Creative Kids articles from March 2007

Creative Kids archives from March 2007

School timez.
March 22, 2007... The School Timez comic strip is a regular feature of CK. Eben Plekkenpol, its creator, is in ninth grade. His favorite sport is tennis, and he enjoys reading and eating Italian food. Let us know if you enjoy Eben's comics at ck@prufrock.com....

Cover art.(Brief article)
March 22, 2007... Zijie Yin, age 12, created the colorful spring flowers that grace our cover. Zijie is from Birmingham, AL, and love basketball, playing his GameBoy, and reading. Carly Kripps, age 16, drew the "Flame Flower" on our back cover. Carly...

From the editor.(Editorial)
March 22, 2007... Notice something different about this issue of CK? That's right: It's bigger than ever! We've had such an overwhelming number of great submissions this past year that we decided to give all of our readers and contributors a treat--16 extra...

Dare to dream big.(Letter to the editor)
March 22, 2007... Dear Editor, Our school does a project called Make a Difference Day. For this project, students volunteer to go to sites of their choice to clean up parks, visit senior citizens, make lunches for the homeless, and much more. I chose...

Pen pals.
March 22, 2007... Valerie Callahan, 11 Plainfield, IL writing in journal, meeting new people, poetry, postcards, making up words, pen pals Alissa Donnelly, 11 Tonganoxie, KS soccer, basketball, softball, art, and playing with animals Marissa Mendoza, 1...

Write on: too much garbage!(recycling tips)
March 22, 2007... The average American disposes of 4.6 pounds of garbage a day. Wow! That's too much, and we really need to reduce that number. Think about it: If you have 5 people in your family, your family disposes of 23 pounds of garbage a day. In a week,...

Spotlight on creative kids.(Interview)
March 22, 2007... Spotlight On: Laura How, age 14, member of the Creative Kids Advisory Board Hometown: Victoria, B.C. Activities/Sports/Clubs: Reynolds Band, musical theatre, piano, choir, field hockey, participated in five productions at the...

Why hyenas laugh.(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a lion. Lion was known as the king of all beasts. Everyone looked up to him for answers to their troubling questions. One day Warthog came to his palace. He had the most pitiful, yet...

Police files.(quiz for children about the roles of police officers)
March 22, 2007... Uh oh! It looks like Deputy Merts accidentally mixed up the personal files of Chief Bloom and Officers Coughlin, Simpson, and Wodka. Now he needs your help to put the files back in order. You need to figure out what main law each person...

Riding in a baby carriage.(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... Riding in a convenient, azure baby carriage, Giving people toothy smirks, Gazing and gaping at everything you perceive, Being enthusiastic all the while. Down the solid paved avenue you go In your convenient, azure baby carriage. You see...

How to be the most annoying sister of all time.(Short story)
March 22, 2007... Act like you are friends with his friends. Brag about the team he hates. Call his cell phone and hang up when he answers. Dig in his closet and pretend you are finding something, making a mess. Eat obnoxiously. Follow him around the house. Grab...

That stupid mutt.(essay about overcoming fear of dogs)(Essay)
March 22, 2007... No one ever asked me whether I wanted that mutt. They all had their own ideas about pets! It all started with Lisa, my sister. She started getting Mom and Dad excited about dogs. Every time she got a chance, she tried to point out how...

The Life of Spring's Morns.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... The Life Of Spring's Morns Fall is over. Leaves and all. Winter flew by; The snow we did haul. Summer is close; Mr. Sun's waiting around. Now, spring is here! Elegant flowers cover the ground. ...

Winter Is Over.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... Winter Is Over As I walk outside To catch the bus, I realize I don't need my winter coat. The snow drips off the rooftops. As I walk down the street I realize Winter is over. The snow is no...

