The federal government has just developed a new food group pyramid based on the premise that one size does not fit all. The different width colors indicate which items you need more in your diet. If you go to mypyramid.com you will find that you can click on the different colors to find out daily dietary requirements for your age group. The site even helps you plan your preschooler’s or child’s menus. For clearer understanding information is presented by using cups and ounces as a way of measuring.
Being physically active helps you maintain weight, reduces stress and in general helps you feel better. To lose weight, however, the calories taken in have to be less than those expended. Most dieters are helped when they start tracking their caloric intake, becoming aware of what they are eating. I was pleasantly surprised when reviewing this site to find that it was filled with a great deal of useful information.
Monday, September 14, 2009
What Do You Do if You Find a Baby Bird?
According to a New York Times writer C.Claiborne Ray, you should not do anything, for often people’s good intentions kill the bird. If your baby bird is de-feathered look for the nest and return it. Your odor will not keep the parents away. A feathered bird probably just jumped out of the nest.
Sometimes if no one is around, the parent bird will still feed the fledgling on the ground. Feathered birds can be put on a branch or returned to the nest. When the nest has fallen and broken, put it in a box and strap it to the tree. If you have found a hurt bird then put it in a small covered box and visit a veterinarian or call the Wildlife International Rehabilitation Council Web site. Feeding a baby bird at home may mean giving formula food every 30 minutes for a month. This is not an easy task. I’ve tried it and failed.
Sometimes if no one is around, the parent bird will still feed the fledgling on the ground. Feathered birds can be put on a branch or returned to the nest. When the nest has fallen and broken, put it in a box and strap it to the tree. If you have found a hurt bird then put it in a small covered box and visit a veterinarian or call the Wildlife International Rehabilitation Council Web site. Feeding a baby bird at home may mean giving formula food every 30 minutes for a month. This is not an easy task. I’ve tried it and failed.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
A Case for a History Sleuth
In the New Reformers (1844) Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “We are students of words: we are shut up in schools and colleges and recitation rooms for ten or fifteen years and come out at last with a bag of wind, a memory of words and we do not know a thing.”
The complaint continues about our schools today and is especially true for history classes. Studying history through lectures or memorization is a history killer for most children. What happened hundreds of years ago may not have much relevance to a 10 or 15 year old? We all come from the past and are influenced by our ancestors so history is an important course of study for good citizenship. History provides human understanding of the past, moral contemplation that tests our values today, and a sense of identity. Let’s explore how we can understand the past better than by lectures and readings?
How can we teach history in a way that is useful and fascinating? Primitive people used to teach tribal history through oral presentations around the fireplace. At time these tales would be animated by figures in masks or by dancers. Good story tellers were in demand and commanded great respect. Troubadours in the middle ages would write and sing about the past and tell tales of news from afar.
Human beings are story-telling animals. One teaching method that utilizes this attribute is known as the case method. Cases are stories with a message. They give an opportunity for the learner to become a participating detective, helping to unravel the past. Cases educate as well as entertain and offer an opportunity to observe, interact with, and understand human nature.
Solving a case leads to understanding the facts, not the other way around. Case study methods involve an in-depth examination of a single event. Just as a good forensic expert has developed a sleuth like strategy to solve a crime, case system participants are involved in collecting data, analyzing information, and reporting results. In other words a real-life context is the background for the historical inquiry with a resultant story to tell.
Ever wonder about the background of the signers of our constitution? Wouldn’t this subject make a great case to solve? Young researchers could ask: Were they religious? Well educated? Family men? What were their professions? Were they wealthy or poor? Most interesting….what happened to the founders later in life because of their involvement with the constitution? (Did you know that that some were considered traitors? Some became bankrupt. Others had their homes ransacked?) The case may even question the price of freedom?
