June 2021 Momaha magazine

VOLUME 12 · ISSUE 6

JUNE

2021

CELEBRATE THE HEROES IN YOUR LIFE!

Treat the heroes in your life to a lineup of diabolically delightful songs in a musical journey of good and evil: Misunderstood: Heroes & Villains! Rock out as your favorite hero or villain as you enjoy renditions of popular songs from Taylor Swift, David Bowie, Katy Perry, Billie Eilish, Justin Timberlake and MORE, performed by local artists on The Rose stage. Come dressed as your favorite hero or villain as we rock out, Rose-style.

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JUNE 4-20

LIVE ON THE ROSE THEATER STAGE!

TICKETS TICKETS $20 ★ ROSE MEMBERS GET FREE

FREE TICKETS FOR OUR HOMETOWN HEROES!

As a token of our appreciation, The Rose is giving free ticketS to Misunderstood: Heroes & Villains to the “hometown heroes” in our community: educators, school employees, medical professionals and first responders. See The Rose website for information!

2001 Farnam Street · Omaha, NE 68102

WWW.ROSETHEATER.ORG 1

CONTENTS VOLUME 12 ISSUE 6 JUNE 2021 editor in chief

CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094

creative director

KILEY CRUSE cruse@owh.com 402-444-1375

assistant editor

MARJIE DUCEY marjie.ducey@owh.com 402-444-1034 KILEY CRUSE

momaha.com editor

ASHLEE COFFEY ashlee.coffey@owh.com 402-444-1075

designer

REAL MOMS + ADVICE

SEASONAL

SPONSORED FEATURES

4 Editor’s Column 5 On Our Radar

7 Summer Brain Drain 8 Preschool/Pre-K Tips 9 Walking Rainbow 12 Elementary Tips 12 Ice Cream in a Bag 13 Marshmallow Catapult 14 M&M Math 14 Middle School/ High School Tips 16 Spin Art

6 Step Up to Quality 10 YMCA of Greater Omaha

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APRIL BURFORD

cover illustration M AT T H A N E Y

custom publishing sales coordinator

N I C K C AVA L L A R O nick.cavallaro@owh.com 402-444-1202

Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2021 by the Omaha WorldHerald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.

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MOMAHA.COM EDITOR ASHLEE COFFEY Wife to Kevin and mom to Sam and Elliott.

Follow her on Twitter: @AshleeCoffeyOWH

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I SPY A FUN SUMMER

t’s hard to believe that it’s June and the school year is over.

This was not the easiest year, that’s for sure. A lot of school districts did remote learning before eventually returning to in-person classes. Some kids, like my 7-year-old, stayed remote the entire school year.

Remote learning was definitely a challenge to manage while also working from home. It left me even more amazed at and thankful for what teachers do.

We’re definitely looking forward to returning to in-person classes this fall, but

I plan on finding ways to keep my boys actively learning throughout the summer.

This issue is chock-full of ideas to help prevent the dreaded summer learning slide, which experts are extra worried about this year.

For starters, check out the I-spy game on our cover. Besides the dog, how many other animals can your kids find? (Hint: There are 10. Find the list on Page 13).

In addition to making fun educational activities part of your family’s summer, we hope you’ll take time to relax and just be, too.

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June 2021

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ON OUR RADAR ASHLEE COFFEY

THINGS TO TRY THIS MONTH SESAME STREET MAGNA-TILES

HABA BUILDING BLOCKS

WOODEN SOLAR SYSTEM FLOOR PUZZLE

This puzzle from iPlay was a huge hit with our puzzleloving reviewers. The pieces made of chunky, solid wood make it durable enough to withstand being put together by a toddler over and over again. The space theme is fun for kids and lets them learn about the solar system while they develop problem-solving and hand-eye coordination. It comes with a 1:1 scale guidebook to help kids learn even more. Great for ages 3 and older. $21.99, Amazon.com

If your kids love building blocks, they’ll love these wooden blocks that come in various 3D shapes. Templates are provided so kids can learn to follow directions and build, or they can do free play and build whatever fascinating patterns and shapes they want.

