Highlights for Children articles from March 2006

Highlights for Children archives from March 2006

Birthday field trip!(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... If your birthday is in March, why not plan a birthday outing? There are museums for every interest--dinosaurs, baseball, art, planes, and science, to name a few. Or head to a firehouse, a historical site, or a zoo. Are tongue twisters more...

Where in the United States?(Mount Rainier National Park)
March 1, 2006... On March 2, 1899, President McKinley signed legislation to create this national park. Use the clues to discover its identity. Mt. Rainier National Park is located near Seattle, Washington.

What spring brings.
March 1, 2006... Spring brings all kinds of new things into the world. Look closely at this scrambled picture to discover one of spring's new arrivals. ANSWERS: Baby wrens.

5 Special days in March.
March 1, 2006... 1. March 3--Hina Matsuri, Japanese doll festival 2. March 6--Birthday of Michelangelo, Italian artist 3. March 17--St. Patrick's Day, honors Ireland's patron saint 4. March 20--Ibu Afo, New Year's festival in Nigeria 5. March...

Dear readers.(toads)(Editorial)
March 1, 2006... On warm spring nights, my family likes to sleep with our bedroom windows open. We do it so we can hear the choir of frogs and toads gathered at the small pond down the road. With a little imagination, it sounds as if they're singing. But...

My uncle had an ant farm.(Poem)
March 1, 2006... My Uncle Had an Ant Farm My uncle had an ant farm where he raised a lot of ants. He taught a few to play guitar; he taught a few to dance. Another one, or maybe two, he tutored on the ant kazoo. He bought...

Goofus and Gallant[R].
March 1, 2006... Goofus talks with food in his mouth. Gallant keeps his mouth closed while he eats. "I'd help, but I'm in a hurry," says Goofus. Gallant takes the time to help people.

The guest list.
March 1, 2006... Elephant's birthday-party list had quite a lot of guests: a pride of lions, a down of hares, a romp of otters, a sloth of bears, a host of sparrows, an army of frogs, a leap of leopards, a passel of hogs, a...

The world's smallest park.(Mill Ends Park)
March 1, 2006... Mill Ends Park sits in the middle of a busy four-lane street in downtown Portland, Oregon. Plants such as marigolds, geraniums, and lilies grow in the rich soil of the two-foot-wide circle. Drivers waiting for the traffic light to change may...

Ask Arizona.
March 1, 2006... Dear Arizona, How do I get my mom to quit bugging me about cleaning my room all the time? It's my room. I really don't understand why she cares so much about how it looks.--Messy in Mississippi

Hamster Houdini lost in a black hole.(clean room makes it easy to find things)
March 1, 2006... First, I just have to tell you that Mississippi is my all-time favorite word to spell, and I think you are unbelievably lucky to live there because you probably get to write it all the time. OK, now that we've got that out of the way, let's...

Thinking: lots of people travel through New York City's Grand Central Terminal every day.
March 1, 2006... * Who do you think is going on a long trip? Why do you think that? * Trains keep to a schedule. What would happen if they didn't? * Imagine where these people might be going. * Which can carry more people, a train or a bus? ...

A toolmaking crow: to get a treat, she had to be inventive.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... Tools are so necessary for our way of life that we seldom think about how important they are. Try to imagine building a house out of wood without using any tools. We once thought that only humans were smart enough to make and use tools....

Your ideas, please! In September, we printed some letters that kids sent to us. We asked what you would tell them. We learned a lot from many thoughtful ideas we received! Here are just a few of them.(managing test stress )
March 1, 2006... I study hard for tests but always blank out during them. What should I do? Chris G., Texas A good night's sleep is important. At least eight hours of it. Also, breakfast is essential. If you can, bring a bottle of water to keep you...

Your ideas, Please!
March 1, 2006... Test Troubles I study hard for tests but always blank out during them. What should I do? Chris G., Texas Bossy Friend My friend keeps bossing me around. What should I do? Kennah S., Colorado Worries About Looks ...

Your dream vacation.
March 1, 2006... If you could take a vacation to any place, where would you go? What would you do there? We want to know! Tell us about your dream vacation (in fewer than one hundred words) or draw a picture. Mail your work to Highlights Dream Vacation 803...

