final thoughts? “I guess I’d like people to know that homeschoolers are pretty much like anyone else.” After all, when life is interesting to you, learning goes on all the time – no matter where you go to school!

by Leslie Gorin illustrated by Pamela Harden

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Dylan’s Plan

by Heather Klassen • illustrated by Pamela Harden

“Let’s go,” Dylan’s mom said.

“OK, Dylan, I’ve received email responses from all the parents in the neighborhood,” Dylan’s mom said.

Dylan and his mom walked out the door, down the “They’ve agreed to try your plan. And I’ll take the first walk, and onto the sidewalk. shift tomorrow morning.”

“This is going to be good daily exercise,” Dylan’s “That’s great, Mom,” Dylan replied. “Thanks.” mom said.

OK, so the parents must like my idea, Dylan thought, Dylan nodded just as they reached Felipe’s house. The but what about my friends? And their brothers and door opened, and Felipe and his little brother, Armando, sisters? I sure hope they all like my idea too. I don’t stepped outside. want every kid in the neighborhood to be mad at me, “Where’s our ride?” Felipe called. especially not on the first day of school.

“Right here,” Dylan called back. “Come on.”

Dylan woke up early the next morning and got Felipe and Armando ran down their walk and joined ready quickly. As he pulled his new backpack onto his Dylan and his mom. shoulders, Mom walked into the entry.

“Excited about the first day of school, Dylan?” she asked.

“Sure,” Dylan answered. But he didn’t tell her how nervous he felt about his plan. My reasons are good, Dylan thought, but what if no one else wants to do it?

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“What’s going on?” Felipe asked. “My dad said you and your mom were going to pick us up today.”

“We are,” Dylan replied. “We’re picking you up in our walking school bus. Instead of all the parents driving us

to school in their cars, we’re all going to walk together.

“My dad’s the driver tomorrow,” Lucy said.

It will be better for the environment, we all get exercise, The walking school bus wound through the and it will be more fun being together.” neighborhood until all the passengers had been picked Felipe nodded. “OK,” he said. “That sounds cool. Let’s up. Soon they reached the school. do it.”

“Everyone off the bus,” Dylan’s mom called.

Whew, Dylan thought. Felipe’s in. Now what about Laughing, Dylan’s friends and neighbors scattered across everyone else? the playground, heading toward the school building.

The group continued down the sidewalk, stopping at “Awesome idea, Dylan,” Felipe said.

Suzumi’s house.

“But, Dylan?” Armando asked.

“What’s going on?” she asked as she joined them.

Dylan looked down at Felipe’s kindergartener brother.

“It’s a walking school bus,” Dylan said.

“What’s up, Armando?” he asked.

“For the environment and exercise and fun,” Felipe “Where was the bus?” Armando asked. “I didn’t explained. see it.”

Suzumi laughed. “OK. I want to sit in the back.”

Dylan laughed. I’ll leave that to Felipe to explain, he Next they stopped and picked up Pradeep and Mayuri, decided. I’m just glad that everyone liked my idea. We and then Lucy and Brandon. get cars off the road, our feet on the road, and lots more fun, all rolled up together on the walking school bus.

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School at the Aquarium

by Julie Closson

If I told you there was school at an aquarium, you would think I was talking about a school of fish, right? How about if I mentioned that some of the learning was done in the dark? Now your mind might think of nocturnal, or night, animals like the lobster or the shy octopus.

At the Georgia Aquarium located in Atlanta, Georgia, kids can learn at the aquarium . . . at night, and in their pajamas! After everyone has gone home, and the Aquarium closes its doors after a busy day, boys and girls are in for a night of exciting exploration. You can have a guided tour through the Aquarium’s galleries, which highlight aquatic animals and habitats where the animals live.

Imagine getting a “behind-the-scenes tour,” where you will visit the top of the live coral reef exhibit. You will discover the secrets of the tropical waters and the mangrove forest. Curious garden eels will pop up out of the sand to meet you, and swirling masses of tiny, glassy sweepers in various colors of silver and yellow will dart by. You will have the chance to meet an animal and find out what they like to eat when you visit the veterinary clinic. The penguins are always popular and seem to love all the attention! Tropical fish of all shapes and sizes become the teachers for the night. Looks like the loggerhead sea turtle is in no hurry to get to his next class.

