Highlights for Children articles from September 2006

Highlights for Children archives from September 2006

A sweet tradition.(Rosh Hashanah)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... During Rosh Hashanah, the shofar is blown to call the Jewish people to spiritual awakening. Rosh Hashanah means "head of the year," or New Year. It begins the ten days when Jews think about their actions from the previous year. This sacred...

Why does the schoolyard get bigger when school starts?(Fun This Month)
September 1, 2006... It has more feet in it.

September 10 is Grandparents Day!(Fun This Month)
September 1, 2006... Show a grandparent how much you care.

First flight!(identifying in a photo)
September 1, 2006... On September 19, 1783, the first passengers flew in a hot-air balloon. They weren't people. They were animals. Can you spot them? ANSWERS: The first passengers in a hot-air balloon were a duck, a sheep, and a rooster.

Arikara Hidatsa Cheyenne Chippewa Dakota Lakota Mandan Nakota.(powwow dance of native Americans)
September 1, 2006... Early in September, Native Americans from all over North America travel to Bismarck, North Dakota, for the United Tribes International Powwow. The yearly celebration includes native crafts, singing, drumming, dancing, and traditional foods.

Fall birthday fun.(September birthday parties)
September 1, 2006... If your birthday is in September, have an autumn-themed party. Paint gourd creatures, create a leaf-matching game, pin the tail on a squirrel cutout, and fill snack cups with nuts, candy corn, and apple chunks.

5 healthy habits.(for children)
September 1, 2006... 1. Make Friends. 2. Brush your teeth till they sparkle. 3. Swing, skip, slide, and skate. 4. Hum yourself happy. 5. Eat a rainbow of foods.

Find the pictures.(Fun This Month)
September 1, 2006... Can you find these 11 pictures at another place in this magazine? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Work--with a smile!(ways to income money )(Editorial)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... When I was a kid, I sometimes looked for ways to earn money. Maybe that's why I especially like "Ask Arizona" this month (pages 10-11). I have a feeling that not only did Arizona and Ollie earn the money they needed for a skateboard ramp, but...

Recess.(Poem)
September 1, 2006... Recess The new girl stands alone against the wall holding her blue sweater as though it were a fold of faded sky. I know how easy it would be to make her smile--if there were time. But the...

Goofus and Gallant[R].(Cartoon)
September 1, 2006... "Pssst! Hey, Oscar," says Goofus. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gallant pays attention in class. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Goofus gets jealous of his teammates. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Nice save, Jim," says Gallant. ...

Cars! Cars! Cars!(playing with word)
September 1, 2006... Each phrase describes a word that starts with car. Can you tell what each word is? 1. A Floor covering. 2. A red bird. 3. A chewy 4. A big animal with antlers. 5. A drawing of funny characters. 6. A person who works...

Clever critters.(animal behavior)
September 1, 2006... Sometimes an animal's behavior appears strange. But animals have reasons for doing the things they do. They might be protecting themselves, communicating, or eating. See if you can guess what these animals are up to. Why do these animals...

Thinking: lots of fans are here to enjoy a baseball game.
September 1, 2006... * Why does a game like baseball have rules? What would happen if it didn't? Can you think of other lames that have rules? Name some that don't. * What skills does a baseball player need? How would a person get those skills? * Why...

All washed up.(income by childrens)
September 1, 2006... Dear Arizona, I really want this new bike that I saw. The thing is, I already have an old bike, which my dad says is perfectly good. I don't want to sound like a spoiled brat, but I need that new bike! How do I get my dad to buy it for me?...

Hawaii.(dream vacations)
September 1, 2006... I want to go to Hawaii because I think that it would be cool (but dangerous) to see a volcano erupt. I would like to see this because I want to know what real lava looks like, what color it is, and how smoky it gets after the eruption. If I...