Bug fun.
March 1, 2006... In this big picture, find the sailboat, teacup, butter knife, heart, hat, tweezers, octopus, eyeglasses, ladle, star, fish, crescent moon, and lemon. teacup fish eyeglasses tweezers hat star heart octopus...

Riddles.
March 1, 2006... 1 Why is your nose in the middle of your face? Hailey McManus, New York 2 Who is the best dancer at a monster party? Andrew Vacaflor, California 3 What does the President do when he has a toothache? Kayla Shatz,...

Bookworm.(Poem)
March 1, 2006... Bookworm I slip inside a book To see what it's about. But once I am inside, I cannot get back out... Until I reach The end.

A tale of tails.(how animals use their tails)
March 1, 2006... The gray squirrel's fluffy tail has many uses. Sometimes its tail is an umbrella. On rainy days, the squirrel curls the tail up over its head. Now and then it flicks its tail to shake off the raindrops. For the red fox, a tail is a blanket....

Solving the violin mystery: was this $20,000,000 violin a fake?(Messiah Violin)
March 1, 2006... The "Messiah Violin" was the most expensive violin in the world. But it had been called a fake. The famous tree detective, Dr. Henri Grissino-Mayer, was on the case. The violin was worth $20 million because the master instrument-maker...

Jordan Schwartz: there's some of Goofus and Gallant in us all. When the Gallant shines through, we show our best self.(a bilingual play)
March 1, 2006... Jordan Schwartz of Georgia would often see her mother reading plays in Spanish. Her mother is bilingual--she speaks both English and Spanish. Jordan realized that she'd never seen a bilingual play performed, although she knew many...

Jokes.
March 1, 2006... Brianna: "Why did the ballerina quit her job?" Savannah: "I don't know. Why?" Brianna: "Because it was tutu hard." Brianna Craig, Tennessee Mom: "Why did you throw away that guitar?" John: "Because it has a hole in the...

Matching.
March 1, 2006... Look at each pizza on the left. Find one like it on the right.

Maud and blossom and the thunderstorm.(Short Story)
March 1, 2006... "Help!" "What?" said Maud. "Who said 'help'?" "I did," said Blossom. Maud looked around Blossom's yard. "Where are you?" she asked. "Up here, in this tree," Blossom answered. "It's going to rain soon," Maud said....

Send "fan" mail.(Quick and Clever Cards)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... 1. On construction paper, write a message to your friend with crayons or markers. Decorate it. 2. Hold the paper horizontally. Accordion-fold your paper. 3. Wrap a small strip of paper around the bottom of the folded paper. Glue it to...

This card holds your message.(Quick and Clever Cards)
March 1, 2006... 1. With a parent's permission, cut a picture of an animal from an old magazine, newspaper, or greeting card. 2. With scissors, make small cuts around the animal's paws, wings, or mouth to make a flap. 3. Glue the picture to...

A simple toy can challenge you.(Crafts You Can Make)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... 1. With an adult's help, cut the bottom from a plastic container. Cut out the middle to form a ring. Poke a hole in one side. 2. Cut a long piece of yarn. Tie a thick knot at one end, and thread the other end through the hole. Glue a small...

Bring spring in with a ladybug pin.(Crafts You Can Make)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... 1. Draw a leaf shape on cardboard, and cut it out. Paint it green. When the paint dries, use a black marker to draw the leaf's veins. 2. Wash and dry a pistachio shell or walnut shell. Paint it red. Add details with a marker. 3. Glue...

Who's behind the mask?(making masks )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... 1. Cut a 1 1/2-inch-wide strip of poster board long enough to fit around your head, with a little room to spare. Glue construction-paper hair to this strip. 2. Draw and cut a mask shape from construction paper. Cut out eyeholes, making...

Sounds like Purim!(Crafts You Can Make)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... Purim is a Jewish holiday honoring Esther, Queen of Persia, who persuaded her husband to spare the Jews. People celebrate with costumes, plays, treats, and noisemakers. This year Purim falls on March 14 and 15. 1. Put about 1 cup of dry...

Craft challenge!( hanging planter )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... Make a hanging planter out of a plastic container, twine, and seashells.

A once-in-a-lifetime experience.(camping)
March 1, 2006... It was my idea to invite Derrick, the new kid in our neighborhood, on our annual father-and-son weekend trip. Derrick had never been camping or fishing. "Great idea!" Dad said. "It'll be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for him, one he'll...