Rainbow.
March 22, 2007... Rainbow Intense, heavy rain Heat of the glowing sunshine Colors drape the sky Anna Paneral, 15 Gibsonia, PA

Drip Drip.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... Drip Drip Drip Drip the rain drops from the sky and slicks off My slicker Heat Heat falls from the sun and bounces off My sunscreen Hope Hope falls from the Lord and into me Stars Stars shoot out of the sky...

Morning.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... Morning Morning awakens Mist mingles through pine trees The clear lake lays still Mary Kavonian, 14 Los Angeles, CA Illustration by Rebekah Hazel, 15 Rockford, MI

Word link.(word game)(Brief article)
March 22, 2007... Fill in the answers for each clue. The last two letters of each word are the first two letters of the following word. 1. A place to go shopping -- 2. A hairy horse-like animal -- 3. A kind of syrup -- 4. Food from the day...

Word squares.(word game)(Brief article)
March 22, 2007... Directions: A word square is composed of four words that read the same across and down. The first words have been filled in for you. Complete the squares by placing in the letters below each square to make the other three words. Each letter is...

A World of Make Believe.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... A World of Make Believe She was a ballerina Gracefully swaying across a silent stage. She was a beautiful actress Bowing before an applauding audience. She was an approaching enemy Preparing to pounce on...

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet Romeo's young self hath not yet felt true love Till he was blessed with wonderful Juliet from above. 'Twas truly a gift from God; Innocent Juliet he found so fond. Romeo...

Dream.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... Dream In my dreams I am a dragon As tall as a skyscraper My wings are bigger than buses I soar in the sky My scales glistening in the sun Claws as tough as steel Teeth as sharp as swords Elegant and...

Questions of the Earth.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... Questions of the Earth I asked the fire to follow me; It replied with destruction. I asked the water to put it out; It replied with many floods. I asked the wind to blow it all away; It gave me tornadoes. I...

The Northern Cave.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... The Northern Cave The northern cave Is a lion's mouth Swallowing the brave Who dare to enter. It is also An immense shark, Devouring a school Of skittish krill. The spirited, tranquil abyss ...

Snakebite.(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... That night I heard it: the sound that would lead me on an adventure that would change my opinion of reptiles forever. My name is Charles, Charlie for short. My family lives on a ranch backing into the thickest three acres of wood you will...

The mouse and the snake.(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... One day a group of animals was holding a village council. They were meeting because of an annoying cobra that would not stop attacking them. "Any ideas?" asked the mayor, a very pretty toucan that was rather plump. "I think we should...

Skin.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... Skin As I look at my skin, I wonder, Why am I White? The color of Peach, snow, Sunsets on a warm summer's eve. The color of A ghost, Of hatred. As she looks at her skin, She wonders, ...

Fly.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... Fly Silence, Peace, and Harmony. Reflection of a calming face On the surface of a rippling pond. A beautiful dragonfly passes by. Don't you wish you could fly? Annie DeBaldo, 14 Gibsonia, PA

Forgotten Toys.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... Forgotten Toys What is a forgotten toy? Anything that is rejected by a girl and boy Unwanted, unpleasant, it has none of your love One of these or all of the above You throw them harshly into the pound Under the...

Poem word search.(word game)(Brief article)
March 22, 2007... Find all the words listed below. They can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and backward. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ABC CINQUAIN DIAMANTE LANTERN SHAPE ACROSTIC CLERIHEW FREE VERSE QUATRAIN SONNET ALLITERATION COUPLET HAIKU SENRYU TANKA...

A day in the life of a quarter: have you ever stopped to think what a quarter's life is like? Well, if not, you should, because it can be fun. You can be in the wallet or pocket of a famous person and then brag to your friends about it.(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... By the way, I'm a quarter. Let me tell you about the incredible adventure I had. It started out like a normal day. I was in a man's pocket. I figured that he would probably buy something and then I would get stuck in some cash register for...

