Emma the Artist

 Emma the Artist

    "Emma, would you please get the stapler for me?" Ms. Harrison asked. Emma was helping Ms. Harrison, the art teacher, set up the class for Open House. She was putting up student artwork in her classroom. Emma was helping by finding things Ms. Harrison needed.

    Emma opened the cabinet and began looking for the stapler. As she looked at the paints, pencils, and brushes, she felt excited. She spent much of her time painting pictures. Her favorite subject was horses. She didn't think her paintings were very good, but she loved making them.

    Emma handed the stapler to Ms. Harrison, who was going through a stack of artwork. She was choosing those that were the best examples of what the students had learned. Emma knew that her paintings were not as good as those of some of the other students.

    Then Ms. Harrison held up Emma's painting of a horse. "This painting is lovely!" she said. "The lines and shapes are great examples of what we've been learning. I think you're quite an artist!"

    "Thank you for your kindness," Emma answered, blushing.

    Ms. Harrison put her hand on Emma's shoulder. "Emma, I'm not being kind. I'm simply telling you the truth," she said softly.

Music, Food, and Fun

 Music, Food, and Fun

    "It's time to go to the Cinco de Mayo celebration," Aunt Maria said happily. "Bring your sweater because the weather is chilly today."

    It was Sue's first time to enjoy Cinco de Mayo in Mexico, the country where the holiday started. Sue had visited her aunt before, but never on the fifth day of May, the day of the holiday. Sue knew that it honored the courage of the Mexican people during a battle against the French army long ago.

    Aunt Maria and Sue passed beautiful old buildings as they walked toward the town square. When they arrived, Sue could hear the laughter of children playing and a choir singing.

    The smell of spicy foods filled the air outside. Girls danced in costumes and wore brightly colored bows in their hair, while the boys wore red scarves around their necks. Red, white, and green flags waved in the breeze.

    Sue and her aunt stayed at the festival for three fun-filled hours. They sampled delicious snacks, listened to music, and watched a ceremony to honor the day. But the best part of the festival happened at home when Sue and her aunt had a special conversation. "I hope you can come visit again next May," her aunt said.

    "I do, too!" Sue replied with excitement.

Stress

 Stress

    You're about to give a report in front of the class. Your heart is pounding, your throat is dry, and your stomach feels tight. What's happening inside your body? You're feeling stress, which is your body's response to changes around you. You can feel stress from one event, such as a math test, or a combination of events.

    Stress can be positive or negative. Positive stress allows you to escape danger or complete a task. Negative stress holds you back and can be unhealthy. Your body responds to stress in many ways.

    For example, your senses become more alert. Your heart beats faster, sending more blood to your brain and muscles. Your muscles become ready for action, and your breathing becomes faster. Your body is preparing itself for "fight or flight." But you need to know when stress is working against you. Relax with a walk, practice controlled breathing, or talk to a friend. Watch a funny movie. Laughter can be a powerful stress reliever.

A New Business

 A New Business

    Gina critically examined the sketch of the new pillows she was designing and then added a few touches. The pillows were for a client who was redecorating her living room. Gina walked to her fabric samples and pulled out a few that would match the colors she had chosen for the room. She placed the fabric near the paint and carpeting samples and felt that she was now ready for tomorrow's meeting with her client.

    One year ago, Gina would never have dreamed that she would be decorating other people's homes and businesses for a living. At that time, Gina was practicing her decorating skills each weekend by helping friends and relatives redecorate areas of their homes. She had recently completed a series of interior design classes and liked practicing what she had learned. Her family and friends praised her work and encouraged her to use her talents to open her own interior design business.

    When Gina found out that the company she worked for was moving away from her city, she was forced to make the decision to either move or find a new job. She did not want to leave the city she loved, so with the encouragement of her friends and family, she used her savings to open an interior design business.

    So far, business was going well for Gina and she was busy enough to hire her first employees to help with tasks around the office. The discovery of Gina's talent had paved the way to a whole new career.

The Soccer Hog

 The Soccer Hog

    Henry was the town's soccer superstar. His dad had started him on lessons in how to run, kick, and score with a soccer ball when he was very young. Henry was kicking a soccer ball before he could speak. No one was surprised when Henry was chosen to be the team captain. No one was astonished when Henry scored all the goals. No one was astounded when Henry played like a team of one on the soccer field.

