Kv june 13

JUNE 2013

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Pretend it’s a hot summer afternoon. Your mom has just made a big pitcher of ice-cold lemonade.

As you sit on your front porch drinking the lemonade, some of your friends who have been running through the neighborhood come by. They are hot and thirsty, and your lemonade looks really good to them.

One of your friends says, “If you give me a glass of lemonade, I will let you ride my scooter down the street.” You might think about it for a minute and maybe say, “I’ll get you some lemonade if you let me ride your scooter up and down the street two times.”

If your friend agrees, you run in the house and ask your mom for another glass of lemonade. Your mom might ask why, and you explain the deal you made. She might say, “Okay, I will give you a glass of lemonade, but as soon as you are done riding the scooter, you have to clean your room.”

While that doesn’t sound like as good of a deal as you made with your friend, you agree, knowing that in order to get what you want — the lemonade — you are going to have to do what your mom wants — clean your room. On the other hand, your thirsty friend knows that if he wants the lemonade, he is going to have to let you ride his scooter. With this deal made, everyone got what they wanted. Your mom is happy because your room is clean.

Your friend is happy because he is not thirsty anymore and you are happy because you got to ride the scooter.

Economics You might not know it, but you would have just conducted an economic transaction. What’s that you ask?

The economy is defined as the wealth and resources of a country or region, especially in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services.

That’s a pretty big definition that describes what could happen in a couple of minutes on your front porch.

In this particular instance, the country is your neighborhood. In your deal, you actually traded a good and a service. Your mother provided you with the good — the lemonade — and you in turn provided her a service — cleaning your room. You went outside and provided your friend with a good — the lemonade — and your friend provided you a service — letting you ride his scooter. This kind of trading is known as bartering, which is a transaction in which no money passes hands but goods and services are traded. This is the earliest type of economic system known to man.

Let’s look at the situation in a different way. Instead of sitting quietly on your steps drinking your lemonade, you spent your morning setting up a table and a chair, getting plastic cups and a pitcher of lemonade and setting up a lemonade stand in your front yard. In this instance, you created a small business and charged each of your friends or neighbors .25 cents for the lemonade (your product). By doing this, you would have conducted a monetary exchange with your friends (your customers) for your good (the lemonade). Then, of course, you would have to pay your supplier (your mom) for buying the goods to make the lemonade and for making it for you. What you paid your mom was the cost of doing business. At the end of the afternoon, whatever you made from selling your lemonade, minus what you paid your mom, would have been your profit (just like when you bartered, your ride on the scooter was your profit.)

If your friend lived right next door, and his mom was waiting on the porch with a glass of lemonade for him, there would not be a demand for your service, and you would not make a profit.

In order for an economy to succeed, there has to be a supply of a product or good and a demand for it. If you have too much of a product and no one wants it, then you lose money. If you have a small amount of a product and everyone wants it, then you make money.

This neighborhood transaction is a scaled-down version of what happens around the world every day. Big businesses make products that are in demand. They then sell the products to people who want them. In order to buy the products, people have to have money, and they earn their money by working at a job where some kind of good is made or a service is provided. These kinds of transactions happen on a much bigger scale than what happened in your front yard.

If there is a continual supply and demand, then the economy is considered to be good. If there is not a demand for a product, then the people who make the product may lose their jobs. When that happens, the economy isn’t very good.

For more information that will help you explore the idea of economics, visit the following website: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/elementary-school.

The economic health of a country can change daily. The health of our economy is tracked on Wall Street, the center of finance in the United States. It is located in New York City.

Wall Street is home to the stock exchange. This is a place where stocks, which are units of ownership in a business, are bought and sold. In this environment, you buy a stock when its demand is low and you sell it when it is high. That’s how you make a profit.

Not all companies are traded on the stock exchange. Many companies sell percentages of ownership in their company in order to create new products, build more buildings to make goods or find better ways (research) of doing things.

Investing in stocks can be risky. If you buy stock in a company whose product does not stay in high demand, you could lose your investment, which is the money you spent to buy the stock.

For more information on the Stock Market, visit http://themint.org/kids/what-is-the-stock-market.html.

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JUNE 2013

Take a Hike Switzerland is known for many different things, but perhaps it is most famous for its beautiful mountains. In the summer, many people make trips to Switzerland to hike the beautiful mountains and foothills. One of the most popular places to hike is on the Zermatt Lake Trail, which sits in the shadow of the Matterhorn, which is one of the highest peaks in the Alps Mountains. You can also take a historic hike along Lake Luzer or while hiking through the Swiss National Park, you can look for the animals that call Switzerland home. If you decide to take a trip to Switzerland to hike, you will want to bring some sturdy hiking boots and a walking pole, which will help you keep your balance.

Flag Day On June 14, Americans take time to celebrate Old Glory, our flag. We celebrate Flag Day on June 14, because that is the day in 1777 that the Second Continental Congress adopted the resolution to make it the official flag of the United States. Every year since 1909, Fairfield, Wash., has celebrated Flag Day with a parade. This is the oldest continuous celebration of Flag Day. The largest Flag Day parade is held in Troy, N.Y., and usually draws about 50,000 people to cheer on the flag.

