5 ways to celebrate Mother's Day
on a kid's budget.....
1. Make a homemade card,breakfast and
pick some fresh flowers from your yard or buy some.
Your mom with love it!
2. Do all the house work for her on Mother's Day and let her have a day of rest.
3. Spend the day with her doing stuff she likes to do for example visit her favorite museum or park. Maybe take her to see a movie she has been wanting to see.
4. Make a poem about what she does for you!
Note: Moms love homemade things.
5. Bake a cake and surprise your mom in the morning with it. Be sure to ask for a adults permission to work in the kitchen.
Give your mom a HUG and tell her you love her every day!
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Jason May 2nd Lexi May 3rd
Molly May 3rd
Chloe May 9th
Collin May 11th
Brianna May 17th
Michael May 20th
Meiling May 22nd
Jacob May 24th
Sean May 24th
Drew May 25th
Leah May 28th
Bethel May 28th
Marita May 31st
We would like to celebrate your birthday too! Just send your first name only, age and birthday and we will include you here on your birthday month!
birthdays@homeschoolingkidsmagazine.com |
Meet Homeschooler, Adam Krist. Adam recently completed commercials for UFC, Union Bank, and a nationwide commercial for Kentucky Fried Chicken. 
Adam Krist found his calling on the stage at age 7 in a community theatre production of Jr. High School Musical taught by Broadway veteran, Susan Swanson. At 8, Susan named him Sparky for his ability to light up the stage with his smile and energy as he entertained those around him. Under Susan, her brother Topher, and their mother, Carol, Adam studied acting, dance, and voice at their studio, Broadway West in Henderson, Nv and he became a triple threat. Adam continued in musical theatre productions eventually playing lead roles in the Wizard of Oz, Damn Yankees, Gleeks, Bye Bye Birdie, and dual roles in ASAP . Last May, Susan connected Adam with manager, Debra Manners and he signed with DMTA and continues to advance in the entertainment business.
Last month, he completed his run as the Wicked Cousin Kevin in a production of the Who's Tommy at the Met in LA and recently completed commercials for UFC, Union Bank and a nationwide commercial for Kentucky Fried Chicken. In addition to the KFC commercial now airing across the country, Adam and the rest of the Broadway West Theatre Co will be performing on a 4 day cruise to Mexico for Carnival Cruise Lines in May.
Adam and his family, 3 younger brothers and his parents, Kristina and Vince divide their time between their homes in LA and here in Las Vegas. Adam still attends classes with the Swansons at Broadway West, he hangs with his friends in and out of the business, loves the downtime with his friends in the Las Vegas Valley Homeschool Network group and like most men, his time playing Xbox with his Dad. Like his mom, when there is idle time Adam finds a new project to work on, currently he is writing a book and composing songs on the piano. Adam gets his inspiration from old movies with Al Pachino, Bill Murray, Adam Sandler, Woody Allen, and Monty Python. How did Adam land this role? Like all his other bookings, his manager, Debra submitted for an audition and then from there, if they accept him, you get a request to come audition, then a day later usually there is a callback and then a day later, they call the manager and say we want you. Serious entertainers have much better success with a manager rather than a parent, plus the actor has to have a work permit, a Coogan account, a lot of very great people in the business. You really have to have contacts, you really have to use your manners, its really for those that are very focused and passionate. Adam at this time wants to stay in the entertainment business pursuing all areas: film TV, theatre and voiceovers. He has recently taken his novel writing toward script writing and while he is ending his high school career this summer, he will continue to study independently and start college at USC, UCI, or UCLA when he is closer to actual age of others attending. Learn more about Adam at www.adamsimonkrist.com
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COOKING WITH SUNSHINE
The sun is the primary source of all energy on earth. Without it, there would be no food and no life. We tend to take the sun's energy for granted, especially here in Arizona where we have an overabundance of sunshine.
Many people around the world use the sun as a renewable power supply. Solar cooking is one way to utilize this unlimited resource. Cooking with sunlight doesn't require fuel, it doesn't produce smoke, it doesn't leave ashes, it doesn't cause a fire hazard, and it doesn't heat up the kitchen. It's dependable, it's clean, it's free, it's easy and it's fun!
A solar oven is relatively simple to make. Basically all you need is a box (about one foot deep) with an aluminum foil interior, a clear glass or plastic cover, and a reflective backdrop (such as a large piece of aluminum-covered cardboard). Two boxes, one inside the other, with crumpled newspaper inbetween will help keep heat in. Cut the box's sides at a slant so the back is higher than the front. This will allow the sun to shine in without having to tip the box at an angle (and thus spill the food). Experiment with your own design.
Foods are best cooked in a black pot to absorb the heat. Cast iron works great. If you don't have a glass top for your solar oven, you can use glass-covered pots to capture the sun's rays. Heat-resistant plastic oven bags also work well. Don't use shiny pots or aluminum foil wrap.
Foods you can cook in a solar oven include: potatoes, rice, beans, vegetables (no water needed), hot dogs, fish, chicken, pizzas, nachos, frozen bread dough, cookies, brownies, and s'mores. Keep in mind that cooking times will be twice as long as conventional methods, but you won't have to worry about the food burning or overheating.
Solar cookers can be used for six months of the year in northern climates and year-round in desert or tropical locations. Solar ovens work best with full sun between 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, although in Arizona those hours can be extended. The reflector will need to be adjusted and the oven will need repositioning from time to time to keep the sun shining directly on the food.
Caution: Temperatures in a solar oven can reach 200-425 degrees F, so wear oven mitts and don't burn yourself. Also, don't look directly at reflected sunlight.
Make a "Pringle" Can Cooker
1. Eat all of the potato chips in a Pringles canister. Wipe out the inside. Notice that the interior is lined with foil, which is perfect for reflecting sun rays. A solar cooker with a curved shape like this is called a parabolic trough.
2. Cut a long slit from one end of the canister to the other, leaving about 1 inch closed at each end. Now cut a slit "across" each end of the first slit, about 1 inch on either side of it. Gently pull open both sides of the long slit so that the sun can shine into the canister.
