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Marshmallows are one of the earliest candy confections. Originally, marshmallows were made from the sap of the marsh mallow plant which is native to swampy areas in Europe, North Africa and Asia. The marsh mallow is related to the common mallow, but it looks more like a hollyhock because it is a tall plant with large pink flowers. The plant’s roots would be collected in the fall, then scraped and squeezed to collect the gooey substance. Marsh mallow sap is said to be a good cough suppressant, and a tea made from powdered marsh mallow root soothes and relaxes the bronchial tubes.
As long ago as 2000 BC, ancient Egyptians enjoyed eating marshmallow sap mixed with honey. The French popularized marshmallows (Pate de guimauve) in the mid-1800’s by whipping the sap with egg whites and sugar. Cornstarch was added so they could mold them into shape. Candy makers had a hard time keeping up with demand and they looked into other ways of making the soft spongy confection. This is when they discovered that gelatin could be substituted for the mallow sap.
Marshmallows were introduced to America in the early 1900’s, dispensed as penny candy at general stores. Campfire brand marshmallows were sold in cellophane-wrapped boxes. Alex Doumak revolutionized marshmallow production in 1948 by extruding marshmallows through tubes and cutting them into cylindrical pieces. Jet-Puffed marshmallows were introduced by Kraft Foods in the 1950’s. The Jet-Puffed name was coined to describe a manufacturing process that infuses air into marshmallows giving them a light, fluffy texture. Shaped marshmallows are formed by a special nozzle that moves back and forth.
The marshmallows that we eat today are made from gelatin with sweeteners, flavorings, and colorings added. (I’ve never figured out why FD&C Blue #2 is found in white marshmallows!) Through clever marketing and connections with other favorite foods, marshmallows have become a staple ingredient at campouts, parties, potlucks, and family get-togethers. Marshmallows are used in hot chocolate, on top of candied sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving, in Rice Krispie treats, Jell-O desserts, and Rocky Road ice cream.There is marshmallow fluff, marshmallow creme, marshmallow frosting, marshmallow icing, and marshmallow fudge.
No one really knows who started the classic tradition of toasting marshmallows over an open fire. However, the 1927 Girl Scout Handbook was the first documented source of the S’mores recipe combining marshmallows with chocolate and graham crackers. Even though marshmallows are popularly associated with summer camp fires, the majority of marshmallows are actually sold between October and December. (Source: National Confectioners Association.)
There are other uses for marshmallows, too. Ice cream won’t leak through the bottom of a cone if you place a large marshmallow at the bottom. You can keep candle wax from dripping onto birthday cakes by sticking each candle through a marshmallow first. When baking cupcakes, never mind the icing – just put a marshmallow on top of each one and let it melt for a couple of minutes in the oven.
Did You Know…? In the “Ghostbusters” movie, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man was a parody of the real-life Pillsbury Doughboy, and the fictitious Stay Puft company name was a pun on the Jet-Puffed marshmallow brand. (From Wikipedia)
Marshmallow Snowman
Push a thin pretzel stick through the center of a stack of three large marshmallows to create a snowman’s body. Stick two more pretzels into the sides of middle marshmallow to form arms. Tie on a fruit leather scarf and fashion a hat out of gumdrops. Press on small candy pieces for facial features and buttons. Place the marshmallow snowman in the front yard of a gingerbread house.
Marsh Mallow Treats
Try this old-fashioned, all natural confection!
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup raw cane sugar
1 tablespoon powdered Marsh Mallow Root (available from some herb shops)
Whip egg whites until almost stiff. Add vanilla and whip until stiff. Whip in the sugar, a little at a time. Add Marsh Mallow and whip again. Place by teaspoonful on cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.
Thanksgiving is a festive holiday that involves a rich tradition of long get-togethers with family and friends, both old and young. Thanksgiving also focuses on the historic religious roots of our nation, the importance of family and savoring our abundant blessings.
Some families like to sit down together and watch a classic, heartwarming movie after everyone is stuffed with turkey. Good movies with Thanksgiving themes are few and far between, and the older ones may be hard to find, but this article lists some appropriate movies that the whole family can enjoy.
Mouse On The Mayflower (1969) – This animated fantasy tells the story of a brave little mouse who helped the Pilgrims survive both the dangerous sea voyage and the cold New England winter, while staying on peaceful terms with their Indian neighbors.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) - This holiday special with the Peanuts gang is an Emmy-award winning cartoon. Charlie Brown is planning on going to his grandmother's house for Thanksgiving dinner, but then Peppermint Patty and her friends show up. Charlie, Linus, Snoopy and Woodstock concoct a quick feast of popcorn, toast, jellybeans, and pretzels. In the end, all of the kids go to Grandma’s house singing “Over the river and through the woods...”
Rocky (1976, PG) – This classic story won a Best Picture award. It’s a tough and tender portrait of a loser who becomes a winner in the things that matter. It includes a memorable exchange of lines in which Adrian says to her brother: “Paulie, it’s Thanksgiving. I got a turkey in the oven.” Paulie says, “Oh, a turkey in the oven!” He opens up the oven, grabs the turkey, and throws it out the door. “You want the bird?” he hollers, “Go out in the alley and eat the bird!”
A Day for Thanks on Walton’s Mountain (1982) – The Walton household has begun to go their separate ways, and Elizabeth takes action to see them all reunited to celebrate Thanksgiving. Based on the Emmy-award winning TV series.
Hoboken Chicken Emergency (1984) - Mr. and Mrs. Bobowicz ask their son to pick up a bird for Thanksgiving dinner, and he brings home a 266-pound live chicken named Henrietta. Based on the novel by Daniel M. Pinkwater.
Molly's Pilgrim (1985) - A Russian Jewish immigrant girl is given a class assignment to create a doll based on a Thanksgiving character. She makes a Russian immigrant doll because Russian Jews are Pilgrims too, having come to America for religious freedom. Based on the book “Molly's Pilgrim,” by Barbara Cohen.
Avalon (1990, PG) – A family drama spanning several generations, from the arrival of immigrant Sam Krichinsky to a suburb of Baltimore, down through his children and grandchildren. The Thanksgiving holiday plays a crucial role throughout the film.
Squanto: A Warrior's Tale (1994, PG) – Disney version of the classic Thanksgiving story of Squanto, a young Indian warrior who befriended the Plymouth Pilgrims, as told from his perspective.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) – This is technically a Christmas movie, but it’s a great way to kick off the holiday season since it starts out with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Homemade Family Videos
Thanksgiving is a good opportunity to gather the family together to make a video as a gift to send to faraway relatives and friends. You can write an original script in which everyone has a part, or just follow people around like in reality TV. Another option would be to have a talent show in which one person sings, another recites a poem, etc. You might even dress up in costume. It’s a fun and easy way to spend quality family time while sharing the holidays with distant relatives. If you can, edit the footage on your computer, burn it onto a DVD, and design a personalized label for it. Be sure to mail the DVD in a padded envelope so it won’t get broken. You might also want to have a home video party starring your family. We never laugh so hard as when we’re watching our own movies!
Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11 to honor all who have served in the armed forces, particularly during wartime. Most of these men and women are ordinary people who do not expect to achieve fame or reap huge rewards from military service. Their motives are simple – love of country, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve our nation in times of crisis.
In the words of Frederic Remington, “Soldiers, like other men, found more hard work than glory in their calling.” Over the years, military personnel deployed around the globe have had to endure many hardships. Nevertheless, wherever and whenever our soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen are called to duty, they do not hesitate to go.
George Orwell once stated, “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” Freedom is never free. It depends on the vigilance of those brave patriots who have been safeguarding our liberties ever since the American Revolution, in both peacetime and wartime.
Patriotic Pins
It’s a tradition to honor brave soldiers with medals, pins, and ribbons. You can make some colorful pins for awarding to cherished veterans in appreciation for their sacrifices, dedication, and service. Make one for yourself, too, and wear it on your shirt for Veterans Day. You will need: large safety pins, colored beads (red, white, blue), thin yellow ribbon, white glue, waxed paper, scissors. Directions: Thread a pattern of red, white, and blue colored beads onto the pin side of a large safety pin. Glue the beads onto the pin. Let them dry on waxed paper. Tie a little yellow ribbon onto the other arm of each pin, so that when you are wearing it the beads are on top and the ribbon hangs down. The yellow ribbon is a remembrance for prisoners of war, soldiers missing in action, and all military men and women who are far away from home.
Veterans Day Activities
Attend a Veterans Day ceremony or other presentation. Many veterans are able to relate personal stories of what defending liberty really means. This is an opportunity for children to experience living history. Make cards, cookies, etc. to give to the veterans. Shake their hand and say “Thank you for keeping our country and our family safe.”
Display some old fashioned patriotism and fly the American flag with gratitude and pride. Wear red, white, and blue. Sing patriotic songs. Visit the NationalMemorialCemetery, a veteran’s memorial, or attend a Veterans Day parade.
Do some research to find out about your relatives and ancestors who served in the armed forces. Read a wartime historical novel or a history book about war. Watch a movie such as “Gettysburg” or “Gods and Generals.”
