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.

Bill's Journey

 Bill's Journey

    Darrell and Keenan were partners in a social studies project to show how state laws were made. "Let's make a movie that shows how a bill becomes a law," Keenan told Darrell.

    The next day, Darrell and Keenan planned their movie. They showed the major steps in how a bill becomes law. "First, somebody writes a bill," Darrell said. Keenan quickly wrote the steps in a notebook. “Next, a committee studies the bill, and after that, a majority in the House of Representatives and a majority in the Senate approve the bill. Then the governor signs the bill, and it becomes law.”

    The boys planned the movie's plot. They would have a friend wear a poster board on which was written the summary of a bill. The camera would closely follow the bill through each step.

    That night, Keenan told his parents about the boys' plans. Keenan's mother offered to ask a friend who worked with a state senator if the boys could tape their movie in the state capitol building.

    A week later, Darrell, Keenan, and the cast taped their movie at the capitol. Bill played his part with pride. In the final scene, he stood perfectly still with a serious expression as the governor signed him into law.

A Popular Song

 A Popular Song

    What is one of the most sung English songs? I'm sure that you've heard it! It's "Happy Birthday to You." It's such a common song that you probably never thought about someone writing it.

    Children and presidents have sung it. Astronauts in space have sung it. You can hear the songs in cards, music boxes, and watches.

    Patty Smith Hill was born in 1868 in Kentucky. She taught kindergarten in Louisville. In 1893, she wrote "Good Morning to All" as a welcome song to start the school day. Her sister, Mildred Hill, wrote music for the words that Patty wrote. Over time, children began singing the song to their teacher, and it became "Good Morning to You." The same song was sung with new words. The new words were "Happy Birthday to You." Two teachers wrote a simple song. It's a simple song that lives on.

    The next time you hear "Happy Birthday" sung in a movie, stay and watch the very end. The end always lists the names of people and songs that were part of the movie. If you watch carefully, it will show that the song was written by Patty Smith Hill and Mildred Hill.

The Desert Monster

 The Desert Monster

    Casey woke up with a start. "What's that noise?"

    Jonica rubbed her eyes and sat up in the tent. "What noise?" she asked. Then, she heard it, too. They grabbed a flashlight and climbed out of the tent, careful not to wake their parents.

    "The desert is home to all sorts of creatures," said Casey. "I sure hope we don't find one."

    "You're letting your imagination run wild," Jonica replied, clinging to Casey's shirt. They crept along the path near the campsite. Whooo! Casey aimed the flashlight at the sound.

    "Look!" yelled Jonica. "It's a monster with two huge arms! It has gigantic eyes and a mouth!" The girls dashed back to the tent and hid under the covers. When day broke, they cautiously climbed out of the tent. "Maybe the monster's gone," said Jonica.

    They walked along the path. Then Casey let out a loud laugh. The girls stood before a huge saguaro cactus. Its branches looked like arms.

    Three woodpecker holes formed two eyes and a mouth. Inside the "mouth" was a tiny owl. "Look at our desert monster now!" said Casey with a laugh.