Highlights for Children articles from May 2009

Highlights for Children archives from May 2009

Terry in transit.(Fun This Month)
May 1, 2009... Terry Tortoise's bicycle tire popped, he has an appointment with the eye doctor in half an hour. What's his best mode of transportation for getting to the eye doctor? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ANSWER KEY Terry in Transit--Terry...

Thank a teacher.(Fun This Month)
May 1, 2009... May 5 is National Teacher Day. Design a card to let your teacher know how he or she has helped you this year.

Find the pictures.(Fun This Month)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Can you find each of these 10 pictures at another place in this magazine? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

5 ways to make mom smile.(Fun This Month)
May 1, 2009... Mother's Day is May 10. 1. Make her a special Mother's Day pin. 2. Write a jingle about her. Sing it when she enters the room. 3. Prepare lunch for her to eat at work or at home. 4. Suggest she rest for 20 minutes while you...

Mystery photo.(Fun This Month)
May 1, 2009... Try to guess what this is. (Hint: National Pet Week is May 3-9.) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Answers: A goldfish tail.

Tongue twister.(Fun This Month)
May 1, 2009... Say this five times fast. In May, Mayor Mabel makes maple mayo. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Launch a party!(Fun This Month)(Astronomy Day)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For Astronomy Day (May 2), have an outer-space party. Decorate with a black backdrop and paper stars. For "rings of Saturn" party visors, cut circles from craft foam, then cut holes in them so they fit around guests'...

Working at night.(Dear Readers)(student employment)(Editorial)
May 1, 2009... One summer while I was a college student, I worked in a toothbrush factory--at night. I went to work when my parents were going to bed. In the morning, when my parents were going to work, I came home to sleep. This backward schedule was...

Audition.(Poem)
May 1, 2009... Audition Sunday mornings at our house are full of music. Grandmomma is singing. She says she's auditioning for the heavenly choir. The music of her voice Sets us up and dressed, gets us fed and out...

Bert and Mert at the zoo.(Short story)
May 1, 2009... "Let's do something special today, Bert," Mert said. Bert was standing on his head, eating a slice of upside-down cake. "Let's go to the zoo," Mert said. Bert stood upright. "Good idea, Mert. I like to watch the monkeys." They...

Goofus and Gallant[R].(Cartoon)
May 1, 2009... "I can't go to bed yet. This is due tomorrow," says Goofus. Goofus leaves his things on the floor. Gallant starts planning for projects right away. "I'll just clean these up before we go," says Gallant. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

What's the word?(Karate)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] My fourth letter is in mat but not in met. My third letter is in arts but not in acts. My second letter is in black but not in block. My fifth letter is in train but not in brain. My sixth letter is...

Peanut.(Your Own Stories)(Short story)
May 1, 2009... A peanut walked down the street with a coconut. They sat on a park bench with a man. The man looked at them. He drooled and ate the coconut! The peanut ran to another bench and fell asleep. A woman sat with him. When the peanut woke, the...

Sneaky Sammy.(Your Own Stories)(Short story)
May 1, 2009... There was a sneaky cat named Sammy. One day he invited all the farm cats to a party. They played games, sang songs, and rode bicycles. They played Duck Duck Goose. Pin the Tail on the Dog, Chicken Dance, Pass the Milk Bucket. and Kiss the Pig....

The computer kid.(Your Own Stories)(Short story)
May 1, 2009... There is a kid on my street who plays video games. He never comes out to play football. One time when none of my friends were home. I figured I would ask him to play. I rang his doorbell. His mother came out. I asked, "Can Tim play?" ...

Watermelon girl.(Your Own Stories)(Short story)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Watermelon Girl was a rock star. She gave up! "Noooooooo," they said. But she did! And she was sad because she missed her fans. But she came back! Alexandra Karlinchak, Ate 6 Ohio

"Changing-up" your pitching: it looks like a fastball, but batters will be fooled.
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Few things are more satisfying to a pitcher than striking out a batter. But what's the best way to get it done? Many would say that rearing back and firing the ball as fast as you can is a great technique. Others...

Always last.(Short story)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Zipster family was always in a hurry. Each morning Mr. Zipster grabbed his briefcase and dashed out the door. Emma got up before dawn and raced to before-school swim practice on her bike. Even Zippy, the...

Meet the stars.(Hidden Pictures[R])
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] handbell turtle magic wand shamrock teacup hoe key Fishhook lollipop ring slice of pie pencil needle pennant wrench pointy hat telescope...

Desperately seeking my backpack.(Ask Arizona)(Short story)
May 1, 2009... Dear Arizona, I lose things so often that my parents say I'd lose my head if it weren't screwed onto my body! Can you help? --Losing in St. Louis [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Losing, We should totally have a club for...

Jokes.
May 1, 2009... "Knock, knock." Who's there?" "Ears." "Ears who?" "Ears another knock-knock joke!" "Knock, knock." "Who's there?" "Eyes." "Eyes who?" "Eyes have one more knock-knock joke!" "Knock, knock." ...

