English Isn't Easy Part II

Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France . Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig..

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

PS. - Why doesn't 'Buick' rhyme with 'quick' ?

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

English Isn't Easy Part I

Welcome to my series on English Isn't Easy.  I can't take credit for these words of wisdom. a writer friend of mine, Nancy Lepri sent it in an email. I thought I'd pass it on to you in parts. Enjoy!

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) We must polish the Polish furniture..

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert..
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

13) They were too close to the door to close it.

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear..
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?


Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

I earned a Silver Award for "Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep: in the 2012 Childrens Literary Classics Awards!

I am thrilled to receive a silver award formy book "Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep" in the 2012 Children's Literary Classics Awards. Several authors from my publishing house earned awards. Way to go Guardian Angel Publishing!

http://www.clcawards.org/2012-Award-Books.html

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

7 Tips for Creating a Safe Sleep Space

Babies spend the majority of their first months of life in their sleep space. Considering that babies are typically sleeping while in their cribs or bassinets – and for the longest stretches of time it’s when mom and dad are also sleeping – it’s safe to say that the time that they do spend in their sleep space is largely unsupervised. For that reason alone, parents must take proactive steps to assure their baby’s safety while sleeping.

When creating your baby’s sleep space, keep these 7 tips in mind:

1. Avoid bed-sharing. While there’s an upswing in the support of co-sleeping and bed sharing from many parents, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) still insists that room-sharing, rather than bed-sharing, is safest for babies. According to First Candle, bed-sharing increases a baby’s risk of death by 40 percent. Keeping your baby in a separate, but close, sleep space is the safest place for your baby to sleep. Placing a co-sleeper or bassinet beside your bed allows you to closely monitor your baby throughout the night.
2. Use a firm sleep surface. While it can be tempting to put a fussy baby in a car seat or bouncy seat to sleep, for regular, routine sleep the safest place for your baby is on a firm surface. Cribs, bassinets, and play yards certified by the Juvenile Product Manufacturer’s Association (JPMA) are held to safety standards above and beyond the standard requirements set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Be sure that the mattress has a firm fit and that the sheet fits snugly on the mattress.
For the rest of this article click here.


Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Featured Reading Tip!

Check out my reading tip featured in Ruckus Reader newsletter! http://www.ruckusreader.com/reading_tips/index

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

FREE EARTH DAY CARDS for kids and adults!

With Earth Day Approaching on April 22nd it's time to focus on educating our children about conservation. Trouble on Earth Day would be a great resource for this purpose and a super addition to any school or home library.

Learning how each of us can take steps to protect our environment is important for children and adults alike. It will take all our efforts to help improve the environment for a healthier tomorrow. Trouble on Earth Day is a great start for children.

Earth Day Card for Kids

http://www.dkvwriting4u.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/EARTH-DAY-CARD-1.pdf

Earth Day Card for Adults

http://www.dkvwriting4u.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/EARTH-DAY-CARD-2.pdf

Celebrate Earth Day with Pictures First day of book tour for Trouble on Earth Day

http://susannedrazic.blogspot.com/2012/03/celebrate-earth-day-with-pictures.html

Please Visit the Second Day of my book Tour for Trouble on Earth Day http://barbarabockman.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/review-of-kathy-stemkes-pb-trouble-on-earth-day/

Visit third day of Trouble on Earth Day Book Tour

http://gritsandgroceries.blogspot.com/2012/03/day-three-trouble-on-earth-day-book.html

Fourth day of Trouble on Earth Day Tour- Fun Squirrel Facts http://hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com/2012/03/it-is-my-great-pleasure-to-welcome.html

Fifth Day of Trouble on Earth Day Tour- Book Review

http://terri-forehand.blogspot.com/2012/03/book-review-trouble-on-earth-day.html

Sixth Day of Trouble on Earth Day Book Tour-book Review http://familiesmatter2us.blogspot.com/2012/03/book-review-trouble-on-earth-day.html

Seventh Day of Trouble on Earth Day Book Tour

FREE EARTH DAY CARD FOR KIDS

FREE EARTH DAY CARD FOR ADULTS

http://educationtipster.blogspot.com/2012/03/get-your-free-earth-day-card-for-kids.html

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965# http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profileKathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

20 Innovative Ways Schools Are Combating Bullying

February 1st, 2012 by Staff Writers at Online College Courses.