A beach with dinosaurs.(Your Dream Vacations: If you could go anywhere, you'd go to ...)
September 1, 2006... My dream vacation is on the most peaceful beach ever known, with the nicest dinosaurs ever. Michael Haydel, Age 8 Washington [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Egypt.(dream vacations)
September 1, 2006... I would get round-trip tickets to Egypt. I am going to be an archaeologist when I grow up and specialize in Egyptian mummies, history, hieroglyphics, and just about anything you can find buried under the sand. Ever since third grade, I've been...

Outer space.(Your Dream Vacations: If you could go anywhere, you'd go to ...)
September 1, 2006... Shani Sigler, Age 10 Israel [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Railroads around the country.(dream vacations)
September 1, 2006... I would travel to all the train museums and tourist railroads in the U.S.A. I would travel to the Maine Coast Railroad and to Disneyland; then to the Portland Zoo Railroad and the White Pass & Yukon Route; then to the Sugar Cane Train in...

Greece.(dream vacations)
September 1, 2006... I would go to Greece because it is so beautiful there. It has the best beaches I have ever seen! It would be fun to see all the sites, including the architecture, the Theater at Epidaurus, the Corinth Canal, and many more. My dad went when he...

Switzerland.(dream vacations)
September 1, 2006... I would go to Switzerland because it is beautiful and peaceful. I would love to see the mountains and hills. I would like to visit all 26 cantons and hear all the languages spoken there. Maria Ralenkotter, Age 10 Illinois

An underwater hotel.(children's dream vacation)
September 1, 2006... I'd like to go to an underwater hotel. I would eat a fish feast every night for a week. You would be able to breathe when you are inside the hotel. The hotel has a restaurant, too! There is a pool full of water near the hotel, in a building...

The open prairie.(children's dream vacation)
September 1, 2006... I would gallop across an open prairie on a horse. My friend would be with me. We would walk our horses through rivers. At night we'd camp under the stars. Our horses would graze while we ate a breakfast of dry cereal. While we rode our horses,...

Canada.(Your Dream Vacations: If you could go anywhere, you'd go to ...)
September 1, 2006... I would go to Canada because I like to collect the quarters they have there. Bruno Freeman, Age 5 New York

A rain forest.(Your Dream Vacations: If you could go anywhere, you'd go to ...)
September 1, 2006... I would go to a rain forest with a waterfall. Amy Pham Age 9 California [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

A snowy Christmas day.(children's dream vacations)
September 1, 2006... For my dream vacation, I would sleep until Christmas. Then I would go out into the deep snow and build a snowman. I would come inside, have hot cocoa, go back outside, have a snowball fight, and build a snow fort. Then I would come in, have...

Beijing.(children's vacation)
September 1, 2006... My dream vacation place is Beijing, China, where I was born. I really want to visit Tiananmen Square again. My mom said I have been there, but I was too little to remember. I will pass through Tianan Gate and visit the Forbidden City in which...

The moon.(Your Dream Vacations: If you could go anywhere, you'd go to ...)
September 1, 2006... Max Winters, Age 7 Massachusetts [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Gulf shores.(dream vacations)
September 1, 2006... My dream vacation is going to Gulf Shores. I would swim in the ocean, skateboard, surf, eat lobster, and go to the gift shops. Every night, I would run into the roaring ocean with the howling wind. In the morning, I would run out on the bright...

A place to fish.(Your Dream Vacations: If you could go anywhere, you'd go to ...)
September 1, 2006... My dream vacation is fishing. Jacob Mies, Age 6 Ohio [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Qatar.(dream vacations)
September 1, 2006... I would go to Qatar in the Middle East. I would visit my cousins and aunt and uncle. I could see their house and meet their friends. They come and visit me once a year. I enjoy being with my cousins and visiting new places. Marissa Condie,...

Harvest apples.(finding picture)
September 1, 2006... In this big picture, find the teacup, banana, golf club, musical note, closed umbrella, mushroom, fishhook, toothbrush, needle, heart, tack, spoon, candle, arrow, crescent moon, worm, mouse, flag, and crayon. teacup [ILLUSTRATION...