    No one was surprised, astonished, or astounded, but no one was delighted either. Henry had become a soccer hog. His teammates never got to do fancy tricks with the ball and never had an opportunity to score.

    Henry's dad was the team coach. He saw that a lot of the other players were grumbling about the situation. He realized that they had good reason to grumble. Henry was helping them to win almost all their games, but he was taking a lot of the fun out of winning.

    Henry's dad sat Henry down and told him he had coached him well, but he had created a selfish athlete. He told his son that even though he was probably the best player on the team, he had to allow the other players time with the ball.

    Henry was not happy, but he knew his dad was right. After that, he made sure to set his teammates up to score some goals, too. After that, the team seemed to play even better than before, and the team victories were now a lot more satisfying.

Recycling Jars and Cans

 Recycling Jars and Cans

    Have you ever thought about what happens to jars and cans after you discard them into the recycling bin? Well, it depends on the materials present in each item.

    First, take a look at glass. Glass is made from several materials, including soda ash, sand, and lime. Similar to many other products, glass does not break down in a landfill. That's why it's important to recycle it whenever possible.

    When glass is recycled, it is first separated by color. Then a machine crushes it into small pieces and the pieces are melted down into a liquid. This hot liquid can then be used to mold new glass jars.

    Now take a look at aluminum. This material comes from an ore that is mined below the ground. It takes a great amount of energy to produce it. However, this energy can be saved if aluminum is recycled.

    If you have ever used pressure to crush a soda can, you know that aluminum is soft. Yet, similar to glass, it will not break down in a landfill, providing another reason to recycle aluminum. When it is recycled, it is melted and then manufactured into new cans and other objects.

The Flat Flounder

 The Flat Flounder

The Baby Flounder
    Think of the last cartoon you saw with a cute fish character in it. That could be what a flounder looks like when it first comes out of its egg. Like most fish, it has fins, gills, and one eye on either side of its body. However, before it becomes an adult, the baby fish will face many changes in the same way that a caterpillar in a cocoon does.

Big Changes
    A few days after birth, the baby flounder, also called a flatfish, begins to change. In fact, it begins to become just that—flat! First, the baby fish begins to lean to one side. Then the eye on that side of its head begins to move! Soon, the eye will move to the other side of the fish, next to the other eye. As the fish's eye moves, its bones, nerves, and muscles also begin to change. Even the flounder's color changes. The "blind" side of the fish becomes pale.

The Adult Flounder
    Finally, the flounder becomes an adult. It drifts to the bottom of the ocean and blends with its surroundings. With its two eyes, it watches the scene above.

Butterfly Camp

 Butterfly Camp

    Have you thought about what our world would be like without butterflies? If you love butterflies, you won't want to miss Butterfly Camp next Saturday. You'll have a lot of fun while learning about these remarkable insects. Children from nine to thirteen are invited.

    The goal of the camp is to teach people to appreciate nature. You'll learn why butterflies, like all insects, are important to our planet.

    We'll begin our day with a walk in the garden. There, you'll see the kinds of plants that attract butterflies. Thousands of butterflies will flutter around your head like colorful raindrops. We'll look at the shapes and colors of their wings. Also, we'll observe their different flight patterns.

    Next, we'll create artwork. You'll be able to draw or paint pictures of butterflies. Some of you may want to create a poster to show what you've learned. Then you can decorate your walls at home with your art.

    We'll end the day with a treat. We'll make real nectar for you to sample by mixing sugar, water, and food coloring. Then you can discover what butterflies like best!

Trees That Tell Stories

 Trees That Tell Stories

    When you visit a library, you find many interesting stories on the shelves. If you lived in the Northwest, you could find stories in a different kind of library—a library made from a tree. The tree is called a totem pole and has figures of animals, such as bears, whales, and wolves, carved into it. The stories are "read" from top to bottom.

    Most totem poles are carved from cedar trees, which grow straight and have wood that is soft and easy to carve. Insects do not like cedar trees, and the trees do not rot. A totem pole carved from cedar can last 100 years or more.