Bullying always has been a terrible problem plaguing schools in America and beyond, but it took a tragic epidemic of high-profile victim suicides for anyone to actually care about curbing the issue. Now that people are finally beginning to realize that treating one another like garbage over petty details might not be the best thing for students, parents and school districts alike are formulating various strategies to put an end to the madness. Some are actually incredibly innovative, although some of the more traditional methods boast their own benefits as well.

1. Incorporating babies into the classroom

   Infants, come to find out, can be useful for reasons other than producing poo and barf seemingly on command. Toronto-based Roots of Empathy and similar organizations have started introducing babies into classroom settings with the hopes of encouraging students to build compassion. And so far, it's actually yielded results — participants tend to loosen up and pay closer attention to lessons and each other, lessening bullying instances in the process.

2. Comic books

   The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Stop Bullying initiative printed up comic books to distribute to kids with the hopes of shedding light on a serious issue. Other schools have run with the concept by asking students to write and draw scenes or stories of their own. Visualizing the realities makes it easier for younger kids to recognize the problem and either intervene or fetch a caring adult.

3. Film

   Similar to the comic book example, some schools have opted to show movies such as The Bullying Project and foster discussions between students, faculty, staff, and parents about the roots and solutions. More resourceful institutions might want to challenge kids — especially teens — to shoot short films of their own. Doing so will not only help bring forward real experiences and perceptions, but offer a sort of creative solace to bullying victims as well.

4. Have students teach one another

   If babies are unavailable, try establishing (monitored!) programs where students sit down with one another and simply talk. Areas with very diverse demographics could especially benefit from such exchanges, because cultural misunderstandings and stereotypes do often feed into bullying situations. In addition, this structure can also be adapted into a peer counseling service, nurturing a sense of connection and community dissuading brutality.

5. Bulletin boards

   Younger children with a preference for bright colors and engaging visuals might benefit greatly from learning about the bullying problem via bulletin boards. Kits are available through various vendors, or teachers can put their design skills to good use with something more original. Involving the students themselves in the creation process will only add to the education factor, encouraging them to speak up while speaking out.

6. Apps

   iPhone users suffering beneath a bully's grip now have the free A Thin Line app at their disposal — and those who do not own the smartphone enjoy the same perks on the accompanying website. MTV sponsors this digital discussion by allowing kids and teens to share their own experiences with unwanted advances and harassment. For the adults, they post numerous resources and questions to help them combat the serious issue at the authority level.

7. Puppet shows

   Pacer's KIDS AGAINST BULLYING program hosts puppet shows in schools as a means of teaching the younger set why bullying is unacceptable. Schools without the funding or resources to bring the initiative to their students can stage their very own performances using what's on hand — or task students with writing their own. Beyond puppetry, the same concept also works when presented as a skit or short play.

8. Peer intervention

   Training students to serve as peer counselors and advocates bridges gaps with the faculty and promotes greater understanding in the classroom. Pacer and other anti-bullying organizations burst with excellent suggestions about the best ways to nurture leadership and empathy skills needed to reach out the bullies and the bullied alike. After all, as the next innovation reveals, sometimes the perpetrators need intervention for more than just their behavior problems.

9. Therapy

   Many — not all — bullies lash out at their peers because of issues at home or within themselves, and the most effective schools realize they need as much (if not more) counseling than their victims. In Charleston, a partnership between Alice Birney Middle School and Medical University of South Carolina has started providing various psychological services for ill-behaved kids. When combined with a rigorous education regimen, their bullying rate decreased as more and more students received the mental help needed to be a more productive citizen.