One interesting case was inspired by a questioning student who noticed that while walking through city streets she sometimes saw black spots of gum ground into the pavement while at other times she noticed the spots were white. The professor asked her to research the subject and she wound up studying over1000 years of history, tracing the root of bubble gum to Africa, Greece, Native American Indians, and the Mayans. Not only did she learn history, but she became knowledgeable in the science of gum, and its commercial development.
There are lots of themes that could help develop our next generation of history buffs. Being a detective and uncovering stories creates mystery, intrigue, and is lots of fun.
In 2009-10 Museum Tour Catalog look for the Bill of Rights Game. You will find that it is a great way to explore questions about the edge of our political rights. The game leads you to ask many difficult questions such as - Should a student have the right to wear a t-shirt to school saying that gays are unnatural when there is a body of evidence showing no biological differences? Is the student’s free speech right more important than the harm being done to the gay student? Is it up to the school to decide what is worn on t-shirts?
By renaming the question, getting away from memorizing facts, and appealing to different learning styles the case method draws in curious learners to want to know more.
The complaint continues about our schools today and is especially true for history classes. Studying history through lectures or memorization is a history killer for most children. What happened hundreds of years ago may not have much relevance to a 10 or 15 year old? We all come from the past and are influenced by our ancestors so history is an important course of study for good citizenship. History provides human understanding of the past, moral contemplation that tests our values today, and a sense of identity. Let’s explore how we can understand the past better than by lectures and readings?
How can we teach history in a way that is useful and fascinating? Primitive people used to teach tribal history through oral presentations around the fireplace. At time these tales would be animated by figures in masks or by dancers. Good story tellers were in demand and commanded great respect. Troubadours in the middle ages would write and sing about the past and tell tales of news from afar.
Human beings are story-telling animals. One teaching method that utilizes this attribute is known as the case method. Cases are stories with a message. They give an opportunity for the learner to become a participating detective, helping to unravel the past. Cases educate as well as entertain and offer an opportunity to observe, interact with, and understand human nature.
Solving a case leads to understanding the facts, not the other way around. Case study methods involve an in-depth examination of a single event. Just as a good forensic expert has developed a sleuth like strategy to solve a crime, case system participants are involved in collecting data, analyzing information, and reporting results. In other words a real-life context is the background for the historical inquiry with a resultant story to tell.
Ever wonder about the background of the signers of our constitution? Wouldn’t this subject make a great case to solve? Young researchers could ask: Were they religious? Well educated? Family men? What were their professions? Were they wealthy or poor? Most interesting….what happened to the founders later in life because of their involvement with the constitution? (Did you know that that some were considered traitors? Some became bankrupt. Others had their homes ransacked?) The case may even question the price of freedom?
One interesting case was inspired by a questioning student who noticed that while walking through city streets she sometimes saw black spots of gum ground into the pavement while at other times she noticed the spots were white. The professor asked her to research the subject and she wound up studying over1000 years of history, tracing the root of bubble gum to Africa, Greece, Native American Indians, and the Mayans. Not only did she learn history, but she became knowledgeable in the science of gum, and its commercial development.
There are lots of themes that could help develop our next generation of history buffs. Being a detective and uncovering stories creates mystery, intrigue, and is lots of fun.
In 2009-10 Museum Tour Catalog look for the Bill of Rights Game. You will find that it is a great way to explore questions about the edge of our political rights. The game leads you to ask many difficult questions such as - Should a student have the right to wear a t-shirt to school saying that gays are unnatural when there is a body of evidence showing no biological differences? Is the student’s free speech right more important than the harm being done to the gay student? Is it up to the school to decide what is worn on t-shirts?
By renaming the question, getting away from memorizing facts, and appealing to different learning styles the case method draws in curious learners to want to know more.
Looking for an inexpensive way to have fun?
As a past director of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry I know first hand what a valuable resource they are. Walking through exhibit halls stimulates your imagination and provides a platform for family discussion. Docents leading tours in history and art museums help provide more in depth information than you might get on your own. Science centers with their hands-on activities, OMNIMAX theaters and Planetarium are enriching and involving.