3. Punch a hole through both ends of the can (the metal bottom and the plastic lid). Push a skewer (or unpainted wire coat hanger) through the metal end of the canister. Put a hotdog on the skewer. Put the plastic lid on the canister, and push the end of the skewer through the hole in the lid.
4. Set your cooker out in direct sunlight on a table, rock, or other object that is raised off the ground. (Hopefully where animals or insects won't get at it!) Adjust the trough so that the sun is reflected onto the hot dog. Rotate the skewer periodically to heat the hot dog on all sides. You can also cook marshmallows and kabobs this way.
Build a Pizza Box Solar Oven
You will need: 1 pizza box from a local pizza store, tape or non-toxic glue, scissors, black construction paper, clear plastic, aluminum foil, wooden dowel or ruler.
Directions:
1. Draw a border (at least one inch) around all four sides of the top of a pizza box. Cut along three sides leaving the line along the back of the box uncut.
2. Gently fold the flap back along the uncut edge to form a crease. Wrap the underside (inside) face of this flap with aluminum foil. Tape or glue it so that the foil is held smoothly and firmly with not too much tape showing on the foil side of the flap.
3. Open the box and line the bottom with black construction paper. Tape it along the edges.
4. Cut a piece of plastic an inch larger than the lid opening on the box top. Tape it on the underside of the lid opening. (Heavy plastic laminate works best, but if you must use plastic wrap, make sure it is pulled tight.)
5. Add another piece of plastic to the top of the lid opening. This creates an insulating layer of air to keep heat in the box.
Cooking Tips: This shallow solar oven is ideal for heating S'mores, English muffin pizzas, warming store-bought cookies or biscuits. It won't get super hot, though, so you can't bake or cook things in it. On a sunny day, take your pizza box oven outside. Lay a folded towel, blanket, or thick newspaper underneath the box for insulation. You may need to prop the oven up on one side so that it sits at an angle facing the sun directly. Place a treat inside the box. Open the reflective flap and use a dowel, ruler, or stick to adjust the flap so that it bounces sunlight into the box. (The shadow of the flap should go straight back from the back of the box.) Wait about a half hour, then you can enjoy your sun-warmed treat!
- Solar-Cooked Corn on the Cob
Wrap an ear of corn, with some inner leaves left on, in plastic wrap. Then place it inside a black sock - a clean one, please! Cook in solar oven until soft, unwrap, brush with butter, and sprinkle with salt.
Soak about 1/2 pound of pinto beans in water overnight. Drain the beans and add fresh water to cover the beans by about 1/2 inch. Add a pinch of salt, some chopped onion, a little garlic, and a slice of bacon if you like. Put this into a covered dark pot and cook all day in a solar oven. The beans are done when they are tender.
Combine 1-2 pounds beef stew meat (cut up into small pieces), 1 can (16 oz.) potatoes, 1 can (10 oz.) cream-of-tomato soup, 1 package dry onion soup mix, 1 can (7 oz.) peas (drained), and 1/3 cup ketchup. Bake in solar oven until done.
The following recipe is cooked outdoors in the sun but doesn't require a solar oven:
You will need: 4 large, fully ripe tomatoes (peeled and thinly sliced), 4 smashed garlic cloves, 30-40 fresh basil leaves (chopped), 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3-4 twists of pepper mill. About 4-5 hours before serving, combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix together well. Place outdoors in full sun. Cover with cheesecloth or a mesh spatter lid. Stir every once in a while as the sun cooks the sauce. It is best when the temperature is at least 100 degrees. When done, use on top of freshly-cooked ziti or other pasta. Makes 2 servings.
http://solarcooking.org
(The Solar Cooking Archive is an excellent site with lots of information, articles, photographs, illustrated solar oven construction plans, teaching guides, solar cooking news from around the world, a slideshow, audio presentations, links, and additional resources.)
www.solarhaven.org/SolarCooking.htm
(A nice site with photos, recipes, and links.)
www.thirteen.org/edonline/lessons/solar
(A solar cooking lesson plan for teachers, with activity ideas and questions to ask students.)
www.sunoven.com
(Sun Oven website and recipes with photos: Girl Scout Camp Supper, Banana Bread, Baked Pears, Basmati Rice, and many more.)
http://www.al-solar.org/newsletters/2009-03/Making%20a%20Pizza%20Box%20Solar%20Oven.pdf
(Instructions and illustrated diagrams for making a pizza box solar oven.)
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10 Fun,Crazy, and Awesome Facts
1. Mark Twain didn't graduate from elementary school
2. Peanuts are one of the ingredients in dynamite
3. More people use blue toothbrushes than red ones
4. Slugs have 4 noses
5. The average chocolate bar has 8 insects' legs in it
6. A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out. (Poor them)
7. First novel ever written on a typewriter is Tom Sawyer
8. TYPEWRITER, is the longest word that can be made using the letters on only one row of the keyboard
9. A cat has 32 muscles in each ear
10. The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket
Destiney M. lives in north-eastern KY. She likes animals, reading, and doing skits with her Youth Group Drama Team. She is 12 years old.
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"My Wonderful Hometown Hero"
By: Katie Flemming
We have many wonderful people in our hometown, but, there's one amazing guy who is ...Mr. Dave Sherman. He is a newspaper editor, a town firefighter, a town historian, and he's a dad to two children. He's also on the Board of Directors for the Amherst Museum, which is our local history museum. I recently had the opportunity to go and interview him. He told me many interesting things that I never knew. Now, I will share our interview with you, too.
Q. Why did you become an editor?
A. "Well, I like to write about things that I see or find out and then tell other people."
Q. What encouraged you to become an editor?
A. "I liked photography. Writing was a way of telling people what was going on in the picture."
Q. Why do you like being an editor?
A. "I like helping other people write better because, I have had so much experience, and I can use my knowledge to help them."