10. Coordinating with sexual assault awareness, prevention, and crisis organizations

    Another fruitful partnership that quelled the bullying issue understandably involves anti-violence shelters and schools themselves. In Austin, SafePlace, which serves as a shelter for victims of rape, sexual assault, and domestic abuse, and a half-dozen public elementary schools teamed up for a CDC- and University of Texas-sponsored program dubbed Expect Respect. Unlike many other initiatives, it focuses on bullying in its myriad forms, comparing and contrasting instances on and off campus.

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Waldorf Techniques for Mastering Math Facts with Body Movements that Anyone Can Use

by Kathy Stemke

Waldorf education’s interdisciplinary learning is based upon the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. Since the first school opened its doors in 1919, this style of learning has concentrated on the role of imagination to integrate practical, creative and conceptual elements. In addition to the 994 independent Waldorf schools, there are many Waldorf-based public schools and homeschooling situations. In fact, most schools use some of the innovative Waldorf activities in their curriculum.

Because math concepts tend to be abstract in nature and the traditional methods of teaching math facts are boring and ineffective, introducing Waldorf interactive math activities into the classroom will increase the learning and retention of math facts. Students will be eager to participate in these fun-filled games and projects.

COUNTING GAME

A counting lesson might begin with a circle game similar to Duck-Duck-Goose. The students sit in a circle on the floor then one students stands behind a sitting classmate and begins counting each of their classmates in turn until they reach ten. All the students can assist in the counting. When the standing student reaches their tenth classmate the tenth classmates stands and chases the counting student around the circle attempting to tag them before they return to the place of the chasing student.

JELLYBEAN STORY

Students learn through exciting fairy tales and stories. Fun characters come to life for the students, bringing the numbers and math facts to the real world. The following tale is an example of the kind of story that can be used.

“It’s my job, said the jellybean queen, to divide the jellybeans equally among the subjects of Numeria. This bag of jellybeans is for you two girls. Be sure to share them equally.”

“But how can we be sure to share them equally between us?” Chali asked.

“Oh,” the kindly queen said, “That is easily accomplished. Watch. . . . There are six jellybeans in the sack . . . .here is one for you, Chali, and one for you Stephanie, another one for you Chali, and another one for you Stephanie, one more for you Chali, and one more for you Stephanie . . . as you see we now have two piles of jellybeans with 3 in each. It’s as simple as that!” The girls smiled at each other.

The queen was so busy she asked the girls to help her. For the rest of the day, Chali and Stephanie busily counted and divided jellybeans."

This story could easily be modified to teach subtraction. The students could take turns eating one or two jellybeans.

After illustrating this story on the chalkboard I went outside and hid several piles of "jellybeans" around the room. Whenever a pile is found, the student must divide them equally.

GUESS WHICH NUMBER

You can follow up this activity with a 100 board. Look for number patterns of odd and even. The students will discover that evens end with 2,4,6,8,0 and odds end with 1,3,5,7,9. Call out random numbers and the students can jump up and down for even numbers and hop on one foot for odd numbers.

NUMBER LINE GAME

Using a number line system of number place-mats across the floor, the team may deduct the answer by acting out the problem.

For example. 2 + 3 = 5

Team A organize themselves by standing on number mats on the floor. One stands on zero (0), while the rest stand in order from 1, 2, 3 4 and so on. For the problem 2+3, the person standing at zero may first take two steps on the first two mats and then jump another 3 mats indicating an increase of 3 in the problem to land at mat 5.

Waldorf-inspired teaching is designed to meet the needs of all learning styles, and is based on the best practices in education. It features an integration of storytelling, music, movement, art, drama, and poetry into the teaching of academic subjects.

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Fantastic Reading at Indian Rocks Beach!

My husband and I just returned from a fabulous two weeks visiting our daughter and son-in-law in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. We went to the beach, the Chihuly Museum, the aquarium, a tree lighting, tons of garage sales, out on the boat, the villa, the bird sanctuary and many restaurants. We were also in a Christmas parade!! We threw beads and candy to the observers as well as dog bones to the dogs. So Cool!