    For many years, Native Americans in the Northwest have created totem poles. In fact, totem poles were used long before writing. In the past, they were used to tell stories of battles and important events. Today, the stories on a totem pole tell legends and myths. The pole is one way for these tales to be passed down through the ages.

    Most carvers begin their ideas on paper, and then they sketch lines on the log to guide them as they work. Next, they cut shapes into the wood while chanting to provide a rhythm for the cutting motions. Like the stories, these chants have been passed down through the ages. When the carving is complete, the totem pole is covered entirely with paint.

Yellowstone National Park

 Yellowstone National Park

    In 1872, members of Congress saw photos and paintings of a place in the West. They saw pictures of tall mountains and vast forests. Amazed by the beauty, they saved the land by turning it into a park. It is called Yellowstone National Park. The park is the oldest national park in the country.

    Visitors to this park can hike on mountain trails and swim in clear lakes. They can watch wildlife and take photos of nature. But most agree that the best sights in the park are the geysers. Geysers occur when hot water and steam shoot out of the ground into the air. They form in places where the melted rock deep in the earth rises up to the surface. As the hot rocks rise, they heat the water under the ground. The water begins to boil. Then steam and water burst high up into the air.

    Most of the world's geysers are located in Yellowstone. One of the most famous is called "Old Faithful." People who have seen Old Faithful erupt generally say that they will never forget the sight. Some also like to say thanks to the people who preserve the park.

Woven Poetry

 Woven Poetry

    Have you ever seen a tapestry? A tapestry is a heavy cloth that has a design or picture woven into it. Tapestries often are used as wall hangings. They also are used as furniture coverings.

    In creating a tapestry, threads are stretched on a loom. Then colorful threads are woven over and under them. Wool is the most commonly used thread for tapestries. Silk, gold, and silver also have been used.

    The art of tapestry has a long history throughout the world. Tapestries were made in ancient Egypt and China, among other places. In the 1500s, an era of tapestry making began in northern Europe. Tapestries often were designed and woven in sets of panels. The 1800s saw a revival of the ancient methods and designs in England.

    Artists would design and paint full-scale patterns for weavers. These patterns were called cartoons. Great painters would create cartoons for the designers and weavers. They sometimes created tapestries with images similar to paintings on canvas. By the 1900s, artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse were creating designs for weavings.

    Today weavers often design tapestries. Many artists weave them on commission, or by request. People commission tapestries that reflect their interests and tastes. These artworks add warmth to a room. They also lend a special feeling of comfort and beauty. To many people throughout the ages, a tapestry is a kind of woven poetry.

A Speech for Juneteenth

 A Speech for Juneteenth

    "Carol, I haven't seen you since you were a baby," Uncle George said. "Now you're a young lady."

    Carol, who was ten years old, smiled. She'd heard about her uncle all her life, and her family had a great deal of admiration for him. Earlier that day, He had flown in to deliver a speech at the Juneteenth celebration later that afternoon. Carol was glad that the event would be held on such a glorious day with a lot of sunshine.

    The family all sat down together in the den. "What's your speech about?" Carol's mother asked.

    "I'm not sure yet," Uncle George answered. "Of course, I'll talk about how the slaves gained their independence." He stopped and thought for a moment. "What do you think I should say, Carol? What information have you learned about Juneteenth in school?"

    Carol blushed. She didn't think that her ideas would be very interesting to such an important person. "Well, we learned that families have picnics and celebrations on Juneteenth. We also learned that it's a special time for people of all races to work together to help society."

    Carol noticed that everyone was staring at her. Uncle George laughed and said, "You've just given me a better idea for my speech, Carol."

Wild Things in the Park

 Wild Things in the Park

    Are you a nature lover? Spring and summer are perfect seasons to sign up for a city nature walk. Pack up a hand lens and a camera. You might want to take along a notebook, too.

    The nature tour leader speaks to your group. "Don't chase the wild things. Let them come to you." You jot down what she says along with several new facts.

    As you walk along the dirt path that winds through the park, the leader points out many of the park's occupants. Look! It's a robin—the first sign of spring. You notice an endangered falcon resting in the treetops, and you snap a picture. Bees buzz around wildflowers in full bloom. A lizard basks on a large rock.