Q. When did you first become interested in newspapers?
A. "Highschool.I wrote for my school newspaper and it was so much fun."
Q. What other job did you do before you were hired for your editing job?
A. "I worked at a gas station. I pumped gas and took care of customers."
Q. When did you start working at this newspaper?
A. "I started here in 1977 and it's 2012 so, I've worked at Bee Publications for 35 yrs."
Q. Do you think there will still be newspapers a couple years from now, with all of the electronics?
A. "There will still be newspapers because, if your battery dies on your electronics, a newspaper will always be there especially in small towns like ours."
Q. Is it ever scary going into a fire?
A. "Well, there are times that it is scary because, you don't know what is going to happen next. But, we always train so we are prepared."
Q. Did you ever save somebody's life?
A. "Yes, there were two times when I worked with other firemen to save two people who were having heart attacks. Thanks to our training, we did CPR and they were saved."
Q. What is it like being the town Historian?
A. "It's fun because people think you know everything but, sometimes you don't. It helps make sure that our history is not forgotten."
Q. Why do you care so much about history?
A. "Because, it is our heritage but, it really means that we don't want to forget who the great heroes were and what amazing things they did."
Q. Why is it so nice to have your newspaper shop located in the middle of town?
A. "It's nice because, wherever I go, I know somebody or somebody knows me."
After our interview, Mr. Sherman gave me a tour of the Bee Publications main office. Bee Publications is our hometown newspaper and has been in business for over 100 years. Mr. Sherman was so kind to grant me an interview and he also, gave me a special Professional Reporter's Notebook for me to interview other people, too.I was in my elementary school's newspaper club and I love to interview people and then write articles about them.
Being a Kid Reporter for Homeschooling Kids Magazine is amazing because writing is one of my favorite hobbies. I hope you enjoyed reading about my special friend, Mr. Dave Sherman. He is a great role model for all of us who dream of being a real reporter some day.
Katie is 11 yrs old, she turned 11 on March 2nd of this year. Her hobbies include; competitive swimming, playing the piano, ballet and modern dancing, junior worship leader on the dance/singing team at church, volunteering, and singing.
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Father's Day is coming next month... Sunday, June 17 2012. Get a head start, below are some really awesome ideas! Rather than buying a stereotypical Father's Day gift, think about what your dad would really like. A gift from the heart means the most, because he will appreciate the thought behind it more than how much you spent. One of the best things you can do is to share your time and interests with your dad. Besides, he probably already has enough ties!
Here are some ideas:
1. Help make your father's favorite breakfast. Make sure to ask for another adults help in the kitchen.
2. Ask your father to play a game of Father's Day baseball or another of his favorite sports.
3. Sit and read the paper with your father, then discuss some of the articles.
4. Help your father to clean out the garage or organize his office.
5. Spend some time looking through old photos together.
6. Make your father a homemade card or present.
Send your father a special message for
Father's Day, 2012!
Send us your message (20 words or less, please), first name only and state. We will print your message in the June issue of the magazine!
Deadline to participate is May 30, 2012
information@homeschoolingkidsmagazine.com
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New Column!
Horse Breed Heaven By Kayla Bignall  Hi, I'm Kayla and I am going to start writing an article about horses each month. Each article will have a certain breed that it focuses on. This article is my first so I am going to start by telling a little about me and a few general horse facts. I have a Morgan horse named Babylon Dark Jezebel1 (we call her DJ). She is my first horse and we just got her in November. She is 20 years old but she still is able to be ridden. Her birthday is March 30. I plan on having a horse farm when I am older and giving riding lessons. My birthday is August 24. I am new to homeschooling; I have only been doing it since February. I think it is very fun and an interesting experience! I am going to list some general horse facts below. First off, don't confuse a pony and a horse. They are very different. Horses tend to be thinner and are usually 14.2 hands or taller. Ponies are usually stockier with shorter legs and head and are less than 14.2 inches. Do you ever wonder just how many horse and pony breeds there are? Well,there are over 600 horse and pony breeds in the world today. There are natural and also man-made breeds that come from breeding two horses of different breeds. Horses can seem gentle but still be cautious around them. If they see or hear something they think is a predator and run away, they don't care who or what is in front of them, either it moves, or they move it. Also, don't stand in their blind spots. They cannot see directly behind or in front of them. They may kick out if they don't see you. You should never run up behind a horse. Remember, horses are prey animals so they have a natural fight-or-flight response, so they could think you are a predator if they cannot see you.Kayla is 13 years old and I lives in Columbiaville, MI. She has a younger sister; two dogs, Macy and Emmy; fourteen chickens; and a Morgan horse named Babylon Dark Jezebel1 (we call her DJ)! You can write to her at horsecolumn@homeschoolingkidsmagazine.com
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Rhythms By Christian D. Miller
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When we look back,
Many stories are told,
But one has been left,
Save for those very old,
It's a story of fun,
A story to behold,
And now here it is,
One that starts very cold.
On a cool crisp morning,
There stood to be a man,
Who walked out and saw,
What a terrible thing,
His pig had escaped.
He was not at all pleased,
So what he did do,
Was of the normal sorts,
He strapped on his boots,
And run then he did,
To go get his pig.
Through the forest he ran,
Calling, "Here pig, here,"
But not a place did he see his pig.
Suddenly he tripped,
Over what, did he wonder?
When he turned to look,
It was a gun to be sure,
What an odd thing to see,
So he picked it up and looked at it.
Suddenly on his left, or his right, or in front,
Out popped a man,
Dressed in blue he was.
Of twenty three years,
And a happy smile indeed,
He said with joy,
That he had found this pig,
And chased him he did!
Over fence high and low,
Over bushes and more,
Until finally he said,
"I gave up, I did indeed.
And very strange, to be sure,
All of a sudden, the pig stopped.
So, I picked him up,
And back I raced," said the man in the blue.
Back over fence and bush, high and low,
Held in his arms was the pig.
There stood the first man perplexed at this story.
A strange thing it is,
For I am looking for that pig;
It is mine ,it is.
"Well then, take it, kind sir,"
Said the man in the blue.
But then did the man,
A very kind thing.