Our reviewers loved the size of the blocks and how easy they were to use. Perfect for ages 3 and older. $29.99, Habausa.com

TACTAC JACK!

In this fun game, players take turns hitting the tree with a miniature (plastic) ax so they can collect colored pieces of bark to score points. Players have to learn to plan ahead and be careful to not let parts of the tree trunk fall. Ideal for two to seven players, ages 5 and older. $24.99, Amazon.com

Magna-Tiles are so much fun and help build fine motor skills as kids work to create some amazing structures. What’s cool about these Magna-Tiles is their connection to favorite Sesame Street characters. Our reviewer loved the set featuring Grover and the funny story, “The Monster at the End of this Book.” Other sets include “Oscar’s Garbage Truck MagnaTiles” and “Hooper’s Store Magna-Tiles.”

Starting at $39.95, CreateOn.com

LITTI CITY LEARNING & EDUCATION TOY TEACHER SET

Our 9-year-old reviewer loved this toy teacher set, which came with a realisticlooking teacher’s bag filled with various learning toys that are safe for all ages. She loved pretending to be a teacher with the tri-fold whiteboard, three dry-erase markers, eraser, magnetic numbers, glasses, pointer, bell, flashcards, three educational posters and reward stickers. She had fun and she learned about phonics, math and geography. $20.99, Amazon.com

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SPONSORED FEATURE STEP UP TO QUALITY

Need child care?

Step Up to Quality launches free resources for Nebraska parents

S

tep Up to Quality enhanced the search function on its website, and now offers a helpful set of resources there for Nebraska parents looking for high quality child care in their area.

With more than 500 child care providers across the state rated through Step Up to Quality, parents can rely on the program to help them narrow down their choices.

COMPREHENSIVE TOOLS

“We know the search for child care can be overwhelming, and we’re here to make it easier,” says Step Up to Quality Director Lauri Cimino. “We’re so pleased to provide these free resources for Nebraska parents.”

Step Up to Quality’s website, stepuptoquality.ne.gov, now features: • An intuitive search function that allows parents to select their child care preferences and quickly narrow down their options.

• An ability to save their favorite providers – and the site will remember the favorites the next time they visit.

• Child age-specific checklists parents can use while visiting child care facilities and questions they can ask, with room for notes.

• Other information about the importance of high quality early childhood education.

“It’s one of the most important decisions that working parents will make,” Cimino says. “High quality care and education, starting in infancy, has been proven to build a strong foundation for learning, emotional intelligence and better health for the rest of a person’s life.”

WHAT IS STEP UP TO QUALITY?

Step Up to Quality began in 2014 and is a program managed by the State of Nebraska’s Departments of Education (Office of Early Childhood) and Health and Human Services. As Nebraska’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), Step Up to Quality helps great child care providers become even better and helps parents find high quality care in their area.

The Step Up to Quality process challenges child care providers to go

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June 2021

Parents can easily search from more than 500 child care providers across Nebraska that have been rated through Step Up to Quality for going above and beyond licensing requirements. The enhanced search function on Step Up to Quality’s website, stepuptoquality.ne.gov, also allows for parents to save and compare providers.

above and beyond licensing requirements and adopt a mindset of continuous improvement. Programs rated through Step Up to Quality receive specialized training, access to professional coaches and even financial incentives.

Aspects of quality early childhood education that Step Up to Quality covers include: • Curriculum, learning environments and interactions • Child outcomes • Professional development and ongoing training for teachers

• Family engagement and partnerships • Program administration Parents can rest assured that providers participating in Step Up to Quality are committed to high quality care.

With 90% of brain development occurring before age 5, high quality early childhood education is crucial to every child’s future – and the future of our state.

Step Up to Quality is Nebraska’s only statewide program focused on helping child care providers continuously improve the quality of their care.

The fun of learning

Worried about summer ‘brain drain’? These ideas should put you at ease STORY Marjie Ducey

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ighting summer brain drain doesn’t have to mean sitting your child down to complete worksheets or other forced learning activities, educators say.

“Summer learning can be creative and expressive and even fun,’’ says Omaha Westside Assistant Principal Lois Rasgorshek.