Send notes or cards to hospitalized veterans or those living in veteran homes. Make cards, placemats, bookmarks, or other appropriate gifts for distribution at a veteran’s hospital. Donate to veterans organizations such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans.
Support our troops. Families, groups, and individuals can do their part by participating in a patriotic service project to show soldiers how much we appreciate them. You can send a letter, e-mail, care package, or Christmas card to a soldier overseas. Many military units are living in primitive conditions in Iraq and your gift may be all they receive this Christmas. The following websites offer specific ways in which you can help:
www.loc.gov/vets (The Veterans History Project from the Library of Congress relies on volunteers to collect and preserve first-hand accounts of 20th-century wars and current conflicts.)
www.legion.org (The American Legion provides information on veterans issues, Veterans Day e-cards, sample speeches, flag FAQ's, and more.)
www.va.gov/vetsday/index.cfm (Veteran's Day history, customs, observances, symbols, patriotic fact sheets, links, teacher's guide, school resources, a play, and a kid's page from the Department of Veteran's Affairs.)
The coyote is a member of the dog family. Coyotes have coats of tan and gray fur, bushy black-tipped tails, pointed ears and noses. A fully grown coyote is almost four feet long, weighing between 20-30 pounds. Coyotes are fast runners. The coyote’s original habitat was the Great Plains, but its range has expanded from the prairies to include southwest deserts, mountain forests and even urban environments. The coyote has become the most well adapted and widespread mammal in the United States.
Coyotes are mostly solitary, although they sometimes travel in a group called a pack. The coyote stays with a single mate for life. Coyote pups are born in the spring. The father delivers food to the den entrance, which may be a burrow underground, in a hill of dirt, or a hollow tree. By autumn the young leave to find food and territories of their own. Coyotes mainly eat small animals such as rabbits, squirrels, and rodents of all kinds. They help to control rats and other crop-destroying pests. Coyotes will also eat birds, fish, insects, dead animals, berries, and whatever else they can find.
The coyote’s best known trait is its distinctive cry of one long mournful howl, which has become identified as the song of the American West. However, as anyone who has heard their evening “concert” will tell you, coyote calls can also consist of a series of howls and sharp barks, a sequence of high-pitched yips and yelps, as well as a combination of huffs, growls, shrieks, squeals, wails, whines and whimpers. Sometimes the coyote vocalizations sound eerie and disturbing, while other times they are quite beautiful.
Primarily nocturnal, coyotes are commonly heard between sunset and sunrise, especially at dusk. They are also more active in the spring and fall. If more than one coyote is in the same vicinity, the howling of one triggers that of the others. Two coyotes howling in unison can create the illusion of a dozen or more. They have strong voices, and humans can hear their howl up to ten miles away. But the coyote’s howl can be deceiving due to the way the sound carries. It may seem as though it’s coming from one direction, when the coyote is actually somewhere else. The coyote’s call may also sound closer or farther away than it really is.
Coyotes are common figures in American Indian myths and legends. The coyote’s personality traits include cleverness, mischievousness, and trickiness, although in some stories he is the butt of jokes, in a few stories he actually proves to be helpful (or even heroic), and on the rare occasion he represents evil. The coyote also appears in “just so stories” that attempt to explain natural animal characteristics, such as why rabbits have long ears.
Roadrunner vs. Coyote
This is a fun game for inline skaters to play. You will need a whistle, chalk, inline skates, and safety gear (helmet, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads). On a smooth flat surface, draw a long chalk line to represent the edge of a cliff. Skaters take turns going as fast as they can toward the line. When you blow the whistle, they have to stop. If they can do so before going over the cliff, they are the Roadrunner. If they go over, they are the Coyote. As the skaters get better at stopping, blow the whistle closer and closer to the line.
Books
“Coyote: A Trickster Tale from the American Southwest,” by Gerald McDermott.
“Borreguita and the Coyote,” by Verna Aardema and Petra Mathers.
“The Tale of Rabbit and Coyote,” by Tony Johnston.
“Coyote Goes Walking,” by Tom Pohrt.
“Coyote Places the Stars,” by Harriet Peck Taylor.
Throughout history, people have understood a basic sense of kindness and consideration. Courteous manners are always appreciated. Proper behavior is suitable for everyone regardless of age, income, or situation in life. Good character never goes out of style.
Probably the best example of polite society was typified by the Regency Period in England. Officially spanning the years from 1811 to 1820, this was the time following the American and French Revolutions, and occurring before the Victorian Age. Everyone dressed in the best of taste, and strict codes of etiquette and conduct were followed.
The works of Jane Austen are wonderfully accurate views into the life and times of the Regency era. Writing about a society that she knew well, and often using real people as models for her characters, Austen provides a complete picture of the ways of English gentlefolk.
Jane Austen (1775-1817) was the youngest in her family. Jane never married but she was interested in everything and everybody. She had a quick mind and colorful imagination. Austen makes commonplace everyday events interesting through rich description, well-developed characters, and sparkling wit.
Books
Jane Austen wrote six novels: “Pride and Prejudice,” “Persuasion,” “Northanger Abbey,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Emma,” and “MansfieldPark.” While all of her books are classics, “Pride and Prejudice” is one of the most famous novels in the English language. It tells the story of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and literature’s best-loved heroine, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Mr. Darcy is filled with pride and Lizzy is blinded by prejudice. Upon overcoming these faults, they discover their mutual attraction.
Movies
There are some excellent film versions of Jane Austen’s books. My favorite is “Pride and Prejudice,” the six-part miniseries produced by the BBC and A&E in 1996. It is the most faithful adaptation of the characters and plot, and it is the most authentic representation of the period, costumes, language and mannerisms. With its gorgeous scenery and superb acting, one can watch this film over and over again without tiring of it. It’s not just a chick flick, either. “Pride and Prejudice” is my husband’s favorite book (after “The Lord of the Rings”) and surprisingly, even our pre-teen and teenage sons became enthralled as the movie unfolded. I like the way it demonstrates how men should treat women with respect.
The 2005 movie adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” starring Keira Knightley is also faithful to Jane Austen’s vision, but in a completely different way. Director Joe Wright said, “I tried to find the cinematic equivalent for Jane Austen’s prose.” As a result, this movie concentrates on visual imagery. At only two hours in length, the plot moves too quickly and you don’t really get to care about the characters. Also, Mr. Darcy didn’t seem arrogant enough and Mr. Bennet was a most uninspired performance by Donald Sutherland.
Did You Know…? A Scottsdale-based organization called We Make History seeks to provide wholesome interactive social opportunities for couples and families that are conducive to character development and polishing one’s manners. In particular, We Make History is dedicated to keeping alive the elegant tradition of the Grand Ball, complete with its atmosphere of gentility and civility. These balls provide an environment where a level of grace and respect are expected and exercised at a much higher level than the current culture. We Make History holds several historic balls every year. Find out more at www.wemakehistory.com .
Make a Silhouette (A Popular Regency Pastime) - Hang a large piece of white paper on the wall in a dark room. Have someone sit sideways in front of the paper. Shine a bright desk lamp at the person to create a shadow of their profile on the paper. The closer you set the lamp to the person, the smaller and more defined the silhouette will be. Draw an outline of the person’s head, neck, and shoulders.
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror...” ~Franklin D. Roosevelt
Halloween brings up scary images of ghosts, skeletons, monsters, and haunted houses. Spooky as they are, however, these things often aren’t as frightening as some of the everyday phobias that terrify people throughout their lives.
“Phobia” means an unreasonable, irrational, or exaggerated fear that occurs when no real danger exists. A person who has a phobia is petrified by what is just an ordinary object or basically harmless situation. One of the best-known phobias is claustrophobia, the fear of small enclosed places (such as elevators). Other common phobias include the fear of flying, heights, crowds, water, bridges, spiders, snakes, mice, cats and dogs.
Almost everyone has gone through a period in which they have a fear of lightning, thunder, being alone or in the dark. Most childhood fears are eventually outgrown, whereas phobias generally continue into adulthood. Phobias can result from a specific incident that happened at an early age. Others are passed from a phobic parent to a child who develops a similar fear. People who are naturally nervous are more susceptible to phobias.
The scientific names of phobias are taken from the Greek language:
Acrophobia- heights
Aerophobia- flying
Agoraphobia- open spaces or public places
Ailurophobia- cats
Apiphobia- bees
Arachnophobia- spiders
Autophobia- being alone
Bogyphobia- goblins
Brontophobia- thunder
Claustrophobia- enclosed spaces
Cyberphobia- computers
Cynophobia- dogs
Gephyrophobia- bridges
Hemaphobia- blood
Hippophobia- horses
Hydrophobia- water
Keraunophobia- lightning
Mathemaphobia- math
Microphobia- germs
Musophobia- mice
Nychtophobia- darkness
Ophidiophobia- snakes
Panophobia- everything
Pathophobia- disease
Phasmophobia- ghosts
Phobophobia- fear itself
Phonophobia- noise
Socialphobia- people, crowds, social gatherings
Telephonophobia- telephones
Xenophobia- foreigners and strangers
Zoophobia- animals
While some of the above phobias may seem silly, they can cause severe anxiety for anyone who suffers from that phobia. Phobic persons will go to extreme lengths to avoid the thing that causes their distress, even though directly confronting the fear may be the best way to get over it. The following books will help put your fears in perspective.
