Kidsville News - June 2009

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Dear Kids,

June, at last! Summer begins on June 21. That means you’ll probably be spending a lot more time outside. Maybe you like to go hiking or fi shing. I love to be outside and at the beach especially, but I always remember that I need to cover up with my hat or umbrella and wear sunscreen to protect me from the sun. It’s also important to protect yourself from mosquitoes during the summer months.

If you like the ocean and underwater creatures, you’ll love this issue. Read about the unusual sea horse and about what it’s like to be a marine biologist.

There’s lots of fun stuff happening in June. Of course, you want to spend some time with your Dad for Father’s Day.

Help your Mom or Dad put out your fl ag for Flag Day. Check to see if it has holes in it or is too worn out. If it is, you should replace it. Read all about the U.S. fl ag in this issue of Kidsville News!

Visit my Web site at www.kidsvillenews.com and stay in touch dur-ing the summer. I hope you have a jam-packed-with-fun June! Your friend,


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 merid-

ians) 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!

You've heard of Madagascar, the movie, but where in the world is Madagascar, the country? To fi nd Madagascar, get out your globe, and fi nd longitude 47º E and latitude 20º S. Located in Southern Africa, the island of Madagascar is in the

Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique. The island is about twice the size of the U.S. state of Arizona (and a little bigger than France), making it the world's fourth largest island! If you've seen the movie, you know that Madagascar is home to many

wonderful plants and animals. But there are also over 20 million humans that call Madagascar home! These people share the island with 5% of the world's plant and animal species. Many of these plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world. There are 40 species of lemur that are indigenous to Madagascar! But the country isn't just a wildlife paradise. There are several endangered species on the island. It also has many natural hazards, like cyclones, drought and locust infestations.

The terrain is varied. There are mountains and cliffs, plateaus and plains. You'll also fi nd coastal beaches with mangroves, rain forests and farmland, as well as lagoons and bays. The coast is bordered by coral reefs

and volcanic islands. July is the coolest month in Madagascar, and December is the warmest.

The people of Madagascar are called Malagasy. The country gained its indepen-dence from France on June 26, 1960. The country's main agriculture crops are coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas and peanuts.

Sources: “Madagascar,” The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, www.cia.gov; "Madagascar," Encyclopædia Britannica.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS...MADAGASCAR?

Where in the World Word

indigenous [in-dij-uh-nuhs], native, or originating and living in a certain area or country.

In the summer, you probably spend a lot more time outside. It’s the perfect time to try hiking or backpacking. Hiking simply means

going on an extended walk for pleasure or exercise. It can be as simple as exploring your neighborhood or wooded areas in a

neighborhood park, or it could be a longer weekend camping trip

Where can you hike? Anywhere really, as long as it’s not private property! Try hiking at a park. National Parks are special places set aside by the American

people to conserve the scenery, preserve natural and historic objects and protect wildlife. You can even become a junior ranger! The U.S. National Park System has a Junior Ranger Program for kids ages 4 to 14. You sign up at the park, and they give you special activities to do while you are there. They also have a WebRanger program (www.nps.gov/webrangers) to have fun with when you are not on the trail!

It doesn’t take any special talent to participate in hiking — it’s really just walking! But there are a few rules that everyone should following when going on a long hike:

1. Be smart. Know your limits. Kids under age 10 shouldn’t hike more than fi ve miles in one day. Two- to four-year-olds will probably only be able to hike a mile or two. Be sure to take plenty of breaks! If you are carrying a backpack, you also need to make sure that it is not too heavy. For every fi ve pounds of body weight, the average child can carry one pound. For example, if you weigh 80 pounds, divide that by fi ve, which equals 16 pounds of gear. Hiking is a great family activity. If you and a friend are hiking in a neighborhood or park trail, make sure you have your parents’

permission and that they know where you are heading. Use the buddy system and never hike alone.

2. Be, and stay, comfortable. It might be cool in the morning but warm up very quickly later in the day. It’s a good idea to wear layers so that as you get warm you can shed layers. Pants with zip-off legs that convert into shorts are a good idea. Be sure to wear a hat — it will keep your head warm in the cooler part of the day and protect you from the sun later. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses.

3. Be prepared. Some things you’ll want to bring along are a water bottle, trail snacks, a map, a compass, a pocket knife (if your parents let you have one), fi rst aid kit, rain gear, a whistle and a trash bag (be sure to clean up after yourself!). You might want to bring a notebook, sketch pad or camera to make notes and pictures of the things you see on your hike.

