By: Jen Robinson,
on 11/6/2013
The word of the month for November for WordGirl is THANKFUL. Not original, perhaps, but certainly fitting.
Books that my 3-year-old enjoys that are about being thankful include The Berenstain Bears Count their Blessings and Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving (a new lift-the-flap book).
By: Anastasia Goodstein,
on 8/19/2011
Tablets are everywhere these days (but unfortunately HP couldn’t handle all the competition. Despite their huge marketing push with stars like Lea Michele and Russell Brand behind them — literally! — HP discontinued the device after less than... Read the rest of this post
By: Anastasia Goodstein,
on 8/15/2011
As kids today are increasingly tech-savvy (marketers must reach them in creative and complex ways. Often this is through online games with virtual worlds, social media campaigns, and in-store attractions, but are kids being bombarded too much by... Read the rest of this post
By: Anastasia Goodstein,
on 6/24/2011
In an effort to encourage summer reading (JetBlue and PBS Kids launched Soar with Reading, a program that keeps kids reading no matter where they are. Kids on JetBlue summer flights will receive an activity kit with reading games about PBS shows.... Read the rest of this post
By: Anastasia Goodstein,
on 10/22/2010
Today we bring you our weekly sampler of the cool youth media and marketing gigs. If your company has an open position in the youth media or marketing space, we encourage you to join the Ypulse LinkedIn group, if you haven't yet, and post there for... Read the rest of this post
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By: Nisha T.,
on 5/21/2010
PBS Kids Reading Activity Calendar
The summer months are often challenging when it comes to encouraging children to read and learn. This handy calendar, developed by PBS Kids is a great source for suggestions on how to combine reading and fun this summer.
Third Grade is proving to be a crucial year for young readers
A new report titled, “Early Warning: Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters,” details the importance of mastering reading skills before kids enter the fourth grade. This period of time marks a child’s transition from learning to read to reading to learn.
Walter Farley Literacy Foundation gets kids reading
The Walter Farley Literacy Foundation seeks to encourage literacy in children by introducing them to the beloved Black Stallion story. In addition to reading this classic tale, kids also get a chance to meet the real thing and develop a connection with real horses.
Museum Exhibit Exemplifies Treasure in Little Golden Books
We all remember the charming stories from Little Golden Books. Here is a museum exhibit which features them called, “Golden Legacy: Original Art From 65 Years of Golden Books.” The exhibit will run through August 22nd, so be sure to check it out this summer.
Classic Children’s Book Favorites Now Infiltrating Your Cell Phone
Today’s technological advances are proving more and more that everything can be digitized-even Dr. Seuss. Children’s book favorites are now making their debut as cheaper digital versions.
By: Anastasia Goodstein,
on 2/5/2010
PBS Kids launches 'Lifeboat to Mars' (an online simulation game to teach kids about biology. Also Sesame Workshop unveils the Elmo Monster Maker iPhone app) (USA Today) (Mashable)
- Barnes & Noble enlists Common Sense Media (to power a new "For... Read the rest of this post
By: Anastasia Goodstein,
on 12/4/2009
Don't call it 'Planet Hollywood' (Rolling Stone announces plans to open a large-scale restaurant and nightclub in LA. Also MTV offers a 360-degree video of tonight's broadcast of the Woodie Awards) (Los Angeles Times) (CNET)
- Facebook and real... Read the rest of this post
By: Anastasia Goodstein,
on 7/7/2009
VH1's 'The Great Debate' (takes pop culture rivalries to the digital streets with "live, interactive out-of-home screens". Also 'Love Pop Trash' a new "edgy" teen webisode series debuts on web network KoldCast TV. Sounds intriguing, but how teens... Read the rest of this post
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By: Writing for Children,
on 7/4/2007
Happy Independence Day, USA!
Here are some facts about the United States flag and a fun craft for Independence Day
from Renee Kirchner, Teaching Tips Contributing Editor
President Harry S. Truman designated June 14th as a National Holiday in 1949. On Flag Day, Americans fly the flag in front of schools, offices and homes. Students learn about the history of the flag and how to treat the flag with respect.
The modern day American flag has seven red stripes and six white stripes. The top left corner is blue with fifty white stars. The thirteen stripes stand for the original thirteen colonies and the stars represent the fifty states. The red stripes represent England and the white stripes represent the United States.
Because the flag is so familiar, we may think that it has always been the same. This is not true. No one knows for certain who designed the original flag. We believe that Congressman Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, designed the original flag. Even though there is a legend that Betsy Ross made the first flag, historians to not believe that this is true. Before June 24, 1912, there was no standard for the American flag. Flags made before this time had unusual arrangements of stars and odd proportions. President Taft established the proportions of the flag and the arrangements of the stars in an Executive Order. The number of stars on the flag increased each time a new state was added to the United States, but the number of stripes will always stay the same.
By 1912, when Arizona and New Mexico entered the Union, the flag had forty-eight stars. The number remained the same until 1959, when Alaska became a state. A year later, on July 4, 1960, the fiftieth star was added to mark Hawaii’s entry into the Union. The flag today looks exactly like the one we had in 1960.
America’s national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner” was written about the American flag. Francis Scott Key wrote a poem in 1812 that was later set to music and adopted as our national anthem. The flag flying over Fort McHenry in Maryland after a bombardment during the War of 1812 inspired him.
It is our universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset. However, when patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if it is lit up at night. The American flag should be displayed above state or city flags when flown on a flagpole. Occasionally the flag is flown at half-staff. This is a sign of respect for the memory of a public official or in the event of a national tragedy.
Our country honors the flag, which stands as a symbol of our unity as a nation, of our freedoms and of our power. Respect and honor the flag on Flag Day and on all other days during the year.
INDEPENDENCE DAY CRAFT
Handprint American Flag:
Materials
Large sheet of white paper (about the size of two poster boards)
Paint: Red, white and blue
Small sponge in shape of star
Pencils
Ruler
Instructions:
This flag can be made at home, but it will work best as a classroom activity. The completed flag should be displayed on a large wall or bulletin board.
1. Have students draw a box in the top left corner of flag for the fifty states.
2. Using the ruler, draw thirteen stripes on the flag with pencil. Mark the stripes that will be red with a small checkmark. The American flag has seven red stripes and six white stripes. The top and bottom stripes are both red.
3. Have one student paint the top corner box with blue paint.
4. Other students will take turns dipping their hand in red paint and placing red handprints on the stripes marked with the checkmarks. There is no need to paint the white stripes.
5. When the blue paint is dry, have several students make fifty stars by dipping the star sponge into white paint and pressing on the blue area.
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