“The Pop-Up Book of Phobias,”by Gary Greenberg. (The paper engineering of these pop-ups will amaze you. Each page is designed to make you experience for yourself how it feels to have the depicted phobias. Even if you say you don’t have any fears of your own, there’s bound to be at least one page that will spook you. Although it may be a little too much for young children and sensitive adults – especially those with phobic tendencies – everyone else will think this book is a blast.)
“What Was I Scared Of?” by Dr. Seuss. (It’s creepy when you see the pair of pale green pants with nobody inside them. But when you look at the situation from a different point of view, it’s not so scary after all. The colors and classic Seussian illustrations set the spooky mood, and the silly rhyming text makes this a good book to read aloud.)
“Go Away, Big Green Monster!” by Ed Emberley. (Boldly colored diecut pages reveal increasingly scary features of a big green monster - eyes, nose, hair, mouth, etc. - until the monster is fully unmasked. “You don't scare me!” reads the caption. Keep turning the pages and, one by one, the scary features disappear– and so does the monster.)
Make a Scary Spider Web Card – You will need blue construction paper, a white crayon, black crayon or marker, and a metallic gel pen if you have one. Fold a piece of blue construction paper in half to make a card. Using the white crayon, draw a spider web on the front. (Start by making a large asterisk * in the center of the page and then draw lines to fill in the strands of the web.) On the inside, make a white dotted line coming down from the top of the page. Draw a black spider hanging at the end of the line. With the metallic gel pen, put two tiny dots for eyes on the spider. Write “BOO” or another message underneath.
Would you like to plan a different kind of Halloween party this year? How about having a Halloween Read-Aloud? It’s the perfect time to tell some frightening and suspenseful tales. Invite all of your bookish friends, dress up as creepy literary characters, and share scary stories in the dark. You can ask everyone to bring along their favorite spooky story, poem, urban legend, or excerpt from a longer novel. The original greatest scares and terrors of all time can be found in classic literature. They might even write their own.
Putting on a Halloween theatrical show can also be fun, especially if you dress up in costume. For example, you can act out a scary scene from a Shakespearean drama. Many of his plays are brimming with dark castles, ghosts, witches, fairies, supernatural omens, dastardly deeds, the stuff of dreams and nightmares. A few good choices would be “Hamlet,” “Macbeth,” and “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Another possibility would be to do a reader’s theater rendition of the “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast script.
Although it’s not a good idea to let children spend too much time dwelling on scary stories and frightening images, let’s face it – kids love to get scared. Consider the campfire tale that is designed to both frighten and delight, as the kids scare themselves again and again. Besides being entertaining, scary stories can actually help children face their own fears and master them. Note: Please exercise care when reading scary stories to young children. Read the story yourself first, to determine if it is appropriate.
Anthologies
“A Halloween Reader: Poems, Stories, and Plays from Halloweens Past,” by Lesley Pratt Bannatyne.
“Grimm’s Fairy Tales,” by Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm.
“Scared Silly: A Halloween Book for the Brave,” by Marc Brown.
“Scary Stories,” by Peter Glassman and Barry Moser.
“Scary Stories and Songs,” by Diane Goode.
“Tales of Terror,” by Edgar Allan Poe.
Novels
“Dracula,” by Bram Stoker.
“Frankenstein,” by Mary Shelley.
“The Halloween Tree,” by Ray Bradbury.
“Hound of the Baskervilles,” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
“Something Wicked This Way Comes,” by Ray Bradbury.
Short Stories
“A Ghost Story,” by Mark Twain.
“Feathertop: A Moralized Legend,” by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
“Ken's Mystery,” aka "The Grave of Ethelind Fionguala," by Julian Hawthorne.
“The Canterville Ghost,” by Oscar Wilde.
“The Child That Went With the Fairies,” by J.S. Le Fanu.
“The Devil and Tom Walker” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” by WashingtonIrving.
“The Monkey’s Paw,” by W.W. Jacobs.
Plays
“Hamlet, “Macbeth,” and “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” by William Shakespeare.
“War of the Worlds” 1938 Radio Broadcast, by the Mercury Theatre.
Poems
“The Bat,” by Theodore Roethke.
“The Old Wife and the Ghost,” by James Reeves.
“The Raven,” by Edgar Allan Poe.
“The Ride-by-Nights” and “Someone,” by Walter de la Mare.
“The Witch of Willowby Wood,” by Rowena Bennett.
“The Witches Song,” by William Shakespeare.
“Who’s Afraid,” by L. Frank Baum.
Picture Books and Easy Readers
“A Beastly Story,” by Bill Martin and Steven Kellogg.
“Bony-Legs,” by Joanna Cole.
“Boo! Stories to Make You Jump,” by Laura Cecil.
“Go Away, Big Green Monster!” by Ed Emberley.
“Inside a House That Is Haunted,” by Alyssa Satin Capucilli and Tedd Arnold.
“Monster Night at Grandma's House,” by Richard Peck and Don Freeman.
“The Ghost on Saturday Night,” by Sid Fleischman.
“The Ghost-Eye Tree,” by Bill Martin.
“The Teeny Tiny Woman,” by Paul Galdone.
“What Was I Scared Of?” by Dr. Seuss.
Reading some spooky books? Make a Creepy Snake Bookmark to hold your place. You will need an ice cream stick with wide ends (found in Haagen-Dazs bars); tempura paint or permanent marker (black, green, or orange); a 1" piece of thin red ribbon; scissors; glue; and a pair of wiggle eyes. Paint the ice cream stick and let it dry. At one end of the ribbon, cut out a tiny triangle to form a forked tongue. Glue the two wiggle eyes onto one end of the ice cream stick. Glue the ribbon to the underside of that same end so the forked tongue is sticking out.
Do you like nature and science, or history and culture? Are you a student doing research for a term paper, a teacher looking for new and exciting ideas for this year’s curriculum, or a parent looking for something fun to do with your family?
With nearly four hundred National Parks across the country, the possibilities are endless. 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.
The goal of the National Park Service is to preserve, protect, and share America’s heritage, natural wonders, and the legacies of this land. National parks provide plentiful opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, photography, wildlife watching, etc. However, they are more than just interesting recreational areas. They can be considered the greatest classroom in the world, the largest scientific laboratory, as well as a living history textbook. Within the parks there are museums, exhibits, and guides that illustrate, explain, and interpret what visitors are seeing.
A superintendent is in charge of each national park. National parks hire naturalists, foresters, biologists, ecologists, geologists, archeologists and historians to study the park lands. They also employ natural resource managers, landscape architects, land planners and engineers. Park rangers and guides help people explore and enjoy the parks. Rangers also protect the wild animals and plants while enforcing the park rules.
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 VisitorCenter.
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.
Groups of children sometimes work with the National Park Service and other agencies to clean up vacant lots and make neighborhood recreation areas. Perhaps you and your friends could start a similar project in your neighborhood. You won’t be making a national park, but you would be helping your community.
At home you can make your own a collection of natural treasures such as: seashells, rocks, crystals, geodes, leaves, pinecones, seeds, twigs, etc. Keep them in a shoe box and examine these miniature wonders using a magnifying glass.
Additional Resources
"The Little Park," by Dale Fife. (Neighborhood children find a way to save the last vacant lot in town as a wildlife preserve.)
www.nps.gov/learn(Curriculum and field trip planning, activities and games, a guide to the Web Ranger program, and other educational media created by the NPS.)
While crisp fall weather and colorful foliage aren’t the first things that come to mind here in the desert, that’s exactly what you’ll find in Arizona’s high country. A good time to view fall foliage in Arizona is from early to mid-October. On the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, changing leaves can herald autumn’s arrival as early as mid-September. The drive through Oak CreekCanyon is absolutely beautiful during fall foliage season, and Oak Creek’s popular West Fork trail is an easy walk for everyone from toddlers to seniors. There are plenty of other pockets of fall color around the state, too – in the White Mountains, around Globe, and in the “SkyIslands” of southern Arizona, for example.
Trees shut down their systems for winter just like hibernating animals do. Food nutrients move slowly out of the leaves and into the tree’s branches, trunk and roots to prepare for freezing temperatures. As the green chlorophyll pigmentation disappears, various other hues such as yellow and orange become visible. A combination of warm, sunny days and cool but not freezing nights are ideal conditions for producing spectacular fall colors. The colors and their timing varies from one location to another depending on the combination of light and shade the tree receives. Moisture and chemicals contained in the leaves also affect the brilliance of autumn colors. As the leaves dry out, they fall or are blown by the wind onto the ground. They help protect grasses and other plants by holding in warmth and moisture through the winter.
Autumn Activities
Leaf Mobile - Make your own fall leaves! Glue different colorful fabrics to both sides of several pieces of heavy paper. Cut leaf shapes from this. Put a string on each leaf. Tie the leaves to a small branch. Hang it where the leaves will flutter in a breeze.