4. Be alert for wildlife. Stay on the trails, and watch where you step. You might encounter wildlife on your hike, including snakes. If you are lucky, you might also get to see deer, swans and other wonderful wildlife. But please, never approach or feed wildlife. Take time to notice your surroundings. Enjoy the changing leaves, a beautiful view, insects and wildlife. Let others enjoy it, too — let nature’s sounds be heard, so don’t be loud when you’re on the trail.

5. Be kind. Leave the area as you fi nd it. Examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you fi nd them. If you have the opportunity to improve the area by picking up litter, please do!

6. Be happy! Hiking is best done with other people, so bring a friend along and enjoy the trip together. It’s also a great chance to spend some time with your parents! Happy hiking!

Sources: National Park Service, www.webrangers.us; Washington Trails Association, www.wta.org.

COME OUT AND PLAY!Get Outdoors & Hike!


It’s June, and Father’s Day is coming up. Do you like to go fi shing with your Dad? Or maybe to visit a lake, beach or aquarium? I love to watch all of the different sea creatures at the aquarium. This month, I spoke with Angela Collins, a marine biologist for the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in Florida. Angela has been a marine biologist for 10 years and has worked for worked for Mote Marine Laboratory, Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) and Disney’s Living Seas. Keep reading to learn more about what it’s like to be a marine biologist!

TRUMAN: What does it take to become a marine biologist?

ANGELA: I have a bachelor’s degree in marine biology as well as a master’s degree in biology, and I am currently working on my PhD –but education is only one part of becoming a marine biologist. Field experience is very important, and I began volunteering for aquariums and nature centers as soon as I was old enough. Dedication is important, as well as a willingness to work hard and get dirty doing some jobs that are not always so glamorous (I once spent a summer vacuuming manatee poop out of an aquarium!). You also need to really love what you’re doing – a passion for the animals that you work with as well as the environments they live in will keep you motivated.

TRUMAN: When, and why, did you fi rst become interested in this profession?

ANGELA: I am lucky. I have known that I wanted to be a biologist since I was a kid. But the fi nal career decision prob-ably came when I became certifi ed to scuba dive (I was 15 years old at that time). The reason that I chose this particular fi eld is a complete fascination and infatuation with marine life – the ocean is full of surprises, and I am blessed with the opportu-nity to continue to learn new things every day.

TRUMAN: What do you do? Describe a typical day on the job.

ANGELA: I am a marine fi sheries biologist. I work on the life history and ecology of reef fi sh. Understanding the behavior and biology of these organisms is important for developing sustainable fi sheries. There is no “typical” day, which keeps life exciting! But my fi eld work involves extensive scuba diving to collect data on the fi sh that we are researching. Additionally, a lot of time is spent analyzing data and performing laboratory work.

TRUMAN: What’s the hardest part of your job?

ANGELA: The job is physically demanding – you defi nitely work long days and have to put up with rough seas, low visibility and uncooperative animals, but the good parts defi nitely make it worth it.

TRUMAN: So, what are the good parts? What’s the best part of your job?

ANGELA: Being underwater. Observing marine ecosystems and gathering information to help encourage sustainable and responsible fi sheries are very rewarding. Plus, fi sh

are just cool!

TRUMAN: What’s your favorite fi sh or sea creature?

ANGELA: My favorite fi sh is the hogfi sh. It is a wrasse. I also love the yellowhead jawfi sh.

TRUMAN: One of the pictures shows you with a clipboard. How do you write underwater like that?

Is it special paper and pencil?

ANGELA: I use a normal pencil and waterproof paper to write underwater.

TRUMAN: What advice would you give to kids who are interested in this profession?

ANGELA: Work hard. Don’t get discouraged. If you love what you do and you believe in yourself, and you’re willing to get dirty and slimy without complaint, you are already a fi nalist!

TRUMAN: Thanks so much for talking to me! I won’t look at fi sh the same again. I’m planning a trip to the aquarium

soon, so I’ll think of you when I’m there.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE... A MARINE BIOLOGIST?

Angela Collins works as a marine biologist for the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.


Fatherly Word FindFind the words below that have to do with fathers!