Army Birthday Another famous event is celebrated on June 14 — the Army’s Birthday. On June 14, 1775, a number of New England militia (a state-sponsored Army) companies were ready to go into battle against British troops near Boston, Mass. Each of the militias had their own commander and no one commander was in charge. Knowing that there needed to be a unified chain of command, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress asked the Second Continental Congress to take charge of the militias. On June 14, the Congress acted on the request and resolved to bring in a draft of rules and regulations for the government of the Army” and voted $2,000,000 to support the forces around Boston and those at New York City.

Moreover, Congress authorized the formation of 10 companies of expert riflemen from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, which were directed to march to Boston to support the New England militia.

George Washington received his appointment as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army the next day and formally took command on July 3, 1775.

THE BLACK ALPINE SALAMANDER

One of the most interesting things about the The Alps are a very difficult place for any animal to live. They black Alpine salamander is the way that it has comprise a huge mountain range that goes through eight countries babies. Unlike many salamanders, the mother of Europe: Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, produces only two to four offspring instead France, Italy and Monaco. These mountains are huge, with the alia of the hundreds many other species produce. highest, Mont Blanc, at 15,782 feet. At such heights, the mountains Kingdom: Anim ata Additionally, the babies stay within the mother Phylum: Chord are usually covered in snow and are steep, windy and very cold. That bia for a long time. The black Alpine salamander has Class: Amphi is the last place that anyone would expect to find animals, let alone a ata ud Ca Order: been known to have a gestation period as long as salamander. andridae am Sal : ily Fam two years. It takes the babies so long to develop andra The black Genus: Salam because the harsh mountain environment makes a Alpine Species: S. atr it difficult for the mother to find and provide the salamander babies with enough food for them to grow as is a little shiny black salamander found in quickly as other lizards. After birth, it takes the the central and eastern Alps at an altitude salamander two years to develop into an adult. between 700 and 3,000 meters (about 2,300 Many other mountain salamanders exist, but and 9,800 feet) above sea level. They grow to between 9 and 14 centimeters, weigh around 15 none of them are exactly alike or live in exactly grams and live on average between 10 and 20 the same place as the black Alpine salamander. years. Unlike many animals, there is no These salamanders are not endangered or size difference between male and female alpine threatened, but many of the animals that live in salamanders. the Alps are. It is important to take care of these The Black Alpine Salamander The black alpine salamander is special for several Alpine environments because the animals and reasons. First, most salamanders live either completely in the water or mostly in the water with a little bit of plants that live there are incredibly unique. These time on land. This salamander lives almost completely on land, though it does prefer cool and moist places animals can’t be found anywhere else, and if one in the forest as its habitat. In fact, the black Alpine salamander is mostly nocturnal, which means that it of them becomes extinct, it could change the only comes out at night. It hunts for beetles, earthworms and spiders. Unlike many lizards, the black Alpine entire environment and lead to the extinction of salamander does not move around a lot; even at night, it usually stays within its territory. In an entire others. summer the black Alpine salamander will typically only travel twelve meters.

More information about alpine salamanders can be found at www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/photos/12-animals-with-the-longest-gestation-period/black-alpine-salamanders, www.arkive.org/large-alpine-salamander/salamandra-lanzai/ and www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U33A4NV-rE

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Where in the World Is... Switzerland?

It’s time to get out your globe! You need to know about the imaginary lines on globes and maps. These lines are called lines of latitude and longitude, and they tell a pilot or ship’s captain exactly where in the world a certain place is located. Basically, latitude lines (also called parallels) are the horizontal lines on your map. Lines of longitude (also called meridians) are the vertical lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. This mapping system is written in degrees and uses the symbol °. Get ready to travel the world!

On your globe, locate latitude 47° N and longitude 8° E, and you’ll find the Central European country of Switzerland, a landlocked (no coastline) nation north of Italy and east of France. A bit smaller than two times the size of the U.S. state of New Jersey, Switzerland was founded in 1291 as the Swiss Confederation and became independent from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499.

It borders the countries of Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Liechtenstein and recognizes four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansch.

Its capital is Bern, and because of Switzerland’s neutrality (it avoids relations with other countries that might involve supporting their military, political or economic positions), many international institutions were founded here, like the Red Cross, Red Crescent Movement and the Geneva Convention.

The terrain of Switzerland is dominated by mountains, with the Swiss Alps in the south and the Jura Mountains in the northwest. Between the two ranges lies the Swiss plateau, an area of flat land featuring large lakes, plains and rolling hills where most of the nation’s population lives. The temperate climate varies with altitude, from glacial conditions in the mountains to the pleasant mildness of the southern part of the nation. The valleys between the tall mountains –– Switzerland has about 100 mountain peaks that are 13,000 feet or higher –– feature unique ecosystems and ecologies (relationships between organisms

and their environment) and are home to species one might not expect in a mountainous region, like palm trees that withstand the cold. The Alps themselves are home to creatures not found elsewhere, such as the black Alpine salamander.

