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Reverse Charades...

8/9/2013

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Although charades is a classic group game, I must admit I've never been a fan. One person frantically racks their brain (and body) to act out a given term, while the crowd passively sits and watches.

Then I heard about Reverse Charades. Pure genius! This version turns the classic game upside down and has just one person guessing, while everyone else is involved in the 'acting'.
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I made my own list of items/titles, cut them into slips and brought them out for our neighborhood Solstice party. It was hilarious fun! Favorite moments of the night: One neighbor stepping into a barrel to throw themselves over Niagara Falls; The neighborhood kids channeling the Beatles; and perching on a chair in an attempt to reenact the 'I'm the King of the World' moment from Titanic.

Here's my list (Feel free to use it at your next party!):
reverse_charades.pdf
File Size: 60 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Sidewalk Science...

7/24/2013

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When a pair of young sisters from the neighborhood knocked on the door to invite us to "Science Experiments on the sidewalk at 7pm", we immediately accepted. Gathered in the grass, we were treated to two fabulously fun projects:

#1: Mentos and Soda Pop
Step 1: Cover the pop bottle opening with a piece of stiff paper.

Step 2: Create a cylinder from paper and line-up a package of Mentos for launching.

Step 3: Quickly remove the stiff paper covering so that the Mentos slide into the soda pop.

Step 4: Step back and watch the magic of science!

Step 5: Compare different types of pop - diet, regular, clear, and ???

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#2: Elephant Toothpaste Foam
Step #1: Fill a container with half a cup of 20-volume hydrogen peroxide liquid (20-volume is a 6% solution, which can be found at a beauty supply store or hair salon).

Step #2: Mix in 1 Tablespoon of liquid dish washing soap.

Step #3: Add in a few drops of food coloring.

Step #4: In a separate container,  mix 1 Tablespoon (one packet) of dry yeast with 3 Tablespoons of warm water.

Step #5: Pour yeast & water mixture into the main container with the prepared solution.

Step #6: Step back and enjoy the show!
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Nature's Fury...

7/16/2013

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Our Lego Robotics Team continues to learn about Nature's Fury!

Our current study of severe weather brought the crew
over to our house for a 'Storm Chaser' viewing party.

1) Before our gathering, I asked each team member to work through an online learning component. Click on the edcanvas icon to view the program.
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2) Next, we made tornadoes of our own! This may seem like a quick, fun trick with soda-pop bottles... but when you combine this activity with the integration of tornado vocab  and probing questions - it leads to incredibly interesting discussion!

3) After moving indoors, we skimmed a few new books to learn about storm chasers and their dangerous work. After sharing what we learned, we talked about the pros and cons of these undertakings. Would you want to ride along? What scientific data can they gain that will help us prepare, stay safe and rebuild after a tornado?
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4) Finally, we watched Episode 1 of Storm Chasers from Discovery Channel, followed by a quick clip from Mythbusters!
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Real or Google?

6/26/2013

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After talking with my boys about 'not believing everything you see' on the world-wide-web, I shared with them the following videos:

After the giggles stopped, we talked about all the 'advertisement' techniques used to make the videos seems so 'real'. Slick videography, a well-known logo, and guest expert
giving commentary that makes you want to believe.

So, how do you know what to believe on the web?

This conversation is one more step on the road
to raising critical consumers in the digital age.
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Critical Consumers of the World Wide Web...

6/14/2013

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June 4th was the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

That same day, I caught an NPR report that told about
the rise and fall of this related photo:
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If find it fascinating to contrast the two 'worlds' of internet access. In America, anyone can post anything to the web and in China, censors monitor the web so closely, a posted picture can last only 60 seconds.

Talking to my children about this topic, we discussed the "web" as a source of information and communication. How do you find reliable information on the web? Who can you trust to tell you the 'real' story? What steps should you take as a critical 'consumer' in this digital world?

At just the age of eleven and eight, my boys had some pretty savvy responses and were engaged and animated throughout the conversation. Here are a few resources you might consider exploring when you talk with your growing 'consumers':

How to Teach Students to be Critical Consumers of Information.
Evaluating Websites.
The Importance of Being a Critical Consumer of Information.

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Designer Trail Mix...

5/18/2013

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This idea came from my fabulous neighbor Toni....

Before heading off on a wilderness hike with friends, we pooled various nuts, snacks, dried fruits, etc.. and allowed the kids to make their own "trail mix" for the trip.
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Each hiker was able to personalize their snack.
Which made for several interesting combinations and
absolutely zero complaints.

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Thank you Neighbor Toni!
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Down and Dirty....

4/28/2013

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Over the last few months my boys have built several sand structures inspired by architecture around the world. That's right. No simple sand castles for our family: We're constantly dreaming of the next time we can use our passports!
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It all began
with the
Eiffle Tower.

Good job boys, Momma needs to see Paris!







Next, came the
Leaning Tower
of Pisa.


I can almost smell
the pasta!








A trip to the beach
led to the
reconstruction

of the
Colosseum!


When the changing tide claimed the structure,
I could only shrug my shoulders to say that Rome wasn't
built in a day.




Then it was the canals of Venice
in the sandbox
back home.

Oh, how I would love to return to Piazza
San Marco.