“I think the fun element of learning and working on skills is possibly

the most important piece as we start to emerge from a very difficult year where learning has looked very different.”

Rasgorshek says students have had just as much stress and change as adults in the past year because of the coronavirus pandemic. They may need a break as well.

Some days you just need to enjoy the moment and take time

to breathe. “You don’t have to have an activity every day. Allow your kids to help determine things they would like to do for a day of fun,” she says.

On the following pages, Rasgorshek and other area educators offer advice for keeping kids engaged in learning over the summer. You’ll also find a handful of STEM activities for all ages.

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PRESCHOOL / PRE-K COMPILED BY Marjie Ducey

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hildren need the opportunity to create, imagine, explore, problem solve and practice resilience, perseverance, mindfulness, independence and responsibility. They also need to learn to take healthy risks. • Give them jobs that are important and they know they are capable of doing. Most important, foster their sense of wonder and curiosity. Encourage them to ask lots of questions and then have fun finding the answers together. • It’s also important for this age group to practice concepts such as cooperation, compassion, kindness and sharing. • Most of these concepts are achieved simply through play — the work of childhood!

OTHER FUN WAYS TO LEARN

Practice numbers and letters by taking turns using a spray bottle to “draw” letters on the sidewalk before the warm sun makes them disappear.

Make an obstacle course with “academic” tasks along the way such as finishing a pattern before moving on to the next physical task.

Look for letters and numbers on signs and license plates of cars when driving.

Allow your child to choose their outfit for the day.

Count while preparing or eating a meal or snack (5 grapes, 3 chicken tenders).

If you have something that is not working like a clock or a toaster, take it apart together and see what is inside. Be sure to unplug it first, of course, and be careful around sharp edges.

Make invitations and invite children in the neighborhood for an outdoor storytime. Have a grownup or older child read to the group.

Put on a play or puppet show for neighbors or family.

Decide on a book or story to use, or have your child help create a plot. Create the props together.

Go for walks. Point out and talk about what you see, hear, and smell. Ask your child; What do you notice? Do you see different shapes or colors on houses or buildings? Pick something to count. Do you notice patterns?

Have your child help create a nature scavenger hunt and invite neighborhood children to participate. Make up clues about what the items are instead of just listing the items.

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June 2021

Make cleanup fun: play a song or set a timer and tell your child the mess needs to be cleaned up by the time the timer/song is over.

READING RECOMMENDATIONS

“The Most Magnificent Thing” by Ashley Spires “Because Your Mommy Loves You” by Andrew Clements “The Listening Walk” by Paul Showers “I Am Love: A Book of Compassion” by Susan Verde “Stone Soup” by Jon J. Muth “A Whistle for Willie” by Ezra Jack Keats

Find a fun song and add it to your tooth brushing routine.

Visit the library. Let your child select books that are appealing.

Read aloud to your child daily.

Ask questions about the story: What is it about? Is there a problem in the story? How was it solved? Did you like the book? Why or why not?

Invite your child to help with household tasks. Children can sort laundry by color or category, help set the table and count how many items of each component are needed.

Name and identify colors or any patterns that your child observes.

Provide your child with markers, pencils, crayons and paper and encourage him or her to draw pictures. Ask your child to dictate what their picture is and write their words.

Play board games or do puzzles to develop counting, matching, problem solving and language skills.

Sources: Tamyra Hower, St. Thomas More Pawprints Preschool; Bridget Burns, pre-K teacher, Gateway Elementary School; Lisa Freifeld, early childhood coach, Gateway Elementary School

Water’s ‘movement’ through paper towels shows capillary action TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

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udding scientists can learn about capillary action and color mixing by making water walk (yes, walk) in this colorful home experiment. It’s easy to set up, requires supplies you most likely have on hand and delivers results almost immediately.

WALKING RAINBOW • 6 tall glasses or mason jars • Paper towels (see note) • Food dye or liquid watercolors in red, yellow and blue

1. Tear off six sheets of paper towel. Fold each sheet in half and then in half again lengthwise.

2. Test paper towel length. The sheet should reach from the bottom of one glass to the bottom of the next without sticking up too far.