What Would I Be Missing?(Poem)
March 22, 2007... What Would I Be Missing "It may be too late," said the doctor in white, "for a kid at this age to recover her sight." "NO! NO! NO!" a voice inside me said. "Why me? Why now?" echoed in my head. My...

I Am.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... I Am I am a red-haired boy who is really smart. I wonder if I will ever see the day when the whole world is a permanent utopia. I hear pulses of an ocean echo through the town, making a masterpiece of natural...

Will I Make It?(Poem)
March 22, 2007... Will I Make It? I enter the auditorium To audition for the talent show. Everything's about to begin. My body's shaking And my fingers are tingling. As I peer into the bright lights I see 20, maybe 30 faces...

Liquid Thoughts.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... Liquid Thoughts Rushing, flowing, dreaming, growing Liquid thoughts fill my mind Falling, flying, speeding, sighing The only ones that I can find Are the liquid thoughts that fill my mind Taking me up to the...

Hold Back Your Tears.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... Hold Back Your Tears We are told, When things start to get rough, And you don't think you'll manage, Hold back your tears. They always say, When you're feeling left out, And can't find a smile, Hold back...

Silent Companion.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... Silent Companion Sometimes it takes more than a friend To lift you back up when you're in despair Restore a broken heart, or wipe away a tear Not a friend, but a silent companion A place to go to let go of your...

Give a mouse a hockey stick.(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... Matt had a pet mouse named Mouse. One day Matt gave Mouse a new, bright red hockey stick. "Here, Mouse," said Matt as he handed Mouse the new stick, "I thought you might want to play with this." Mouse was thrilled with his new toy....

Everything I Need to Know in Life, I Learned From ...(Poem)
March 22, 2007... Everything I Need to Know in Life, I Learned From... I learned everything I need to Know in life from my friends. Gossiping about someone else's outfit Won't make yours any prettier. Liars will eventually lose...

The golden retriever.(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... Once upon a time on an island called Claulania (Claw-lane-knee-a), there was a dog. Back then, dogs were called "fetchits." This is a story about a fetchit named Jaf. Jaf was a kind, friendly, and playful fetchit. He had black fur, sharp claws,...

The Hole of China.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... The Hole to China It all started In the sandbox. Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Screaming kids, Running kids, Trampling over me To look... Almost there! Almost there! There's a girl digging A...

Art.(game for kids about art appreciation)(Brief article)
March 22, 2007... Jessica, Sally, Katie, and Megan are all budding artists. Each girl has a favorite type of art to view (landscape, sculpture, Impressionism, and modern), a favorite art museum (the Museum of Modern Art [MoMA], the Louvre, the Metropolitan, and...

What a Rock Remembers.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... What a Rock Remembers A rock remembers the tickling of the soft green grass The warmness of the sun A rock remembers the feelings of the gooey mud The coldness of the wind blowing A rock remembers the wetness of the...

The river.(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... The river is a fascinating sight, filled with sparkling fish and tiny white freshwater crabs. Yet, though it lures many people to its shores, the river is only a charlatan. It tries to drag you into its hungry mouth, swallow you up, and cast...

The magical bench.(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... "Stop treating me like I'm glass," demanded the stubborn boy. The boy's mother knew he would regret that statement in the future. She felt sad and disappointed. On this rainy day, the boy and his mother had gone to the mall to shop. ...

Mother Earth.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... Mother Earth When summer comes, Mother Earth warms Her little children When fall comes, Mother Earth prepares Her little children When winter comes, Mother Earth puts A fluffy white blanket on...

World conference negotiates colonization of Antarctica.(1ST PLACE Fast Forward 100 Years)(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... Because of the recent sinking of Australia (due to an underwater volcanic earthquake followed by a tidal wave), the countries of Americana, Atopia, and Africa held an emergency World Conference to discuss the possibility of establishing...