Switzerland enjoys a healthy economy; in fact, the World Economic Forum ranks it as the most competitive in the world! Manufacturing, including chemicals, health and pharmaceutical products, measuring instruments and musical instruments, is the most important part of the economy followed by service industries like banking, insurance, tourism (skiing, anyone?) and organizations like the Red Cross. The country experiences a low unemployment rate and low corporate tax rate (the tax rate businesses pay), but it still feels the tough economic times of its European neighbors. While Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, it sells most of its products to other member countries whose economies may not be doing as well, so they may buy less from Switzerland.

Sources: “Switzerland,” The CIA World Factbook, www. cia.gov/library/publications/ the-world-factbook/geos/ sz.html; “Switzerland,” Wikipedia, en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Switzerland. For more information, visit www. myswitzerland.com/en/ home.html and http://www. lonelyplanet.com/maps/europe/ switzerland/

The villages of Wengen and Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland. More information at: www.johnmirandaphoto.com/switzerland.htm

Cultural Connections: Ansel Adams Born in 1902 in San Francisco, Calif., Ansel Adams was a famous photographer known for his stunning black-and-white photos of nature. He used his pictures to tell others about protecting nature and other wilderness areas, particularly in Yosemite National Park, and to make a difference in the world by sharing something that was important to him.

In 1916, his favorite hobby was playing the piano, but that changed once he took a visit to Yosemite National Park.

After visiting Yosemite, Adams started working on his photography skills. He was especially interested in lighting and how it affected pictures. He read photography magazines and went to photography and art shows. Adams was soon enamored with the park and with nature; two years later, at age 17, he reached out to the Sierra Club and became the club’s janitor at the park. Adams continued to stay involved with the club, participating in a yearly trip called “High Trip.” In 1928, he became the club’s official photographer and went on to be assistant manager in 1930. His time spent in this club helped him gain success as a photographer.

His first photos and writings were printed in the Sierra Club Bulletin, and

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some were sold in the Best Studio in Yosemite Valley. The pictures were used for promoting the environment and the park. During this time, the people in the Sierra Club wanted to create another national park in the Sierra Nevada area. So, Adams created a book called Sierra Nevada: The John Muir Trail, which helped push the idea forward to President Franklin Roosevelt. The park opened in 1940.

Adams also supported the club by suggesting ways to improve parks and the wilderness; he eventually became known as the defender of Yosemite National Park. He served as a member of the Sierra Club’s Board of Directors, and his ideas were accepted by the group.

They wanted to create even more national parks and to protect the environment from dangerous projects. Later, Adams joined other photographers and wrote books about how to get better at photography.

He even won some awards — including the Conservation Service Award in 1968 — because of his hard work as a photographer and an artist. He won another one in 1980 called the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work in trying to keep the nature in our natural resources and

parks safe and protected.

During World War II, when Japanese-Americans were placed in internment camps, Adams took pictures of the camps for an essay about the abuse that often happens during wars. However, his primary focus through out his career was on nature. Often people questioned why Adams took so many pictures of nature and not much else. He explained that true understanding of nature would help hold the world together.

Ansel Adams was a man who believed in nature and showed its beauty through photos. He is still a great example that one should never give up on what one believes in when trying to make a difference.

Citations/Work Cited “Ansel Adams Facts.” Ansel Adams Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2013.

“History: Ansel Adams.” Ansel Adams. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2013.

“Ansel Adams Biography.” Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 03 May 2013.

Please visit: www.anseladams.com/, www.archives.gov/research/anseladams/ or www.sierraclub.org/history/ansel-adams/ for more information.

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KIDSVILLE NEWS - PAGE 7

BUDGET

A budget is a do cument that shows your spending goals for the mo nth or year.

hat the guess w Can you picture is? bigger

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ENGLISH Money SPANISH Dinero ITALIAN - S oldi FRENCH - A rgent GERMAN Geld S S A R G L A R P S E

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O A C M A E P D S T G

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AIRPLANE CAMPING DANCING GAME GRASS LAKE PARK PLAY POOL PUZZLE

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PICNIC

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Color Page

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By Jan Buckner Walker

The Original Crossword Puzzle for Kids and Their Favorite Adults

™

The across clues are for kids and the down clues are for grown-ups!

Kids Across

1. You might see a giraffe or a tiger on this awesome jungle tour 3. A TV treasure hunt that challenges people to compete for a $1 million _____: "The Amazing Race" 7. At about 30 inches long, with four wheels on the ground, it's Tony Hawk's way of getting around 9. If you have a relief ___, you can not only see the mountains, but you can feel them, too 11. A hot ___ balloon is a giant, colorful bubble that carries people up high into the sky 12. A person who rescues or saves someone else 15. A giant, prehistoric animal (Barney is a purple one) 18. Do you like hiking uphill?