He gave to the man in the blue his pig,
For hungry he was.
"I believe that is my gun," said the man in blue.
So the men exchanged thanks.
And home they both went,
Very pleased at the day.
And so ended the day,
With one man pleased that he could help the other,
And the other man happy that he would be able to eat
Something good for a change.
But now it is over,
And so we now we end.
Christian Miller, lives in northern Michigan and camps each summer on an island in Lake Michigan.
He loves to play baseball, play basketball, and write, but he can't choose between them!
He is twelve years old.
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The Courage of the American Soldier WWII By Christian Miller --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Lieutenant!" "Sir!" A man in his twenties answered, while running over to the captain. "We have our orders. We must take that hill." "What?! But, sir, they outnumber us five to one, in men and guns!" "I know that Lieutenant, but orders are orders." "Yes, sir." The lieutenant began to lay out a plan. "You take twenty men, and attack from the south. I'll take twenty-five men, and attack from the north. Lieutenant, this may be the last time I ever see you, but I want to say this: you are one of the best men I have ever had. And now let us take this hill." "Thank you, sir, and have courage." "I will Lieutenant, I will." Now, the lieutenant gave the orders. "Sergeant!" he said in a whisper. "I want you to choose ten men and take that path there. I will take ten and go up that other one. That way, we can signal to each other if everything is alright." "Yes sir, but I think it is very ridiculous to take that hill." "I know, but we must have courage." "I will, sir." "Alright, then. Move out!" The men were in some woods, about two hundred feet from were the hill was. They began crawling on their stomachs. And then it happened! About 350 yards from were the Germans were emplaced, one of the men slipped and fell, and the Germans saw it. Immediately they opened fire. Machine gun bullets spattered all around them; three were hit. The lieutenant knew they would be pinned down if he did not do something. And then he did do something about it! It was an act of courage, of bravery. The lieutenant stood up in the face of the enemy and charged! Yelling and firing his gun, he ran; he ran with all his might. The other men, seeing this, felt sudden courage in themselves. And then they all stood up and ran as hard as they could. And at that moment the gunfire from the captain's men rang out on the opposite side of the hill. The Germans, suddenly cold with fear, threw down their guns and raised their hands above their heads. The lieutenant kept running until he reached the top, and there he shook hands with the captain, who then radioed into headquarters... "HILL TAKEN. SEVEN DEAD, TWO WOUNDED. EIGHTY-NINE GERMANS PRISONERS AND SIX DEAD. The hill was taken because of a single act of courage from an American soldier. Christian Miller, lives in northern Michigan and camps each summer on an island in Lake Michigan. He loves to play baseball, play basketball, and write, but he can't choose between them! He is twelve years old.
Favorite pick from May, 2011. |
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Ready... Set... GO
Visiting a National Park!
 The goal of the National Park Service is to preserve, protect, and share America's natural wonders and historical legacies. From glaciers to geysers, from petrified wood to dinosaur bones, the parks have it all including volcanoes, caves, canyons, mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, islands, beaches, sand dunes, and Indian ruins. Places like the Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty, and Gettysburg are popular destinations, but so are hundreds of lesser known yet equally meaningful gems. Scottish-American naturalist John Muir lobbied for the preservation of natural lands during the 1860's. On March 1, 1872, President Grant signed a bill to create Yellowstone, the first national park in the world. By the turn of the century, Congress had voted to create a few more national parks. The number of national parks grew rapidly after Theodore Roosevelt, a conservationist, became President in 1901. In 1916, Congress established the National Park Service within the Department of the Interior. Many more places of national interest were considered for preservation under the Historic Sites Act of 1935. National parks provide plentiful opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, photography, wildlife watching, etc. However, the parks are more than just recreational areas. They can be considered the largest classroom in the world, the greatest scientific laboratory, and a living history textbook all at the same time. Within the parks there are museums, exhibits, and guides that illustrate, explain, and interpret what visitors are seeing. Since the 1960's, kids have been able to become young park rangers through the Junior Ranger program. Almost every national park has a Junior Ranger program that provides age-appropriate and park-specific self-guided activities for children ages 6-14. Junior Rangers learn about responsibility, nature conservation, and the importance of preserving our national treasures. They can do these with their families, Cub Scout troop, church Sunday school group, or any group that might go on a field trip to a national park. Ask about it at a park's Visitor Center. If you can't physically visit a park, there is the Web Ranger program. To become a Web Ranger, children complete a series of activities on their computer at home or in a library. This allows children from all over the country to become Junior Rangers even if they can't go to a national park themselves. It has also shown great potential to enrich and augment the park experience for children who do visit by allowing them to prepare for their visit ahead of time, and to extend their visit when they return home. Article courtesy of http://www.ArizonaEdventures.com
If You GO... are you visiting some place awesome in your home state or out of state soon? If so, tell us about it! Send us a small article and some pictures too! You may see yourself here as a reporter next month!
Traveling in the Southwest this summer? Be sure to visit www.ArizonaEdventures.com for fun and interesting places to see and things to do! 
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In the Good Old Summertime
"There's a time of each year that we always hold dear, good old summertime; with the birds and the trees and the sweet scented breezes, good old summertime...."
What comes to mind when you think of summertime?
Backyard barbeques... picnics... camping... beach parties... sandcastles... sailing... swimming... raspberry picking... lemonade... watermelon... ice cream... flowers... fireworks... family reunions...?
How are you spending your summer? Tell us about your summertime activities so we can share them in the next issue!
information@homeschoolingkidsmagazine.com
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Parent's Box
Dear Parents,
Thank you for taking the time to view Homeschooling Kids Magazine. We hope that you and your Homeschooler enjoyed reading with us! That is our goal, to make reading and learning fun! It is also our goal to provide Homeschooling children a place of their own, to highlight their accomplishments, talents and thoughts. Here at Homeschooling Kids Magazine, our articles and information are written exclusively by Homeschoolers and their families.