Moon colonies elect new president.(1ST PLACE Fast Forward 100 Years)(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... The moon colonies of Zorga, Luna, and Sola elected their first president today. Dave Quentin, 32, of Atopia won the election by a total of 50,004 votes. "I am honored to be elected president," said Quentin. "I look forward to helping...

Woman celebrates 132nd birthday with huge party.(1ST PLACE Fast Forward 100 Years)(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... Helen Rohr of Bervonia, Americana, recently celebrated her 132nd birthday with one of the largest parties the country has ever seen. Approximately 1,000 people were invited to Ms. Rohr's residence yesterday. "When you've been around as...

Departments of Technology and Safety pass new laws.(1ST PLACE Fast Forward 100 Years)(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... Jeanie Lee of the Department of Safety announced yesterday that a new rule would be put in effect. "Starting today," Lee said, "a child must be 16 years of age or older to fly a jet pack or hover car at an altitude of more than 425 feet....

Man undergoes highly successful eye transplant.(1ST PLACE Fast Forward 100 Years)(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... Last night, Dr. Hubert Go conducted a wonderfully successful eye transplant. It was the patient's third transplant, as the first two had failed to cure his blindness. Naturally, this transplant is considered a huge advance in the medical...

Thirteen of 95 types of cancer have been cured.(1ST PLACE Fast Forward 100 Years)(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... Scientists recently found a cure for leukemia, adding to the list of the types of cancer that have been cured. This list includes cancer of the breast, lung, brain, bone, and nine other types of cancer. Scientist Laurie George said, "Now the...

How about ambidextrous?(1ST PLACE Fast Forward 100 Years)(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... Plan Your Family clinics announced yesterday a new addition to their Child Choice program called "Parental Planning." Soon-to-be parents will now be able to choose the gender of their child, as well as eye and hair color, adult height...

Sports report.(1ST PLACE Fast Forward 100 Years)(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... Newcomers Brian and Marissa Hill shone in the Canadaigua co-ed hover car racing team's surprising win over Victor last night. "The twins flew with speed and agility, each of them winning two of the nine races of the game," said their coach,...

Don't breathe the air: spirals of electricity surged through the organism, and the astronauts knew they had found the answer.(2ND PLACE Fast Forward 100 Years)(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... Copper-colored dust silently billowed over the barren ground of Mars. The only thing that broke the deafening silence was the footfalls of two men, accompanied by a couple of rovers. These men wore bulky white suits and had black helmets over...

May 3, 2106.(3rd PLACE Fast Forward 100 Years)(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... Dear Robotic X360 Superjournal, Today was a good day. Many exciting things happened. But, before I divulge the events of today, I must start with a fact that I learned today. You see, a Robotic X360 Superjournal was once called a diary. I...

Entry 53.(Honorable Mention Fast Forward 100 Years)(Fictional work)
March 22, 2007... July 29, 2106 Today we started history class. I am amazed at how much technology has advanced in the past 100 years! For some reason it is hard for me to imagine everyone driving a vehicle on the ground as their mode of transportation. How...

Spring word search.(word games)(Brief article)
March 22, 2007... Find all the words listed below. They can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and backward. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The solution to this word search can be found on p. 49. daffodil daisy pansy tulip insect picnic trees nest ...

What Could've Been.(Poem)
March 22, 2007... What Could've Been I sat, staring out the window, Wondering what could've been, What should've been, What would've been made out of That wonderful woman. Her name was Irene And she had just passed her teens....

Golden memories.(Short story)
March 22, 2007... I walk into the dim room, sit down at the desk, and reach for the lamp. I jerk the chain and after a few sputtering tries, the lamp bursts to life, showering white light over the gray keys of the computer while still managing to keep the rest...

Jesse, Franklin, and Bryan made these colorful prints using a subtractive method on foam plates.
March 22, 2007... Jesse, Franklin, and Bryan made these colorful prints using a subtractive method on foam plates. Their artwork was patterned after the cubism style of art, in which objects were broken up, analyzed, and then reassembled in a different,...