Museums also offer lectures that are usually free, depending on the speaker and museum. The speakers are advanced in the field and share from personal experience about a specific topic to give you a different perspective. Workshops are also good if you’re looking for something to do with the little ones over the weekend. If you can not afford the visit, ask if thee is financial aide or a free day.
Museums also offer lectures that are usually free, depending on the speaker and museum. The speakers are advanced in the field and share from personal experience about a specific topic to give you a different perspective. Workshops are also good if you’re looking for something to do with the little ones over the weekend. If you can not afford the visit, ask if thee is financial aide or a free day.
Can You Homeschool Someone Else’s Child?
In most states home school laws require filing all pertinent forms and abiding by mandatory testing regulations. State requirements also allow home schooling families freedom to participate in educational co-ops, have private or group lessens, enjoy distant learning classes, and join in umbrella schools. The home school movement has blossomed in recent years and many unusual school-home relationships have developed. Some schools provide classroom teachers to oversee and assist the parents of their home schooled children. They may provide workbooks and even review the work being done. Many schools permit children to participate in music and gym classes even though the academic work is done at home. I know of schools that provide special gathering spot for those in their area who are home schooled, letting them use library books, and making them feel welcome. One district I know even provides the electronic dishes that permit distant learning in rural communities.
Get Ready for Tomorrow’s Jobs
A new report, released by the president’s Council of Economic Advisers, entitled “Preparing the Workers of Today for the Jobs of Tomorrow” says that there is only one theme that applies and that is “education, education, education.” The study looked at which part of the labor force that will grow between now and 2016 and found that health care, the education field, environment related jobs, and jobs requiring a post-secondary education will be needed most in our developing economy. The report argues that we have to improve the education system to meet these skill-based needs. Goals for improving the post-secondary education system include training programs for displaced workers, better financial access to educational programs, better guidance in course selection and degree planning, and working with employers to make sure educational programs equip students with the skills they will need on the job. A strong early childhood and elementary and secondary system forms the basis for post-high school education. So …let’s get with it!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Why the Interest in Archeology?
Archeology is the study of our human past, giving us a sense of historical continuity. Its rich subject matter is of great appeal to people who love solving mysteries. Archeologists use their knowledge of biology, botany, geology, chemistry, history, psychology and art to develop the story about how people lived. Since artifacts turn up in the strangest places, millions of people travel the world to experience these accountings by visiting wonders such as the abandoned Pueblos of the South West, the Easter Island Statues, or the Coliseum in Rome. The British Museum and our own Smithsonian Museums are among the many displaying magnificent relics from past eras.
Unlike other countries, it is legal in the United States to explore private land for artifacts as long as you have permission from the property owner. Metal detectors are often used to help spot a hidden coin, button, or jewelry. Some people are lucky enough to find an arrowhead or a revolutionary coin in their own backyard. Their find is a reminder that the land we call home once belonged to other people who used the property in a different way. Construction permits are often given only after there is proof that no hidden history remains on the site. When the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia wanted to build a new wing, they had to delay their work to give archeologists a chance to explore the site that was rich in historical artifacts.
Many countries have instituted looting laws that make it illegal to dig up artifacts and sell them. The Medici Conspiracy by Peter Watson tells a fascinating tale of intrigue and illegal sales to many well known national and international museums. Illegal looting, false provenance (proof of history), and alteration of the artifact itself fed into sales for both knowing and unwary purchasers. Buyer beware! There is an ongoing trial in Italy today involving Marion True, a former antiquities curator of the Getty, on charges of conspiring to acquire looted objects for the museum.