D F O V L P S D C V C S P Q T D N K I L A A F G N A C V O S Y V E F W D O A D J R U U I P E M K I A R V T K D I M D H C T R O S R E W H R Y U H Q R C B N P T C F R E L E A D E R O H A P A P D S R W V H M E A M J C H Y O A A F U K Q H U P E R G R G O W N D C L D C O D N W E P A P O R C D R Y W Y N T J R N M I F N J X Y Z X H A O J E E Y Q R L G H E D K J R R P P D Z D V T C O A C H C G F E X P W B X U A Q W J W I D P J S V O W E P X P C C O E X A

COACHDADDYFATHERFRIEND

GRANDPALEADERMENTORPADRE

PAPAPATRIARCHPEREPOP

Father’s Day Crossword

Pick four things that are important to take on a hiking trip:

Water bottleLegosHatMusic PlayerWhistleSnackToothbrushDuct tapeBug catcher jar

Let’s Go Hiking!


Digital Vision/Getty Images

keep

children

of

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reachoutAsthma attacks can be caused

by many things you’d never

expect. Including stuffed animals.

With new information, you can

h e l p p r e v e n t y o u r c h i l d ’s

asthma at tacks , and avoid

the emergency room.

DON’T LET YOUR CHILD FEEL LIKE A FISH WITHOUT WATER.

ATTACK ASTHMA. ACT NOW.1-866-NO-ATTACKSW W W . N O A T T A C K S . O R G


COACHDADDYFATHERFRIENDGRANDPALEADERMENTORPADREPAPAPATRIARCHPEREPOP

Fatherly Word FindD F O V L P S D C V C S P Q T D N K I L A A F G N A C V O S Y V E F W D O A D J R U U I P E M K I A R V T K D I M D H C T R O S R E W H R Y U H Q R C B N P T C F R E L E A D E R O H A P A P D S R W V H M E A M J C H Y O A A F U K Q H U P E R G R G O W N D C L D C O D N W E P A P O R C D R Y W Y N T J R N M I F N J X Y Z X H A O J E E Y Q R L G H E D K J R R P P D Z D V T C O A C H C G F E X P W B X U A Q W J W I D P J S V O W E P X P C C O E X A

Father’s Day Crossword

F R I E N D S

T A L K E D S

S P O R T

A

H

E

R

A

O

V

E

G

I

F

Four things that are important to take on a hiking trip:

Water bottle HatWhistle Snack

Let’s Go Hiking!


Art Gallery

Diego Velázquez was a 17th-century Spanish painter. A creator of many famous pieces, he is still known as one of the greatest artists the world has ever seen.

Diego Velázquez was born in Seville, Spain, on June 6, 1599. The oldest of six children, he was born into a noble family. Because of his family’s standing, Diego received a good education in languages and philosophy. But, he also showed early talent as an artist. So, he was sent to study under the painter Francisco de Herrera when he was 11. A year later, Diego began apprentic-ing under another artist, Francisco Pacheco. Pacheco was an excellent teacher, and Diego learned about proportion (capturing the different

sizes of things in your artwork) and perspective (making things look three dimensional in a painting). He studied with Pacheco for five years, and his reputation as an artist began growing.

In 1622, Diego traveled to Madrid to paint the portrait of a famous poet. He had hoped to get hired as a painter in the king’s court, but it did not work out. However, the king’s favorite court painter died at the end of the year, and Diego received a letter

inviting him to come back to Madrid. After looking at his portrait work, the king commissioned Diego to paint him! The king so liked the painting

that he asked Diego to become his court painter. He was now the official painter to King Philip IV. Over his career, he painted 40 portraits of the king, and it has been said that nobody else was ever again allowed to paint the king!

Sponsored by the king, Diego took several trips to Italy to learn about Italian art from the masters there. He also met famous artists who traveled to Spain. Over the years, he developed a unique style and painted many, many portraits of the royal family, other important Europeans and even commoners. He also paintedimportant historical, religious, and cultural scenes in a realistic way, with vibrant colors and a lot of light.

Diego died on August 6, 1660. Although he was very famous in Spain, it was not until the 19th century that most of the outside world saw his work. Since that time, he has been cited as an influence on such important artists as Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon and Edouard Manet.

Written by Tamar Burris, a former elementary school teacher who now works as a freelance writer and curriculum developer for PBS, the Discovery Channel and other education-related companies. Sources: Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez – The Complete Works, www.die-govelazquez.org; Diego Velazquez on Art in the Picture,

www.artinthepicture.com/artists/Diego_Velazquez/biography.html; Diego Velázquez on Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Velázquez.

Diego Velázquez: Painter of Kings

Philip IV in Brown and Silver, 1632, by Diego Velázquez

Paws for a lesson in SPORTSMANSHIP.