    There are all sorts of interesting plants, but don't touch that one! It has three leaves. Suddenly you remember something you wrote down earlier. "Leaves of three, let them be." Oh no, poison ivy! That's one wild thing you don't want to encounter.

Scavenger Hunt

 Scavenger Hunt

Dear Jenny,

    Because you were not able to come yesterday, I want to tell you about our picnic. We visited the state park, where we had a scavenger hunt. Mr. Roberts divided the class into two teams--the Bluegill Fish and the White-Tailed Deer. He picked those names to help us remember the state fish and state animal. Marty and I were both on the Bluegills team.

    Next, Mr. Roberts gave us a list of state symbols that we had to locate in the park. The first item was the state flower, the violet, and when Marty saw this, he smiled. He knew that violets like shade, so our team looked under some trees near the curb where the bus had parked. We found a place that was entirely covered with purple violets. Then we checked state flower off the list.

    A few seconds later, a cardinal landed in a nearby tree and a monarch fluttered past, allowing our team to check the state bird and insect off the list. We realized we were tied with the other team with only minutes to go. Luckily, we noticed the state flag flying on a flagpole near the park's headquarters, so we added that to our list and won the game!

Your friend,
Jack

The Ant and the Grasshopper

 The Ant and the Grasshopper

    "Oh, what a marvelous morning!" Grasshopper chirped contentedly. "It's a wonderful time for singing and playing." He leaned back to rest against a blade of grass and began humming.

    About that time, Ant passed by, dragging with great effort a huge crumb of bread that he'd found along the road. "Greetings, Ant," said Grasshopper. "Why not join me in singing and playing instead of working so hard?" He asked.

    Ant looked at Grasshopper with pity and replied, "I'm helping set aside food for the winter, and I have some good advice for you. You should do the same."

    "Who cares about winter?" asked Grasshopper, bending over to take a bite of a tender shoot of ivy. "There's plenty of food now," he said, licking his lips.

    "Yes," answered Ant, "it's a wonderful opportunity and you should take advantage of it."

    Ant continued to toil every day throughout the summer and fall, dragging food bit by bit to his home. Slowly, the amount of food he had stored increased, and he finally stopped to relax.

    Weeks later, when the ground was covered in snow and icicles dripped from trees, Ant was comfortable and warm in his home. Each day, he brought out bits of food to enjoy. A few feet away, Grasshopper realized that Ant had been right. It is best to prepare for times of need.

Teach Your Dog Commands

 Teach Your Dog Commands

    If you have a dog that doesn't obey you, you'll probably agree that it's time for a change. Practice the following commands for about ten minutes twice a day. Then begin increasing the length of the session as needed.

Teaching Fido to Come to You
    Begin teaching your dog to approach you by standing nearby with a treat. Say the dog's name, and wait for it to notice the treat. When your dog begins walking toward you, clearly say, "Come." When it reaches your side, offer the treat with praise for what a wonderful animal it is. Follow this process for your dog's first few efforts, and then gradually start saying, "Come," before your dog begins walking toward you.

Teaching Rover to Sit
    Teach your dog to sit by standing to the side with a treat while calling its name. When your dog comes toward you, slowly raise the treat in the air. This will force it to sit down while following the treat. Then say, "Sit," in a clear voice and kindly offer the treat.

    If your dog won't sit when you hold up the food, gently hold up the food in one hand. Then guide your dog into a sitting position while firmly saying "Sit." Then reward it with the treat and a lot of praise. Soon your dog will obey the verbal command alone. Continue to raise your hand over the dog's head to teach this signal, too.

Caring For Your Bike

 Caring For Your Bike

    People of all ages use bicycles for transportation. Keeping your bike in top riding condition requires some routine maintenance. Performing these actions will guarantee that your bike will last for a long time.

    One of the simplest ways you can care for your bike is to keep it clean. When you see that your bike is muddy or dusty, hose the entire bike down with water and then use soap and water to wipe it clean. If some parts are covered by caked-on mud, you can use an old toothbrush to scrub them clean. Rinse your bike with clean water before letting it dry. If you wash your bike on a nice sunny day, you might want to take it for a ride to let the water evaporate.