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If you do get tired, you may have to count clown fish instead of sheep to get to sleep! Don’t worry about having a bad dream about the whale shark. Even though the ones that are kept at the Georgia Aquarium get up to 40 feet long and are the largest fish they have, these sharks don’t have any teeth. And they only eat plankton for lunch.

After a night at the aquarium, you will probably be ready for breakfast. The seals like to dine on sardines and other small fish when they wake up, but you won’t share their breakfast. You will probably have a muffin or toast with jelly and juice.

The Georgia Aquarium has more animals than any other aquarium. It has more than 10 million gallons of water so that all those animals and fish can live comfortably. To give you an idea of how much water that is, think of your public swimming pool. How many gallons of water do think it can hold? There is actually a math formula that can tell you this. If you take the pool’s width x the length x the height x 7.5 gallons, it will tell you approximately how many gallons of water are in your public pool. An average pool will have 162,000 gallons. So, just in case you are curious, with its 10 million gallons of water, the Georgia Aquarium is as big as 62 public swimming pools!

Of course, the Aquarium’s water is filled with a different type of swimmer – interesting aquatic life hanging out in its own unique school.

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Picture Day

by Bill Kirk • illustrated by Ginny Pruitt

This morning when my Grandma knocked, I didn’t make a peep.

She’d never find me underneath These covers in a heap.

Then in she came to chase me out And get me on my way.

“Let’s rise and shine, grandson of mine!

Today is picture day.”

She gently stressed as I got dressed, “No horseplay is allowed.

There’ll be no kicking rocks and cans, Or dust into a cloud.”

“But, Grandma . . . ” “Don’t ‘But, Grandma’ me,” She said with my four names.

That meant that she was serious.

She’d have no silly games.

So I got dressed and brushed my hair And even washed my face.

The boys would hardly know it’s me – With every hair in place.

Then off I went with good intent, To stay both neat and pressed.

So when I finally got to school, I’d look my very best.

At recess all the kids went out To run and chase and hide.

But Grandma’s words came back to me, And so I stayed inside.

When it was time to go to lunch, I ate each bite with care.

I even tucked a napkin in, To catch each crumb mid-air.

24

Then suddenly, as if on cue, I heard someone yell, “Duck!”

I should have known my time would come, And I’d be out of luck.

At first I saw some gelatin Go sailing past my head.

And then two hotdogs – flying by – Just missed my best friend, Fred.

But, wait! Was that my grandma’s voice So faint and far away?

“Get up, my boy, or you’ll be late!

Today is picture day.”

So did I hear my grandma right?

Were things not as they seemed?

Hurray! That whole big mess at school Was something I had dreamed!

Soon apples turned to applesauce And plums to purple goo.

When mashed potatoes hit the floor, They stuck like paste and glue.

I crashed into the Principal And almost caused two falls.

By then my hopes of staying clean Were dashed on doors and walls!

When all the food had finally flown, The lunchroom was mess!

Our teachers called our moms and dads So we could all confess.

And did I mention evidence?

Oh, yes! There’d be a bunch!

The photographs would say it all – Our turn was after lunch!

25

Banda

Goes to School B

by Elizabeth Cook

anda, the harbor seal, lives the typical life of a zoo seal.

Sunbathing and swimming make up most of her day. But just like you, Banda has to go to school every day.

Banda’s school is different from yours. Banda’s keeper, the person that takes care of her, is her teacher. Banda’s classes are called training sessions. During these sessions, Banda practices behaviors she already knows, and she also works on new behaviors.

Banda learns two different types of behaviors. She learns fun behaviors and medical, or husbandry, behaviors.

Some of Banda’s fun behaviors are jumping, waving, and retrieving a ball in the water.

Husbandry behaviors are the most important behaviors that Banda learns. Husbandry behaviors allow Banda’s keeper to monitor her health. This is very important because Banda can’t tell her keeper when she isn’t feeling well.

Banda has learned to lie on her stomach and keep her chin on the ground. She holds still while the veterinarian draws a blood sample from her rear flipper. The veterinarian can tell if Banda is sick by performing various tests with her blood.

How does Banda learn behaviors? She learns in small steps.

Each time she masters a step, another one is added to it. Soon all the little steps add up to a behavior. Banda gets a reward, like a juicy piece of fish, each time she performs a step correctly.

Getting a reward lets Banda know that she did the step right.