Your best self.(Cartoon)
May 1, 2009... Let's pick these For Mom. Nice idea, but let's ask permission first. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The dragons of Pithany Gulch.
May 1, 2009... The five dragons of Pithany Gulch have a puzzle for you to solve. Figure out their names and their ages to become a dragon master. To help you on your quest, use the clues listed below. Good luck! These dragons have an unusual way of...

Thinking.(rivers)
May 1, 2009... A river is a place to find adventure! * What different kinds of activities are people doing here? * How is a river different from a pond or a lake? * What kinds of wildlife can be found by this river? * Where do you think the...

Bluegill.(Nature Watch: From the Roger Tory Peterson Institute)
May 1, 2009... Did You Know? When the weather warms in springtime, male bluegills make nests for their young. They prefer shallow waters in lakes and ponds, often with a sandy bottom. Each male uses his tail to scoop out a cup-shaped nest. He defends his nest...

Matching.
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Look at each button on the left. Find one like it on the right.

A horse to love.(Poem)
May 1, 2009... I ride the bus to school each day. I pass the same horse on my way. At times he's outdoors eating grass beside a rail fence when I pass. But when he's standing in his shed, then I see just his neck and head. The horse is spotted gray on white....

How to eat scorpions: meerkat pups go to survival school.
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's not easy being a meerkat pup. Meerkats live in the Kalahari Desert in Africa. The days are hot, and eating can be a real challenge. It was the first day that four-week-old meerkat pups had left their burrow...

Owl.(Your Own Pages)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kaylee Woltman, Age 8 Kansas

My Bed.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2009... My Bed When I lie in my bed, The pillow is soft on my head. The blanket keeps me warm at night. My teddy comforts me from fright. Alexa Marshall, Age 7 New York

Dance.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2009... Dance Whoosh/I kick my foot up high. I twirl slowly with my hands in the air. I run gracefully and jump as high as I can. The music changes from slow to fast. I feel my body pumping to a higher level as...

Thunderstorm.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2009... Thunderstorm I'm hiding under my blankets. Lightning bolts across the sky. The rain is pouring down, But I am dry. Benjamin Champion, Age 8 Pennsylvania

Mother.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2009... Mother Makes me so proud On the ball Together we're a team Her heart is full of love Entertaining Respectful Robert Carmichael, Age 10 Massachusetts

Pets.(Your Own Pages)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Olivia Dybing, Age 10 Wisconsin

My best friend, Emy.(Your Own Pages)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Emy Maeve Heard, Age 5 Florida

The Night Song.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2009... The Night Song When the trees are blowing and the sun has set, the stars are out and it's daytime for them when you are asleep. Then you wake up, and the stars are in their beds. If you climb a...

The castle of land.(Your Own Pages)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lukas Kovanda, Age 6 Minnesota

Dogs.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2009... Dogs Dogs, dogs, dogs, dogs always walk on their paws, paws, paws, paws. Paws, paws, paws, paws have little tiny claws, claws, claws, claws. So paws and claws fit together for dogs, dogs, dogs,...

Time Troubles.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2009... Time Troubles I am running out of time. Can I write another line? Time is ticking--tick, tick, tick. I am writing--quick, quick, quick! It seems all my projects are late. Now I can't procrastinate! And now I...

Yay! Yay! Yay!(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2009... Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! What a super day. The sun is shining. The flowers are blooming. Yay! Yay! Yay! What a super day. It's so much fun. I want to run. Yay! Yay! Yay! What a great,...

Rocket ship.(Your Own Pages)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Haley Johnson, Age 9 Arkansas

Fun in the Sun.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2009... Fun in the Sun Crash,... shhh. shhh, shhh. A wave. sandcastles tumbling, lifeguards shouting. Sand between my toes. waves crashing, children running and playing, especially that smell of fresh. salty...

A Haiku.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2009... A Haiku The tree's bare branches Reach to the sky as if they Want something up there. Ian Klahre, Age 10 Michigan

I am a green belt in tae kwon do.(Your Own Pages)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Emily Schuler, Age 7 British Columbia, Canada

Serene Spring.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
May 1, 2009... Serene Spring The river is blue. The grass is green. I sit in the forest. The place is serene. I look around. Cherry blossoms are blooming. The wind ruffles my hair. The dove is cooing. The...

Look who's awake while you're asleep: many people go to work at night. Here are some jobs they do to care for you even while you're sleeping.
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Custodians Custodians often stay at school long after you leave. They clean every classroom in the building. They empty the trash and clean the bathrooms. If something is broken, they...

Bendable pets.(Crafts)
May 1, 2009... 1. For each pet's body and legs, cut two identical pieces from felt. Cut another piece of felt for a face. 2. Cut two chenille sticks to fit the length of the body. Glue them between the two identical pieces of felt. Let the glue dry. ...

Beehive game.(Crafts)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Cut a 10-inch, by-20-inch beehive shape from poster board. Decorate it. 2. Cut 30 one-inch rings from cardboard tubes. Paint the inside of 10 rings green, 10 yellow, and 10 red. Paint the outsides to match the...