Mt. ______ is the highest

Totally Awesome Things mountain on Earth 20. The Colorado River cut through rock to form the Grand _______, which is nearly 300 miles deep 21. The "computer" inside your skull that controls your thoughts, movements, memories and decisions 22. A powerful snake that catches, squeezes and eats its dinner: ___ constrictor

Parents Down

1. A telescope gives an astronomer a glimpse into the solar ____ 2. Like a plasma TV screen 3. Breathtaking ancient Egyptian attractions that point toward the sky 4. Best and brightest: Mensa membership requires a score at or above the 98th percentile on this test

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5. Astronomical alignment: Solar or lunar event that occurs a few times a year 6. Medical studies have consistently shown that the human ____ has over 200 bones 8. Supernaturally talented kid with a knack for academics or the arts 10. Bell on London's touristy timekeeper: Big ___ 13. Jobs and "Woz" partnered to _____ the world's first Apple 14. Formalwear that makes every man look like a million bucks 16. Coveted nod given 9-yearold Quvenzhané Wallis for her starring role in "Beasts of the Southern Wild" 17. Millions pucker up to plant a kiss on it: The Blarney _____ 19. 20A's awesome feedback

™

This Week’s Solution

kris@kapd.com

KAPD ebooks now available on www.kapd.com

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6/2/13

© 2013 KAPD, LLC

JUNE 2013

Barbara Gilmour, Tanner’s grandmom, is the creator and developer of the “Cool Kind Kid� Social Skills, Character Values and Anti-Bullying educational ducational materials and the award-winning “Cool Kind Kid� Audio CD. D. She also writes the Children’s Manners Blog, offering tips for teaching your children dren manners and social skills. www.CoolKindKid.com.

Fairness:

A Very Valuable Value Ms. Gilmour greeted Tanner, Nicole, Rudy, Carmen, Stephen and Truman the Dragon waving a flag. She handed each of them a small flag as she said “hello� to everyone. The kids all said “thank you� in return. “What national holiday do we celebrate in June?� asked Ms. Gilmour.

All hands went up, each holding their flags. Everyone cheered, “Flag Day.� “You’re correct. We’ll come back and talk more about Flag Day a little later,� she added. “But first, let’s talk about values again. You knew a lot about those last time we met. Who remembers what we said values were?�

Rudy was first to respond. “Values are things our families think are important.�

Nicole added, “They are ideas or beliefs.� Rudy and Nicole high-fived each other. “Today, let’s talk about fairness, or being fair,� said Ms. Gilmour. “Who can think of places where fairness is important?�

Truman spoke up. “When playing sports, because some kids try to cheat.�

Carmen added, “When doing a school project. It’s not fair if some don’t do their share.�

Rudy thought a minute and said, “Chores at home need to be fair. Sometimes my older brothers try to get me to do their chores.�

Everyone yelled, “That’s not fair!�

k d “What happens ha t when wh n some Ms. Gilmour asked, in sports kids won’t play fair?�

Carmen said, “It’s no fun.�

Rudy added, “You can be called a poor sport.� “Nobody wants to be that! Kids won’t want to play with you or want you on the team,� said Tanner.

Truman added, “I’ve seen kids try to change the rules so they win.�

Stephen said, “Some kids blame others when they miss a hit, or don’t score.� “How would you suggest kids play fair in sports?� asked Ms. Gilmour.

Nicole had her hand up first. “Everyone should learn the rules and obey them.�

Rudy added, “If you miss, don’t blame someone else.�

Carmen shared, “If playing at home, whoever chooses the game lets someone else go first. Everyone should agree to the rules.�

The kids all agreed. “Rudy had a problem with fairness at home. What would you suggest to him?� asked Ms. Gilmour. “Ask for a family meeting. Then each person can tell his or her side,� shared Tanner.

Truman added, “We do that at my house. In that way, everyone knows the family rules.�

Nicole said, “In my family, we take turns and solve

our problems by talking.� “Now let’s go back to Flag Day,� said Ms. Gilmour. “How does Flag Day symbolize fairness?�

Truman jumped up and waved his flag, “Everyone is welcome here, even dragons.� “Everyone can be whatever religion they want,� added Nicole.

Stephen shared, “Everyone can work and provide for their family.�

Carmen was next, “You can go wherever you want.� “I think fairness can also mean freedom. Each of you has the freedom to be whatever you want,� continued Ms. Gilmour. “Let’s challenge ourselves to always be fair. Let’s challenge friends to be fair in sports, in school and at home.�

For more insight into fairness and bullying, visit www.ncpc.org/topics/bullying www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-aboutschool-bullying

Math-A-Muse Look for Math-A-Muse Answers on the Puzzleville Answers page.

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Come Out and Play... Downhill Skiing As long as 5,000 years ago skiing was used as just a way to get around the snow-covered mountains in Scandinavia and other cold mountainous parts of the world. These early skis were long, thin pieces of wood strapped to the bottom of people’s feet with leather strips. Even the gods of the Norse people, who lived in snowy Scandinavia, were said to have used skis to get around. Slowly it became less of a way to move around and more of a way to have fun.