If they are too long, cut off a few inches. Set paper towels aside.

3. Arrange six glasses in a circle. Fill three glasses with water, alternating every other one.

4. Add five drops of blue food coloring to one glass. Add five drops of yellow food coloring to a second glass and add five drops of red food coloring to the third glass.

5. Add paper towels between glasses, put two paper towels in each glass of colored water with one paper towel going into each of the empty glasses on each side of the colored jar.

Continue until all six jars each have two paper towels in them.

6. The colored water will start traveling up the length of the paper towel. After a few minutes, it will start to travel down into the empty glass.

7. The amount of time this will take to complete will vary depending on the size of your glasses and the absorbency of your paper towels. We saw colors starting to mix within an hour. Eventually, all of the jars will have equal amounts of liquid. It took about six hours for ours to reach this stage Note: The pick-a-size paper towels are best, because then you just use half sheets for each cup. If you only have full sheets, then cut them in half.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT

The water moves up the paper towels through a process called capillary action.

Capillary action is the ability of a liquid to flow upward, against gravity, in narrow spaces. The paper towel is made from fibers, and the water is able to travel through the gaps in the fibers. The gaps in the paper towel act like capillary tubes and pull the water upward.

COLOR WHEEL

Talk about primary and secondary colors. Have your child guess what will happen in each of the empty jars before you start the experiment.

Source: thestemlaboratory.com

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SPONSORED FEATURE YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA

Bridging the gap YMCA keeps kids engaged, learning all summer long

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t’s been a long and challenging school year for Omaha kids, not to mention parents.

From stop-and-go schedules to at-home/ virtual learning, the constant thought of kids slipping behind in their studies is on every parent’s mind right now.

As we fast approach the warm summer months, the annual concern regarding the summer learning gap – where kids lose a bit of what they’ve learned – is more omnipresent than ever.

As we settle into that no-school stretch from Memorial Day to Labor Day, here are a handful of important and useful tips from the YMCA on just how to keep kids learning while they enjoy the summertime fun.

Experts say it only takes as little as 30 minutes of reading a day to stop learning loss, so be sure to schedule time every day to simply sit down and read. And as kids have grown accustomed to tracking progress in the classroom, a chart of reading accomplishments provides not only quantified progression, but a fun way for kids to engage and compete in reading the most.

Engage in play

After all, it’s what summer’s all about.

While we may be tackling the summer learning loss here, without active and healthy play, i.e. sports and playgrounds and bikes and hikes, getting kids to do summer learning will be all the harder. So be sure to get them registered in team sports or in an activity-based summer day camp, so when it’s time to study they’re tired out and ready to do so.

Make it a problem

Write it down

Explore more

The YMCA of Greater Omaha is here for parents and kids alike, providing fun and engaging summer programs and services like team sports, summer day camp, virtual learning and more. To find out more about learning this summer, visit www.metroymca.org.

Carve out time

Kids love being creative, and parents can get creative too by asking their kids to simply write down some thoughts or a creative paragraph, throughout the day. If they keep a diary, it’s a fun way to record the summer in one convenient place, and when it’s time to go back to the classroom, their writing has not suffered over the summer.

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June 2021

Summer is the perfect time to take a walk in the woods or spend your days on the beach. Embrace the opportunity to turn it all into one big science experiment.

From bugs in the forest, to animals in the park, to waves on the beach, science is everywhere, and even a leisurely mid-day stroll can be turned into a classroom with fun and creative science ideas.

Much like science, math is everywhere too. Going on a summer road trip vacation? Ask your child to count the gallons of gas pumped into the car, track the mileage and work out the averages.

Having a picnic? Take them to the store and ask them to add everything up as you go, and see how close they come at the register. It’s easy, and it can be fun and educational for kids.

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ELEMENTARY COMPILED BY Marjie Ducey

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stablishing a routine will help everyone in your family have a better summer. Make sure to work exercise, learning, quiet time and fun into your daily schedule. Try something new each week, too.