Aluminum Foil Leaves - Set out square pieces of aluminum foil and a variety of leaves. Place a leaf under a piece of foil. Gently press and rub the foil with your hand to get a leaf print. Glue each leaf print onto a piece of construction paper.
Leaf Rubbings - Place a variety of leaves (underside up to show the veins) under a piece of plain white paper. Using the sides of crayons (with the paper coverings peeled off), make rubbings of the leaves.
Pressed Leaves - Collect some colorful fall leaves. Place them between two sheets of paper and set a heavy book on top. After the leaves have dried, use to make a fall leaf book or decoration.
Waxed Leaves - Collect some colorful fall leaves. Arrange them on a sheet of wax paper, and cover with another sheet of wax paper. Adults: Put a sheet of newspaper on top and using an iron on the wool setting, gently iron the two pieces of wax paper together. After ironing, you can cut around the individual leaves or attach the entire collage to a hanger of some kind and hang or tape the leaves in your window.
Nature Collage - Go on a fall nature walk and pick up items that have fallen off trees (leaves, twigs, nuts, pinecones, pine needles, etc.). Arrange your findings in a shoebox, create a collage, or make a fall wreath.
Autumn Leaf Snacks – If you have a leaf-shaped cookie cutter, you can make leaves from yellow, red and orange gelatin or leaf cookies decorated with red, orange, yellow and brown frosting.
Books
“Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic,” by Steven Schnur.
“Every Autumn Comes the Bear,” by Jim Arnosky.
“I Am a Leaf,” by Jean Marzollo.
“Look What I Did With a Leaf!” by Morteza E. Sohi.
In one-room schoolhouses, children of all ages and grades were taught in a single room by one teacher. Schoolteachers were required to give instruction in “the three R’s” (reading, writing, and arithmetic) as well as English grammar, orthography (spelling), geography and history. The teacher couldn’t teach all eight grades at once, of course, so he or she would teach one group of children while the rest of the students worked independently on assignments that were posted on the blackboard.
In the early days, young girls often started teaching as soon as they received their 8th grade certificate at age 15 or 16, so they weren’t much older than the pupils. Some male schoolmasters were former soldiers unable to do farm work because of a war wound or disability. The teacher’s school day was ten hours long. A teacher’s duties included stoking the fire in the potbellied stove, filling kerosene lamps, cleaning the classroom, and disciplining the students. Schoolteachers had to be strict to keep order in the classroom. Students who misbehaved were told to sit in the corner, or for greater offences the teacher gave them a “licking” with a rod or paddle.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, schoolteachers led rather restricted lives. They boarded with local families or in a “teacherage” next to the school. (You can see a real teacherage and schoolhouse at PioneerArizonaLivingHistoryMuseum.) The teachers were supposed to set an example of good moral character for their students. Thus, teachers were expected to avoid engaging in any conduct that might cause anyone to suspect their intention, integrity, or honesty. Their personal lives were closely watched by the community and any activity or behavior that was deemed inappropriate - including marriage - provided grounds for dismissal.
When teachers were not in school, they were supposed to spend their time reading the Bible or other good books. They could not be seen in pool halls, saloons, or ice cream shops. The use of alcohol or tobacco in any form was forbidden. Male teachers could take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings if they went to church regularly. Female teachers were not allowed to keep company with men, and had to be home between the hours of 8:00 pm and 6:00 am unless they were attending a church or school function.
There was a bride shortage in the ArizonaTerritory, however, so young schoolmarms frequently left their posts to get married. The resulting teacher shortage led to the founding of the TerritorialNormal School at Tempe in 1886, which later became ArizonaStateUniversity. Its main purpose was training hundreds of young people to become teachers. By the turn of the century, most teachers were receiving some type of formal training.
Check out one or more of the following resources to learn what it was like to be a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse.
“These Happy Golden Years,” by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
“My Great-Aunt Arizona,” by Gloria Houston.
“The SecretSchool,” by Avi.
“The Year of Miss Agnes,” by Kirkpatrick Hill.
“My Face to the Wind: The Diary of Sarah Jane Price, a Prairie Teacher,” by Jim Murphy.
“Ghost Girl: A Blue RidgeMountain Story,” by Delia Ray.
“The Teacher’s Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts,” by Richard Peck.
See also: “Not One Less,” a wonderful movie about a 13-year-old girl who teaches in a one-room schoolhouse in a remote Chinese village while the regular teacher is gone.
Make a Writing Slate - You will need an 8x12 piece of plywood or craft wood, sandpaper, a cloth rag, masking tape, newspaper, and blackboard-finish spray paint. Sand all surfaces of the wood, especially the edges. Wipe off any sawdust with the rag. Use masking tape to make a border around the edges of the wood. Place the board on some newspapers. Lightly spray paint the wood. Allowing it to dry between coats, add more paint as needed. Remove the masking tape. You can write on your slate with chalk and erase with a felt eraser.
One-room schoolhouses were common throughout the United States from 1750 to 1950, most noticeably during their heyday in the late 1800’s. In these schools, children of all ages and grades were taught in a single room by one teacher. The total number of boys and girls would be anywhere from two to sixty, with grade levels ranging from first to eighth. The schoolteacher couldn’t teach all eight grades at once, of course, so he or she would teach one group of children while the rest of the students worked independently on assignments that were posted on the blackboard.
The materials used in one-room schools were minimal. Behind the teacher’s desk up front would be a large blackboard, alphabet chart, globe, and shelves. The Bible, a dictionary, and a hymnal were the main books used besides early textbooks such as “The New England Primer,” Webster’s “Blue-Backed Speller,” “McGuffey’s Readers,” and “Ray’s Arithmetic.” Listening, repetitive drills, memorization, recitation, reading aloud and copying were the most common means of learning “the three R’s.” Students had wooden paddles called horn books on which were inscribed the alphabet, numbers, and Bible verses for easy reference. The students wrote on small slate boards or in homemade copy books using quill pens dipped in inkwells.
Students either walked or rode horses to school, bringing their lunches in small tin pails. They sometimes helped out with school chores like bringing in wood. A bell signaled the beginning of class. The morning routine consisted of raising the American flag, singing a patriotic song or a hymn, and reading from the Bible. Students copied proverbs from “Poor Richard’s Almanac”and copied math problems from the blackboard. The morning sessions ended with exercises on cursive writing and penmanship. After lunch, there was a reading by the teacher, followed by drills in English grammar and studies of world geography and history. Spelling rounded out the day’s lessons and weekly spelling bees added some excitement.
The one-room schoolhouse was the focal point of many small communities, where town meetings, social events, and church services were also held. As populations increased and school buses made longer distances possible, large centralized schools with separate classes for each grade level were built beginning in the 1920’s. By the 1950’s, most one-room schools were abandoned. The majority of one-room schoolhouses have since been torn down, left in a state of decay, converted to other uses, or maintained as museums. However, one-room schoolhouses are still used in some small towns and rural villages, primarily for elementary education.
Arizona one-room schoolhouses that are open to the public include: the oldest standing schoolhouse in Strawberry, the replica Little Adobe Schoolhouse at the MesaSouthwestMuseum, the historic Tubac schoolhouse, and the restored schoolhouse at Pioneer Arizona. Also at PioneerLivingHistoryMuseum is the teacherage, an original structure which was the home for the teacher who taught at the schoolhouse.
Make a Copybook - Take several sheets of white paper and fold them in half. Get a sheet of colored construction paper and fold it around the outside for a cover. Using a large-eyed needle and heavy thread or yarn, sew the cover to the paper along the crease. Decorate the cover. Inside, write down Scriptures, proverbs, quotes, poems, literary passages, etc.
Books
“CoyoteSchool News,” by Joan Sandin.
“Going to School In Pioneer Times,” by Kerry Graves.
“Me and My One-Room Schoolhouse”, by Rita Carney.
“My Great-Aunt Arizona,” by Gloria Houston.
“On the Banks of Plum Creek” and “These Happy Golden Years,” by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
“One RoomSchool,” by Laurence P. Pringle.
“One-RoomSchool,” by Raymond Bial.
“PrairieSchool,” by Lois Lenski.
“The One-Room Schoolhouse: A Tribute to a Beloved National Icon,” by Paul Rocheleau.
“Under One Roof: A Traveler’s Guide to America’s One-Room Schoolhouse Museums,” by Grace S. Schoerner.
“We, the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish the Constitution of the United States of America.” ~The Preamble to the Constitution
Do you sometimes hear people speak of their constitutional rights? Have you ever read about the Supreme Court ruling a law as unconstitutional? Abraham Lincoln said, “Study the constitution! Let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in the legislatures, and enforced by the courts of justice.” Constitution Week is September 17-23. This is a good time for learning about the principles upon which our country was founded.
In May of 1787, fifty-five delegates from thirteen states gathered at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. America had just won its independence from England. The states were working together under a loose agreement called the Articles of Confederation, but the Founding Fathers decided to create a Constitution that would be the basis of our federal government. George Washington was chosen as president of the Constitutional Convention. Among the men who wrote the Constitution were Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.