To ski, people strap on long strips of plastic (or sometimes wood) called skis and propel themselves down mountains on top of the snow. Going down the mountain on skis is called a run. Sometimes people use metal poles to help them ski down the mountain even faster. At first, skiing sounds easy, but it can actually be very difficult depending on the terrain and the ability of the skier. For safety’s sake it is important to balance and learn how to control the speed by changing the angle of the skis.

Otherwise, the skier could lose control and fall.

Knowing how to turn is also important because sometimes obstacles like trees or other skiers might be in the middle of the run.

The first skis were made of wood, but today skis can be made of many different things. The most common kind of ski is made of several different layers. Every kind of ski has a core, a

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thin strip that runs down the middle that is made of either wood or foam. The next layer is called composite and can be fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon or boron; it is layered in several directions so that the skis are stronger. The last layer on the ski is on the outside and it is plastic. The last piece to go on the ski is the metal along the edges. This helps the skiers to turn sharply in the snow. Everything in the ski is held together with epoxy.

There are many different skill levels when it comes to skiing. Most people separate it in to nine different categories. Level one is for beginners and includes people who have never skied before. Level two includes people who know how to turn and slow down on skis but not much else. Level three skiers are confident enough to leave the bunny slope (beginners slope) and take on an easy trail. It is not until level seven that people can start riding on black diamond trails, the hardest and most dangerous trail.

After level seven, the differences appear in how people handle different types of snow. Level nine is for the absolute best skiers, and these people may not even need a trail to ski down the mountain.

Anyone can have fun in the snow, and anyone can learn to ski. Many families take vacations to different mountains that have ski lodges. Even if it doesn’t snow, the ski lodges can make snow for the mountains to ensure sure that people can ski. Most

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every resort or lodge offers lessons and trails for every level of skier.

For more information on this topic, visit: www. weather.com/video/learn-how-to-ski-for-beginners-32113, http://history.fis-ski.com/ and www.mapsofworld.com/ski/types-of-skiing/

JUNE 2013

Coming Soon to Theaters Storm Surfers 3D In Theaters: June 14

Monsters University In Theaters: June 21

Longtime best friends and surfing companions Tom Carroll and Ross Clarke-Jones are a couple of surfing legends. In Storm Surfers 3D, the buddies work together with surf forecaster Ben Matson to track down and surf the biggest waves in the world.

Many of these massive rolling currents can be reached only by a “tow-in” approach that involves using a Jet Ski or even a helicopter to transport the surfer out to the wave, and even to get them up the wave’s speed so the surfer can “catch” it. To make the movie, the surfers wore tiny 3D cameras on their wet suits. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to ride in the middle of a gigantic wave, Storm Surfers 3D puts you there. Surfing movies don’t come out very often, so if you’re a fan of the sport, you won’t want to miss this one.

Not Rated. 95 mins. (XLrator Media)

“Before they were incorporated, they had to be educated.” Flashback to the college days of your favorite monsters from Monsters, Inc. Mike Wazowski (voiced by Billy Crystal) goes to Monsters University to become the scariest Scarer in the land.

The only trouble is that Mike’s fellow student of all things scary — James P. Sullivan (voiced by John Goodman) is naturally better at being “scary.” The two rivals get into a competition trying to outdo one another, before realizing that they will have to work together if they are ever going to achieve their goals of working as Scarers. Monsters University is a colorful 3D-animated family movie from Disney•Pixar. As much as Mike and “Sully” want to be scary, there’s nothing frightening in this comedy about the nature of teamwork.

Rated G. (Disney•Pixar)

Children’s DVDs

Escape from Planet Earth Available June 4

Safety Last!

Available Now

Scorch Supernova (voiced by Brendan Fraser) is the greatest hero in the universe, or at least to the aliens on the planet Baab.

Rescue is Scorch’s middle name. He’s also a big ham. Scorch has too much vanity for his own good.

Scorch and his brother Gary (Rob Corddry) are proud protectors of the galaxy — really “proud.” Just because they are blue aliens doesn’t mean that Scorch and Gary can’t make their way to the notoriously dangerous planet Earth when they get an SOS signal. Once on Earth, Scorch gets captured and sent to the famous top-secret military site known as Area 51. It’s up to Scorch’s smart but undersized brother to break him out so they can return to their home planet and save their own people. Jessica Alba, Sarah Jessica Parker and James Gandolfini lend their voices to the animated 3D fun.

Rated PG. 89 mins. (Starz/Anchor Bay)

JUNE 2013

Way back in 1923, there was a silent movie comedian named Harold Lloyd who was every bit as talented and funny as Charlie Chaplin — the “Little Tramp.” In Safety Last! Lloyd plays a man who goes to the big city to find a job.

He finds one working in a department store. Before long, Lloyd is performing an incredible stunt to bring business to the store. He climbs up the side of the building — all the way to the top — with his bare hands. You might recognize a well-known scene where he hangs from the hands of a giant clock. Safety Last! is one of the most popular silent movies ever made. It might surprise you to discover that a silent comedy can be just as funny as modern movies, but it’s true. You can also practice your reading skills.