For elementary students, reading is activity No. 1. Every day. But that doesn’t mean setting the timer and forcing your child to read a book. Instead, have your child: Read up on current events.

Read to a sibling, neighbor or pet.

Read a recipe and help prepare a dish.

Read road signs and billboards when traveling

Churn out ice cream with simple technique

OTHER FUN WAYS TO LEARN

Go to the zoo and research a favorite animal when you get home.

Go to a spray park or an open ball field to play catch or practice batting.

Build an obstacle course.

Set the table for dinner.

Make your own snacks.

TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

Compile the weekly grocery list.

Clip coupons with mom and dad and work out the math at the store.

READING RECOMMENDATIONS

Calculate the tip at a restaurant.

Upper elementary

Be the scorekeeper for game nights.

“Max & the Midknights” by Lincoln Peirce

Create a summer scrapbook or journal.

“Hope in the Holler” by Lisa Lewis Tyre

Build a bird feeder and record the birds who come to it.

Draw on the driveway with chalk or make sidewalk games.

“The War That Saved My Life”

by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley “Bodyguard” series by Chris Bradford

ICE CREAM IN A BAG

“Ground Zero” by Alan Gratzarshis

• • • • •

Play road trip bingo when you’re traveling.

Draw your favorite character from a book you are reading.

Be the author and illustrator of a comic book.

Make a board game about something you are passionate about.

Write your friend or family members a letter.

Make ice cream in a bag.

Make homemade bouncy balls.

Plant flowers and record their growth.

Go on a nature scavenger hunt.

Recycle and talk about the impact on the environment.

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omemade ice cream is a fun activity for a backyard campout or any hot summer day. There’s no need for a fancy ice cream maker; two zip-top bags work like a charm.

Lower elementary “Magic Tree House” series by Mary Pope Osborne “I Survived” series by Lauren Tarshis Sources: Holley Bjorling, sixth-grade teacher, St. Thomas More Catholic School; Ted Dondlinger, Omaha Westside counselor; Gretna Public Schools; Jen Sobczyk, third-grade teacher, St. Thomas More Catholic School

1 cup half-and-half 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 3-4 cups ice ⅓ cup ice cream salt

1. In a heavy-duty quart-size resealable plastic bag, combine halfand-half, sugar and vanilla. Push out excess air and seal tightly.

2. In a heavy-duty gallon-size resealable plastic bag, combine ice and salt. Place smaller bag inside the larger bag and seal tightly.

3. Put on mittens or gloves and shake bag vigorously for about 10 minutes, until ice cream has hardened.

4. Remove smaller bag from larger bag and wipe clean. Be sure to wipe the top part of the bag, above the seal. (The ice cream salt leaves a salty residue outside of the bag.)

5. Scoop ice cream from bag and serve with your favorite toppings.

Catapult into a physics lesson TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

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y family had a blast launching marshmallows and trying to catch them in our mouths. Who knew STEM and physics could be so much fun? Here’s how to make your own marshmallow catapult. Just remember: Everyone gets a turn!

MARSHMALLOW CATAPULT • 7 jumbo craft sticks • 4 rubber bands • Firing power (marshmallows, pompoms, pencil top erasers) • Bottle cap • Hot glue gun or other strong glue 1. Stack five craft sticks and secure at each end with a rubber band.

2. Take two remaining craft sticks and rubber band them on one end.

3. Pry apart the two craft sticks and slide the stack of five sticks as close to the rubber banded end as possible.

4. Wrap the last rubber band crisscross to hold the two parts together.

5. Glue bottle cap to the top craft stick and let dry.

6. Add firing power to bottle cap. Press down on the catapult’s arm and let it fly.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT

A catapult is a simple machine. As the arm is pressed down in ours, tension builds and energy is stored.

When the arm is released, the elastic energy (think slingshot) is converted to kinetic energy — the energy of motion. When an object is placed in the bottle cap, it will move at the same speed as the arm and lid.

When the arm stops, the object continues to move forward due to Newton’s first law, which states that an object in motion stays in motion until something creates an imbalance in the motion. Gravity is the imbalance that pulls the object toward the ground, giving it a trajectory or path.