I was also asked to read my books at the library. Although the children that attended were a little older than usual, we had a great time. They loved jumping on my consonant blends and throwing a bean bag in the basket.

The children were very interested in the recycling crafts and games. They even said, "Can we do more?"As you might imagine, I was thrilled!

I should be appearing in the Indian Rocks Beach newspaper.  Next time we visit I'll schedule the other libraries.

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

My two books won the Literary Classics seal of approval!!

SH SH SH LET THE BABY SLEEP

TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY

Both of my new releases have won the Literary Classics Seal of Approval! Here are the press releases for both books.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Louise Bryant

Children's Literary Classics

literaryclassics@live.com

Children's Literary Classics is pleased to announce that the children's picture book, Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep, written by Kathy Stemke and illustrated by Jack Foster has been selected to receive the Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval. The CLC Seal of Approval is a designation reserved for those books which uphold the rigorous criteria set forth by the Children's Literary Classics review committee, a team comprised of individuals with backgrounds in publishing, editing, writing, illustration and graphic design.

 

Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep is the story of a fantastic series of adventures as seen through the eyes of Zachary, a boy who is struggling to adjust to life with a new baby sister. Young Zachary becomes a "super hero" whenever he puts on his glasses. Donning his glasses as he does his best to help protect his baby sister from noises which might wake her, he encounters all sorts of noisy nuisances, including birds, trains and bears. This whimsical book creatively incorporates consonant blends in a story which will surely transport youngsters to new levels of imagination in their quest for adventure and learning.

Zachary's journey is only beginning at the conclusion of this story. Complete with teacher's supplements including rhymes, songs, worksheets and more, this book has much to offer young readers as well as educators.

Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

This CLC Seal of Approval book, ISBN#9781616331577 , is available for purchase at the following locations Guardian Angel Publishing, Amazon, B & N, and others. You may contact the author directly for book-signing events at dancekam1@yahoo.com . 

Children's Literary Classics is pleased to announce that the children's picture book, Trouble on Earth Day, written by Kathy Stemke, has been selected to receive the Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval. The CLC Seal of Approval is a designation reserved for those books which uphold the rigorous criteria set forth by the Children's Literary Classics review committee, a team comprised of individuals with backgrounds in publishing, editing, writing, illustration and graphic design.

Trouble on Earth Day is the story of Shelby Squirrel, a youngster who is thrilled to have won an Earth Day Poster contest. As Shelby's family of squirrels contemplate the meaning of her poster, namely to "re-think" how some items might be recycled, they start brainstorming ways to put their saved and cast-off items to good use.

When Shelby encounters a bird in short supply of materials with which to build her nest, she comes to the rescue with some of the items her family had recently decided to recycle. Shelby and her new friend pool their efforts and resources to create a beautiful new nest.

With interactive games and projects, including additional Earth Day history information at the back, this book is an excellent resource for educators on the topic of recycling.

Children’s Literary Classics, an organization dedicated to furthering excellence in children’s literature, takes great pride in its role to help promote classic children's literature which appeals to youth, while educating and encouraging positive values in the impressionable young minds of future generations. To learn more about Children's Literary Classics, you may visit their website at www.clcawards.org or www.childrensliteraryclassics.com

This CLC Seal of Approval book, ISBN#978-1-936021-36-9, is available for purchase at the following locations Educationtipster, Amazon, B & N and others. You may contact the author directly for book-signing events at dancekam1@yahoo.com .

Kathy Stemke's websites:

Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

The Reviews for TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY are Rolling In!

In Kathy Stemke’s charming picture book, Trouble on Earth Day , little Shelby squirrel is excited to announce her first place ribbon in the Earth Day poster contest at school. Shelby’s explanation of the concepts on her poster to her parents gets everyone to think about how we can rethink, reuse, and recycle in our homes. Follow along as Shelby answers cries of despair from the forest with what she has learned at school and saves the day.