Not Rated. 74 mins. (Criterion Cole Smithey, also known as “the smartest film Collection) critic in the world,” has been a film critic for 11 years and

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writes for over 50 publications, in print and on-line. Truman loves to watch movies and has the highest appreciation for great popcorn.

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Exploring Nature!

Nesting Birds

Brown-headed Cowbird

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Spring Is for Building Nests!

Match the bird to its nest.

A.

osprey Female cowbirds lay their eggs in other birds’ nests. This is called “parasitic� nesting. The female cowbird can lay one egg per day in a different nest, producing 40 eggs between May and July! The cowbird watches other birds build their nests.

Then, when a bird isn’t looking, she lays her egg in the nest, tossing out some native eggs to make room. Most birds don’t notice and will warm the egg and feed the chick when it hatches.

B. C.

weaverbird

pileated woodpecker D.

rufous hummingbird

E.

robin

F.

red-winged blackbird

Circle 8 things different in picture B.

osprey-D, weaverbird-A, pileated woodpecker-F, rufous hummingbird-C, robin-B, red-winged blackbird-E

A.

B.

Name This Bird

This bird uses no nest at all, but takes turns with her mate incubating their egg for almost 2 months on top of their feet, tucked under a warm belly Ă DS WKDW SURWHFWV LW IURP WKH IULJLG temperatures of the Antarctic.

king penguin

Exploringnature.org is an award-winning resource that inspires learning about science, conservation and the RXWGRRUV WKURXJK VFKRRO SURJUDPV ÀHOG WULSV LOOXVWUDWHG books and online resources. Explore outside today!

PAGE 18 - KIDSVILLE NEWS

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JUNE 2013

Follow the Sky Wanderers

By Steve William and Diane K. Fisher

For thousands of years, people observed that some of the stars in the sky moved relative to the others. The Greeks called them “planetes” (plan EE teez), meaning “wanderers,” from which we get our word “planets.” Over time, people learned how to predict those motions.

The Earth does not feel to us like it is moving, so it was only natural for the earliest astronomers to assume that the Earth was the motionless center of all things around which the planets (and Sun and Moon) revolve. They could even make a model, real or in their imagination, that would allow them to predict future planet motions.

The problem was that the observed movements of the Sun, Moon and planets were difficult to model with a system that had the Earth at the center. Many people thought about it and came up with different ideas for how the system had to operate. Around 1514, a Polish astronomer we know today as Copernicus figured out a simpler model that did a much better job of predicting the motion of objects in the sky. The problem with Copernicus’ model was that the Sun, not the Earth, stood at the center, and that was a very unsettling thought to people at that time.

Once the telescope was invented, Galileo and other astronomers turned to the skies and saw that many things they thought ought to be true were not true. For one thing, Galileo saw that Venus had phases like the Moon, proving Copernicus right about the Sun being the center of the solar system.

On May 26, people were able to see Mercury, Venus and Jupiter all at once in the western sky soon after the Sun went down.

It just so happens that these three planets, plus Earth, were in nearly a straight line, with the Sun just a bit to the side. So when the Sun went down, the three planets came into view for a short time before they also set in the west. In the next few evenings, the planets moved around and swapped positions as they each continued on their paths around the Sun. It is obvious why they are called “wanderers.”

Play “Solar System Switch-a-Roo” and get better acquainted with the planets and Moons of the solar system. Go to http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/switch-a-roo.

This article was written by Steve Williams and Diane K. Fisher. It is provided through the courtesy of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

For more interesting information on this subject, visit http://inventors.about.com/od/gstartinventors/a/Galileo_Galilei.htm http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/copernicus/

The image on the left shows the positions of the planets on May 26, 2013. Notice how Earth, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter are in nearly a straight line. The image on the right shows how the planets will look in the western sky after sunset on May 26.

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KIDSVILLE NEWS - PAGE 19

Deeee-l

icious!

Sweet Summertime Snack Ideas In the warm summer months, nothing beats spending time together creating fun snacks that promote healthy eating and a little creativity.

The summer boasts a wealth of fresh fruit from which to draw inspiration, especially everyone’s favorite –– watermelon. Its cool, juicy flavor speaks to your senses. Plus, it’s packed with key vitamins and minerals, so it’s a snack you can feel good about serving to your family.

Kick off this fun-in-the-sun season and make memories with fresh ideas that get the whole family involved. Create a splash at your next barbeque or summer party with this adorable Mermaid Tail. Fashioned from watermelon rinds, your family will love to help you create this masterpiece as well as devour it. Be sure kids in the kitchen have proper supervision.

Wacky Watermelon Facts • The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred in Egypt some 5,000 years ago.

• Watermelon is the most consumed melon in the U.S., followed by cantaloupe and honeydew.

• Early explorers used watermelons as canteens to store liquids.

• To date, the world’s heaviest watermelon was recorded in 2005 and weighed in at 268.8 pounds.

• Watermelon is made up of 92 percent water.