Do you remember how you learned the alphabet? First you learned A. Then you learned that B comes after A. Then you added on C and could recite ABC. If you were a seal learning the alphabet, you would get a juicy piece of fish each time you added a new letter!

Banda’s keeper wants learning to be fun for Banda. If Banda makes a mistake, she is asked to try again. Banda’s keeper never punishes her.

Punishing Banda would confuse her and make her afraid of her keeper.

One day Banda’s keeper, Lauryn, noticed that Banda’s gums were swollen and red. This meant Banda had a gum disease called gingivitis, the same gum disease that people can get. Banda needed to learn another husbandry behavior.

Banda had to learn to have her teeth brushed.

Banda already knew the first step, which was (A), to hold her mouth open. Next Banda learned to have her face touched with the toothbrush (B). Once Banda felt comfortable being touched with the toothbrush, Lauryn touched Banda’s tooth (C). Next Lauryn began to brush the tooth (D). Each day, Lauryn added another tooth (E, F, etc.). Soon Banda graduated to the last step of having all her teeth brushed with a special dental solution for animals.

Learning behaviors has many benefits.

Learning provides Banda with exercise for her mind. Performing high-energy, fun behaviors, like jumping, provides Banda with exercise for her body. Husbandry behaviors allow Banda to voluntarily participate in her medical treatment.

Now Banda’s gums are healthy again, and she has the brightest smile in the whole zoo!

26

“There’s always a class clown in every school.”

S c h o o l Is F u n

by Lynn York

School is fun. School is cool If you know the Golden Rule: Do your best work all the time, And tell your jokes in a little rhyme.

Why was the light bulb failing tests when all he did at night was study?

He was not too bright!

Why was 6 afraid of 7 when they’d play during recess?

How do baby goats know how to spell hard words, like pyramid and arachnids?

They are whiz kids!

Why did the computer let out a loud

squeak?

because somebody stepped on the mouse!

because 7 8 9! (7 ate 9!) to try to catch a cold!

Why did the boy eat his homework when he knew he’d get a bellyache?

He was tocking too much!

Why did the school nurse with a heart of gold run away?

Why was the clock sent to the principal’s office when he had such a gentle touch?

because the teacher said it was a piece of cake!

Now it’s your turn. Give it a try.

Make your friends laugh till they cry.

But be sure not to tell jokes to your teacher, Because she may turn you into a polka-dotted creature!

“Who’s the smart kid in the back?”

by James Browne

School Time Sudoku

by Evelyn B. Christensen

Fill in the squares so that each row, column, and 8-square section has the letters D-I-S-C-O-V-E-R.

C V

I

S E

D

R S C

E

I V

E

S E

E I

O

by Bill & Bob Thomas

R

C O C

I

D

E O I

V

R D

D

V

R C O

Answers on page 30

27

I Hope I Don’t Get Mr. Gray

by Eric Ode • illustrated by Joan Waites

I’ve liked my teachers as a rule, But next year when I’m back at school, I dream and wish and hope and pray My teacher is not Mr. Gray.

For Mr. Gray is big and broad.

His chin is square. His nose is odd.

His hair is long. He dresses weird.

He has a shaggy, scruffy beard.

His voice is deep and loud and strong.

His arms are thick. His hands are long.

So trust the words I speak today.

I hope I don’t get Mr. Gray.

What’s that you say? What’s that I hear?

You say you had him just last year?

You say he sings and plays guitar And keeps a June bug in a jar?

He juggles like you’ve never seen And dresses up on Halloween?

He teaches pride and self-control And history and rock and roll?

Can everything you say be true?

He schedules field trips to the zoo And even rides a motorbike?

Now there’s a man I’m sure I’d like!

Next year, oh, how I hope and pray My teacher will be Mr. Gray.

28

Wi l d Zoo School Our class had school at a zoo.

Mrs. Miller, our teacher, said that a zoo makes an amazing outdoor classroom. Instead of just seeing pictures in a textbook, we saw what animals might do in the wild. At the zoo, we explored animal habitats and talked with zoo professionals. We helped feed animals and touch some of them, but not at the same time. Some students even got to be assistants and help zookeepers with special projects.

A zoo educator was our personal tour guide. He knew a lot about all the animals. We were told to use our senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch to discover things about the animals.

Using our powers of observation and being good listeners helped.