Heavenly colors.(colors of stars)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... Find the constellation Orion about an hour after nightfall. (To see it. face south in February and southwest in March.) Look back and forth between the red star and the blue star to see the color difference. Why do you think stars are...

Who did this?(woodpeckers tear the bark for insects)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... What kind of animal tore the bark off this dead tree? A woodpecker tore the bark off the dead tree. The bird was looking for insects to eat.

I wonder ... why my heart beats fast when I run.(Science Corner)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... Whenever your muscles work hard, they need a greater supply of blood. You have an automatic control that works to make your heart beat faster and pump more blood.

Dino days.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... Did dinosaurs sleep? Ethan Paliganoff, Age 5 Illinois Until recently we did not know whether dinosaurs slept. But scientists working in China have found fossils of a little meat eater curled up with its head tucked in--the same...

A present for Pascal.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... "Happy birthday, Pascal," said Grandpapa. "Here's your present." "A coconut?" asked Pascal. "A coconut makes a fine present," said Grandpapa. He made holes in the coconut and poured coconut juice into a cup. "Mmm, sweet!" said...

Penelope and Mr. Tortue.(Short Story)
March 1, 2006... Each day a bird named Penelope visited a turtle named Mr. Tortue. Each day she rapped on his shell. Knock! Knock! Knock! "Come out and play, Mr. Tortue!" Penelope would call. But Mr. Tortue always said, "No, no, no!" "Mr....

The Timbertoes[R].(Cartoon)
March 1, 2006... "I wish spring would come!" Ma added green grass. Tommy made butterflies "Let's go for a walk!" Mabel had an idea. Pa had a surprise. and bugs. Oops! "May I put these up?" Birds! It really looked...

Tic-Tac-Toe challenge.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... Attention, Tic-Tac-Toe fans! Try to get five in a row with Super Tic-Tac-Toe. Instead of drawing two lines down and two lines across, make four lines down and four lines across. The first person to get five in a row wins. If no one gets five in...

Toad.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... Did You Know? In wet places during spring, the loud, trilling calls of toads fill the air. Often, many toads show up at the same place. The males call again and again, each one trying to attract the females. A toad starts its call in its...

Popping in with Robert Sabuda.(graphic designers)
March 1, 2006... Maybe it has happened to you. You pick up a book, turn the first few pages, and something magical happens. You are transported to another place or time. When Robert Sabuda was eight years old, he flipped through a book in his dentist's office...

Pop-up step by step.(butterfly card)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... 1. Copy the butterfly-wing shapes onto heavy paper. 2. Press along the dotted lines with a paper clip to "score" the tabs. Cut out the wing shapes, then color both sides. 3. Cut a 3 1/4" by 5 1/2" rectangle from heavy paper. Draw a...

Turtle.
March 1, 2006... Turtle Noah Daniecki, Age 5 North Carolina

New Kid at School.(Poem)
March 1, 2006... New Kid at School You're the "new kid" at school, wandering hopelessly. You're the "new kid" at school, waiting for a friend. You're the "new kid" at school, sitting alone. You're the "new kid" at school, ...

Spring is Near!(Poem)
March 1, 2006... Spring Is Near! Spring is near. The sky is clear. Soon the birds will be singing here. Soon the flowers again will grow. No more cold or winter snow. Savannah Craig, Age 6 Tennessee

Rain Goddess.(Your Own Pages)
March 1, 2006... Audrey Hurd, Age 8 Massachusetts

The Light of the Moon.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2006... The Light of the Moon The Moon hangs over the sky. The shiny moonlight shimmers with soft eyes. In the darkness, everything becomes a shadow except for the silver coin in the sky. Tasha Kuo, Age 7 ...

My dog and me.
March 1, 2006... My dog and me Gable Verschoor, Age 8 Iowa

Fruit basket.
March 1, 2006... Fruit Basket Shaindy Perlow, Age 13 New York

Peace to Everyone.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2006... Peace to Everyone Peace to the clouds. Peace to the Sun. Peace to the stars that sparkle at night. Peace to the creatures that fly in the air. Peace to the creatures that swim in the sea. Peace to...

The Purpose.(Poem)
March 1, 2006... The Purpose The purpose of reading-- To stretch your imagination. The purpose of writing-- To express your thoughts. The purpose of friends--To share time with someone else. The purpose of your...

