Highlights for Children articles from May 2003

Highlights for Children archives from May 2003

Bee! I'm Expecting You!(Poem)
May 1, 2003... Bee! I'm Expecting You! Bee! I'm expecting you! Was saying Yesterday To Somebody you know That you were due-- The Frogs got Home last Week-- Are settled, and at work-- Birds, mostly back-- The Clover...

Find the pictures.
May 1, 2003... Can you find each of these pictures at another place in this book? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Close observation is one of the skills of successful scientists.(Editorial)
May 1, 2003... Close observation is one of the skills of successful scientists. Observing closely is also the mark of a person with a curious mind. "Gerbils Morphing" (pages 36-37) is a great example of a family activity that required careful and close...

Sharing the adventure.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... When I see a child's face light up and his eyes grow big because he discovers he can do something new with his violin, I get a special warm feeling inside. Then I look at the child's mom. I can tell that she feels proud. Warmth and pride are...

Duck walk.(Short Story)
May 1, 2003... Line up, children," said Mama Mallard. "It's time to take a walk around the lake." The ducklings lined up in alphabetical order: first Andy, then Betty, then Cathy. Cathy kept up with the others until she saw a heron. Cathy...

You helped the cartoonists!
May 1, 2003... In our November 2002 issue, we asked you to send us the funniest punch lines you could think of for these cartoons. Thanks for the hilarious responses! We wish we could publish them all. Here are just a few, along with the cartoonists' original...

We goofed.(Science Letters)
May 1, 2003... I was browsing through a HIGHLIGHTS magazine when I came across an error. The question "Why is the ocean blue?" was answered, "It reflects the sky," Dawn Nelson, Science Teacher Nevada You are correct. We made a mistake on page 18...

Fish-eating sharks.(Science Letters)
May 1, 2003... Why do sharks eat fish? Sadie Remington, Age 7 Virginia Most sharks are predators, which eat other animals. In the ocean, most of the larger animals are fish. That makes fish the shark's easiest-to-get food. So, naturally, many...

Squeaking microphone.(Science Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... Why will a microphone squeak when it is placed near its speakers? Andrew Partak, Age 10 Illinois What you describe is called feedback. A sound system makes that squeal when even a small sound is sent through the system over and...

Nikki's sitter.(Short Story)
May 1, 2003... Nikki hated Wednesdays. That's because on Wednesdays, Mama worked late and left Cara in charge. Nikki used to like hanging around her sister. Cara had taught Nikki how to play checkers and how to blow bubbles as big as her face. But...

Talk to the animals--in Spanish.
May 1, 2003... "Meow, meow." "Quack, quack." Moooooo." These animal sounds are very familiar. But how do they sound in Spanish? English Spanish Spells its Say it name name Spanish sound frog la rana ...

For wee folks.
May 1, 2003... When would each of these move quickly? When might they move more slowly? When would each of these be quiet? When might they make a loud noise? Which things are soft? Which are hard? Which can you eat? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

"Happy Mother's Day!".(Hidden Pictures[TM])
May 1, 2003... In this big picture find the mallet, spool, brush, bird, hockey stick, cane, mushroom, heart, lollipop, coat hanger, spoon, saw, bow tie, tack, and butterfly. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The fishing trip.
May 1, 2003... Jake and his father were walking along the shore of a small lake, looking for a good fishing spot. Tell what might have caused them to make these statements as they hiked. "There must be a beaver living in this area," Jake said. "I...

Jokes.
May 1, 2003... Cody: "Did you hear about the two bedbugs that fell in love?" Tasha: "No. What happened?" Cody: "They were married in the spring." Victor Meza, California How's Business? Tailor: "Just sew-sew." Astronomer: "It's...

Justice for all.
May 1, 2003... One day in May 1884, twenty-one-year-old Ida Bell Wells boarded a train bound for Woodstock, Tennessee, and the school where she taught. Ida sat in the first-class ladies' coach and opened her book. Minutes later the conductor collected...