    It is important to check your bike chain regularly. If you find that it is hard to pedal your bike, you may have a very dirty chain. You want to keep your chain as clean as possible and clear away any stone or dirt that gets caught in it. To keep your chain working at its best, it is important to lubricate it with special oil.

    Before each ride, check your brakes to make sure that they stop the bike quickly. Bicycle brake pads wear out, so if it takes a little longer than usual for your bike to stop, it may be time to replace some brake components. Taking these actions to maintain your bike will keep it in working order and allow you the freedom to ride.

Reaching Out

 Reaching Out

    Iniko heaved a huge sigh and glared at his math book with frustration and confusion. Iniko usually had no trouble with math, but he did not understand what they were currently learning in class. Since beginning this new material. Iniko became further confused with each lesson and was struggling to keep up with his daily assignments.

    Iniko stared bleakly out the window of his room and decided that he needed to reach out for assistance. A math test was taking place in one week and he needed to understand the material before than. He had been studying for hours each night, but he was barely passing math.

Suddenly, Iniko thought of a solution, and he immediately flipped his folder open to the sheet his teacher handed out on the very first day of school. He scanned to the bottom of the page and found his teacher's e-mail address. Iniko walked to the family computer and logged on to their e-mail account. With his mother's permission, Iniko e-mailed his teacher to ask if she would be willing to tutor him after school.

    A few hours later, Iniko's mother informed him that his teacher had replied to his message. Iniko smiled as he read her reply because she said that she would happily work with him after school the very next day. Iniko felt relieved immediately, and he was glad that he had reached out to his teacher.

Weather Alerts

 Weather Alerts

    Your favorite television program is interrupted by a weather announcement. A meteorologist appears on the screen with a weather map to describe the current weather situation. You listen to the message provided by the meteorologist and then decide on your next course of action. Some weather alerts serve as a heads-up about the possibility of severe weather, while others require everyone to take immediate action to remain safe in that weather situation. How do you determine the appropriate action for each type of alert?

    A watch is issued far in advance of a severe weather situation. It is issued when the possibility of a tornado, severe thunderstorm, flood, winter storm, or heavy snowfall exists. Watches are issued to allow ample time for preparation, so that a storm will not catch people unaware.

    An advisory is issued for weather situations that are often more inconvenient than hazardous. However, situations termed advisory can turn hazardous with changing weather conditions or poor preparation. Some examples of weather situations that warrant advisories are slick roads or foggy conditions.

    A warning is issued when severe weather is imminent, meaning it is occurring immediately or has been detected by radar. Warnings are issued for hazardous storms such as tornadoes, blizzards, and severe thunderstorms, and they typically require the most immediate actions.

Eating Alone

 Eating Alone

    Mashonda thoughtfully observed the unaccompanied girl, named Saree, sitting at a remote table in the cafeteria. Mashonda shared a biology class with Saree, where Saree always sat in the back and waited until the classroom was empty before venturing into the hall. Mashonda wondered if Saree could use a friend.

    One day, Mashonda took advantage of the opportunity to speak with Saree after biology. Saree seemed surprised by this gesture, but she gave Mashonda a shy, appreciative smile as Mashonda introduced herself and started a conversation. Saree answered Mashonda's questions with such detail that Mashonda was left with the impression that Saree fervently desired to make new friends. Saree confided that she was new to town and that she had not made the acquaintance of many people, so Mashonda told her that she would provide introductions to her friends.

    In the lunchroom, Mashonda found Saree sitting in her regular location, but this time she was beaming a welcoming smile in her direction. Mashonda motioned that Saree should join her at a table closer to the cafeteria door, where six other girls sat. Saree looked apprehensive, but she took her tray and walked ahead.

    Mashonda introduced Saree to the other girls sitting at the table, and everyone welcomed Saree and included her in the conversation immediately. Saree gave Mashonda a grateful smile, and Mashonda was glad that she had taken time to know Saree.

Using a Compass

 Using a Compass

    Have you ever gone hiking or sailing? For these activities, it is necessary to know where you are headed. One way to find out is by looking at a compass.