Jokes.
September 1, 2006... Dad: "What was that loud noise?" Harshil: "My jacket fell on the floor." Dad: "Why would your jacket falling make such a loud noise?" Harshil: "Because I was wearing it." Sonali Matta, Washington Austin: "If you had a...

Chew toys.(Poem)
September 1, 2006... Chew Toys Our puppy chewed my homework, then my after-school snack; he chewed a piece of puzzle and a crackly paper sack. He chewed a doggy chewy bone, a pink and fluffy rug; he went outside and chewed some...

Quick--thinking meerkats: when something wants to eat you, act fast!
September 1, 2006... Dr. Marta Manser crouches in the dry grass, watching a cat-sized meerkat sniff for its breakfast. Suddenly, a high-pitched alarm call breaks the morning quiet: Hawk! The meerkat bounds toward a hiding hole, reaching it in seconds. Dr....

The princess and the dragon.(Emma and Wendy put puppet show for free)
September 1, 2006... "Let's put on a puppet show," Emma said. "Yes!" said Wendy. "We can sell tickets." Emma and Wendy painted a box purple. They used buttons and yarn to turn a sock into a princess. Two green socks became a dragon. "How much money will we charge...

Add 'em Up!(math puzzles)
September 1, 2006... The bus made 4 stops. A mother and her 2 children got on at the first stop A small girl and her grandmother and grandfather got on at the second stop. At the third stop, a family of 3 children and their parents got on the bus. ...

Shape challenge.(making shapes with sticks)
September 1, 2006... How many shapes can you make? Find six sticks that are the same length. Unsharpened pencils or toothpicks work well. Using all six sticks for each shape, make as many different shapes as you can. ANSWER: We made five shapes: ...

Matching.
September 1, 2006... Look at each lunch box on the left. Find one like it on the right. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

If you are walking and tossing a ball, why does the ball stay with you?
September 1, 2006... Adam Bumas, Age 7 New York You have made a good observation. Why does the ball fall down to your hands instead of landing on the ground behind you? The key to the answer is that when you move, all of the things you are carrying...

Why do balloons run out of air?
September 1, 2006... Reece Baron, Age 4 Indiana Rubber is tighter than many other materials. But it has holes that are so tiny that air leaks out very slowly. Some gases leak through rubber faster than others. Hydrogen and helium gases are made of...

Why aren't spiders insects?(both are arthropods)
September 1, 2006... Lindsay Wells, Age 9 Massachusetts We use different names for spiders and insects because it's useful to have names that tell how living things are related to one another. Both spiders and insects (and crabs and lobsters and many other...

Batter up!
September 1, 2006... Which two scenes are the same? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ANSWER: Scenes 3 and 4 are the same.

School stories: a day you'll never forget.
September 1, 2006... Have you ever had an unforgettable day at school? Maybe the hamster escaped from its cage or your favorite author visited your class. Perhaps you got to know the new student--and realized how much the two of you had in common. In 100 words...

Riddles.
September 1, 2006... (1) What does a sandwhich wear to bed? Dylan McGee, North Carolina (2) Which sea creature haunts the ocean? Anthony Battle, Ohio (3) How many apples can you fit into an empty bowl? Paige Meissner, Minnesota (4) What...

The jobo tree.
September 1, 2006... "You and your shortcuts," Rafi said. "We're usually home by now! I need a snack." A balmy mid-September wind whiff led through the tall grass in the mountainous countryside of Puerto Rico. The deep blue Atlantic Ocean gleamed in the...

The timbertoes[R].(Cartoon)
September 1, 2006... Mabel was bored. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] No one wanted to play. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mabel found a stick. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] She drew some lines. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] She tossed a stone. ...

What I learned from Yogi.(Yogi Bear)
September 1, 2006... When I was a boy in the 1950s, my favorite cartoon character was Yogi Bear. He was clever and fun, and his home in Jellystone Park seemed like a wonderful place, even if Yogi was always getting in trouble with the ranger. When I was a...