A pig lesson.
May 1, 2003... Which was drawn first? Next? Next? Last? Draw the pig on a separate piece of paper. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Fact or Opinion?(Poem)
May 1, 2003... Fact or Opinion? In each pair of statements, which is a fact? Which is an opinion? A truck is bigger than a bicycle. A truck is better than a bicycle. It's too cold to play soccer. The temperature is 38...

Martha Malone.(Poem)
May 1, 2003... Martha Malone It was nearly dark, And Martha Malone Sat under a tree Upon a big stone. "Who, whoo, whoo," Martha heard. She didn't know it was a bird. "It's me. I thought I was alone," answered...

Matching.
May 1, 2003... Look at each fire truck on the left. Find one like it on the right. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The bear family.
May 1, 2003... Dad: How is your piano piece coming, Woozy? Woozy: Do I have to play in the recital next week? Dad: Well, the family is looking forward to it. Woozy: But all my friends play better than I do! Mom: Don't worry about what others can do....

The real story of the snapping shrimp.
May 1, 2003... One of nature's curiosities has been explained--and it is even more curious than it was before. Scientists have known for a long time about a special little shrimp, the snapping shrimp. It makes a big noise in the ocean. In fact, its snapping...

"Michael Spreckle! Where have you been?".(Short Story)
May 1, 2003... Michael Spreckle stumbled out of the jungle and into camp. "Michael Spreckle! Where have you been?" demanded Ms. Venture. She put down her binoculars. "When we set out on safari, we all agreed: The deep, dark jungle is no place to wander...

I wonder ... how snakes hear without ears.(Science Corner)
May 1, 2003... Snakes don't hear the sounds carried by air very well. Some snakes have a thin, bony plate in their heads to collect sounds. Snakes do most of their "hearing" by feeling the ground. They can feel tiny movements of the ground made by other...

Watch a cricket chirping.(Science Corner)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... If you are patient, you can watch a cricket chirping. If it is dark, carry a flashlight. Listen carefully for a few minutes to make sure you know where to look. While the cricket is chirping, walk slowly toward him. (It will be a male...

Can you do it?(Science Corner)
May 1, 2003... Can you drink water through a straw like this one? It has a pinhole in its side, and the pinhole is above the water. It may be possible to drink through the straw, but the water will be full of air bubbles. It's easier to suck air through a...

Dinosaur days.(Science Corner)
May 1, 2003... Would meat eaters eat plants if they had to? Scott Dent, Age 9 Georgia Meat eaters might have eaten plants as part of their diet, but scientists don't have any evidence that they did. If a meat eater had tried to live on a...

Adam's good idea.
May 1, 2003... Adam took his pail and shovel and toy boats to the beach. He made a castle from sand. "Look at my castle," Adam said. "Very good," said Mom. The waves came in and washed away the castle. The next day Adam made a fort. "Look at my fort,"...

Just the Only One.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2003... Just the Only One Up in the sky there are a lot of stars. Under the sea there are a lot of fish. In the fields there is a lot of wheat. The birds in forests make lots of sounds. The...

Snake in the Grass.(Our Own Pages)
May 1, 2003... Snake in the Grass [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Melissa Wilson, Age 9 Virginia

Seabird.(Our Own Pages)
May 1, 2003... Seabird [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rachael McNeive, Age 10 North Carolina

Mountain Stream.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2003... Mountain Stream Long and narrow like a ribbon, bigger than a brook and smaller than a river, a clear, sparkling blue. Flowing from the tallest mountain of them all, looking down into the happy trickle of water ...

Construction Site.(Our Own Pages)
May 1, 2003... Construction Site [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nyle Rodgers, Age 5 Virginia

Apples.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2003... Apples I like to eat apples every day. They're said to keep my doctor away. I like the green ones--they're tart and sour. The red ones are sweet and give me power. So go buy some apples. ...

Jellybean.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2003... Jellybean Jellybean, jellybean, what flavor can you be? Blackberry Jam or Cherry Berry? Could you be Banana Pie? Or could you be Corn Beef on Rye? I wonder what flavor you can be. I'll just have to taste you and...