Recently archeologists found culprits involved in looting 11 graves at Fort Craig in New Mexico. Most noteworthy was finding a preserved Buffalo Soldier of the Civil War black brigade. Of the three culpable men, Alberts, a legitimate academic, participated because he wanted to be able to reference the finds in his writings and lectures. Lew Batsell, who mostly collected legal artifacts, got carried away with this illegal excavation when his drinking buddies plotted the dig on federal land. Batsell, who is repentant for his actions, considers himself a protector of the public interest and plans to donate his vast collection upon death. The third and master illegal gravedigger, Dee Brecheisen, never revealed his secrets and did not have a provision for donating his vast collection. Samir Patel, a senior editor for Archeology Magazine, in the March/April 2009 edition reports that Brecheisen went so far as to display the mummified remains of the Buffalo soldier which was found in a cardboard chicken feed barrel as a curio. Surprising for a Vietnam vet!
The amateur archeologist has lots of opportunity to participate as a volunteer in legitimate digs around the world. I’ve been involved with Earthwatch exploring Ancient Medieval Burial grounds in Poland. What an experience! The people I worked with were as fascinating as the dig, and the professors provided a rich background of the region that it would be hard to get from books.
If you are looking for adventure and travel or even want to test out a new career, you can find out about legitimate opportunities in the U.S. or abroad by going to the The Archaeological Institute of Americas.
To get your children interested in archeology go to www. museumtour.com and give them their own dig opportunity at home with Expedition the World Dig. Or, explore the world’s most famous archeological sites in our Archeology Internet-Linked book.
Unlike other countries, it is legal in the United States to explore private land for artifacts as long as you have permission from the property owner. Metal detectors are often used to help spot a hidden coin, button, or jewelry. Some people are lucky enough to find an arrowhead or a revolutionary coin in their own backyard. Their find is a reminder that the land we call home once belonged to other people who used the property in a different way. Construction permits are often given only after there is proof that no hidden history remains on the site. When the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia wanted to build a new wing, they had to delay their work to give archeologists a chance to explore the site that was rich in historical artifacts.
Many countries have instituted looting laws that make it illegal to dig up artifacts and sell them. The Medici Conspiracy by Peter Watson tells a fascinating tale of intrigue and illegal sales to many well known national and international museums. Illegal looting, false provenance (proof of history), and alteration of the artifact itself fed into sales for both knowing and unwary purchasers. Buyer beware! There is an ongoing trial in Italy today involving Marion True, a former antiquities curator of the Getty, on charges of conspiring to acquire looted objects for the museum.
Recently archeologists found culprits involved in looting 11 graves at Fort Craig in New Mexico. Most noteworthy was finding a preserved Buffalo Soldier of the Civil War black brigade. Of the three culpable men, Alberts, a legitimate academic, participated because he wanted to be able to reference the finds in his writings and lectures. Lew Batsell, who mostly collected legal artifacts, got carried away with this illegal excavation when his drinking buddies plotted the dig on federal land. Batsell, who is repentant for his actions, considers himself a protector of the public interest and plans to donate his vast collection upon death. The third and master illegal gravedigger, Dee Brecheisen, never revealed his secrets and did not have a provision for donating his vast collection. Samir Patel, a senior editor for Archeology Magazine, in the March/April 2009 edition reports that Brecheisen went so far as to display the mummified remains of the Buffalo soldier which was found in a cardboard chicken feed barrel as a curio. Surprising for a Vietnam vet!
The amateur archeologist has lots of opportunity to participate as a volunteer in legitimate digs around the world. I’ve been involved with Earthwatch exploring Ancient Medieval Burial grounds in Poland. What an experience! The people I worked with were as fascinating as the dig, and the professors provided a rich background of the region that it would be hard to get from books.
If you are looking for adventure and travel or even want to test out a new career, you can find out about legitimate opportunities in the U.S. or abroad by going to the The Archaeological Institute of Americas.
To get your children interested in archeology go to www. museumtour.com and give them their own dig opportunity at home with Expedition the World Dig. Or, explore the world’s most famous archeological sites in our Archeology Internet-Linked book.
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