Our guide told us not to be afraid to ask questions. That’s a good way to learn new things.

The first stop was the tiger exhibit. Some animals were prowling in the tall grasses in a large area that looked like their natural habitat. Two cubs were wrestling. The guide explained that this helps the young tigers develop their muscles so they grow up strong. Tigers are in danger of becoming extinct. Zoos have the important job of keeping tigers around for future generations. Did you know that some tigers can be the length of a school cafeteria table?

Next we visited the armadillos.

We were able to see these strangelooking animals up close. Their armored bands are very flexible and felt tough, like fingernails.

by Diane Winebar

Not every armadillo can roll itself into a ball for protection, only the three-banded ones. We helped the zookeeper fix a meal for our armadillo friends. I don’t think I’d like crickets and mealworms for lunch, but the armadillos sure did.

That day the zookeepers were observing the elephants and recording their findings. Our class was asked to help. We were given a list of behaviors to look for: Were the elephants staying close together? Could we hear rumbling sounds coming from their stomachs? What were the baby elephants doing? All these behaviors mean something. Just like the zookeepers, we carefully recorded our observations. We were helping make sure the elephants were safe and healthy and doing what elephants are supposed to do.

There were many animals to see and discoveries to make.

Did you know that rhinos are nearsighted? That means they can’t see far away. People think rhinos have a bad temper because they charge when they’re startled by something. They just can’t see clearly. We learned that orangutans live most of their lives in trees.

They are very intelligent and spend a lot of time daydreaming.

We all wondered about what they were thinking.

Our teacher was right. A zoo does make an amazing outdoor classroom. We had a great time at our wild zoo school!

29

Puzzle Solut ions

Picture Puzzle on page 2

Creatures in the Classroom on page 10 1 2

3

W

4

H

Y

P N O

T

I

S

E 7 8

A M S

9

A

R D

T 10

P

I

T

A

T T

R

R

C A

E

S

R 5

A

V

E

6

S

O

N

N

A

A

O

U

G

T

B

R

S

K E

Why was the teacher wearing sunglasses? because his students were

_ _ R_ _I G_ H_ _!

S _ O B T 6 3 1 2 10 9 4 7

Back to School on page 10

1. SCHO O LN I GH T S 2. COOLN I G H T S 3. COL N I G H T S 4. CL NO I G H T S 5. CL GH T S N O I 6. CL GH T S I O N 7. CL EE T S I O N

8. T L E E C SI ON 9. T E L E C SI ON 10. T E L E V I SI ON 11. SE L E V I TI ON 12. SA L A V I TI ON 13. SA L I V A TI ON 14. V A C A T I ON

Backpack Logic Puzzle on page 11 Ellen’s is 7 pounds.

Isaac’s is 8 pounds.

Lauren’s is 10 pounds.

Wendy’s is 5 pounds.

Word Search on page 11

School Time Sudoku on page 27

C O

I

S

D O E

R

I C

V

I

R O

V

E D

S E D

S C

E O V

D

I

S

C O V

E

R

I

R

C

E V O S

D

V S

I

E D

I

V

R

O C R

30

R

D C

D S

S

V E

R C O I

E S S A Y S P E L L I N G S

N X D S T U D Y R B O O K S

G N A E K R O W E M O H T C

L O S M S N A E D P M U J I

I T M Y I K T D P T D T N E

S E A G D N E E E E R E W N

H S R I L E A R N P U A R C

T I K M T S C T C E N M I E

A E S I E S H S I N G S T N

M R C T E A E W L O U I E S

F E E D O P R F S M N E D H

R A A A N R S C L A S S A O

Answer: Here, I made new friends.

H R I P L A Y P O E T R Y P

G O A L L E B A N D D A E R

Fraction-nition on page 10 What kind of comments could a genius make?

Answer: WISECRACKS Photo Credits: Courtesy of Georgia Aquarium 22, 23; Malayan Tiger Cubs by Malcolm / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-2.0 29 (top); boys with armadillo – photo by Michael Durham, courtesy of the Oregon Zoo 29 (2nd); Lily, RoseTu swimming – Photo by Michael Durham, courtesy of the Oregon Zoo 29 (3rd); black rhino – Photo

by Carli Davidson, courtesy of the Oregon Zoo 29 (4th); Inji the orangutan – Photo by Carli Davidson, courtesy of the Oregon Zoo 29 (5th).

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