Little Red Riding Dog.(Our Own Pages)
May 1, 2003... Little Red Riding Dog [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sara Rastello, Age 7 Michigan

My Writing Place.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2003... My Writing Place Under the cloudless blue sky As the day is starting to die The sounds make me want to write In the pale evening light. Sam Jones, Age 11 Mississippi

Eagle.(Our Own Pages)
May 1, 2003... Eagle [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Max Sultan, Age 6 Georgia

I like to sail on the sea of blue.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2003... I like to sail on the sea of blue. I like to look at the sea stars, too. I float along on the bubbly blue sea, and the fish swim by and smile at my brother and me. Sydney Sullivan, Age 5 Connecticut

I love my sister and she loves me back.(Our Own Pages)
May 1, 2003... I love my sister and she loves me back. We have tea parties and we have parades, too. She calls me Ray. I call her Becca. We are twins. We're seven years old. We're best friends! Rachel Gorlin, Age 7 Minnesota

Batter Up.(Our Own Pages)
May 1, 2003... Batter Up [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Taylor Adkins, Age 9 West Virginia

Anne Frank.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2003... Anne Frank Dear Anne, You helped me to understand You helped me to open my eyes To see the cries To hear the laughter To see the pain To see the world crying in vain To see the sun shine on a rainy day...

Dreams.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2003... Dreams My pets are sleeping in their home, Dreaming of a place to roam. Digging tunnels dark and long, Their squeaking makes a beautiful song. Look at them--they are so cute, Sliding down their earthy chute. ...

The Fight.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2003... The Fight Upset and angry, glaring at each other, our hearts closed to the thoughts of apologies. Shouting out insults that make it worse, our souls go cold. The bad thoughts escape through the...

The Win.(Our Own Pages)
May 1, 2003... The Win [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lucas Houchin Age 7 Missouri

Falcon.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2003... Falcon Cruising lightly through the air A beautiful, graceful hunter Diving swiftly through the wind Peregrine Joe Miller, Age 10 Italy

Chef Bob.(Our Own Pages)
May 1, 2003... Chef Bob [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bailey Creasey, Age 10 South Dakota

The Bus Is Coming.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2003... The Bus Is Coming My alarm clock is ringing And I'm not awake I have to wake up soon My bus comes at 8:00-- My face isn't washed yet I'm not even dressed It's 7:45 Only 15 minutes left-- I...

Haiku.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2003... Trees make a soft sound Like the calm tide coming in Sending us to sleep. Ryohei Okano, Age 10 Uruguay

Gobbling grounders: how to field a ground ball.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... One of the first skills you need to learn when playing baseball, softball, or T-ball is how to field a ground ball. Catching a grounder takes lots of practice. You need to use your eyes, your feet, and your hands. Here are some easy...

Surprise Mom with flowers that write!(You Can Make It!)
May 1, 2003... 1. Arrange small silk or plastic/lowers in two small bunches near the top of a pen. 2. Wrap florist tape around the stems and the pen from top to bottom, then from bottom to top. This will secure the flower bunches to the pen. Leave enough...

Tote your tic-tac-toe game anywhere.(You Can Make It!)
May 1, 2003... 1. Cut out a 6-inch felt circle. Using markers, draw a tic-tac-toe grid on one side. 2. Use a hole punch to make twelve evenly spaced holes about a half-inch from the edge of the circle. 3. Thread a 30-inch piece of yarn through the...

These baskets make May Day merry.(You Can Make It!)
May 1, 2003... During the Middle Ages, people gathered flowers on May 1 to decorate their homes and a maypole for the May Day festivals. This tradition celebrated the coming of summer. Today, some children still celebrate May Day by making paper baskets and...

Butterflies can flutter by your room.(You Can Make It!)
May 1, 2003... 1. Use markers to decorate seven pieces of bow-tie pasta and to color seven twist ties. 2. Bend each twist tie around a pasta bow tie, then twist the ends together to make antennae. 3. Cut out two identical butterfly shapes from poster...

