Highlights for Children articles from December 2006

Highlights for Children archives from December 2006

Play birthday bingo.(Fun This Month)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... If your birthday is in December, you share a birth month with a popular game--Bingo! Create a bingo game using stickers and large blank index cards. Give each party guest enough small snacks to cover the bingo spaces. Fish-shaped crackers make...

5 happy holiday ideas.(Fun This Month)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... 1. Decorate your room. 2. Fill a gift bag for a friend or neighbor. 3. Go on a holiday-light walk with your family. 4. Lace jingle bells onto your sneakers and dance. 5. Share holiday tales by candlelight (with an adult...

Times-up day!
December 1, 2006... On the final day of the year, do something you've been putting off, such as cleaning your room, writing thank-you notes For holiday gifts, or brushing your dog.

Ring a bell for peace on earth.(Fun This Month)
December 1, 2006... On December 21, join people around the world in saying a prayer and ringing a bell for peace on Earth.

Find the pictures.
December 1, 2006... Can you find each of these 10 pictures at another place in this magazine?

What do you think?
December 1, 2006... Look at the sign at right. Make up a story about what you think it means.

Finding treasures.(Dear Readers)
December 1, 2006... Last December, two of my young friends, Tristan and Lora, gave me gifts they had made from pinecones. The kids had painted the pinecones green and sprinkled on lots of glitter. The pinecones looked just like miniature Christmas trees. I...

Skiing.
December 1, 2006... I'm very good at skiing. I have a kind of knack For I can do it frontways And also on my back. And when I reach the bottom I give a sudden flop And dig myself in sideways, And that's the way I stop.

Goofus and Gallant[R].(Brief article)(Cartoon)
December 1, 2006... "Hey, Carlos, are you ready?" say Goofus. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gallant knocks before entering a friend's home. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Eww, I'm not eating that," says Goofus. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gallant is open...

Making connections.
December 1, 2006... Think of a word that goes with both words. Example: horse shoe lace hot--food soda--corn cannon--park mail--car spot--bulb desk--hat butter--swatter ANSWERS: From top to bottom: dog, pop, ball,...

Inside or outside the loop?
December 1, 2006... Is this button inside the loop of string or outside? ANSWERS: The button is outside the loop of string. To know for sure, use your finger to follow the inside of the loop. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Easy felted mittens.(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Make cozy mittens for yourself or your friends. Ask an adult to help you with this craft. 1. Wash the sweater in the washing machine, using hot water and laundry detergent. Dry it in the dryer. The sweater will shrink and become...

How do you count grizzly bears? Carefully. With tufts of fur, they all add up.
December 1, 2006... Roaming the wilderness in search of wild huckleberries, a grizzly bear sniffs the air. Something smells good. Like a kid tracking the aroma of fresh chocolate-chip cookies, the curious bear follows the scent. Twigs snap. The 400-pound...

Riddles.
December 1, 2006... 1 Which ten-letter word starts with G-A-S? Tanaya Landry, California 2 What did the ancient Romans use to cut paper? John Kazyak, Jr., Mississippi 3 What did the bald man say when he received a comb as a birthday gift? ...

Welcome to the neighborhood!(Thinking)
December 1, 2006... * How are neighbors helping the new family? * What hobbies and interests might the new family have? * Which items would be heavy to carry? Which would be light? * What would you do to make new people feel welcome? Which box has...

Grandma's purse.
December 1, 2006... People say Grandma has everything but the kitchen sink in her purse. One day, when Grandma came to visit, I snuggled up close to her. "Grandma, do you have a pencil?" I asked. "Sure, honey," Grandma said. Zzzzzzzzzzzz-ip....

Snow day!(Hidden Pictures[R])
December 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Stumped? The answer to this puzzle are on HighlightsKids.com. In this big picture, find the candle, mushroom, pitcher, comb, slice of cake, sneaker, jar, slice of bread, butterfly, fish, toothbrush, artist's...