We strive to make this a safe place for your child and will never share or sell your information with any 3rd party. Content is a top priority for us and articles will always be age appropriate. The opinions expressed in our magazine are not necessarily those of Homeschooling Kids Magazine. Our magazine will only allow sponsorship logos and links that are family friendly. Homeschooling Kids magazine cannot be held responsible for any information listed or actions from our sponsors, reporters or Parent Helpers.
If you would like to have Homeschooling Kids Magazine sent directly to your inbox each month, just click on the box at the top of the magazine that says "Did You Receive This As A Sample?" box.
Our magazine is free to all Homeschoolers. If you know someone who would like to view a sample copy, please have them send us an email to request one. If you would like to forward this issue, please feel free to do so, however please advise the person you are sending it to that all the links may not work when forwarding. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
If you have a business and would like to be included as a sponsor for Homeschooling Kids Magazine, please contact us for information.
Become a Parent Helper in your area and earn some extra income, contact us for information.
Copyright 2012 Homeschooling Kids Magazine
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Welcome Homeschooling Friends!
Homeschooling Kids Magazine is published online monthly for Homeschooling Kids by Homeschooling Kids!
Some of the things we will be featuring:
articles, short stories, puzzles, poems, pictures, recipes, crafts and so much more! If you would like to receive your very own issue via email monthly, please ask your parents to subscribe today! Do you love to write? Consider becoming a Homeschooling Kids Reporter. Send a sample of your work to us at: information@homeschoolingkidsmagazine.com
Include your first name only, age and state.
Enjoy reading and Happy Homeschooling!
Be sure to have a parent's permission before submitting articles, contest entries etc.
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What does the White House mean to you?
By: Katie Flemming
I recently visited the White House in Washington, DC and found out that it means different things to many people. We visited DC because I won a Presidential Volunteer Service Award for volunteering 100 hours in one year. So, I was invited to have a tour of the White House and the Capitol Building that houses both the Senate and the House of Representatives. In addition to that, I was asked to perform the National Anthem on the steps of the U.S.Capitol. On Easter Sunday, I even had a chance to shake the hand of, and talk to President Obama. He brought his family to St. John's Church for Easter Sunday services.
During my week in Washington, D.C., I asked several people the same question; "What does the White House mean to you?" The first person I spoke to was a U.S. Marshall with the Department of Justice. He said; "The White House was a place for our national leader to call home." Next, I asked three Secret Service men the same question. The first one said; "The White House is about our history and the base for defending our country." The second one said; "The White House means freedom and the center of our nation." The last one said; "The White House means our country is finally moving towards racial equality."
While I was walking around, I asked the same question to a woman named; Mrs. Cant, a former high school teacher. Mrs. Cant was at the front gate to the White House where my mom and I went to take pictures. She told me; "The White House is a home that we each own a part of as citizens. It is also, a place for Veterans to walk by and feel our gratitude for their service." On Constitution Avenue, we passed by the FBI building and asked an FBI K-9 Officer his comment. He said; "The White House is freedom for all individually here in the Capital of D. C. and throughout the world." The last person I asked was a Traffic Operations Officer who said; "The White House means freedom and great architecture. Washington has wonderful, historic architecture."
The White House has a total of 132 rooms including; 15 bedrooms, 1 medical clinic, 5 kitchens, 35 restrooms, one dental office, 2 pantries, and 4 dining rooms. The dining rooms are; the State, the Family, the President's and the Staffs'. Some other features in the White House are 26 fireplaces, 12 chimneys, 147 windows, 412 doors, 3 elevators, 69 closets, and 2 sidewalk lifts. The recreational facilities are; 1 bowling alley, a 46 seat movie theater, a swimming pool, a tennis court, a children's garden, a Kennedy garden, a rose garden, a kitchen garden, a swing set, basketball court and a putting green.
Our Nation has an amazing tradition of exploration going back to the beginnings of our country. The White House has been a part of the National Park System since 1933, and welcomes millions of people who come to explore each year. During my tour, we visited 13 rooms. My favorite room was the blue room. The blue room is the place where our National Christmas Tree is placed each year. The rest of the year, the blue room is a reception room where the President and his wife welcome their visitors. In June of 1886, President Grover Cleveland married Frances Folsom in the blue room. He was the only President to marry in the White House.
My week in Washington, D. C. taught me many things. I had the chance to see the Star Spangled Banner flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our National Anthem. The Capitol building had artwork, sculptures and treasure of our history dating back to our Founding Fathers. I felt as though I were an early American, walking through the halls and thinking about how our nation was formed. It inspired me to see all of these amazing and historical treasures and I found myself thinking about what the White House means to me, too.
The White House means to me a place that we can each call home, the foundation of our country and a reminder that our history is about people just like me. Our history is about fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, neighbors and friends coming together to make a difference in our world. The three documents of our freedom are; the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. But, also our founders came to America to be able to worship God in their own way. We the people, means just that, together, we can create a future for the next generation. We must never forget where we came from, who we are and where we are going. That's what the White House means to me.
Katie is 11 yrs old, she turned 11 on March 2nd of this year. Her hobbies include; competitive swimming, playing the piano, ballet and modern dancing, junior worship leader on the dance/singing team at church, volunteering, and singing.
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Homeschooling Profile: Scott MacIntyre
By Faith, Not By Sight: The Inspirational Story of a Blind Prodigy, a Life-Threatening Illness, and an Unexpected Gift
Scott MacIntyre - the acclaimed singer, songwriter, pianist, and American Idol Season 8 finalist - has released his first book called By Faith, Not By Sight. In the inspirational book, Scott tells how he started playing the piano by ear at 3 years old, began composing music at age 5, started college when he was 14, and at age 23 become the first legally blind person to audition for American Idol.
Scott also talks about how he overcame his disability and how he never gave up, even when faced with overwhelming obstacles and serious health issues that threatened to take everything away. "It was a challenge having to compete on Idol without my sight, but I was just grateful to be on any stage, let alone the American Idol stage, after having almost lost my life."