A perfect introduction to Earth Day concepts that will keep kids thinking all year long, Trouble On Earth Day features an engaging tale with colorful illustrations by Kurt Wilcken that children will love. The bonus in this edition is the section of teaching materials that allow children to extend and apply the concepts taught in the story. Perfect for a traditional classroom or a homeschooling environment, the book offers discussion ideas, songs, activities and crafts to create a multi-sensory learning experience.

I found the characters very relatable, and my children enjoyed the story and illustrations. The included activities are easily done at home with every day supplies. I think this story would have great appeal for early elementary grades as well as pre-school.

Reviewed by lara Kimbrell

Trouble On Earth Day by Kathy Stemke, Illustrated by Kurt Wilcken, Published by Wild Plains Press, Educator’s Edition ISBN 978-1-936021-36-9, Paperback SRP $15.00


Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

More reviews for TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY!

RECYCLE old crayons by making a multi-colored one like this!  It writes in many colors! Kids love it! this is just one of the craft projects found in Trouble on Earth Day.

In our ever changing world, we are urged to "go green" everywhere and every way we can. Trouble on Earth Day, written by Kathy Stemke and illustrated by Kurt Wilckin, teaches children what they can do to help the earth stay green. Stemke's cute and fun book isn't just for kids, it is full of activities and crafts for teachers or home school parents to use with their students. The book pulls the reader into one family's creative ways to Rethink, Reuse and Recycle.


Meet Shelby Squirrel, winner of the Earth Day Poster Competition. Shelby is so excited to win a 1st place ribbon in the contest, her enthusiasm bubbles over to her whole family.


Dad Squirrel finds old clothes to make a quilt. Mom Squirrel finds some nuts to make a wreath, even though Shelby thought they were useless. Then Shelby makes friends with a sad bluebird and uses her rethinking and reusing skills to build him. a nest after his home was reduced to a stump.



Stemke uses Rethink instead of Reduce on Shelby's poster. I love the new spin it gives on ways to make our earth a better place. Sometimes you can't reduce, you have to rethink and come up with a new solution to an old problem.


I did expect Shelby to get into some sort of trouble in Trouble on Earth Day, instead she helped Charlie bluebird in his troubles.


The Educator's Edition includes songs, activities, recycled crafts, worksheets, word activities and comprehension questions that helps children learn more about Earth Day. Stemke makes learning fun and gets kids empowered to change the way their family recycles. Her Fuzzy Squirrel Song left me singing the I'm a Little Teapot tune all day!

Wilckin's illustrations add great details to the book. Dad Squirrel isn't reading just any newspaper, he is reading the "Daily Nut." On Shelby's poster, Rethink is shown with a florescent light bulb. Charlie, the little blue bird, wears and baseball cap and plays guitar. Those fun little touches make the characters come alive.

Trouble on Earth Day gets the whole family going green! I would highly recommend it for young readers ages 4 to 8.

Review by Pam Maynard


*Picture book, fantasy but gives a true message about Earth Day and recycling
*Young Shelby Squirrel as main character
*Rating: Trouble On Earth Day is a sweet story for young children to introduce them to Earth Day and/or recycling. The best and absolute most valuable part of this book is the resource section for teachers (and parents) in the back of the book. There are activities, games, questions, and more!

Short, short summary:

Shelby Squirrel won a poster contest at her school, and she explains to her parents what RETHINK, REUSE, and RECYCLE means. As they are trying to figure out different ways they can re-use materials around their house, Shelby hears a cry for help from the outside. She runs to find a bird who has no material for a nest–Shelby and her recycling ways to the rescue!


So, what do I do with this book?
Well, I don’t believe in reinventing the wheel, so I’m not going to put a bunch of activities here. But here’s a preview of what you will find in the back of the book:

• Discussion questions on the importance of trees, birds, and recycling
• Going Green game
• Craft ideas made from recycled products like toilet paper rolls and ice cream cartons
• A to Z Let’s Go Green list
• Search-a-word
• Songs!