Visit boomerandhalley.comfor the answer!

Poor Harold and Edna! The kids nearly knock them over racing to breakfast.

“Bet I can beat you to the kitchen,” says Halley’s Comet.

“No way!” challenges Boomerang.The Australian Shepherd dog and the silver

streak of a cat are a blur.“Ha! You had a head start, but I got here first,”

pants Boomer.Halley is out of breath. “That was luck.”Boomer squints. “Don’t be a sore loser.”

Go online and

””

Series by Mary Jane McKittrickIllustrations by Bob Ostrom

For the answer and a chance to win a prize, go to the FUN STUFF page at boomerandhalley.com!

How was Halley a sore loser?

a. She lost the race.b. She didn’t give Boomer credit for winning.c. She quit before the race started.

Write to Win a Prize!

Series by Mary Jane McKittrick

C o n s e r v a t i o n orner

Composting — Natural Recycling!According to Stanford University, Americans throw away

474.5 pounds of food waste per person each year. Combined with our yard debris, that’s a lot of trash that ends up in our landfi lls that could be recycled by composting.

Composting is part of our Earth’s natural cycle of growth and decay. Plants and the animals that eat them die; they decompose, or decay, and then insects, worms, fungi and microorganisms feed on the dead plants or animals, recycling plant and animal nutrients into their bodies and the soil. Other plants and micro-organisms use these recycled nutrients from the soil to grow —and the cycle is complete! What is left over from this decay pro-cess is a valuable soil product that keeps water and nutrients in the soil and makes it easier to dig. Composting also reduces the amount of organic material that goes into our landfi lls and the amount of methane, a greenhouse gas, produced in landfi lls.

You can start composting in your backyard. It’s easy! Mix energy materials (grass clippings; cow, chicken or rabbit manure; fruit and vegetable waste; garden trimmings and coffee grounds) and bulking materials (wood chips, sawdust, grass hay, wheat straw and corn stalks) in a heap. Open up the pile to bury new waste – this helps aerate, or add air, to the pile, and make sure the mixture stays moist, but not wet. Insects, earthworms, and other microorganisms will break down the wastes. After a year of this slow composting, you’ll have a rich soil product to add to your garden, and you will have kept all that trash out of the landfi ll.

Sources: “Requirements for Food and Compostable Material Col-lection and Composting on the Stanford University Campus,” recycling.stanford.edu/food/FW%20Requirements.pdf; “Backyard Composting,” gardening.wsu.edu/stewardship/compost/yardcomp/yard1.htm.


At the Movies

Land of the Lost (In Theatres: June 5)Inspired by the popular 1974 Sid & Marty Krofft children’s television series that took kids inside a time-warped alien world inhabited by dinosaurs and monkey-people, Land of the Lost is a fantasy exploration movie with historic television roots that parents and grand-parents can appreciate. Will Ferrell plays park ranger Dr. Rick Marshall, a washed-up scientist who gets sucked back in time through a strange vortex, along with a young research assistant named Holly and a survival expert

named Will. Together, the team must attempt to escape from a weird land full of dangerous reptiles called Sleestaks and giant dinosaurs, with the help of a friendly monkey-person called Chaka. Will the frightened group ever be able to leave the Land of the Lost? Rated PG. (Universal Pictures)

Call of the Wild (In Theatres: June 12)A short story from famous adventure writer Jack London sets the stage for this kid’s adventure movie. A recently widowed Montana man named Bill takes care of his little granddaughter Ryann while her parents travel outside of the country. On a cold snowy night, a wild dog shows up at Bob’s house injured, and Ryann wants to nurse it back to health and take the dog with her when she goes home to Boston. Grandpa Bill begins to read Jack London’s story to Ryann to help her understand the nature of wild animals, but the future of the dog becomes more complicated when Ryann and a local boy train it to lead a dogsled team, even as a local man tries to claim the dog as his own. Call of the Wild will be shown inlive-action 3-D. Rated PG for some violence, language and brief

smoking. (Vivendi Entertainment)

Imagine That (In Theatres: June 12)Eddie Murphy (Meet Dave) plays Evan Danielson, a hard-working offi ce executive whose imaginative seven-year-old daughter Olivia (played by Yara Shahidi) brings him around to his senses about spending more time with her. Olivia believes that her special blanket has magical powers, and when her crayon drawings predict things that help get Evan’s career back on track, her dad becomes her biggest fan and her newest best friend. Rated PG for some mild language and brief question-able behavior. (Paramount Pictures)