The Constitution is the highest law of the land. The framers specifically stated in the body of the Constitution that its provisions supersede any other law. No act of government, no law passed by Congress, and no law in any city, state, or town can conflict with the Constitution. The framers of the Constitution did not want the government to have absolute power, however, so they limited the powers of the central government and left some powers to the states. Each of the branches of government checks and balances the others. To protect the people’s right to self-government, changes in the Constitution are limited by a strict set of guidelines.
The delegates signed the Constitution of the United States of America on September 17, 1787. The first ten amendments to the Constitution were adopted in 1791 to further public confidence in the government and prevent abuse of its powers. Called the Bill of Rights, they establish the basic freedoms of Americans and protect the rights of individual citizens. For example, the First Amendment guarantees the free exercise of religion, speech, and the press. The Second Amendment guarantees the right of the people to own and bear firearms.
Experts consider the Constitution of the United States to be one of the most remarkable documents in history. Written over 200 years ago, the Constitution still stands as a working model of cooperation and compromise. It incorporates the combined wisdom of some of the brightest minds in American history, who not only had a great love of their country but also had a beautiful command of the English language.
Daniel Webster said, “Miracles do not cluster. Hold on to the Constitution of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands—what has happened once in six thousand years may never happen again. Hold on to your Constitution, for if the American Constitution shall fail there will be anarchy throughout the world.”
Celebrate Constitution Week
Impress your friends by memorizing the Preamble to the Constitution. You can print out a page of hand motions to go along with it at www.nccs.net/constitution-week/preamble.pdf .
Watch the award-winning DVD, “A More Perfect Union: America Becomes a Nation” (1989, 112 min.), a gripping account of the Federal Convention of 1787.
Read “Shhh! We’re Writing the Constitution,” by Jean Fritz.
Get your community group, church, or civic club to sponsor the distribution of a pocket-sized Constitution. Hand them out to family, friends, schools, co-workers. Whitten Printers of Phoenix produces a Citizens’ Rule Book which contains the Constitution and Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, quotes by Founding Fathers, etc. It’s available for only $1.00 each or even less for quantity orders. Call (602)258-6406 or e-mail wprinters at qwest.net
One of my favorite characters in Pixar’s “The Incredibles” movie is Kari the babysitter. She really takes babysitting seriously, bringing along Mozart CDs for neurological stimulation and flash cards for cognitive development. Baby Jack-Jack, nonetheless, quickly proves to be her greatest challenge. While the Parrs are away, Kari leaves a series of messages on their answering machine:
“Mrs. Parr, it's me. Jack-Jack is fine, but weird things are happening… Jack-Jack's still fine, but I'm getting really weirded out! When are you coming back?... I'm not fine, Mrs. Parr! You need to call me. I need help, Mrs. Parr!” As we find out at the end of the movie, Jack-Jack can turn himself into a fireball, a lead weight, and a little devil, among other things. When Kari calls back again later she politely explains, “Sorry for freakin' out, but your baby has special needs.”
It can be a traumatic experience when parents are advised or observe that their child is developing in a way that is somehow different, although not necessarily inferior, to that of other children. “Special needs” is a general term referring to certain medical, mental, emotional, behavioral, or educational needs in a child that require extra attention and assistance. This includes a wide range of diagnoses, from genetic abnormalities and physical disabilities, to mental impairments or emotional disorders. Giftedness can also be considered a special need.
As with any child, raising a special needs child comes with its own set of frustrations and delights. Common problems these children encounter include: walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, learning, making decisions, getting along with others, taking care of themselves or doing simple everyday tasks. Everyone is an individual, however, and even if the child has a “label” attached to his or her special need, it does not mean that his or her particular needs will be exactly the same as others with the same condition. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and the child may have trouble in only one specific area or many different areas.
Dealing with a child who has special needs of any kind is challenging and requires a great deal of effort. But whether they have a rare genetic disorder or a common learning disability, it’s important to keep in mind that a special needs child is a child first and foremost. If the child is experiencing difficulties in certain areas, you can focus on the abilities he or she has, not what he or she can’t do. Try to make the child feel worthwhile and give him or her as many opportunities as possible to lead a fulfilling life, and you will significantly enhance the future of your special needs child.
"Whether we can walk or not, whether we can sing or not, whether we can create great works of art or simply manage play-dough, whether we can solve complicated mathematical equations or not, whether we can obtain our Ph.D., or merely complete vocational training, our value is still the same….Be certain that in the eyes of our Maker, we are equally precious and valuable." ~Author Unknown
Web Sites
www.nichcy.org (The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities is a referral center that provides information on disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals, with a special emphasis on birth to 22 years. This is the best website for general special needs information and is a good starting place for new parents of special needs children. It contains many Fact Sheets and papers that can be downloaded for free.)
www.ciccparenting.org/ChildhoodDisabilities.aspx (Types of Childhood Disabilities and Other Special Needs. Here you will find resources, practical and current information about a wide range of childhood disorders and special needs, carefully described and researched by the NationalDisseminationCenter for Children with Disabilities. Most of the information is available in both English and Spanish.)
www.fisher-price.com/us/special_needs (Fisher Price activities for helping your special needs child. Their recommendations for children with special needs emphasize play stages—not ages—because all children develop at different rates.)
http://letsplay.buffalo.edu (Play is how kids grow; it's what they do. All children need opportunities to discover and actively explore the world around them. However, for many young children with disabilities, play is often limited. The Let’s Play Project at the University of Buffalo, Center for Assistive Technology, provides tips on selecting toys for children with disabilities, and offers free downloadable resources.)
www.parentpals.com (Parent Pals Special Education Guide, a special education community where parents and professionals share information and offer support.)
www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/index.htmlx (FamilyVillage, a global community of disability-related information for persons with cognitive and other disabilities, for their families, and for those that provide services and support.)
www.specialneeds.com(An online book store that specializes in books, videos, DVDs and related items about disabilities and special needs.)
www.nathhan.com (National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network, equipping parents to confidently raise their children with special needs or disabilities.)
www.disabilityisnatural.com (Thought-provoking site on disabilities as a natural part of the human experience.)
www.frommyheart.org(Scroll down the left side to find poems about loving a special needs child. Includes Edna Massimilla’s beautiful poem, “Heaven’s Very Special Child,” a must-read for every special needs parent.)
Books
You Will Dream New Dreams, by Stanley D. Klein. (Inspiring personal stories by parents of children with disabilities: cerebral palsy, juvenile diabetes, autism, mental retardation, and a host of other life-altering chronic conditions and injuries. Their messages resound with courage, encouragement, and hope.)
“Parents' Complete Special Education Guide,” by Roger Pierangelo and Robert Jacoby. (Has the information necessary to survive and interpret the rules regarding the educational, social, vocational, and environmental needs of your disabled child, explaining each phase of the child's educational development, from early intervention through working with the special education process.)
There is only one way to get good grades, and that is by studying and applying yourself. Sincere motivation, along with some decent effort, will help you to do well in school. You can start developing good study habits by approaching your studies with a positive attitude and arranging your home environment to encourage learning. Here are some ideas that can help.
Have a specific area where you always study. Any good-sized desk or table will do as long as it is well-lit and has a comfortable chair. Your study space should be in a quiet spot that is shielded from the distractions of siblings, television, phone calls and other activity, but avoid sleep inducing places like beds. The kitchen table will work if family members agree to stay out of the room during study time. You might want to hang a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door.
Store paper, pencils, pens, pencil sharpener, eraser, dictionary, and other necessities near your study area. You can get your homework done easier and faster when everything is close at hand. But keep your study surface clean and clear because a cluttered, messy area is mentally distracting. Supplies and completed schoolwork can be tucked neatly inside closed cabinets or drawers, in a plastic storage box, or on a shelf. A bookcase encourages reading and studious behavior, a globe or wall map is an excellent accessory, and a computer is useful for research and writing reports.
When registering for classes, make sure that your goals and times are manageable so you can set up a realistic study schedule while balancing family, friends, and fun. Set aside a regular time for homework to be done each day and stick to it. If you can, do your homework as soon as you get home from school. Then when it’s out of the way, you can enjoy whatever free time you have left without having to think about getting started on your assignments. However, if clubs or other activities keep you busy in the afternoon or if you need to unwind from a stressful day, make sure to do your homework right after dinner to allow yourself enough time to finish it before you get too tired to concentrate.
To be efficient and effective in your studying, you need to know yourself and your style of learning. Some students prefer to tackle the hardest or least enjoyable task first. Others like to quickly get off to a good start with something simpler. Either way, having a routine will help you get your work done. A good rule of thumb is to plan on spending between 30-60 minutes per subject. Try to pace yourself to finish all of your work within that time period, keeping in mind that the subjects which come easy to you will take less time, leaving extra time for the more difficult ones.
