NW Kid Chaser

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'.

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!):

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

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.

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.

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:

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.

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!

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.

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."

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"

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!