Music and Culture

It’s never too early or too late to help your child develop the skills for academic success. Learn how to build these skills and stay on track all year long.

• Make a checklist of things your child needs to bring to and from school every day. Put a copy by the door at home and one in his backpack. Try to check with him each day to see if he remembers the items on the list.
• Find out how your child keeps track of his homework and how he organizes his notebooks. Then work together to develop a system he will want to use.
• Shop with your child for tools that will help him stay organized, such as binders, folders or an assignment book.

• Track assignments on a monthly calendar. Work backward from the due date of larger assignments and break them into nightly tasks.
• Help your child record how much time she spends on homework each week so she can figure out how to divide this time into manageable chunks.
• Together, designate a time for nightly homework and help your child stick to this schedule.
• If evenings aren’t enough, help your child find other times for schoolwork, such as early mornings, study halls or weekends.

• Ask your child to write down all the things he needs to do, including non-school-related activities.
• Ask him to label each task from 1 to 3, with 1 being most important.
• Ask about each task, so that you understand your child’s priorities. If he labels all his social activities as 1, then you know where his attention is focused.
• Help your child change some of the labels to better prioritize for academic success. Then suggest he rewrite the list so all the 1s are at the top.
• Check in frequently to see how the list is evolving and how your child is prioritizing new tasks.

• Turn off access to email and games when your child works on the computer.
• Declare the phone and TV off-limits during homework time.
• Find space that fits the assignment. If your child is working on a science project, she may need lots of space; if she’s studying for a Spanish test, she will need a well-lit desk.
• Help your child concentrate during homework time by separating her from her siblings.

• Link school lessons to your child’s life. If he’s learning percentages, ask him to figure out the price of a discounted item next time you shop.
• Link your child’s interests to academics. If he’s passionate about music, give him books about musicians and show how music and foreign languages are connected.
• Give your child control and choices. With guidance, let him determine his study hours, organizing system or school project topics.
• Encourage your child to share his expertise. Regularly ask him about what he’s learning in school.
• Congratulate your child, encourage him and celebrate all his successes.

This article was taken from greatschools.net

Materials Needed:
Triangle Shaped Flat Coffee Filters
Colored Paper - Any Color
Rubber Stamps or Markers/Crayons
Glue Stick
Scissors
Watercolor Paints and brush

Directions:
Purchase the triangle shaped flat filters in the coffee section. Stack two filters together and cut the side with the opening in the shape of a butterfly wing.

Place the coffee filters on paper towels in the shape of the butterfly and have the kids use watercolors to paint the wings. Have the kids practice symmetry by painting the same shapes and colors on both wings.

While the coffee filters are drying, have the kids cut out of colored paper a butterfly body - a long oval, a circle or heart shaped head, and two antennas.

Set the pieces to the side and select a large sheet of colored paper. Use rubber stamps or markers or crayons to color leaves and flowers on your background paper.

Time to put it all together. Once the filters are dry, arrange them on the colored paper background and glue the filters onto the paper and then proceed to glue the body and the rest of the pieces onto the top of the filters. Draw some cute eyes and a mouth to complete your picture.

Don’t forget . . .  sign your name when you complete your masterpiece!

Melody Smith - Artist & Owner of Blackbird Music & Art Center -
Queen Creek, Arizona
http://www.blackbirdcenter.com/

Melody is originally from California and received her Art Degree from California State University of Northridge. She spent the majority of her career as an Art Director and a Designer for a variety of corporations. Her freelance work includes Art Directing the L.A. Marathon, work with Mercedes Benz, the LA Philharmonic and everything in between from restaurant designs to high tech gear to high end car products for H2 Hummer, Miata, PT Cruiser and more. Her design work allowed her to travel throughout the United States and Europe which further enhanced her career in art. While being skilled in computer graphics, Melody is also a fine artist who likes to work in Watercolors, Acrylics, Oil Pastels and Colored Pencils. She insists that her career in computer graphics was only possible by learning the core basics of art, including drawing, painting and color theory. Without that knowledge, and expereince, it would have been very difficult. In the last 4 years, Melody received her teaching credentials in Art for grades K-12 and has taught every grade level as well as art for Special Needs children. Melody always tells her students that learning art is much like learning an instrument. You are not born being a rockin’ guitar player, it takes practice and so does art! Even if you don’t like art, Melody will figure out what your best medium is and explore your hidden talents. You can make art a successful career or a wonderful hobby that will last throughout your lifetime!