The real light of Ramadan.(celebrations )
September 1, 2006... Through the dining-room window, the rays of the setting sun glowed crimson, orange, and gold. It was almost as if an enormous Fanoos lantern were lit for the whole world to see as Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, came to an end. Ayasha...

The bear family.(school plays)
September 1, 2006... Poozy: I don't want to play in the school band anymore. Mom: Why not? Poozy: The new cub plays a lot better than I do. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Woozy: But you're the best trumpet player in school! Poozy: Not anymore. ...

Watching the Moon.
September 1, 2006... During full moon, the Moon is very bright. But full moon is not astronomers' favorite time to observe it. Why do you think they prefer other phases? Astronomers prefer to look at the Moon when it is lighted from the side. They can see many...

Disappearing acts.(food dissolving in water)
September 1, 2006... With a parent's permission. gather basic food items, such as sugar, cornmeal, baking soda. vegetable oil, and so on. Which do you think would dissolve in water? To find out, stir a teaspoon of each into a glass of clear water, f Rinse the glass...

I wonder ... why clouds are always changing.
September 1, 2006... Clouds are big puffs of falling water droplets. Winds are always pushing the droplets upward and changing the shapes of the clouds. If you use your imagination, you may see animals or castles or many other things in the shapes of clouds.

Dino days.(details of dinosaurs)
September 1, 2006... How many dinosaurs had feathers? Erin DeVries, Age 7 New York Recent finds in China show that many small meat eaters had feathers: Scientists have found about ten kinds that had feathers, but they think there were many more. It's...

Make prints from Styrofoam trays.
September 1, 2006... 1. Wash a Styrofoam tray in soapy water. Cut off the sides of the tray to make a flat surface. 2. Use a pencil to draw a design on the tray, pressing hard enough to make an indentation. 3. Use a paintbrush to lightly coat the surface...

Kids made these!
September 1, 2006... Here are some craft ideas that kids sent to us. Earrings for Non-pierced Ears 1. Cut two 10-inch-long pieces of string or cord. 2. Pick four sets of four colorful beads. 3. Knot the end of one string, and slip on one set of...

A turtle holds your things.(paper handicraft)
September 1, 2006... 1. For the turtle's back, find a small box. Paint it or cover it with paper. 2. Cut paper or craft foam into small pieces. When the box is dry, glue on the pieces to make a turtle-shell pattern. 3. Place the box on a piece of craft...

Play croquet on the table.
September 1, 2006... 1. For a playing field, cut an 11-inch-by-7 1/2-inch Styrofoam rectangle. Cut a piece of felt to cover it, and glue it in place. 2. For stakes, cut a wooden coffee stirrer or craft stick in half, and draw stripes at the ends. With scissors,...

This bird can dance!(birds made of cereal board and papers)
September 1, 2006... 1. For a head, cut a corner from an empty cereal box. For a body, cut a larger corner piece. Cut out wings and a tail. Decorate the pieces with paper and paint. 2. Knot three pieces of yarn together at one end, and braid them 3. Poke a...

Craft challenge!(Crafts)
September 1, 2006... Create a model park with cardboard, felt, pebbles, twigs, and string.

Jared to the rescue.(kittens rescued)
September 1, 2006... On the first morning of second grade, Jared remembered five things he didn't like about school: Jessica, lining up, arithmetic, spelling, and reading aloud. Jared wanted to stay home, but his mom sent him anyway. He had to sit next to...

Drums.(Poem)
September 1, 2006... Drums You can play If you want. When you go-- It's fun to play, you know. Boom bada boom! Bada boom, bada boom! Drum sets are fun! Di-di-di, di-di-di, tss! Tss! Di-di-di, tss! Tss! Tss! ...

A Plan.(Poem)
September 1, 2006... A Plan Sitting in the car. Thinking everything's crazy. Headed to the house To lie on the couch To be lazy. Going to get up in the morning To go to school: That's an everyday thing. Seems co be...