Get your brain in gear by taking an active approach to studying. Take notes, highlight important points, write comments in the margins, make flashcards, draw diagrams, recite text aloud to yourself, rewrite lecture notes in your own words, look up difficult words in a dictionary, find places on a map, research additional information in reference books or on the internet, do the chapter review questions. Don’t just sit there passively reading while letting your mind wander and then forgetting everything you just read.
In general, you should concentrate on gathering meaning rather than merely memorizing facts. But it’s okay to use mnemonic tricks and techniques to help improve recall. One of the best ways to reinforce a concept in your own mind is to teach someone else. Start a study group. Choose friends that are motivated and interested in learning. When you have to miss a class, get notes and assignments from a good student. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have trouble understanding a concept. If you are really having difficulty, consider getting additional help from a teacher, parent, or tutor.
Use an assignment book or calendar to keep track of deadlines for term papers, projects, exams, performances, etc. Don’t forget to provide time in your daily or weekly study plan for those special reports and projects that are due at different times. If you don’t stagger your work on the long-range projects over a period of time, you will suddenly find yourself facing not only their completion, but also your usual amount of daily assignments - and probably an important test besides.
Studies show that the more you review the material, the better it is remembered and the easier it is to retrieve. So you should also plan some systematic review work a few times a week. Then everything you’ve learned will remain fresh and vivid in your mind, and you won’t have to do any last-minute cramming. By studying well and reviewing regularly, you will always be prepared for quizzes, tests, and exams. Relax and take them with confidence.
On essay exams, jot down a quick outline before you start writing. Multiple-choice questions require choosing the best answer, so make sure you read them all first. If part of a true-false statement is false, then all of it is false. When you can’t think of the right answer, don’t waste time wracking your brain. Skip it and come back to that problem later. In the meantime, another question may help jog your memory.
Every parent wants their child to learn and do well in school. Parents can help their children with homework when needed, but remember that your child only learns when he or she actually does the work. By checking over all homework and having your child correct any errors, you can turn the mistakes into positive learning opportunities. Reinforce “good” student behavior rather than punishing “bad” student behavior and encourage your child to always do their best.
It’s that time of year to stock up on school supplies. Get your kids involved in the planning process. Then go to the store as a family and let your children choose their own supplies from the wide variety of styles and themes that are available. This way they can express their individuality, and they will be more likely to enjoy using those items that they had a say in picking out. Although they won't be using every item on the first day of school, try to start your children off well-equipped.
Essential school supplies will vary depending on the type of curriculum and grade level. Many teachers will send home a list of classroom necessities. In general, however, if you have school-age children it’s a good idea to always have the following basic supplies on hand: dictionary, thesaurus, stapler, pencil sharpener, erasers, white-out correction fluid, stapler, scissors, paperclips, clear adhesive tape, masking tape, computer, printer, ink cartridges, paper.
Preschool to elementary students will need: pencils, crayons, pencil and crayon sharpener, eraser, washable markers, safety scissors, white glue, glue stick, colored construction paper, drawing paper, notebooks, pocket folders, lined penmanship paper, math manipulatives, chalk, lunch tote, and magazines with colorful pictures to cut out for collages.
Middle to High School will need: pens, mechanical pencils, colored pencils, fine-line markers, highlighters, ruler, scientific calculator, package of No. 2 pencils, graph paper, three-ring binders, spiral notebooks (one for each subject), lined loose-leaf paper, pocket folders, assignment book/appointment calendar, composition notebooks, journal, wristwatch, bookbag or backpack.
According to the National Retail Federation, the average family will spend $527.08 on school clothes and supplies this year, which is $83 over last year's average of $443.77, making back-to-school time the second-biggest shopping season after Christmas. The popularity of computer-related items and other electronic goods is one reason for the rise in spending. In past years, a calculator was the extent of technology needed for school. These days, computers, laptops, PDAs, MP3 players and cellphones are on many students’ must-have lists.
You might think your pre-teen child has outgrown the crayons, markers, and other art and craft supplies, but older children still do research projects, science fair entries, book reports, skits and plays that require visual presentations. You don’t want to find out that your supply closet is empty the night before a project is due, so keep some tag board, construction paper, glue, and colored markers in there, too.
Even those homeschoolers who are taught all year round will appreciate having a brand new set of school supplies when moving up to the next grade, so stock up now while the stores have everything on sale. The following is a list of basic homeschool supplies that our family found useful:
Teacher Plan Book Student Assignment Book Pencils Pens Erasers Ruler Yardstick Crayons
Colored Markers Colored Pencils Pencil Sharpener Correction Fluid Scissors Glue/Paste Masking Tape Clear Tape Paper Clips Stapler and Staples
Rubber Bands File Folders Storage Boxes/Filing Cabinet for materials & records Chalkboard or Markerboard Chalk or Dry Erase Markers Chalkboard Eraser or Washcloth Bulletin Board & Pins/Magnetic Board & Magnets Desk/Table, a chair and lamp WorldMap Globe U.S.A.Map State Map
U.S. Flag Dictionary
Thesaurus Calendar Clock Timer/Bell Thermometer Compass 3 x 5 Index Cards 3-Ring Binder (1 per child) 8 1/2 x 11" Notebook Paper Tabbed Dividers Gummed Hole Reinforcements Hole Punch Cassette Player Blank Cassette Tapes Piano/Keyboard Song Book Sketchbook/Journal Thick Black Marker Colored Highlighter Pens Art and Craft Supplies (paint, yarn, fabric scraps, paper towel rolls, etc.) Magazines and Catalogs (for cutting out pictures) Butcher Paper/Newsprint Construction Paper Cardboard
Poster Board Balls of different sizes Popsicle Sticks Small objects (for counting) Empty Food Boxes, etc. (for play store) Flashcards Hundred Chart Timeline Stickers/Rubber Stamps Graph Paper Tracing Paper Magnifying Glass Microscope Calculator Computer Encyclopedia Library Card
Backpack for each child (for schoolwork-on-the-go and outdoor field trips)
Smart Shopping
Are looking for ways to save money on back to school shopping? First, the most important thing is to make a list and stick to it, thus avoiding impulse purchases of things you don’t really need. Buy in bulk if you can, and only buy items that are on sale. Don’t feel that you have to buy everything new this year if some of last year’s items are still in good condition. Sell or trade used books for new books that you may need. Consider having kids help pay for certain items that they want. Give older kids a prepaid debit card with a set amount of money. They can be a great way to teach them how to budget and spend wisely when shopping for their own clothes and supplies.
Back-to-School-in-a-Box
Give your favorite student a personalized school kit in a reusable plastic storage box. Items to include (some are optional depending on the student's age): 1 pen, 2 pencils, a pencil eraser, portable pencil sharpener, 10 crayons, 3 different-colored highlighters, 1 black marker, safety scissors, a mini stapler, paperclips, mini phone/address book, memo pad, reinforcement rings, glue stick, ruler, small calculator, pocket dictionary, book mark, pocket tissue pack, package of antibacterial wipes, energy bar, a film canister with spare change, and a note of encouragement.
Make a Personalized Pencil Case
You will need: a potato chip canister with lid (Pringles brand), supplies to decorate it (colored construction paper, fancy wrapping paper, fabric scraps, Contact paper, stickers, paint, buttons, beads, etc.), and glue. Instructions: Wash out the can using soap and water; dry completely. Decorate the outside of the canister. You are only limited by the supplies you have and your own imagination. Be creative! (If desired, have an adult punch a hole on each side of the top of the can. Poke the ends of a ribbon or string through the holes; knot it on the inside to create a handle.)
Summer vacations are winding down and summertime will soon be coming to an end. It’s a good idea to take it easy during these last lazy days before the frenzy of back-to-school activities. Long summer evenings are a great time for the whole family to sit down and spend some time together. To celebrate the season, here is a list of family-friendly movies that will help you do that. Some of them have summer themes and others just evoke the feeling of a summer adventure.
The Adventures of Milo & Otis (1990, G) - Narrated by Dudley Moore, this enchanting movie from Japanese novelist and zoologist Masanori Hata stars a cat and a pug-nosed pup in one adventure after another: floating downriver in a box, riding on a sea turtle’s back, almost getting caught by a bear, falling into a pit, etc. Even the smallest child will be entranced by the visual parade of creatures including farm animals, a hedgehog, fox, deer, bear, snake, and seagulls.
The Black Stallion (1979, G) - This is a magnificent movie about a young boy and a wild black stallion. It has two distinct parts, which are so different that at first I remembered it as being two separate movies. The first part is about a boy and a horse shipwrecked on an island and how they develop a special bond of friendship. The second part is what happens after they are rescued. The movie is actually more like a cinematic mood piece due to its artistic visual emphasis and minimum of dialog.
Bug’s Life (1998, G) – On behalf of oppressed bugs everywhere, a misfit ant, trying to save his colony from grasshoppers, recruits a group of warrior bugs that turn out to be an inept circus troupe. This colorful computer-animated film is crawling with comical characters. All of the other Pixar movies (Toy Story I and II, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles) are wonderful family fare, too.
Breaking Away (1979, PG) – Director Peter Yates shot this Academy Award winning film during the summer in and around IndianaUniversity. The plot centers on four friends as they decide what to do with their lives now that they’re out of high school, and come September it culminates in an exciting bicycle race against the local college boys.