Movies on DVD

Tom and Jerry: The Chuck Jones Collection (DVD Release: May 26)That famous black-and-white cat Tom and his rival/pal Jerry, the feisty little gray mouse that Tom can never seem to catch, are commemorated in this complete collection of all 34 of their cartoons created by the celebrated animator Chuck Jones. “Is There a Doctor in the Mouse,” “Jerry-Go-Round,” “Purr-Chance to Dream” and “Surf-Bored Cat” are just some of the ‘60s-era episodes included here featuring complex musical scores by the great musical director Scott Bradley. The DVD also features two making-of documentaries about Chuck Jones. Not Rated. (Warner Home Video)

Cole Smithey, also known as “the smartest fi lm critic in the world,” has been a fi lm critic for 11 years and writes for over 50 publications, in print and on-line. Truman loves to watch movies and has the highest appreciation for great popcorn.


Meet Smart and Charming

NOAA-19A brand new, best-yet

weather satellite recently took its place in orbit. It will watch

over just about every inch of Earth. Its path around Earth takes it

over the North and South Pole regions as our planet rotates below. The satellite’s name is NOAA-19 (say it just like the name “Noah”). NOAA-19 is so smart and so capable, it can do just about everything but talk.

But what if it could talk? NOAA-19 could tell us what it does and how our planet looks from way up there, 870 kilometers (about 540 miles) high.

Listen.“Helloooo down

there! The view is terrifi c from up here. I am still getting checked out after that exciting February 6, 2009, launch and smooth ride to orbit. The engineers designed me to do a lot of hard jobs, and I’m itching to get started.

“I will constantly measure temperature and humidity all over Earth and throughout the atmosphere. I plan to take pictures of the clouds and surface features. I will monitorEarth’s protective ozone layer. I will warn of any storms on the Sun that might blast harmful charged particles our way. I will spot volcanoes erupting and monitor crops growing. I will track icebergs. I will pinpoint distress signals from lost hikers or sinking sailors and let search and rescue teams know just where they are.

“I will gather lots of information, passing over nearly every spot on Earth twice each day. Scientists will use my data to help them understand what changes are happening to Earth’s environment, weather and climate. This way, they will be better able to predict what is coming next so that people can prepare.

“I have so much to do. I can hardly wait to put my 10 instruments to work collecting data!”

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) built NOAA-19. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) now operates it and manages all its data.

Find out how NOAA-19’s polar orbit enables it to see the whole planet. Visit spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/goes/goes_poes_orbits.shtml. Also, why should we care about storms on the Sun? Find out at spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/goes/spaceweather.

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

Fresh produce is a key ingredient in eating well. At about 25 cents per serving, potatoes are one of the best values in the entire produce department. One medium-sized potato provides 45 percent of your daily value of vitamin C, more potassium than a banana, zero fat and only 110 calories.

Heart-smart cooking also calls for healthy fats to give energy, help in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and beta-carotene, and slow digestion. One of the healthiest cooking oils is canola oil. It has the lowest amount of saturated fat of any common culinary oil (half that of olive oil) and is free of trans fat and cholesterol.

With Father’s Day coming up this month, take a chance and make these potato pancakes for your dad. They’re sure to be a hit for breakfast or dinner! And this recipe only costs about 64¢ per serving.

KIDSVILLE KITCHENTogether Time — Ask an adult for help with projects!

POTATO PANCAKESWHAT YOU NEED: • 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes• 1/4 cup hot milk• 2 tablespoons canola oil, margarine or canola oil-butter blend• Salt and pepper to taste• 1/2 cup grated carrots• 1/4 cup fi nely chopped onion • 1/4 cup chopped green onions• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley• 2 tablespoons all-purpose fl our• 1 teaspoon salt• 1/4 teaspoon pepper• 2 to 3 tablespoons canola oil

HOW TO MAKE IT (makes 8 pancakes):1. Quick and easy microwave mashed potatoes: Place whole potatoes (do not poke) into microwave-safe dish. Cover dish. (If covering dish with plastic wrap, poke small hole in plastic.) Microwave on high for 9 minutes or until potatoes are done. With an adult, use oven mitts to remove dish from microwave; carefully remove cover from dish due to steam build-up. Add milk, canola oil, margarine or butter blend and salt and pepper to taste. Using a potato masher, mash potatoes to desired consistency. 2. To prepare pancakes: In large mixing bowl, combine mashed pota-toes, carrots, onions, parsley, fl our, salt and pepper. Mix well.3. In large frying pan, heat canola oil. Spoon vegetable mixture, about 1/3 cup at a time, to form pancakes. Cook pancakes over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through and golden brown. Add additional canola oil as needed to cook remaining pancakes.