HISTORY

Catapults have been around for ages. Have your kids dig up a little history and research when the first catapults were invented and used. Hint: check out the 17th century.

TURN IT INTO A SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

1. Incorporate math by measuring the distance traveled by an object or by recording the time the object spends in the air with a stopwatch.

2. Test different weighted items to see which ones fly farther. Start by asking a question to come up with a hypothesis. Which item will go farther? Why? Have your kids fire each material 10 times and record the distance each travels. What kinds of conclusions can be drawn from the information? Which item worked the best?

Which item didn’t work well at all?

3. Test out the number of craft sticks used in the stack to create the tension need to launch the catapult. How about seven or 10? What are the differences when tested?

I SPY

Besides the dog, were you able to find the 10 other animals hidden in the cover illustration?

• Cardinal • Cat • Cow • Duck • Frog • Opossum • Rabbit • Spider • Squirrel • Turtle

Source: thestemlaboratory.com

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MIDDLE SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL COMPILED BY Marjie Ducey

Work on a certain skill over the course of a week.

Be flexible. When opportunities arise, take advantage of them. If you’re passionate about a skill or activity, summer is a great time to immerse yourself without having to shift focus or divide time between school and something else you want to pursue.

Explore day and overnight camp opportunities; sign up for one that looks fun or challenging and spread your wings a little bit.

Graphing exercise comes with built-in treat TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

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or a beginner math activity, this one teaches the basics of estimating and graphing in a delicious way. When the kids are done estimating, sorting and counting, they can enjoy M&M’s as a built-in treat.

WHAT YOU NEED • M&M’s • Graph paper • Crayons

WHAT YOU DO

1. Open a bag of M&M’s and reach for one of the milk chocolate candies. Based on the size of that M&M, estimate how many total M&M’s are in the bag.

2. Next, estimate how many pieces of each color are in the bag (red, yellow, orange, blue, green and brown). Record the answer.

3. Carefully pour the M&M’s onto a clean surface. Count the total number of candy pieces. Then sort by color and count the number of each color.

4. Do the math to figure out how close the estimates were.

5. Using graph paper and crayons, color in a

square for each M&M in the bag.

6. If you want to talk about comparison, open another bag or two and repeat the exercise.

How many M&M’s of each color are in the other packages? Are the numbers similar?

7. For older children who have studied percentages in school, you can take this one step further. M&M’s last published its candy color breakdown in 2008. At that time, each package of milk chocolate M&M’s contained on average 24% blue, 13% brown, 16% green, 20% orange, 13% red and 14% yellow pieces. Have your child figure out if the percentages of M&M’s in their bags are equal to these numbers.

Notes: If you don’t have graph paper, improvise by drawing lines on notebook paper.

You could repeat this activity using almost any other product that comes in a mixture of colors, shapes, sizes or types. Skittles, cereal, jelly beans, marbles and Legos are examples.

Visit your local library; it’s an incredible resource for activities, classes and best of all print books, audio books, CDs, movies and magazines. Create a family book club and discuss what you read.

Write alternative endings to stories for fun.

Explore the outdoors. Visit as many local parks as you can over the summer.

Tutor a younger sibling or a neighbor.

Do puzzles or play Sudoku.

Learn a new skill or a craft.

If you have a summer job, create a budget each month with spending and savings goals.

Handwrite a letter to a family member or friend.

Learn to put your thoughts on paper; keep a daily journal.

Stay active by playing a sport, running through the sprinkler, biking, planting a garden, doing yoga or going for a long walk.

Lie under the stars and see how many constellations you can identify.

Play games together as a family.

Try a new food or a recipe.

Do a good deed for a stranger.

Sources: Katy Plaza, teacher-librarian, Millard North Middle School; Omaha Westside Assistant Principal Lois Rasgorshek; Jennifer Prasch, a teacher-librarian, Millard South High School

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June 2021

Jump In… Be Ready for Summer With Swimming Classes!