Pollyanna (2003) - The beloved children's book written by Eleanor H. Porter in 1913 is relocated from early-20th-century Vermont to the lush countryside of Edwardian England in this fine British production. Still, it is faithful to the original story and more focused on characterization than most movie adaptations. The young heroine, Polly, has a positive attitude that brightens the lives of all those around her, even in the face of adversity and tragedy. “I suppose it’s as easy to be happy about things as to not be,” says Polly.
The Secret Garden (1993, G) – An enchanting motion picture based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s timeless children’s classic in which Mary Lennox, her sickly cousin Colin, and a local boy named Dickon bring an abandoned garden back to life. The 1987 Hallmark Hall of Fame version is good, too.
The Sound of Music (1965, G) - This wholesome family film is probably the greatest musical of all time, filled with beautiful scenery, memorable songs, World War II history, a real-life love story, a courageous moral choice, a suspenseful climax, and a triumphant ending.
Summer Magic (1963, G) - Adapted from Kate Douglas Wiggin's 1911 book “Mother Carey's Chickens,” this Disney classic stars Hayley Mills as a teenage girl whose family moves from Boston to a rural town in Maine after the untimely passing of her father. Most of its running time is spent leisurely exploring the Carey family's adaptation to country life and development amidst simpler surroundings. These “adventures” may seem unremarkable, but you’re too absorbed in the characters and atmosphere to notice. With its scenes of croquet, girls in fluffy dresses, and gathering around the piano for a song, Summer Magic is a nostalgic look at an innocent time. The movie be a bit slow moving for modern audiences, especially younger children, but it goes down smooth and sweet like lemonade on a sunny afternoon.
Summer of the Monkeys (1998, G) – While the movie isn’t as good as the book by Wilson Rawls, it’s surprisingly good for a modern Disney movie. It even has references to Scripture and to God, with lessons on the consequences of sin and the rewards of selfless sacrifice. Full of action and adventure, conflict and humor, it can truly be enjoyed by both children and adults.
The Sandlot (1993, PG) - The adventure of a lifetime, the summer of their dreams, the dog of their nightmares. This story takes place in 1962 Southern California (the San Fernando Valley). Scotty, a new kid in town, is befriended by some of the neighborhood kids who invite him to play baseball. They have to avoid hitting home runs because “The Beast” lives on the other side of the fence. One day, Scotty brings a baseball from home, not realizing that it’s his stepdad’s ball signed by Babe Ruth. Scotty himself hits a home run over the fence, and the boys must figure out a way to get the ball back from the beast.
Treasure Island (1990) – Sail the high seas, battle the pirates, and live the adventure with young Jim Hawkins in this swashbuckling movie brimming with heart-pounding action and thrilling suspense. Charlton Heston stars as the infamous Long John Silver in what I think is the best version of “Treasure Island” made so far.
Watership Down (1978, PG) – An animated classic based on Richard Adams’ novel by the same name. It’s a combination fairy tale, survival adventure, and allegory of the human condition, centering on a band of refugee rabbits seeking a safe, new home in the English countryside.
In European folklore, gnomes are a race of beings characterized by their small, stocky stature (they are about three feet tall) and pointed conical hats. German fairy tales, including those by the Brothers Grimm, often picture the gnome as an old man living in a cave or mine with a store of hidden treasure. Gnomes are considered to be excellent gem cutters and metalworkers, fashioning jewelry out of precious minerals and metals.
Gnomes are related to goblins and dwarfs. They are peaceful creatures, although they do have trolls as enemies. Some say gnomes cannot stand sunlight because it turns them into stone, while others think they turn into toads. There are several different types of gnomes: Forest Gnomes, Garden Gnomes, Dune Gnomes, House Gnomes, and Farm Gnomes. All gnomes love animals, both wild and domesticated, except for cats. Many gnomes have magical powers and can make themselves invisible.
A medieval alchemist and scholar, Paracelsus, described gnomes as elemental spirits of the earth that live underground and move through the earth as easily as humans do on land. The word “gnome” comes from the Greek word “gnome” meaning “to know.” Gnomes supposedly hoard some secret knowledge along with their treasure.
Garden Gnomes
One of the most famous of lawn ornaments (along with plastic pink flamingoes), garden gnomes are a popular outdoor accessory. Gnome figurines can be found in lawns and gardens everywhere, to enhance their appearance and as a symbol of luck because gnomes are believed to be nighttime guardians of homes, farms, and gardens. The first gnome statuettes were originally made in Germany in the mid-1800's to decorate gardens and windowsills. From there, the garden gnome spread to England, France, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United States, and wherever gardening is a serious hobby.
The traditional garden gnome is a cheerful white-bearded old man with a pointy red cap and dressed in solid colors such as blue, red or green. Garden gnomes are made in various poses and pursuing different pastimes such as fishing or gardening. The modern garden gnome seems to be a peculiarly British obsession. They even have a garden gnome museum and sanctuary. Nevertheless, these once proud residents of grand Victorian estates are now generally considered to be kitsch, rightly banished to suburbia.
There are some gardens where the gnomes, rather than the plants, are the main focal point. Unfortunately, though, garden gnomes are often the target of pranks. Members of the international Garden Gnome Liberation Front have been known to “rescue” gnomes from their garden prisons and “return them to the wild.” There is also a traveling gnome prank in which kidnapped garden gnomes are sent on trips around the world. This became the basis for Travelocity’s “Roaming Gnome” ad campaign.
Garden gnomes appear in all of Nick Park’s movies: Wallace and Gromit’s “A Grand Day Out,” “The Wrong Trousers,” “A Close Shave,” and “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” as well as “Chicken Run.” As Mr. Tweedy says, “So it’s gnomes now, is it?” Watch the movies and see if you can find them all.
Books
“Gnomes,” by Wil Huygen and Rien Poortvliet. (Originally published in the Netherlands, this is a charming introduction to the world of the gnomes for the young at heart. Huygen is a Dutch physician and the late Poortvliet was one of Holland's favorite illustrators. In page after page of detailed illustrations, this book covers everything about gnomes including their anatomy, physiology, medicine, transportation, marriage and family life, types of gnomes, where they live, favorite foods, what sorts of pets they have, how they care for animals, etc. Looking at the adorable cutaway illustration of the house and imagining the gnomes in the midst of their daily activities makes one feel like a kid again.)
“Gnome Life,” by Hugh Huygen. (Inspired by the classic “Gnomes,” this delightful picture book has illustrations taken from that volume. Arranged in calendar order from January to December, the book reveals the everyday activities and adventures of a gnome family. Whether feeding hungry animals in the snow, guarding baby birds from predators, riding on the backs of ducks to tend a sick human child, or storing food for winter, the lives of gnomes are full of wonder.)
“The World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves and Other Little People,” by Thomas Keightley. (This book was originally published in 1880 so it only has a few black and white illustrations. However, it is a rich source of folklore, superstitions, and mythology surrounding the “little people” that influenced great works of English literature and fantasy authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and George MacDonald.)
“Gnomes,” by Vivian Russell. (Full-color photographs of real garden gnomes in a wide variety of settings and poses – digging in the dirt, mowing the lawn, pushing a wheelbarrow, swinging in a swing, sunbathing on a lily pad, sitting on a toadstool, riding a snail and a motocross bike. There is a gnome chess set, and a gnome with a laptop and cell phone. It’s interesting to see how each gnome has a unique facial expression and personality. The book contains an introduction that gives a brief history of both real and imaginary gnomes.)
“Wee Little Garden Gnome,” by Alison Trulock and Jesse LeDoux. (A cute miniature gnome comes with a pocket-sized book of essential gnome information. This would make a great gift for anyone who likes gnomes.)
“Gnome Away from Home,” by Andrews McMeel Publishing. (Celebrate the roaming gnome with a mini traveling gnome figurine and a booklet of gnome travel tips, travel lore, and gnome history. A fun and quirky gift for gnome lovers and travelers.)
www.freethegnomes.com (Free the Gnomes, a satirical protest of the oppressive treatment of garden gnomes.)
www.garden-gnomes-need-homes.com (Garden gnomes need homes - adopt a garden gnome today. Includes a history and additional information about garden gnomes.)
“I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.” This popular song hit the number three spot on the record charts in 1928, reflecting the passion that Americans have always had for this delicious frozen treat. Most of us have fond memories of eating ice cream at special occasions such as birthday parties, ice cream socials, or at the old-fashioned ice cream parlor.
There are several different kinds of “iced cream.” Ice cream is rich, smooth and creamy. Gelato is thick and dense, containing less air than ice cream. Sherbet is usually fruit flavored and made with light cream or milk. Frozen yogurt is made with yogurt rather than milk or cream. Sorbet consists of pureed fruit or fruit juices and no milk. Ice is a sorbet with a more granular texture.
The earliest written record of a frozen confection comes from ancient China. Iced desserts were served in the wealthiest households and courts of Italy, England, France, and Spain. In Europe, sorbets and gelato are still popular today. Sherbet can be found all around the world, even in places like Africa and Indonesia.