My violin.(Your Own Pages)
September 1, 2006... My Violin Finlay Pogue, Age 8 British Columbia [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Firefly.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
September 1, 2006... Firefly A quick flash of light, The hasty flapping of wings, A gust of wind--gone. Sarah Daly, Age 13 Ohio

My dream house.(Your Own Pages)
September 1, 2006... My Dream House Preet Desai, Age 10 Illinois [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

What Makes You Happy?(Poem)
September 1, 2006... What Makes You Happy? Does the sunshine make you happy on a sad, sad day? Does a friend cheer you up when you feel quite sad? Does a cute little puppy help you start your day? Does your morn or dad ever sing...

The Country.(Poem)
September 1, 2006... The Country The stars are like scattered beads that used to be on a necklace-- now broken. The moon is like a great crystal ball-- just sitting there, in the blackness. Emily Bastis, Age 6 Texas

Susan B. Anthony.(Poem)
September 1, 2006... Susan B. Anthony America will never see another woman like Susan B. She's important to our history. She gave a vote to women like me. Women could not vote, and that was unfair. When Susan did, she got...

I am a lion that roars like the wind.(Poem)
September 1, 2006... I am a lion that roars like the wind. I am a city with streetlights. I am a jet flying. My hands are like roses in the bright summer. I am a tree as big as a tall building. When I am dreaming I think of ...

Rain Dog.(Poem)
September 1, 2006... Rain Dog When it rains, my dog gets all wet, And she becomes a really stinky pet. So I have to towel her dry. She tries to sneak by me--so very, very sly. So I call to her, And I say, "Lay." It takes a...

Sleeping kitty.(Your Own Pages)
September 1, 2006... Sleeping Kitty Sarah Morris, Age 10 Georgia [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Tickle Me!(Poem)
September 1, 2006... Tickle Me! Tickle me! Tickle me! Tickle me, my nose and my toes. Tickle me and see how happy I can be. Tickle my chin, and I will grin. Tickle my tummy, and it will be so yummy. Tickle my feet,...

American chopper.(Your Own Pages)
September 1, 2006... American Chopper Keaton Black, Age 12 Kansas [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

My grandpa is a mailman.(Your Own Pages)
September 1, 2006... My Grandpa is a Mailman Karen Kutyna, Age 8 Florida [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Potato Chips.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
September 1, 2006... Potato Chips Salty and thin Yellow as the sun The image of waves In the ocean. Brendan Miller, Age 8 Pennsylvania

Chester the hamster man.(Your Own Pages)
September 1, 2006... Chester the Hamster Man Jacki Rowe, Age 9 Arizona [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Baseball.(Poem)
September 1, 2006... Baseball Like a snowball that never melts, Fiery red seams and creamy white skin, Like a rocket, it launches out of my hand. Who knows if it will ever land? Baseball, baseball, don't hit the sun! Baseball,...

Scrapping the sky: a story based on a tradition in Barcelona, Spain.(Short story)
September 1, 2006... Meritxell concentrated on the tower of people and then on the hundreds of onlookers. The noontime sun glared overhead, and sweat trickled down her temple. Meritxell adjusted her faixa, her black sash, and tucked in her purple shirt. ...

Young twisters.(tongue twisters)
September 1, 2006... Say these three times fast. Tony taught Timmy to tell tongue twisters. Veronika Tapia, Age 11 California A house had a mouse and the mouse had a house inside. Bryce Moore, Age 6 Texas

What might happen ...
September 1, 2006... ... if you left your hat where a puppy could reach it? If you filled a paper bag with water? If you practiced playing the piano every day for a month? If you tried to fly a kite on a calm day? If you ran a race with your...

Hand-me-down.(Poem)
September 1, 2006... Hand-me-down My hand-me down sweater from Lucy First came from Daniella, then Sue. When I grow up to be bigger I'll hand-me-down it to you!

Brain play: start at the beginning and see how far you can go, thinking of good answers from your own head.
September 1, 2006... Would you be more likely to see a bird outdoors or indoors? Name something that tastes sour. Name something that tastes sweet. Without looking, can you remember what you are wearing right now? What would be different if people had...