My Favorite Place.(Poem)
March 1, 2006... My Favorite Place I'm traveling down this long highway, the window rolled down and the wind hitting my face. I'm on my way to my favorite place, like the birds flying south for the winter. I'm free,...

Train on the prairie.
March 1, 2006... Train on the Prairie Kyle Foley, Age 7 Kansas

The Lark.(Poem)
March 1, 2006... The Lark I went into the park, And there I saw a lark. His wings were like the morning sun, and put a smile on everyone. Then he sang just for me. That filled me up with amazement and glee. ...

Man on the moon.
March 1, 2006... Man on the Moon Timmy Gibson, Age 7 California

Today is spring.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2006... Today is spring. I feel the breeze. My dogs can play. I can see a rainbow, and flowers are growing. I fly my kite. I play ring-around-the-rosy and fall in the flowers. Mari-Rae Waterman, Age 5 ...

Meadows.(Poem)
March 1, 2006... Meadows Meadows, Where the deer frolic and graze. Meadows, Where the grass grows tall and green. Meadows, Where Mother Nature plants her future. Reilly Megee, Age 8 Delaware

Ocelot.
March 1, 2006... Ocelot Kevin Wynn, Age 11 New Jersey

Reading!(Poem)
March 1, 2006... Reading! Reading is fun. It can take you to the Sun. You can travel to the Moon. And you can even reach the stars. It may take you really very far. So why sit down and watch TV, when reading can take you ...

Mom made me a birthday cake.
March 1, 2006... Mom made me a birthday cake. Renee Mitchell, Age 6 Virginia

What Do Cats Do?(Poem)
March 1, 2006... What Do Cats Do? They meow, they purr when you pet their fur. They sleep, they eat, and they clean their feet. That's what cats do. Tessa Kail, Age 9 Ohio

Gulp! How do we drink?
March 1, 2006... When you are ready to swallow, the soft back part of the roof of the mouth moves up. It closes the opening into the back of the nose. Then your tongue pushes the water backward into a special chamber behind the mouth. Next, your voice box,...

Stop ahead! How do brakes make a car stop?(Science Letters)
March 1, 2006... The brakes are placed behind or inside each wheel. They press hard so that friction slows down the turning. As the wheel slows down, the car slows and stops. Different kinds of wheels have different brakes. Let's take the brakes on the...

Check ... and double check.(picture puzzles)
March 1, 2006... There are at least fourteen differences in these two pictures. How many can you find?

Brain play.
March 1, 2006... Start at the beginning and see how far you can go, thinking of good answers from your own head. Do animals dance? How many fingernails do you have? Which of these bounces? A rock, a tennis ball, a sandwich, a marble, a raspberry,...

Too many cookies: who could ever have too many hamantaschen?(Short Story)
March 1, 2006... Nobody loved the Purim holiday as much as Manny Mendelbaum. Mr. Manny Mendelbaum loved absolutely everything about Purim. He loved to dress up in a costume and go to the synagogue to hear the Purim story. He loved to boo and stamp his...

Makes fun of name.(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2006... A girl at school makes fun of my last name. I try to joke about it, but it's really annoying. What should I do? Grace H., Kentucky If joking doesn't work, try simply ignoring her. If you do not pay any attention when she teases you,...

Too much sugar.(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2006... I eat too much sugar, and I can't stop. I don't want to get cavities. What can I do? Victor R., New Jersey It can be hard to stop eating sugary foods all at once. Try gradually decreasing the amount of sugar you eat. Just seeing...

Gets frustrated.(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2006... I get frustrated easily. How do I stop myself? Jeanine K. (by e-mail) When you find yourself getting frustrated, take a few deep, slow breaths to calm yourself. Expressing how you feel can also help. If you get frustrated because...

Friend copies.(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2006... My friend won't stop copying me. I still want to be her friend, but I would like her to be herself. Christian E. Ohio I can see why you want your friend to be herself. It's a great goal for anyone. It may be that your friend is unsure...

Flower fluster.
March 1, 2006... As these florists hurried to make deliveries, their carts collided--and flowers and delivery slips flew everywhere. Fortunately, they know who ordered what. Do you? ANSWERS: Iris--Dr. C. Farr, Optometrist Forget-me-not--Elly...