Scott was homeschooled from kindergarten through high school, so Homeschooling Teen was a huge supporter of Scott during his season on American Idol. A brief look at Scott's resume will show that he is not the typical "Hollywood wannabe." To describe him as being incredibly gifted and talented is almost an understatement! Scott is a remarkable guy who accomplished more great things in his youth than most fully sighted people do in their whole lives!
Scott was born on June 22, 1985, in Redondo Beach, California, to Douglas and Carole MacIntyre. The family lived in Toronto, Canada, for four years and then moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. Scott has a younger brother, Todd (born 1988) and a younger sister, Katelyn (born 1991). Visually impaired since birth, Scott has only a two-percent field of vision, which is like viewing the world through a coffee straw. "Because of my lack of vision, I was drawn to sound," he told PEOPLE magazine.
Though classically trained since age 6, Scott has written and performed in genres spanning pop, rock, punk, jazz, and classical. In addition to piano, Scott learned to play the organ, guitar, bass and drums. Scott's other interests while growing up were performing in community theatre and musicals, hiking and skiing with a sighted guide, computer programming, and law. He participated in the YMCA "Youth in Government" program in elected positions as President of the Senate, Senate Majority Leader, and was honored to receive the "Outstanding First Year Senator" award at the Arizona State Capitol for excellence in debate.
As if that's not enough, Scott and his whole family traveled around the country as the MacIntyre Family Singers. Scott, his mother, and two siblings performed four-part harmonies in various styles ranging from acappella jazz and classical, to Southern gospel and Christian pop, as well as Broadway show tunes. During this time, Scott received many local and national awards for piano, composition, and vocal performance. He performed as guest soloist with several symphony orchestras and played at the Kennedy Center. Scott independently produced his first CD when he was 11 years old.
At age 14, Scott enrolled in Arizona State University's Barrett Honors College and Herberger College of the Arts. In 2005, he graduated summa cum laude from ASU at age 19 with a bachelor's degree in Piano Performance. He was nominated "Outstanding Graduate" by the College of Fine Arts, and was named by USA Today as one of the top twenty undergraduate seniors in the nation. The following year, Scott was invited to the White House by First Lady Laura Bush as one of three national Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) scholarship winners.
As a Marshall Scholar and Fulbright Scholar, Scott continued his studies in England where he obtained his masters degree in Performance from the Royal College of Music and Royal Holloway University of London in 2006. He was accepted to both Oxford and Cambridge for further graduate-level studies. However, Scott's world was rocked by a life-threatening illness that severely hampered his capacity to perform and travel. "I found out I had stage-four kidney failure, and pretty soon I was too sick to even play the piano in my own living room." After spending ten months undergoing dialysis, in August 2007 Scott received a kidney transplant. The kidney was donated by the wife of one of his piano professors at ASU.
Scott's career took a dramatic but positive turn when in January 2009 he auditioned for the eighth season of American Idol in Phoenix, Arizona. "I lived and breathed classical music... but pop music was rapidly becoming my fantasy....Was it even plausible to think that I could take on a new musical identity and be successful at it?... my professors and classical piano peers... believed there was a clear fork in the musical road and you had to choose which path you were going to take. I believed I could do both." Scott was right; he gained many adoring fans during his time on American Idol, and finished in eighth place on April 8, 2009.
Scott continues to captivate listeners around the world, and enjoys bringing his music to all types of audiences. He has performed with many notable acts including Alice Cooper, Jason Mraz, and Queen to name a few, and has headlined concerts in Japan, Austria, England, Canada, and the United States. Scott's "Christmas Angel" song was one of the top holiday indie singles of 2010, and his "Heartstrings" CD debuted at #18 on the iTunes Pop Album Chart."I've poured my heart and soul into all 12 original songs," Scott told PEOPLE. "What you won't hear on my CD is an over-produced overly-sanitized sound. What you will hear are honest, believable songs delivered with solid conviction. I've stayed true to myself in every song."
While Scott performs professionally, he has also presented hundreds of charity concerts and donated performances for conventions, churches, and athletic events. Scott is also an in-demand inspirational keynote speaker, and has spoken before many different audiences including corporations, health care and education institutions, non-profits, and churches across North America and beyond. Scott was a special guest on Robert Schuller's "Hour of Power" show at the Crystal Cathedral in California. He has appeared on CNN, Headline News, FOX International, Global TV, Sky News Europe, TV Guide, TBN, and local news affiliates across the country. With his contagious spirit of optimism, Scott is an inspiration to all who hear his music and story.
Scott credits God for his success: "It was my dependence on him-and not in my own strength-that helped me progress toward my dreams." He also says that all of his awards and honors "validated Mom's hard work as much as they did mine. Throughout my life she had always been my primary teacher and advocate." The flexibility of homeschooling allowed him to practice for hours at the piano each day. He was able to progress at his own pace and fine tune his God-given abilities, while learning to work hard and with persistence in spite of his disability. According to HSLDA, "Scott can easily be considered a success by anyone's standards. But as a homeschooled graduate, Scott is a shining example of a young person who is taking the education and training given to him by his parents and using it to make a difference in the culture.... Scott stands out not just because of his incredible talent, but also due to his character and Christian testimony."
As for Scott's personality, he is kind-hearted, likeable, charismatic, has a great sense of humor, and is not the least bit arrogant. No wonder he moves audiences to laughter, tears, and standing ovations all over the world. On August 18, 2011, Scott married the love of his life, Christina Teich, who he calls "my beautiful soul mate." They met in a community theater production of The Music Man back in 2003. MacIntyre composed all of the music played at their wedding, and performed a special dedication to his bride during the ceremony. Now instead of Scott's mother accompanying him as his sighted guide, Christina will be traveling on the road with him. This spring and summer, Scott is performing in cities across the U.S. as part of the Women of Faith One Day tour.
Visit Scott's website at www.scottmacintyre.com and check out the video of him buying his own book at Walmart! He's also on Twitter @ScottDMacIntyre and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ScottMacOfficial
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Send your father a special message for
Father's Day, 2012!
Send us your message (20 words or less, please), first name only and state. We will print your message in the June issue of the magazine!