Parade lineup.
December 1, 2006... Eight kids want to be in the parade. Read the clues to identify each one. Alyce is just before Madison, who is last. Latoria is just before Juan. Miguel is just after Juan. Only two students are in front of J.R. Kim is first. Pedro is...

Jokes.
December 1, 2006... A woman came into a shop to buy a permanent marker. A few months later, she came back to return it. "I'd like money back," she said. "You told me this was a permanent marker, but it already ran out of ink." Arend and Anna Arends ...

Lessons from a Dancing Panda.(Ask Arizona)
December 1, 2006... Dear Arizona, Jake has been my friend for a long time. But this new kid moved into our apartment building, and now Jake only hangs out with him. That's because the new kid has all the coolest toys around. How do I compete? --Lonely...

Treasures in a pinecone: find out why a pinecone changes throughout the year.
December 1, 2006... One warm day when I was walking in my backyard, I saw a pinecone on the ground. I picked it up, and some seeds fell out of it. Those seeds would be a tasty treat for a squirrel, I thought. Would a squirrel find the seeds in time for dinner? ...

Nilly.(Your Own Stories)
December 1, 2006... Once upon a time there was a bird named Nilly. Nilly was like any regular didn't know how to fly. Every time she had to go somewhere she had to walk, and it took her twice as long. One day while going to see her friend, she saw a huge metal...

Pinch.(Your Own Stories)(Short story)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... This is the story of Pinch. He was in the family room crawling around. I scooped him up and held him in my hand. He was bright green with four legs. Pinch was an inchworm. We brought him in the car for his first ride. Pinch crawled up my...

Why giraffes have spots.(Your Own Stories)(Short story)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Long, long ago, before humans ruled the Earth, giraffes were spotless. They always liked to stay in the shade. They had other animals go into the sun to get their food. The animals who got the giraffes' food didn't like to do it, so they...

The potato.(Your Own Stories)(Short story)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... There once was a land called Fruit Land and one other land called Vegetable Land. Fruit Land and Vegetable Land didn't like each other very much. They were always fighting about who was the best. The fruit said, "Fruit Land is the best."...

The Timbertoes[R].(Comic)(Brief article)(Cartoon)
December 1, 2006... "No snow," said Mabel. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "There's nothing to do." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Follow me," said Tommy. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "This spot is perfect." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] They stacked up...

Russian Christmas Eve and the legend of Babushka.
December 1, 2006... If you were a child living in Russia many generations ago, you'd celebrate Christmas Eve quite differently than you would today. Early in the evening, you'd dress in your favorite costume. If you lived on a farm, you might have dressed...

Wind Music.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Wind Music One day, I was thinking about leaves Dancing in the wind. It was like the wind was music And the leaves were the dancers. Wind is the music of the world. Henry Colwell, Age 5 Pennsylvania

Peacock.(Your Own Pages)
December 1, 2006... Peacock Taylor Gufler, Age 11 Washington

Imaginary Adventure.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Imaginary Adventure Houseboat, houseboat, I wish I had a houseboat. Floating on the deep blue sea, Seagulls soaring over me... And landing on my houseboat! The waves rock my houseboat As it starts to...

Me and my brother doing skateboard tricks.(Your Own Pages)
December 1, 2006... Me and My Brother Doing Skateboard Tricks Miguel Patrick Ramirez-Taruc, Age 8 California

My Dog.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... My Dog My dog is standing on the right side of me. No, wait, on the left side of me. No, wait, in front of me. No, wait, in back of me. Then I go to my morn and tell her what happened. And all she...

I love to play my piano.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... I love to play my piano, Pling, plang, ding, dang. I know the numbers of the part "Happy birthday to you": 4, 4, 5, 4, 7, 6. Dip Patel, Age 7 Ohio

Ballet and Basketball.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Ballet and Basketball I am a ballerina. Dancing is my sport. It's almost like basketball except there's no court. Dribbling is turning; shooting is leaping. It's all going well if the crowd's not...