Who knows what architecture will be the spark of inspiration for the next work of sand art.

Any suggestions?
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Summer Classes (Online)...

4/24/2013

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Every year at this time, I begin making plans for summer.  We usually allow each boy to participate in one camp or class over the break. In the past, our sons have enjoyed Lego Robotics, Tennis, Science Camp, Soccer, and Crafts programs. Then last year, my oldest boy tried something totally new: An Online Class.
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Gamestar mechanic is an online community for video game builders and players. Designed for children ages 7 to 14, the online platform allows participants to work through a series of 'quests' to learn the principles of game design while also following a future-fiction story line and play related video games. As players progress through the various components, they earn the ability to incorporate new characters and features into their own game designs. This learning series focuses on deign principles - not computer coding. Therefore, a child with basic click-and-drag skills can make a computer game and share it with friends in just one session.

As explained by Gamestar; "Registering an account at Gamestar Mechanic is free and includes access to your first game design Quest, the ability to make and publish your own games, and access to the Gamestar Mechanic community."

Access to the 'Complete Quest' (with 100 quests) is just $19.99, and a
dditional specialty-theme access passes are available for $1.99 each (which makes this a great idea for birthday or Christmas presents). It doesn't wrap neatly or fit under the tree, but it certainly offers unique and fun learning.

Here are few games created by my son:
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The World of Elkton
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The Museum Robbery
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Glacier Exploration
For those interested in taking the full on-line course this summer (which pairs young game designers with professionals), sign-up information is here. Geared specifically for 10 to 14 year-olds, the 6 week course provides access to the main-frame program as well as specific modules that provide more in-depth learning about game design. 

Our family was invited to preview the on-line class for free last summer when it was first launched. My son had a great experience, calling it: 'Awesome!'  I was happy to see him try something new and participate in a new platform.

We give it 5 stars for summer fun!

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Guns...

4/22/2013

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NW Kid Chaser is a blog about me chasing my kids. It's about me trying to celebrate their early years by seeking out activities, outings and books that will support their learning. It's about me savoring this family fun while we have it. This blog is not political. It's personal.

But....
Today, I opened my laptop to find another news story about a child killed with a gun.It seems like the stories, the images, the heart break continues without end. It's the 7 year old shot while playing in her backyard; the random killings at the mall, in a school, on the highway, or near the grocery store; it's the feeling of dread and sorrow and pain I feel each time I turn on the news and hear of another tragedy that makes me wonder how mothers in the US can bear one more lost child to gun violence. I have no real answers, but I have many questions. I also have one deep desire for something to change. Change may not be perfect, but as a mother, I can't bear for things to continue as they are ... the echo in my mind: If we do what we've always done, we'll get what we've always gotten.  SOMETHING has to change.


So...
I'm posting today a few images that have made me stop and think. Do a bit of thinking of your own and if you feel my same pain, contact your representatives.
Or...
Click to another page if you don't agree. Come back tomorrow for the regular NW Kid Chaser fun.

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This image and video comes from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, who say,  "Our goal is to protect you, your family and your community from gun deaths and injuries. In America, we make it too easy for dangerous people to get dangerous weapons. There are only a few federal gun control laws on the books, and even those have loopholes. This leads to senseless gun violence affecting tens of thousands."


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These two images come from Moms Demand Action who say,
"Moms Demand Action was founded to demand action NOW to:

1) Ban assault weapons and ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.
2) Require background checks for all gun and ammunition purchases.

3) Report the sale of large quantities of ammunition to the ATF, and ban online sales of ammunition.
4) Make gun trafficking a federal crime with serious criminal penalties.
5) Counter gun industry lobbyists’ efforts to weaken gun laws at the state level"
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Speechless (but not)...

4/19/2013

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My gracious sister let us borrow her DVD boxed set of the BBC Planet Earth series and now my whole family is obsessed. Dinner dishes have never been so quickly cleaned as we scramble to complete our chores, so that we can sit down on the couch and fire-up the next movie.
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The photography, the subject matter, and the behind-the-scenes stories featured in this series are absolutely outstanding. Said to be the most expensive nature documentary ever filmed, I respond: Well worth it!

As the stories of places and animals across-the-globe are told, my family sits there speechless. Well actually... it's  more like quiet-for-a-minute followed by:

My husband: "That's amazing!"
Me: "No way!"
My 10 year old: "Wow! That's awesome!"
My 7 yr old:
"I'd like to be a polar bear."

With 5 DVDs in the series (featuring Mountains, Caves, Seasonal Forests, Great Plains, Desserts, and two others per disk) each and every segment has been remarkable. I'm learning new things about this amazing planet. My kids are seeing the amazing work of biologists and film crews. It really is amazing stuff that almost leaves us speechless. Almost... because when watching a walrus protect her young from a hungry polar bear  we scream:

My husband: "Wow! Look at that."
Me: "Uh uh. She's not gonna let him anywhere near her baby."
My 10 year old: "Tell me when it's over."
My 7 yr old: "Wild."


Several parts of the series are available for on-line watching (here and here), but I recommend buying the set as a gift for the eight year old child (and older) that you love. Of course, if you want to break open the pack and watch it first - I totally understand and I add: Well worth it!

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