Deadline to participate is May 30, 2012
information@homeschoolingkidsmagazine.com
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Limericks
A limerick is a five-line poem in a specific meter, usually with a funny punch line or a humorous twist. The rhyme scheme is traditionally a-a-b-b-a. The first, second, and fifth lines have three stresses; the third and fourth lines have two stresses. Limericks often contain internal rhyme and alliteration.
1. A tutor who tooted the flute (a)
2. Tried to tutor two tooters to toot; (a)
3. Said the two to the tutor, (b)
4. "Is it easier to toot, Sir, (b)
5. Or to tutor two tooters to toot?" (a)
Edward Lear's "A Book of Nonsense," first published in 1846, popularized the limerick. You can read his limericks here:
Send your limericks and other poems to:
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Meet Katie
Q. What is your age?
A. 11
Q.What state do you live in?
A. New York
Q.What do you like to read?
A. I like to read mystery books and American Girl books.
Q. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A. When I grow up I want to be a professional ballerina, an Olympic swimmer or a recording artist as a singer. Then, when I am done with all of that, I want to be President of the United States.
Q. What are some of your favorite hobbies?
A. Some of my favorite hobbies are; ballet, singing, piano, violin, competetive swimming, reading, spending time with my family and friends.
Q. Who are your role models?
A. My mom, of course because she always supports me in anything I do, and I want to be just like her someday.
Q. What is your favorite animal?
A. My aunt Marybeth has a pet dog, named Mikey who is a Bichon Frise. I love Mikey!
Q. What are your favorite colors?
A. Fuschia pink and blue
Q. Do you do anything to help the environment?
A. To help the environment, I recycle and also encourage my family and friends to recycle, too. I also just planted 14 maple and apple trees in my front yard.
Q. What is your favorite food?
A My favorite food is any kind of pasta.
Q.What food do you most not like?
A. Brussel sprouts
Q. What is your favorite subject?
A. My favorite subjects are Math and Art
Q. How long have you been homeschooled?
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Don't forget to practice signing ...
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Animal Of the Month is the
Asian Elephant
By Homeschooling Kids Magazine Reporter: Conner, 10 Arizona
Photo courtesy of The Phoenix Zoo
When I go to the zoo, I love to see the Asian Elephants. They're so cool! They are from Southeast Asia. They prefer areas that combine grass, low woody plants and forest. They are very big usually, but African Elephants are larger.
Height 8-10 feet and they usually weigh 3-5 tons! In the wild, they are herbivores eating grasses, bamboo, roots, tree bark, wood and some fruit. Their diet in the zoo is ~120 lbs per day of bermuda hay, alfalfa hay, herbivore pellets, carrots, whole fruit, and various pieces of cut up fruit and vegetables
( Wow, that is a lot of food!).
In the wild, they live a long life span of 60-70 years. In the zoo, they live about the same span of 60-70 years. Would it be cool if you could go to the wild and see a whole herd of them?
In the wild, the herds have about 15 to 30 elephants and the herd would be lead by an old female, who is called the matriarch. Their trunks play an important role in communication. They purr when they eat, but when danger arrives, they will stop, which signals the danger to other elephants. When danger arrives, the elephants will move quickly with their tails up, which signals the danger to the other members of the herd.
Did you know?
An elephant in a full charge can reach up to 30 mph.
Did you also know? When a predator, like a tiger, threatens a calf, the herd will form a defensive circle around the calf. The male elephants use their tusks as a weapon. They also use their strong trunk as a swinging weapon.
So next time you visit the zoo, look for the Asian Elephant.
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May is...
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
National Allergy/Asthma Awareness Month
Mental Health Month
Flower Month
National Bike Month
Physical Fitness & Sports Month
National Scrapbooking Month
Digital Evangelism Month
Historic Preservation Month
National Egg Month
National Ham burger Month
National Salad & Salsa Month
Older Americans Month
Cinco de Mayo, May 5
National Etiquette Week, May 7-11
Mother's Day, May 13
International Museum Day, May 18
Armed Forces Day, May 19
Memorial Day, May 28
Click here for more May days:
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Iced Honey Tea RecipeYou need 2 teaspoons honey, 1/2 a teaspoon sugar, 1 cup of ice, and 2 1/2 cups water. Put the water in a cup or pitcher and then slide the ice in. Now mix the honey and sugar into the pitcher or cup. Last of all put in a straw. Now sit back in the shade to enjoy a cool drink.
*This is not really a tea at all but I call it one because my dad had a honey caffeinated drink. So in doing so, I made a drink like that for kids.
Sincerely,
Meghan Lim and younger sister Ava Lim
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When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade
I love lemonade! It's my favorite beverage. Lemonade is like a taste of summer all year round. It's delicious and refreshing. Lemonade is better for you than carbonated and caffeinated beverages. It tastes just as sweet and lemony whether it's ice cold or at room temperature. I can't think of another drink that's equally suitable for everyday drinking, taking on picnics and hikes, and for serving at special occasions.
The fascinating history of the lemon is like a journey across land and time, from its origins in Asia to its reign in the Mediterranean, and across the ocean to the Americas. Today, lemon trees grow in subtropical climates all over the world. The leading commercial lemon producers are Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Argentina, and the United States.
Lemons are native to southern China, India, and Southeast Asia where they have been cultivated for up to 4,000 years. The ancient Greeks wrote about the lemon. The Romans depicted lemons on murals. Arab traders in Asia carried lemons to eastern Africa and the Middle East between 100-700 AD. The earliest written evidence of lemonade comes from medieval Egypt.
During the Arab occupation of Spain, lemons were introduced to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region, where lemon groves flourished beginning in the 8th or 9th centuries. Christopher Columbus and other explorers carried lemons to the New World. Lemons were well known in Florida by the 16th century, having been planted by Spanish colonists there.