Grandpa's menagerie.(Your Own Pages)
December 1, 2006... Grandpa's Menagerie Ned Williams, Age 11 North Carolina

Snow.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
December 1, 2006... Snow Snow is sparkly. Snow is sequins. Snow is rainbows twinkling in the sky. Eli Boardman, Age 4 Colorado

America.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... America America is the land of the brave and the free, even though that's something some cannot see. With more respect, more can be achieved, and more love can be received. So let's fill the world...

Kitty, I love your fur.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
December 1, 2006... Kitty, I love your fur. It's nice, just like silk. Eric Ciskowski, Age 6 Connecticut

Sunset.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Sunset As the sun goes down, fairies play, elves squeak, castles gleam, and butterflies dance. It all happens at once. That's why it's so windy at sunset. Elizabeth Herfel, Age 7 Kentucky

Super sea star.(Your Own Pages)
December 1, 2006... Super Sea Star Tanner Schmit, Age 8 New York

Backpack.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
December 1, 2006... Backpack Backpack's not heavy. Backpack is light. Backpack has no homework on Friday night. Scott Devenny, Age 7 Maryland

Rain.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Rain When it rains the clouds get dark and the wind blows. The rain hits my window. It makes little drops, and they run down the glass. I pretend they are having a race, and they just keep coming. ...

My horse, merry legs.(Your Own Pages)
December 1, 2006... My Horse, Merry Legs Naomi Bowron, Age 9 Michigan

The Jungle.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Jungle The jungle seemed loud. When I stopped, it seemed louder. I heard monkeys chattering, tigers growling, cheetahs running. Then all was quiet. There was just the rain. Chase Randle, Age 8 ...

Cowgirl.(Your Own Pages)
December 1, 2006... Cowgirl Madison Flowers, Age 7 Oregon

On the roof of the world.(Tibet travel)
December 1, 2006... A few summers ago, I was lucky to travel to Tibet, the "roof of the world." Tibet is a small country surrounded on all sides by gigantic snowy mountain peaks. For thousands of years, these towering mountains acted like a fence, keeping people...

Into thin air.(Science Corner)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Set a glass and a large plate side by side on a counter. Pour 1/4 cup of water into the glass and 1/4 cup of water onto the plate. Over the next day, watch what happens to the water. ANSWERS: Into Thin Air--This activity shows the...

What do you know about ... high-power lines?(electricity conduct)
December 1, 2006... ANSWERS: What Do You Know About High-Power Lines?--The tower holds up heavy wires called power lines. The lines conduct electricity from power stations to any place where electrical power might be used. Each line is thicker than a...

I wonder ... why dogs chase cats.(Science Corner)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Cats naturally run away when they are surprised or scared. And dogs have an instinct to chase almost anything that moves, even a ball. These are reasons to keep pets on leashes. But dogs don't always chase cats. Many dogs and cats live together...

Was Allosaurus the biggest predator?(history of dinosaurs)
December 1, 2006... Allosaurus (AL-uh-SAW-rus) was one of the biggest meat eaters. It lived about 145 million years ago in western North America and perhaps Europe. Although most allosaurs we know about were less than 30 feet long, some grew to be nearly as long...

Hands.(humor)
December 1, 2006... Cold hands find the tree that's right. Strong hands bring it home tonight. Big hands move the sofa and chair. Small hands point. "Put the Christmas tree there!" Sticky hands glue chains of green and red. Careful hands string...

"Light" the candles on a Hanukkah card.(Crafts)
December 1, 2006... Variations: Make Advent candles For a Christmas card or a kinara for a Kwanzaa greeting. 1. Fold a 9-inch-by-11 1/2-inch piece of blue construction paper in half. On the front, glue a Hanukkah greeting to the left side and a paper...

Decorate for Christmas in a jiffy.
December 1, 2006... Sparkly Ornament 1. Cut a shape from craft foam. Place a sticker in the middle. Put glue around the edge of the shape, then dip it in glitter. Let it dry. 2. Make a hole at the top of the ornament. Insert a ribbon, and tie it at the...