Nutritional Analysis (per pancake): Calories, 120; Fat, 6 g; Saturated Fat, 1 g; Cholesterol, 0 mg; Sodium, 180 mg; Carbohydrates, 15 g; Fiber, 1 g; Protein, 2 g; Vitamin C, 16 mg; Potassium, 57 mg. For more healthy recipes using potatoes and canola oil, visit www.potatogoodness.com and www.canolainfo.org.

One Potato, Two Potato...


BOOKSHELF

PARENTOWN

I Spy A to Z: A Book of Picture RiddlesAuthor/Illustrator: Jean Marzollo, Walter Wick (photographer)Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.Publication Date: June 2009Age Range: 3 and upWith more than 30 million I Spy books in print, the bestselling team has now created a fun new way for children to learn the ABCs. I Spy A to Z includes a note from the author with tips

for parents on how to use the newest book to help children learn to read. From preschoolers to adults, this I Spy book is fun for all ages. The four steps that are emphasized are picture clues, repetition clues, rhyming clues and phonics clues. The colorful and engaging photos, paired with the rhythm and rhyme, make this book F-U-N! —JK

The Old Blue Pickup TruckAuthor: Candice F. Ransom, Jenny Mattheson (Illustrator)Publisher: Walker & CompanyPublication Date: June 2009Age Range: 4 to 8From the Publisher:For a little girl, there’s nothing better than running errands with Daddy in a trusty old blue pickup truck. When they go to the bakery, Old Blue is a restaurant. When they go to the hardware store, Old Blue is a toolshed. And when they go out to a neighboring farm, Old Blue is a barnyard! A little rain won’t stop their fun — or stop them from getting back home to Mommy safe and sound.

A SECTION ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS

TM

The Little Green PeaAuthor/Illustrator: Alison Barber, Paige Susan Keiser (Illustrator)Publisher: Sleeping Bear PressPublication Date: April 2009Age Range: 10 and upFrom the Publisher: The Little Green Pea lives in row 53 and dreams of big things beyond the pea patch.

But will a wiggly worm get in his way? Beautifully illustrated in soft watercolors, this “eco” fable will have young children laughing, while at the same time learning a little something about the nature of recycling.

Garbage, Waste, Dumps, and You: The Disgusting Story Behind What We Leave BehindAuthor/Illustrator: Conni Colwell MillerPublisher: Capstone PressAge Range: 8 to 12Are you ready to go behind the scenes of our amazing sanitation system? This Sanita-tion Investigation book reveals what goes on after the trash has been taken out. You’ll never look at garbage, toilets and waste the same way again! Using “Edge Facts,” the author conveys all sorts of interesting facts. Did you know that about one third of the garbage that Americans throw away is packaging? Or that the average U.S. citizen uses seven trees’ worth of paper products every year? Not only does this book lay out the facts, but it also teaches readers what they can do about it. It features a glossary of terms in the back of the book, along with suggestions for further reading and Internet sites where you can learn more on the subject. — JK


PARENTOWN’S KIDSMART

All parents have experienced it. Ask your child how much the latest video game, hot jeans or iPod costs, and they’ll tell you without skipping a beat – and within a dime! Ask them how much last month’s cable or utility bill was, and their eyes glaze over as if you’ve just asked them to explain Einstein’s theory of relativity.

One of the most important lessons you can teach your child about money is what goes into keeping a roof over his or her head —how Mom and Dad keep the lights on! It may seem a bit too for-ward looking — how many of us are really ready to contemplate the “empty nest”? But before they graduate high school, your kids should have a clear understanding of how much it costs to maintain a house or an apartment. Begin this conversation early on and re-enforce these lessons every year.

Did You Know? Nine of 10 high school students are unaware that taxes come out of a paycheck.

Activity: Go online and print out a sample paycheck. Be sure to cover the “gross” amount and how the “net” or take home pay is calculated by subtracting all taxes. (You can go to Google and at the top select “images,” and then type in “sample pay stub.”)

Note: So that the following activities are not overwhelming, break it up into two categories over two months: rent and utilities.