Mermaid Tail Cutting board 1 large oblong seeded or seedless watermelon Kitchen knife and paring knife Large bowl and spoon or scoop Green dry erase marker Channel knife Dowels and toothpicks Optional decorations (found at any craft store): Edible turquoise shimmer powder/disco dust, mermaid cookie cutters, light-blue or turquoise fabric or mermaid decorations 1. Wash watermelon under cool running water and pat dry.

2. On cutting board, place watermelon on its side and cut off 4 inches from one end of watermelon to provide a sturdy base. Cut remaining watermelon in half lengthwise.

3. Hollow out both halves of the watermelon with spoon or scoop, reserving watermelon pieces to dice up for serving or cutting out mermaid shapes.

4. Use dry erase marker to trace mermaid tail freehand lengthwise across one entire half. With knife of your choice, carefully trim away to form the outline of mermaid tail. Use the channel knife to form scales and details.

5. For added detail, brush on edible turquoise shimmer powder/disco dust (purchased at cake-decorating store or craft store).

6. Use pencil-sized dowels to secure the mermaid tail to top of base.

Decorate with watermelon cubes or mermaid watermelon cutouts and serve.

If using the mermaid watermelon cutouts as toppers for cupcakes, as shown, add watermelon cutout with toothpick or small dowel first and then ice around it.

Source: Metro Creative Graphics and Watermelon Board. You can find more sweet summertime recipes and ideas at www.watermelon.org.

For more information: http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/house/safe_in_ kitchen.html and www.watermelon.org/

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JUNE 2013

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P AREN T OWN ’ S K ID S MART

Finding the Right Bank for Personal Banking The reliability of online banking services, be it on a computer or through a cell-phone app, is something that bears considerable weight with consumers looking for a bank to handle their personal banking.

When searching for a bank to do their personal banking, many people find banks aren’t all that different from one another. Banks offer similar services, and many have similar rules and regulations with regards to opening a personal account. Though banks might be similar, the individuals who open accounts are anything but. And when it comes to finding the right fit for personal banking, men and women should consider what’s most important to them before opening a new account.

ATM Accessibility No one enjoys paying ATM fees, and some people are more adept at avoiding them than others. If those fees have been catching up with you, look for a bank with branches or ATMs located near your home and your office, the two places you likely spend the most time.

ATM fees can be as much as $2 when using another bank’s machine, and your own bank might also be charging you an additional $2 on top of that. If you rarely use another bank’s ATM, then ATM accessibility shouldn’t influence your decision too much. But if you are routinely spending $4 to access your own money, emphasize finding a bank with more accessible ATMs. Additional Needs People who have a mortgage, car loan or other type of loan from a specific bank might want to consider making that bank their choice for personal banking as well. That’s because banks will often entice borrowers to do their banking as well as their borrowing with them by offering perks like free checks, low-interest credit cards and

low-interest loans. In addition, some banks waive the minimum-balance requirements for customers with multiple accounts.

Restrictions and Penalties People who struggle to maintain a minimum balance in their account should look for a bank with no minimum-balance requirements.

Such banks do exist, and these accounts are often most attractive to young professionals who are just getting on their feet. When discussing restrictions with the bank, also inquire about the penalties. If you have a problem maintaining a minimum balance, you might also find yourself bouncing a check or overdrawing on your account.

If that’s a realistic possibility, find a bank that offers adequate overdraft protection, but be aware that such protection typically comes at a hefty cost, oftentimes via a high fee.

Technology Today, many people go months if not years without ever stepping inside an actual bank. Online banking has made it easier than ever before to track spending, move around various accounts and pay bills. If online banking is especially important to you, find a bank that makes it easy to do your banking via the Web. Some banks charge for their online bill-pay services, while others don’t.

Another thing to consider is whether or not a bank has an app for your phone. If you are an on-the-go professional who uses a mobile device to do your banking, then you will want a bank with a reliable, secure and proven app for your phone. Some banks have been slower to embrace this particular form of banking than others, so do your research into banking apps.

Cómo buscar el banco idóneo para sus transacciones personales A la hora de buscar un banco para sus transacciones personales, muchas personas se dan cuenta de que no hay grandes diferencias. Los bancos ofrecen servicios similares, y muchos tienen las mismas reglas y regulaciones con respecto a la apertura de una cuenta individual.

Aunque los bancos pudieran ser similares, las personas que abren cuentas no lo son. Y cuando se trata de encontrar el sitio idóneo para las transacciones bancarias personales, se debe considerar qué es lo importante antes de solicitar una nueva cuenta.

Accesibilidad a cajeros automáticos A nadie le gusta pagar una cuota por sus transacciones en cajeros automáticos, y algunos son más adeptos a evitarlas que otros. Si le molesta pagarla, busque un banco con sucursales o cajeros automáticos cerca de su domicilio y oficina, los dos lugares donde permanece la mayoría del tiempo. En la actualidad, las cuotas de utilización de cajeros automáticos ascienden hasta a $2 cuando se usa el de otro banco, y hasta su propio banco pudiera cobrarle otros $2 además de eso. Si usa raramente el cajero automático de otros bancos, entonces la accesibilidad a éstos no debe influir demasiado en su decisión. Pero si gasta regularmente $4 para tener acceso a su propio dinero, enfatice en buscar un banco que tenga más cajeros automáticos accesibles.