Catch marbles on a snowflake!(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... 1. With an adult's help, cut the bottom from an oatmeal container, leaving a one-inch rim. Paint the inside. 2. Cut out a paper snowflake, and glue it to the inside. Poke eight holes in or around the snowflake. 3. Place eight marbles...

Cloth-covered hangers make a handy gift.(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... 1. Cut scrap fabric into 6-inch-by-3/4-inch pieces. 2. Fold each piece in half, wrap it around a hanger, and pull the open ends through the looped end. 3. Continue adding fabric to cover the hanger (except for the hook). Add a fabric...

This puppet pops up.(steps to make puppet)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... 1. Push a 1/2-inch-thick wooden dowel into a 2-inch Styrofoam ball. Remove the dowel, put glue in the hole, then push the dowel back in again. Let the glue dry. 2. Push the Styrofoam ball into the toe of a child-sized cuffed sock. 3....

From green eggs to gold medals: Apolo Ahno has learned to try new things.(Biography)
December 1, 2006... When it comes to short-track speed skating, Apolo Anton Ohno is a world champion. At the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy, Apolo won a gold and two bronze medals for the United States. He won a gold and a silver medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt...

Dolphin.(Nature Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Did You Know? Dolphins live in salt water and eat fish. But unlike fish, dolphins breathe air. They can be seen along many ocean shores, most often in small groups. Dolphins are intelligent and spend a lot of time playing. They chase one...

Your best self.
December 1, 2006... What are you doing? We're making cards to send to our friends

A Christmas thought.
December 1, 2006... "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."

Hanukkah treats.(Poem)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Hanukkah treats Come, children, come, Come quick as you can. Latkes are sizzling Hot in the pan. Soon they'll be browning, Ready to eat. Come, children, come For Hanukkah's treat. ...

The miracle of the oil.(symbolism of latke making)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... After a victory over the Syrian army in 165 B.C.E., the Jews came to rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem. They found only enough oil to light the lamp for one day, but the oil burned until a new supply arrived--eight days later! The oil used for...

Sizzling baked latkes.(Recipe)(Chart)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Sizzling baked latkes Ingredients: 2 Cups russet potatoes, peeled and shredded by an adult 2 eggs 1 teaspoon grated onion 3 tablespoons flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper Directions: 1. Ask an...

What made it break?(too much strain makes things break)
December 1, 2006... Pop! goes the bubble. Rip! goes the paper. Snap! goes the stick. Pop, rip, snap, crack.... These are the sounds of things breaking. What makes them break? The answer is too much strain. Strain is s-t-r-e-t-c-h. You can stretch a rubber...

Sahara Sunday Spain: there's some of Goofus and Gallant in us all. When the Gallant shines through, we show our best self.(sets up educational fund for West African girls )
December 1, 2006... Sahara Sunday Spain loves school. She especially likes music, reading, and world cultures. A Journey to Mali In 2001, nine-year-old Sahara went with her mother to Mali, West Africa. Sahara's mom works as a photographer and writer. She...

How do snowflakes form different shapes?(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Snowflakes are ice crystals that form in clouds when the air temperature up there gets below freezing. Water molecules are in the air as a gas called water vapor. In the cloud, these molecules come out of the air and stick together. In any...

Brain play.
December 1, 2006... Start at the beginning and see how far you can go, thinking of good answer from your own head. START What is your favorite breakfast? Which is bigger, a car or a train? How many mittens do you wear at one time? Name...

When will it snow?
December 1, 2006... In early fall, Isaac and his mom moved from the Philippines to Wisconsin. It was quite a change. The Philippines is hot and wet. Wisconsin has cold winters and lots of snow. Isaac and his mom had never seen snow. "Nanay, when is it going...

Dear highlights.(children's works)
December 1, 2006... Every time I start washing dishes, I slack off and start something else. How can I finish my chore? Ethan S., California It's understandable that you might want to go and do something you enjoy more than washing dishes. Try making an...

Picture puzzler.(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Cross this bowl of soup by finding a way between the letters, starting at the spoon and ending at the noodle. Then see if you can find a six kinds of soup spelled out ANSWER: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]