You want flies with that?(You Can Make It!)
May 1, 2003... 1. With an adult's help, cut three to five holes in the bottom of a margarine container. 2. Cut out a poster-board frog's head. 3. Glue pieces of green tissue paper to cover the container (with the lid on) and the frog's head. 4....

Craft challenge!(You Can Make It!)
May 1, 2003... Use your fingerprints to make pictures or designs.

Thinking.
May 1, 2003... * How do you choose which movies you want to see? * What do you enjoy about going to see a movie? Has someone's behavior ever spoiled a movie for you? How? Have you ever spoiled a movie for someone else? * Can you think of some movies...

A Mother's Day Prayer.(Brief Article)(Poem)
May 1, 2003... A Mother's Day Prayer Today, dear God, Is Mother's Day, So for these gifts For her I pray: Good health and joy Throughout each day; Please bless her, God, In every way.

Goofus and Gallant[R].
May 1, 2003... "I don't have enough gum for all of us." If Gallant has something to share, he shares with everyone. When Goofus gets frustrated, he gives up. "This is getting frustrating. I'll do something else for a while, then come back to it."...

Julia under the stairs: Julia wanted a place that was just for her.(Short Story)
May 1, 2003... When Julia's little sister, Ellie, was born, her mother said to Julia, "Now you will have to share." As Ellie got older, Julia had to share her dolls and her toys. She had to share the conversation at the dinner table. She even had to share...

Gerbils morphing.
May 1, 2003... An odd squeak startled my son, Kyle, as he passed the gerbil cage. He lifted the screen lid and peered in at Rosey and Stinky. To his surprise the squeaking came from beneath Rosey. She had a bunch of wiggling pink legs sticking out from...

Headwork.
May 1, 2003... Start at the beginning and see how far you can go, thinking of good answers from your own head. What color is your favorite food? Which do you use more, your fingers or your toes? If you were a frog, would you like to be carried in...

The Timbertoes.(Comic)
May 1, 2003... Ma hung a bell on the porch. "When I need you, I'll ring." "What a good idea!" Tommy and Mabel heard the bell. They ran to the house. "No, I didn't ring the bell." Pa heard the bell. "You didn't ring?" This...

Clever Hodja, foolish Hodja: a Turkish tale.(Short Story)
May 1, 2003... Nasreddin Hodja was probably a real person who lived in Turkey in the thirteenth century. He is famous in folklore for being both clever and foolish. Clever Hodja Late one hot summer afternoon, Nasreddin Hodja strode through his town...

Riddles.
May 1, 2003... 1. What do you get from confused chickens? Alicia Hamerton, Ontario 2. Why do some people become bakers? Meg Downey, New Jersey 3. I run but never walk, have a mouth but never talk, have a bed but never lie down. What am I?...

Fitting in.(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... I've managed to fit in at many schools, but what I really want to do is be myself. I'm going to be in middle school next year, but I don't want to go as an "actor" just to fit in. How can I fit in and be myself at the same time? Katya M.,...

"My brothers bugs me".(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... My brother always bugs me. He sings a song I hate. I Can you help? Monserrat H., Florida Remember that you can choose the way you react to your brother. It's difficult to ignore annoying behavior, but it is possible. Try to get away...

Getting up early.(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... I always wake up at 5:00 A.M., but then I sleep again until 7:00. Then I don't have enough time to watch TV before school. What should I do? Bowen B., Virginia It sounds as if your body is telling you that you need extra sleep....

Music lessons.(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... I would like for my younger sister to be interested in piano music. I play the piano, and I would like to teach her. The problem is, she does not want to learn. What should I do? Kristin A., Missouri It's wonderful that you enjoy...

That's saying sum-thing.
May 1, 2003... Each picture puzzle below shows the beginning of a famous saying. Sound them out. Then tell the complete sayings. Here is an example. Sound it out: th + up + roof + is + (ink - k) Answer: The proof is in the pudding. [ILLUSTRATIONS...