Necesidades adicionales Las personas que deben pagar hipoteca, préstamo por la compra de un vehículo u otro tipo de transacciones de un banco específico, pudieran considerar al mismo para hacer sus operaciones personales.

Esto se debe a que, a menudo, los bancos invitan a los prestatarios a realizar sus transacciones individuales

conjuntamente con el pago de los préstamos, ofreciéndoles beneficios como cheques gratuitos, tarjetas de crédito y préstamos de bajo interés.

Además, algunos bancos pasan por alto los requerimientos de balance mínimo en caso de clientes con varias cuentas.

Restricciones y penalidades Las personas que confrontan problemas para mantener una cantidad mínima en sus cuentas deben buscar un banco que no la exija. Esos bancos existen, y a menudo esas cuentas son más atractivas para profesionales jóvenes que recién comienzan su vida laboral. Cuando se analicen las restricciones con el banco, pregunte por las penalidades. Si tiene problemas para mantener un balance mínimo, podrían devolverle un cheque por falta de fondos o sobregirarse en la cuenta. Si esa es una posibilidad realista, busque un banco que ofrezca protección adecuada contra sobregiros, pero tenga cuidado, porque a veces tal protección se paga con creces, a menudo con una cuota más alta.

Tecnología En la actualidad, muchas personas pasan meses, si no años, sin entrar a un banco. Las transacciones bancarias por Internet hacen más fácil que nunca antes seguirles la pista a los gastos, transitar por varias cuentas y pagar cuentas pendientes. Si esta modalidad le resulta especialmente importante, busque un banco que le facilite las operaciones en Internet. Algunos bancos cobran por sus servicios en Internet, pero otros no.

Otro aspecto a considerar es si el banco tiene o no una aplicación para su teléfono celular. Si es un profesional que se desplaza constantemente y usa un teléfono celular para hacer sus operaciones bancarias, entonces querrá un banco con una aplicación confiable, segura y probada para su teléfono.

Algunos bancos se han demorado más que otros en iniciar esa forma particular de transacciones bancarias, por lo que debe hacer su investigación al respecto.

Source: mcg.metrocreativeconnection.com

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JUNE 2013

P AREN T OWN ’ S K ID S HAPE

The Benefits of Camp for Kids Childhood is an important part of development for every human being. It is when the internal and integral parts of one’s personality begin to develop. Many of the things that people experience in childhood can shape them for the rest of their lives. Often one of the most beneficial experiences a person can have during his or her childhood years, other than love and lessons learned from parents and family members, is the experience of summer camp. Be it an overnight camp or a day camp, the benefits of summer camp can last a lifetime.

The first and one of the most obvious benefits to summer camps is fitness. Many summer camps center around the outdoors and offer various activities. After a few weeks of swimming, jumping and running in the sunshine, a child’s fitness level will inevitably increase.

This result can affect children for a lifetime by teaching them how to be active and by inspiring a lifelong love for physical fitness and communing outdoors with nature. Having these sorts of interests will help kids develop healthier habits which leads to a healthier lifestyle.

There are also psychological benefits to summer camp. For many children, summer camp is where they develop their sense of self and independence. Even if

it is not a child’s first experience with summer camp, the chance to experience a few weeks away from the shelter of parents is an important milestone. Every parent knows that one day, children will grow up and move out, but often they fail to recognize that this is a gradual process.

Summer camps help children, even at an early age, to understand that they can be part of more than just the home environment. Being surrounded by peers breaks the dependency on parents many children have and establishes that being part of a community is a healthy experience. In this way, a summer camp can begin the gradual transition from a home-centered life as a child to moving out as an adult in a healthy manner.

At summer camp, kids are given the chance to achieve goals and earn recognition solely by their own merit and receive recognition from their peers. This gives children a sense of pride that is not derived from parental affections and is great for developing good self-esteem from a young age. The opportunity to attempt and succeed at new things also contributes to the healthy mental effects that summer camps can have on kids.

The skills that camp experiences develop can also transfer into a healthy adult life. Humans are a naturally social species, and childhood is the time where social habits are learned and ingrained. Summer camps are one of the best places for children to learn how to build friendships and navigate various social situations. The home environment can provide many experiences but it

cannot provide that challenge of being surrounded by complete strangers and needing to make friends. This experience is an intimidating one but can forge lifelong friendships and quickly develop or hone necessary skills in social interaction.

Sending children off to summer camp for a week or more can be terrifying for both camper and parent alike, but the benefits that camps provide can affect a child for a lifetime. Each summer camp should be examined to best suit the needs of the child and the family, but whenever possible, kids should have the opportunity to have fun and be well prepared for the future.

Sources: www.acacamps.org/media-center/camptrends/specialty and more information www.ymca. net/and pbskids.org/itsmylife/friends/summercamp/ article2.html

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