Since so many of the local kiddos are heading back to school this coming week, or started last week, we thought it would be important to share these bike safety tips. We know a lot of children ride their bikes to school and hope you find this information helpful!

Helmet Basics

Bicycle helmet use should not be optional for anyone in your family, no matter where you are or how short the ride. In many states it’s the law.

Here’s why: Most bike accidents involve a head injury, so a crash could mean permanent brain damage or death for someone who doesn’t wear one while riding. In fact, each year in the United States, about half a million kids are seriously injured in bicycle-related accidents, and most of those injuries could have been avoided if a helmet was worn.

• Here are some things to keep in mind when buying a helmet:
• Pick bright colors that are visible to drivers and other cyclists.
• Look for a helmet that’s well ventilated.
• Make sure that the helmet has a CPSC or Snell sticker inside. These indicate that the helmet meets standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the Snell Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit group that tests helmet safety.
• Make sure your child’s helmet fits correctly and can be adjusted.

Safe Clothing

What kids wear when riding a bike is also very important for safety:

• Fluorescent or bright-colored clothes will help kids be visible on the road. (Avoid dark clothes, especially during early dusk and twilight hours.)
• Lightweight clothes will help them avoid becoming overheated.
• Pant legs shouldn’t be too loose-fitting or flared. These can get caught up in the chain while riding.
• If your child wears a backpack while riding, make sure the straps are tied up and can’t get tangled in the spokes of the wheels.
• Choose shoes that grip the bike’s pedals. Cleats, shoes with heels, or flip-flops can all create problems while riding. Kids should never ride barefoot!

Rules of the Road for Bike Riding

Here are some must-know safety tips to teach kids:

• Stop at all stop signs and obey traffic lights just as cars do. Yield to pedestrians, stop at red lights, and be especially careful at intersections.
• Always ride in the same direction as cars do. Never ride against traffic.
• Try to use bike lanes or designated bike routes whenever you can — not the sidewalk!
• Never ride at dusk or in the dark.
• Always stop and check for traffic in both directions when leaving a driveway, an alley, or a curb.
• Watch traffic closely for turning cars or cars leaving driveways.
• Don’t ride too close to parked cars — doors can open suddenly.
• Always walk a bike across busy intersections using the crosswalk and following traffic signals.
• When riding in a group, always ride single file on the street.
• When passing other bikers or people on the street, always pass to their left and call out “On your left!” so they’ll watch for you.
• Never share the seat with a friend or ride on the handlebars — only one person should be on a bike at a time. It’s easy to lose balance or suddenly swerve into traffic when riding with a passenger.
• Never wear headphones while biking — it’s essential to hear everyone else on the road at all times.
• Never stand up while riding a bike.
• Never hitch a ride on a moving vehicle.
• Never change directions or lanes without first looking behind you, and always use the correct hand signals. Use your left arm for all hand signals:

Left turn: After checking behind you, hold your arm straight out to the left and ride forward slowly.

Stop: After checking behind you, bend your elbow, pointing your arm downward in an upside down “L” shape and come to a stop.

Right turn: After checking behind you, bend your elbow, holding your arm up in an “L” shape, and ride forward slowly. Or, hold your right arm straight out from your side.

Bike Maintenance

Check your child’s bike at least once each season to keep it safe and well-maintained.

Be sure to check:

• tires — inflate to the pressure that’s recommended on the sidewall of the tire
• chain — oil it regularly and remove dirt
• handlebars — adjust for height as your child grows and tighten all bolts
• brakes — check for frayed cables and replace worn-out brake pads
• seat — keep the seat level and adjust for height as needed

This post was taken from KidsHealth.org
Reviewed by: Kate Cronan, MD
Date reviewed: May 2007
Originally reviewed by: Barbara P. Homeier, MD