In the mid-17th century, the first lemonade soft drink appeared in Paris, France. It was made from sparkling water and lemon juice sweetened with honey. Since August 20, 1630, is supposedly the day this soft drink was invented, August 20 is now known as Lemonade Day. In 1676, the Compagnie de Limonadiers were granted a monopoly for the sale of their lemonade. Vendors carried tanks of lemonade on their backs and dispensed cups of the soft drink to thirsty Parisians.
In 1742, British naval commander James Lind found that scurvy could be prevented as well as treated by consuming citrus fruits that are rich in vitamin C. Following an especially long journey with many fatalities due to the disease, Lind described miracle cures from drinking high doses of lemon juice. Captain James Cook had the same experience with lime juice on his round-the-world voyages between 1768 and 1779. However, their discoveries were largely ignored until the 19th century.
The demand for lemons increased greatly in the 1800's after the advice of these two men was finally put into widespread practice. Lemonade became a popular beverage during the Victorian era along with tea and root beer. Florida was a major lemon producer until the devastating freeze of 1894 and 1895 destroyed most of Florida's lemon trees. Abandoning commercial lemon culture in Florida, the U.S. lemon industry moved to southern and central California, with some lemons cultivated in Arizona as well. Peak demand for lemons occurs in summer, for lemonade and other drinks.
In American pioneer days, lemonade would have been hard to come by out on the prairie. In her book entitled On the Banks of Plum Creek, Laura Ingalls Wilder recalled the first time she had some. "'Is your lemonade sweet enough?' Mrs. Oleson asked. So Laura knew that it was lemonade in the glasses. She had never tasted anything like it."
In the movie Gods and Generals, General Stonewall Jackson likes lemonade, but not too sweet. According to legend, the real Stonewall Jackson sucked on lemons in the belief that it was essential to his health. Lemonade was also featured in The Sound of Music. Uncle Max drank pink lemon- ade with the baroness out on the terrace. "Not too sweet, not too sour," said Max. "Just too pink!"
Did You Know...? The Israeli army puts lemon juice in their water. This keeps them from getting dehydrated, because it makes them want to drink more!
Frozen Lemon Juice
If you have too many lemons to use right away, squeeze the lemons and freeze the juice in ice cube trays. Put the cubes in a Ziploc bag (to keep them from dehydrating) and store them in the freezer. Fresh squeezed, even frozen, is better than that little plastic bottle from the store. Even my 9-year- old son prefers the juice of fresh picked lemons, with the natural pulp of the fruit left in it, to store-bought lemonade. Four cubes are about equal to the juice of one average-sized lemon. You can also freeze the juice in 1 or 2 cup containers for ease of use in making lemonade later. Lemon juice deteriorates rather quickly in the fridge, but when frozen it will keep for a year.
Harry's Lemonade Recipe (from Cyberchase for Real)
Harry's lemonade is the best, made from a secret recipe handed down from his grandmother, and he decides to use it to impress his friend Jennifer. He invites her over and makes just the right amount for two. Unfortunately, Jennifer brings her sister, her sister brings her boyfriend, and her boyfriend brings his cousins. Can Harry divide his lemonade-for-two between eight people ... and still have enough left for romance?
½ cup fresh lemon juice
½ cup sugar
3½ cups water
Stir well and enjoy!
Teri's Lemonade Recipe
1 cup fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
6 cups water
I mix this in a half gallon (8 cup/ 64 fl. oz.) container. It's a little less sugary than the above recipe.
Books
Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand, by Liz Scott. (The touching true story of a little girl named Alexandra Alex Scott. Battling pediatric cancer, four-year-old Alex decided to open a lemonade stand in her front yard, with the proceeds going to her hospital. This story tells how the "Little Lemonade Girl" inspired a nation.)
Lemonade Sun and Other Summer Poems, by Rebecca Kai Dotlich. (Impressionistic illustrations by Jan Spivey Gilchrist capture the refreshing imagery of an old-fashioned carefree summer.)
The Lemonade War, by Jacqueline Davis. (A brother and sister each start a lemonade stand and spend their summer vacation in fierce competition, battling each other to sell the most lemonade.)
Lemons: Growing, Cooking, Crafting by Kate Chynoweth. (If you love lemons, you will like this book. It tells about the history of the fruit, different types of lemons, gardening tips, recipes, craft and gift ideas - with instructions for making such items as Lemon Lip Balm, Lemon Pomanders, and Lemon Cough Syrup.)
Lemon Magic: 200 Beauty and Household Uses for Lemons and Lemon Juice, by Patty Moosbrugger. (If life gives you lemons, make good use of them. This book contains hundreds of ways to save time and money by making the most of those lemons or that bottle of lemon juice sitting in your refrigerator. Lemon Magic also features a brief history of the lemon, advice on how to choose the best lemons, and recipes using lemons and lemon juice.
Websites
www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=EM369 (Lemon Squeeze - an online economics game and lemonade lesson. Read "The Lemon Story," take a lemonade taste test, read a play called "Max's Lemonade Stand Dilemma," and try out the Lemon Puzzler.)
www.lemonadestandgame.com (Lemonade Stand Game - open your own business and gain experience with pricing, quality control, inventory, and purchasing supplies. Learn what makes a satisfied customer, but beware of the weather which can be unpredictable!)
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recipe: Function: noun - a set of instructions for making something from various ingredients.
Have a great recipe? Send it to us and you may see
your creation here! Don't forget to send a picture and list all ingredients as well as directions.
information@homeschoolingkidsmagazine.com
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You may see some familiar stories in this month's issue. We have included some of our favorite past articles!
Would you like to see your article, poem, joke or short story here next month? Just write to us
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Looking for fun things to do this summer?
Check us out!
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OR SCROLL DOWN TO THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE MAGAZINE AND CLICK ON UPDATE PROFILE/EMAIL ADDRESS (ONLY IF THIS IS YOUR OWN ISSUE).
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Complete this story....
Do you like to write stories? Well, here is your chance! Write a short story about your summer. Be sure to include each of the items shown below:
You may see your short story here next month!
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Movie Review
Have you seen this movie?
Send us your review!
Or have you seen a good movie lately or read a good book?
Then send us a review about it
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