Tip: First and foremost, fi nd an apartment. Let them see it in black and white.

Activity: Go with your child to pick up a copy of your local newspaper in your community to get a sense of what it costs to rent an apartment, or you could even go online and let your child have a say in the type of apartment he would want to live in. This step will also give your child an understanding that there is a differ-ence in the cost of a one-bedroom apartment versus a two-bedroom apartment.

Tip: Collect the utility bills as they come in, and once you’re ready to sit down and pay them, include your child in this process.

Activity: This lesson will be a huge eye opener. First layout the utilities required to keep the house functioning and in working order: It is okay to show your child the actual bills for your home. Add up each bill to get the total amount paid in your household for monthly utilities. I guarantee your child will have a greater appreciation when you yell, “Turn of the lights when you leave the room!”

• Electric • Gas/Heat/AC• Water • Internet Connection• Home Phone • CableTip: There should be limits set on money spent on “entertainment,” so hit

them where it “hurts.”Activity: Allot your child a budget for the number of pay-per-view

movies she can download. If she exceeds the number of allotted downloads for the month, she loses movie privileges for the next month. I guarantee this will drive home the lesson quicker than you can say, “Where’s the remote?”

Benefi t/Key Takeaway: These activities will prepare your child for the “real- life” experience of what it takes fi nancially to maintain a home once he leaves the nest.

Next Month: Paper or Plastic? The cost of using credit cards to pay for things versus cash.

Keva Sturdevant is the founder of Born To Save, a nonprofi t based in Washington, D.C., with the mission of teaching kids of all ages the importance of saving and investing. Our goal is to begin conversations about money in house-holds across America between parents and their kids. In an effort to foster those conversations, we grant actual shares of stock to kids. To register your child to win a share of stock in our monthly stock giveaway, please visit our Web site at www.BornToSave.org.

Keep the Lights ON! ¡Mantenga las luces encendidas!Todos los padres lo han experimentado. Pregúntele a su hijo/a cuánto cuesta

el último video juego, o los pantalones jeans o su IPod y se lo dirán sin dudar ni un momento – y sin equivocarse ni un céntimo! Pregúnteles cuánto costó la última cuenta de la televisión por cable u otra utilidad y sus ojos se quedarán perplejos

como si usted les hubiera pedido que le explicaran la teoría de la relatividad de Einstein.

Una de las cosas más importantes que usted puede enseñar a su hijo/a es lo que cuesta mantener el techo sobre una casa- cómo papá y mamá mantienen las luces encendidas! Puede parecer un poco demasiado adelantado- cuántos de nosotros realmente contemplan el ‘nido vacío’? pero antes de que se gradúan del instituto sus hijos deben tener un claro entendimiento de cuánto cuesta mantener una casa o un apartamento.

Comience esta conversación pronto y refuerce estas lecciones cada año.

¿Sabía qué?: 9 de 10 estudiantes de las escuelas secundarias no son conscientes de que se pagan impuestos de su cheque.

Actividad: Vaya online e imprima un cheque modelo. Asegúrese de que cubre la cantidad bruta y como la cantidad neta o que se lleva a casa se calcula sustray-endo los impuestos. (Puede ir a Google y en la parte de arriba seleccione ‘imágenes’ y después ponga ‘ejemplo de cheque’.)

Nota: Para que las siguientes actividades no sean demasiado frustrantes, di-vídalo en dos categorías en dos meses: renta y utilidades.

Consejo: Primero y más importante, encuentre un apartamento. Deje que lo vean en blanco y negro.

Actividad: Vaya con su hijo a recoger una copia del periódico local de su comu-nidad para hacerse una idea de lo que cuesta rentar un apartamento o puede ir on-line y dejar que su hijo elija el apartamento en el que le gustaría vivir. Esto también le hará entender a su hijo que hay una diferencia en el costo de un apartamento de una habitación versus dos habitaciones.

Consejo: Recoja las cuentas de las utilidades cuando llegan y cuando esté listo para sentarse y pagarlas, incluya a su hijo en el proceso.

Actividad: Esta lección le servirá para abrirle los ojos plenamente. Primero exponga las utilidades que se requieren para mantener la casa para que funciones adecuadamente. Está bien mostrarles a sus hijos las cuentas verdaderas de su casa. Añada cada cuenta para obtener la cantidad total que se paga en su casa por las utilidades mensualmente. Le garantizo que su hijo tendrá una mayor apreciación cuando usted grite ‘¡apaga las luces cuando salgas de la habitación’!