ONCE - A WEEK SWIM LESSONS

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MIDDLE SCHOOL “Refugee” by Alan Gratz “Orbiting Jupiter” by Gary D. Schmidt “Scythe” by Neal Shusterman “The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise” by Dan Gemeinhart “False Prince” by Jennifer Nielsen “One Crazy Summer” by Rita Williams-Garcia “Three Times Lucky” by Sheila Turnage

HIGH SCHOOL “They Both Die at The End” by Adam Silvera “10 Blind Dates” by Ashley Elston “Realm Breaker” by Victoria Aveyard “The Enigma Game” by Elizabeth Wein “Clap When You Land” by Elizabeth Acevedo “Call Me American” (Adapted for Young Adults) by Abdi Nor Iftin “The Inheritance Games” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes Sources: Lana Juracek, media specialist, Liberty Middle School; Katy Plaza, teacher-librarian, Millard North Middle School; Jennifer Prasch, teacher-librarian, Millard South High School; Gretna Public Schools

402-932-2030 LittleWavesFamilySwimSchool.com 17602 Wright St, Omaha, 68130 15

Spin up some fun with this easy craft Homemade paint spinner illustrates centrifugal force, though it can be a bit messy TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

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et ready to make a mess — and learn about science in the process. This paint spinner project illustrates centrifugal force — the energy of an object trying to go in a straight line when it cannot — to create an abstract design.

PAINT ART SPINNERS • • • • • •

Old CDs Marbles or beads Marker cap Hot-glue gun and glue sticks Paint in squeeze bottles L arge, f lat-bottomed container or plastic bin with sides (see tip) • Paper • Paper towels • Masking tape, optional 1. Hot glue a marble or bead in the center hole of the CD. Flip the CD and hot glue a marker cap in the center. Let dry.

2. Alternately, if the marker cap falls through the hole in the CD, glue the marker cap to the marble. Slide the marker/marble into the center of the CD and anchor it in place with masking tape.

3. Repeat to make multiple tops, if desired.

4. Place the large container on flat ground or on a floor that can be paint-splattered.

5. Spin a top in the container.

6. As it’s spinning, squeeze paint onto the rotating spinner and watch the color spin and fly outward.

7. Continue adding different colors and watch the patterns of splattered paint as well as the path of the spinning top.

Tips: The paint needs to be fairly runny. If it’s too thick, thin with a few drops of water. Keep paper towels handy to wipe off the marker cap handle if it gets slippery with paint. The plastic container will help keep the paint contained. Even so, it’s best to do this project outdoors or in a location that can get dirty.

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June 2021

THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT

Centrifugal force describes the tendency of an object following a curved path to fly away from the center point. When you drop paint on a spinning top, it lands on the CD and flies outward, away from the center.

THE ART BEHIND IT

Action painting is a style of abstract painting in which paint is randomly splashed, thrown or poured on the canvas. It was made famous by Jackson Pollock, and formed part of the more general movement of abstract expressionism.

When children are your everything, Anything can be.

At Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, science and heart lead us to even greater pediatric breakthroughs. We provide the very best in pediatric specialty care, advance pediatric research, educate tomorrow’s experts and advocate for children, families and entire communities – to improve the future of medicine, and the life of every child.

To find a physician for your child, call 1.800.833.3100 or visit ChildrensOmaha.org.

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Advocacy

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Research

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Education

A CATCI TNIG A ANNCCEE •• VVOOIICCEE •• D DRRAAMMAA • •MM N G• •D D UU S ISCIACLATLHTE H ATEEAT R ER

LISTEN

to iHeartRadio for the chance to win a FREE Rose class & membership!

g n i n e p O June, 12 th 9 am - 12 pm

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Free sample drama classes Dance demonstrations Tour of the 27,000 square foot facility Refreshments

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Crafts in our new Art of Theater Design classroom Theater games and activities Class registrations AND MORE!

JOIN US AT THE ROSE STUDIOS FOR YOUTH ARTISTS GRAND OPENING SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 9 AM TO NOON www.rosetheater.org

12202 West Center Road

For additional questions or concerns, Please email or call

BROADWAY AT THE ROSE MANAGER nikw@rosetheater.org | (402) 502-4629

www.rosetheater.org 12202 West Center Road