Reviewed by Margo Dill

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

FIRST REVIEWS ARE IN FOR "TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY"

This is a fun story told from a squirrel's point of view on ways to celebrate Earth Day. It is chock full of recycling crafts to empower children to make a difference in their world. I liked the nylon sachets and the CD picture frames!

Patricia Karwatowicz
Children's author

There are zillions of books for kids about holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but not nearly as many about Earth Day. Trouble on Earth Day by Kathy Stemke not only fills that void, it's also a delightful picture book that will encourage children to appreciate and care for our environment all year long.

The pictures and plot are cute and young kids will enjoy hearing the book read aloud to them. Older children can read it themselves and participate in the many educational activities suggested. This would be a great book to add to school libraries as well as for families.

Reviewed by Janet Collins
Children's author

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Recycling and Water Conservation!

Song from my new book:TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY

Shelby Recycles

(tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb)

Shelby squirrel saved and saved,

Saved and saved, saved and saved,

Shelby squirrel saved and saved,

She used her things again.

She helped a songbird build his nest,

Build his nest, build his nest,

She helped a songbird build his nest,

With stuff around her house.

If we all just recycle,

Recycle, recycle,

If we all just recycle,

We’ll help our Earth to last.

Water Conservation Awareness Activities

Objective: The students will recognize that there is a lot of water in the world, but that not very much of it can be used for our drinking water and other water supply needs.

Get a globe.

Paint 97 pieces of uncooked ziti blue, paint 1 piece red, and paint 2 pieces green.

1. Ask the students if they think there is more water or land on the globe. They will answer water. Explain that although it looks like a lot of water, not all of it can be used.

Most fresh water is frozen in polar ice caps, icebergs, and glaciers. In addition, salt water is too salty to use for most purposes, and the salt is very costly to remove.

2. We will spread the colored ziti out on a table. We will explain that there are 100 ziti pieces, which can be thought of as 100 drops of water.

3. We will explain that the 97 blue drops of water represent the salt water we find in oceans and seas that we cannot drink.

4. The two green drops of water represent the water that is stored as ice in glaciers and at the poles that we cannot use.

5. The lonely red drop of water represents the fresh water that is available for plants, animals, and people.

6. We will ask the students if they think there is a lot of water available for use, reminding them that the one red drop of water represents the amount of fresh water on

Earth.

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Sh Sh Sh Let the baby Sleep: Famous Brother/Sister Pairs!

In Kathy Stemke’s new picture book, Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep, we find big brother Zachary a little jealous of his new baby sister.  Layla’s needs come first now. When given the job of keeping her asleep, he encounters all kinds of trouble. Zachary has a secret weapon! When he wears his thick black glasses, he has super powers! He rescues her from birds, bears, and all kinds of dangers. In the end, he makes a heartwarming discovery.  This action packed book with clever rhymes focuses on teaching consonant blends. The teacher supplement includes comprehension questions, songs, worksheets and activities.

The illustrator, Jack Foster, does a fantastic job depicting the action and humor of this heartwarming story. 

Zachary and Layla are sure to go down in history as a famous pair of siblings.  That got me thinking of other famous sibling pairs…….

Here are some that I’ve already got floating around my head:

·         Hansel and Gretel team up to find a witch.

·         Raggedy Ann and Andy dress in primary colors.

·         Marsha and Greg Brady from the Brady Bunch put their heads together to solve family problems.

·         The Bobbsey Twins solve mysteries together.

·         Donny and Marie Osmond sing great duets.

·         Jack and Jill fetch water and fall together.

·         Michael and Janet Jackson sing and dance together and apart.

·         Dick and Jane see Spot together.

·         Apollo and Artemis rule in Greek mythology together.

·         And finally, Zachary and Layla learn what????

Can you suggest famous literary/historical/mythological/cinematic brother/sister pairs? 

Kathy Stemke's websites:
Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
 Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke
Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile
Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285