    Back in the old days, captains guided their ships by finding the North Star in the night sky. This helped them know in which direction they were moving. Of course, this method did not work on cloudy nights.

    Fortunately, there was a solution to the problem of cloudy nights. Sailors would place a piece of floating wood in a bowl of water, and then place a magnet on top of the wood. The wood always floated to the north side of the bowl.

    Earth itself is a weak magnet with lines of force going toward the north and south poles. That is why the magnet pulled the wood toward the north. The magnet was attracted to the pull of Earth's North Pole. Things glide easily through water, so even the smallest pull from one direction would cause the wood to float that way.

    Compasses are a handier version of this idea. A magnetized needle spins above a smooth surface marked with four directions: north, east, south, and west. The same pull that moved the wood north through the water keeps the compass always pointing north. All you have to do is line up the needle with the letter N. Once you know where north is, you can easily figure out where the other directions are.

A Friend of the RainForest

A Friend of the RainForest

    It's hard to coax most individuals into taking an interest in rain forests. First of all, they seem so distant from most people. Second, they appear dark and dangerous. They are filled with snakes and poisonous plants. Dreadful, oversized insects are encountered everywhere. However, Jeff Corwin is different from most people. He has been concerned about the rain forests since he was a child.

    Rain forests produce much of the air you are breathing right now. Jeff learned this fact in grade school. Since then, he has had one major goal: to spread the word about the significance of rain forests. In particular, he is most interested in the many unique animals that live there.

    Why are these animals important? Many of the animals there cannot live anywhere else. In fact, these forests are home to half of the animal groups in the world. The animals are necessary for the health of the forest, as each one plays a role in keeping the rain forest in bloom. If even one died out, it could have a drastic effect on the others. All the other plants and animals living with it could suffer.

    Jeff wants to help people develop an understanding of this valuable information. He has started clubs for young people. The clubs teach ways to help protect the rain forests. Jeff believes education is the best way to preserve this precious resource. When people learn about rain forests, they will want to help save them.

Speedy Cheetahs

 Speedy Cheetahs

    Slowly count to four---one . . . two . . . three . . . four. That's not a very long time. But four seconds is the time it takes a cheetah to move from a standstill to a run at more than sixty miles an hour.

    Cheetahs are the fastest of all land animals. They have bodies built like running machines. Their large hearts pump extra blood, and their extra-wide nostrils take in a lot of air. Their long legs help them cover more than twenty feet with each stride, while their long tails balance and guide them. They even have grooved footpads and strong claws that help them grip the ground as they run.

    Running sixty miles an hour takes a lot of energy. Cheetahs tire easily and cannot run long distances. Instead, they use quick bursts of speed to catch prey such as zebras, antelopes, and rabbits. Cheetahs run best when they move in a straight line, so an animal that makes twists and turns still might get away.

    Like most big cats, cheetahs are an endangered species. Many live in the southern part of Africa near private ranching land. Some ranchers view them as pests, and thousands of cheetahs have been killed during the last decade. Efforts now are being made to protect and save these beautiful creatures. Perhaps one day you will have an opportunity to see these speedy animals in the wild.

Taking a Risk

 Taking a Risk

    Last week, my mother told me that she'd won some lessons at a dirt bike school. She quickly added that she wanted me to have them. My mouth dropped open because I've never been athletic. I don't even drive yet. "Think about it, Greta," she said. "It might be fun." I knew that I was ready for some excitement in my life, but I wasn't sure I was ready for dirt bike lessons.

    Then I heard the words "I'll do it" coming from my mouth. Before I knew it, I was at the dirt bike school. I had spent the morning learning all about dirt bike safety. Now I was putting on my gear, which included gloves, a helmet, boots, and a padded coat and pants. After learning about my bike, I would be ready to take my first ride. 

    Before long, and after only a few spills, I actually was riding a dirt bike across the sandy practice area. It wasn't easy. I really had to concentrate to manage the hand brake, the foot brake, and four gears all at once. To my complete surprise, however, I was having more fun and felt more confident than I had in a long time.

    Later, I decided I was ready to attempt the trail. However, our instructor told us it was time for class to end. Now, instead of wondering if I'd enjoy riding a dirt bike, I can hardly wait for next week's lesson and the new things I'll learn.