• Electricidad • Gas/Calefacción/Aire acondicionado• Agua • Conexión de Internet • Teléfono de la casa • CableConsejo: debe haber límites para el dinero que se gasta en ‘entretenimiento’ así

que deles donde les ‘duela’.Actividad: Asigne a su hijo un presupuesto con el número de películas pre

pagadas que pueden descargar. Si se pasan del número asignado de películas que pueden descargar para el mes, pierden los privilegios para el siguiente mes. Le garantizo que entenderán el mensaje más rápidamente que lo que usted pueda decir dónde está el mando a control!

Benefi cio/consejo que retener: Estas actividades le prepararán a su hijo para la experiencia de la ‘vida real’ de lo que supone mantener un hogar fi nancieramente una vez que dejan el nido.

Próximo mes: ¿Papel o plástico? El costo de usar tarjetas de crédito para pagar las cosas en vez de dinero metálico.

Keva Sturdevant es la fundadora de Born To Save, una organización benéfi ca basada en Washington, DC con la misión de enseñar a los niños de todas las edades la importan-cia de ahorrar e invertir. Nuestra meta es comenzar conversaciones sobre el dinero en los hogares a través de América entre los padres y sus niños. En un esfuerzo por fortalecer estas conversaciones, concedemos acciones de mercado reales a los niños. Para registrar a su hijo para que gane acciones de mercado en nuestro concurso mensual, por favor visite nuestra página web www.BornToSave.org.


PARENTOWN’S KIDSHAPE

Plan A Great Vacation for LessBelieve it or not, it’s still possible to have a great vacation

without spending a lot of money. These tips will help you plan that much-needed getaway for a lot less.

Save on Airfare• Airlines list new specials on Monday nights, so check fares on

Tuesdays.• Taxes and fees can add a lot to

so-called “low” fares. Use sites such as Kayak.com and LowestFare.com, which compare fl ight prices that include fees and taxes.

• Consider fl ying alternate routes, adding stop-overs or having a fl exible schedule – they can all keep prices down.

• Sign up for email alerts from travel sites such as Travelocity.com or Farecompare.com. You’ll fi nd out quickly when a fare changes.

Take a Road Trip• Just where will a tank of gas take you? Find out with

TripAdvisor.com’s “Tank of Gas” tool. Type in your zip code and how much gas you want to use – quarter tank, half tank or full tank. You’ll get a list of destinations in your area.

• Find a national park within driving distance. Nps.gov and discoveramerica.com give you the scoop on some nearby national treasures.

• For a themed trip, try Lonely Planet’s Trips guidebooks. They list itineraries for six different regions which are organized by interests, such as food or history. They even suggest a road trip music playlist for the journey.

Hotel Discounts• Many hotels have rewards programs which award points for

each stay. They can add up to free nights and other perks.• Alumni associations sometimes have discounts for certain

hotel properties (and sometimes car rentals.)• If you belong to AAA, AARP or the military, ask the hotel

about available discounts.Package Deals• Packages are popular, but they don’t all add up to savings. Do

some legwork and fi nd out how much each component would cost on its own, and then compare the prices.

• Dealbase.com is a Web site that does cost comparisons for you. It lists package deals from all over the world and shows you exactly how much you’ll save — or overpay.

Food Savings• Get a hotel room with a

refrigerator. Stop by a local grocery store and get drinks, snacks and sandwich makings. Pick up some picnic lunch food as well – picnics are a fun and inexpensive way to enjoy a meal.

• Choose restaurants where kids can eat for free. Mykidseatfree.com

lets you search kid-friendly establishments by state.• Restaurants.com sells discounted gift certifi cates. It’s possible

to buy a $25 gift certifi cate for only $10. Other Money Savers• Set a daily spending allowance. Put each day’s cash in an

envelope and take only that envelope with you that day. You can’t spend what you don’t have.

• Schedule museum visits on free or discount days.• Instead of pricey souvenirs, look for local treasures. Budget

Travel recommends chocolate-covered macadamia nuts from a Hawaiian grocery store, or tea from a store in Britain.

• Use alternative transportation. Many cities have excellent mass transit systems that can save a bundle on car rentals. Look into renting bikes, riding a train and just walking.

Clear the calendar and get ready to have some fun. With these savings tips, a great vacation is within reach.

Information courtesy of Family Features.

Kidsville News - June 2009

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Transcript of Kidsville News - June 2009