Ice cream came to America from Europe. The first ice cream parlor opened in New York City in 1776. Dolly Madison, the wife of President James Madison, popularized ice cream in 1812 by serving a dessert of frozen cream, sugar and fruit at the White House. In 1843, a New Jersey homemaker named Nancy Johnson invented a hand-cranked ice cream churn. From 1847 to 1877, more than 70 ice cream churn improvements were patented.
In 1851, the first commercial ice cream plant opened in Baltimore, run by Jacob Fussell of Virginia. Fussell is now known as the father of the American ice cream industry. He used ice chips and an underground storage area to keep his ice cream cool and fresh. Beginning in the early 1900's, dry ice was used to keep ice cream cold. With the introduction of mechanical refrigeration, the treat became easily distributable and profitable. In the 1920’s, ice cream began being mass-produced.
The ice cream shop or soda fountain has since become an icon of American culture. By the end of the 20th century, many brands and flavors of ice cream were being marketed on a large scale in supermarkets and franchised parlors. Popular ice cream brands such as Breyers and Dreyers contain more sweeteners and added flavorings. Even with all of the prepackaged ice cream varieties sold these days, homemade ice cream has not lost any of its appeal. Electric and hand-cranked machines make homemade ice cream a fun project for the whole family.
Did You Know…?
Water normally freezes at 32° F, while a salt solution freezes at a lower temperature. The more salt there is in a solution, the lower its freezing point. This means that when salt is added to ice, it causes the ice to melt. When salt is used in making ice cream, the melting ice pulls heat out of the ice cream mixture. This results in the mixture freezing more rapidly at a cooler temperature than is possible with ice alone. (Salt water is also a good weed killer. So if you make any ice cream, don't pour the leftover water on your mom’s favorite plant!)
Make Your Own Ice Cream
Here are some easy ice cream recipes that you can make without an ice cream machine.
Ice Cream in a Bag
Place in a small Ziploc bag (heavy duty freezer-type) and "zip" closed: 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 cup milk or half & half, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. Place in a gallon-size Ziploc bag and "zip" closed: 6 tablespoons rock salt or table salt, the filled and zipped small bag, and ice cubes to fill bag about 3/4 full. Wearing oven mitts to keep your hands from freezing, roll and squeeze the filled bag for about 15-20 minutes until frozen. Open the outer bag, remove the inner bag and wipe it clean. Enjoy eating the ice cream right out of the bag. Makes 1 serving.
Fresh Fruit Ice Cream
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk) 1 cup pureed or mashed fruit (strawberries, raspberries, peaches, bananas, blueberries) 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 cups (1 pint) whipping cream, whipped (not non-dairy whipped topping)
In a large bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and vanilla; stir in 1 cup pureed or mashed fruit. Fold in 2 cups (1 pint) whipping cream, whipped. Pour into 9x5-inch loaf pan or 2-quart container. Cover and freeze 6 hours or until firm. Makes about 1 ½ quarts.
Ice Cream Pizza
To make this deep-dish ice cream pie, spread vanilla ice cream (or your favorite flavor) in a prepared graham cracker pie crust. Top with cherries, sliced bananas, coconut, cookie crumbs, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, M&M's, crushed peppermint candy, etc. Cover with marshmallow crème or chocolate fudge. Keep in freezer until ready to eat.
Reference Books
“Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla: A History of American Ice Cream,” by Anne Funderburg.
“Ice Cream: the Whole Scoop,” by Gail Demerow.
“The Great American Ice Cream Book,” by Paul Dickson.
Picture Books
“Curious George Goes to an Ice Cream Shop,” by Margaret and H. A. Rey.
“Ice Cream Larry,” by Daniel Pinkwater.
“Let's Find Out About Ice Cream,” by Mary Ebeltoft Reid.
Web Sites
www.foodsci.uoguelph.ca/dairyedu/icecream.html(Ice cream history, folklore, production and consumption data, mix ingredients, flavorings, chemistry, shelf-life, homemade ice cream, lesson plan and experiment.)
The official seal of the State of Arizona contains the motto “Ditat Deus,” meaning “God Enriches.” This is certainly true in regard to Arizona’s abundance of mineral resources. Rocks and minerals give the Southwest landscape its color, texture, and shape. Arizona is like a geologic wonderland filled with a wide variety of rock formations and mineral treasures.
Minerals are inorganic substances made of one or more chemical elements. Minerals exhibit many differences in form, color, and other properties. Metal ores, such as gold and silver, are minerals. Crystalline substances, like salt and quartz, are minerals. Gem stones, highly prized for their beauty, are a special subgroup of minerals. Minerals are the building blocks of rocks.
Rocks are composed of either one mineral or a combination of minerals. Igneous rocks are formed by volcanic activity, such as when molten magma cools and hardens, either underground (resulting in coarse grains) or on the surface (producing fine grains). Sedimentary rocks are made from sediments and small pieces of rocks, sand, or shells. Metamorphic rocks are created when existing rocks are reshaped and transformed by extreme heat and great pressure.
Minerals
Agate- A striped, banded, or variegated semiprecious form of quartz. Petrified wood is usually an agatized wood.
Amethyst- A crystalline type of quartz colored purple by manganese.
Calcite- Calcite is a common mineral made of calcium. Pure calcite is white but crystals may be clear. It often forms around springs and in caves.
Chalcedony- A smooth frosty white or gray translucent form of quartz that fills cracks, lines cavities, and forms crusts.
Chert- A brittle form of quartz that has sharp edges, used for making arrowheads. Opaque brown, yellow, or gray in color. Black chert is called flint.
Copper- May be found in its native metallic form or in greenish ores such as chrysocolla, malachite and azurite.
Feldspar- A pale pink mineral commonly found in granite.
Fluorite- Calcium fluoride occuring as glassy purple or yellow chunks or crystals, either cube-shaped or eight-sided.
Galena- A mineral that contains lead and forms cube-shaped crystals.
Gold- A precious metal, often associated with veins of quartz.
Gypsum- Calcium sulfate occurs naturally in soft white layers, or in rounded shapes called “desert roses.”
Hematite- Iron ore, dense and colored dark red or dark gray.
Jasper- A pretty, opaque quartz usually colored red or reddish brown.
Magnetite- A grayish black iron ore that is naturally magnetic and can be picked up easily with a magnet. Lodestone is a form of magnetite.
Manganese- Dark purple or steel gray, may have fern-like patterns (dendrites), gives amethyst its purple color.
Mica- A colorless or black silicate mineral that comes in thin, flexible sheets. Found in granite and other igneous rocks, it also forms in metamorphic rocks.
Pyrite- A metallic mineral made of iron and sulfur, brassy yellow in color and forming cubic crystals, also known as fool’s gold.
Olivine- An olive green mineral common in igneous rocks.
Quartz- The most common mineral, a form of silica. It is clear or colored and may or may not have crystals. Quartz can be milky, smoky, or rosy in appearance. Other types of quartz include: amethyst, tiger eye, agate, jasper, flint, chert, chalcedony.
Silver- A precious metal, often associated with ores of lead and zinc.
Tiger Eye- A type of quartz that has mineral fibers trapped inside.
Turquoise- A semiprecious gem made of copper and aluminum phosphate.
Igneous Rocks
Andesite- A fine-grained medium gray rock, intermediate between rhyolite and basalt.
Basalt- The most common volcanic lava rock. Fine-grained, dark brown or greenish black. In arid regions, exposed surfaces get a white limy encrustation.
Diorite- Medium-grained rock with a salt and pepper appearance.
Gabbro- A dark gray or greenish coarse-grained rock similar to granite. It is also sometimes called diabase.
Granite- A common coarse-grained speckled rock of various light colors. It mainly contains minerals of quartz, feldspar, and mica.
Obsidian- Volcanic glass, usually shiny and black.
Porphyry- A fine-grained basalt matrix embedded with larger minerals.
Pumice- A highly porous lightweight lava rock that floats.
Rhyolite- A fine-grained light-colored gray or pink rock.
Vesicular Basalt- Basalt containing holes that were once gas bubbles. Sometimes these holes become filled with calcite.
Sedimentary Rocks
Conglomerate- Rounded pebbles of various sizes stuck in a cement of hardened clay, silica, calcium carbonate, or iron oxide.
Breccia- A type of conglomerate consisting of angular stone fragments.
Limestone- Consists mainly of calcium carbonate or calcite. Chalk is a finely compacted form of limestone.
Sandstone- A rock made of quartz sand grains held together by silica, lime, or iron oxide.
Shale- A fine-grained rock made of hardened clay or layers of mud.
Siltstone- A fine-grained rock made of sand grains mixed with clay.
Metamorphic Rocks
Gneiss- A coarse-grained rock that looks like granite with a banded appearance.
Marble- A hard limestone, pure white or in varied patterns.
Quartzite- Dense sandstone with quartz grains tightly compacted.
Schist- Sparkly rocks with grains of flaky minerals such as mica.
Slate- A hard shale that splits easily into smooth, flat sheets.