Mother's Day message ring.(Crafts)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Decide on a short message. 2. From craft foam, cut a 3-inch heart shape for each word of your message. 3. Write one word on each heart, and punch a hole at the top. 4. Paint the shapes with fabric...

Colorful fish for Children's Day.(Crafts)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] On May 5, many Japanese families celebrate Children's Day. Koi fish made from brightly colored paper or cloth are hung from the rooftops as a symbol of children's determination and strength. 1. Draw identical...

Coin bank.(Crafts)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Cut an empty cereal box 4 1/2 inches from the bottom. 2. Collect four short cardboard tubes. Trace the end of one tube onto cardboard four times. Cut out the circles, and tape one circle to the end of each...

Lovely lilies.(Crafts)
May 1, 2009... 1. Trace the outlines of one adult's hand and one child's hand onto colored paper. Use a marker to outline each shape. Cut them out. 2. Glue the base of the small shape to the base of the large shape. 3. Roll the shapes together to...

Science letters.
May 1, 2009... Long ago, why did they think Earth was Flat? Priyanka Shreedar, Age 7 California [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We have grown up knowing that Earth is round, so the idea seems natural to us. But imagine that we had to figure out...

Check ... and double check.
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There are at least twelve differences in these two pictures, How many can you find?

The Timbertoes[R].(Cartoon)
May 1, 2009... It was a beautiful day. Pa wanted to relax. He found a perfect spot. "Ahh!" Ma saw Pa. "May I join you?" Mabel was playing nearby. "Is there room for us?" Tommy wanted to get in, too. So did Spot and...

The fifth reason.(Short story)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I thought I liked Cora, who moved to my neighborhood last summer. I thought we'd be friends, so I invited her to my house. We played Crazy Eights. I won every time. I love...

[Cartoon].(Science Corner)(Cartoon)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "He's programmed to be your little brother."

Furry plant.(Science Corner)(pussywillow)
May 1, 2009... Why does the pussy willow grow small tufts that feel like cat fur? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ANSWER Furry Plant--The Furry tufts that open on pussy-willow plants in spring are called catkins. Each catkin is a cluster of tiny Flowers,...

Make a simple glider.(Science Corner)
May 1, 2009... Fold back one long edge of a sheet of printer paper, as shown. Turn it over, and hold it above your head. The folds should be under the front edge. Then let it go and watch it glide. As with big gliders, the heavy front makes the glider...

I wonder ... where cork comes from.(Science Corner)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cork is the thick inner bark from a special kind of tree that grows in Spain and Portugal. Cork has many uses because it's light and springy--and it floats.

Dino days.
May 1, 2009... How do you know if you found a fossil or just a regular bone? Ally McClure, Age 11 Iowa A regular bone is made up mostly of calcium, which makes the bone nearly white. A bone is also full of tiny empty spaces, which make it light...

Make this tabletop game, and ... shoot some hoops!
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Glue eight craft sticks to a 3-inch-by-4-inch piece of paper. When the glue dries, add backboard details to the sticks with a marker. Glue a craft stick on the back as shown. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2. Cut...

Yammering yam! A folktale from Ghana.(Short story)
May 1, 2009... Kofi yawned and stretched. The village was still quiet. He whistled for his dog, picked up his stick, and set off to dig yams ahead of the rising sun. The dog barked and pawed at the ground. "Hush, dog," ordered Kofi as he wrestled a giant...

Brain play.(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Start at the beginning and see how far you can go, thinking of good answers from your own head START [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Which has more legs, a bird or a cow? Name something that's smaller than a tooth. What does your...

Chocolate drops.(Poem)
May 1, 2009... Lick. Slop. Slip. Drip. Drop. Drip. My ice cream cone is leaking and dribbling down my chin, it draws a, beard and mustache and paints a chocolate grin! Lick. Slop. Slip. Drip. Drop. ...

Riddles.
May 1, 2009... (1) Which state has the most streets? Kevin Fields, Missouri (2) What do you call a ,soccer player who loves arithmetic? Meredith Haller Ohio (3) Why did the chicken cross the playground? Timothy Kashani, California ...

Jay O'Callahan: painting pictures with words.(What a Pro Knows)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tall and thin and crackling with energy, Jay O'Callahan uses his face, body, and hands to make stories come alive. A Storyteller Since Childhood When Jay was fourteen, he started telling stories to keep his...

Tips for telling tales.
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (1) Find ideas everywhere--at the store, in the backseat of the car, and even in the lines in the palm of someone's hand. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (2) Experiment with your voice. Try to speak softly and loudly...

Dear Highlights.
May 1, 2009... I really want to make movies, but I need some help on how to make them. Connor S., Texas [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You could start by deciding what you would like your movie to be about. What kinds of characters will be involved?...

Picture puzzler.
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Look carefully at this scene for one minute. Try to remember as much as you can about it. Then cover the scene with a piece of paper, rotate the pale, and see how many questions you can answer. [ILLUSTRATION...

What's wrong?
May 1, 2009... How many silly things can you find in this picture? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]