Sherry Alexander's Blog, page 7

Kids: Swim safely this summer!

It's hot, and it seems the right thing to do is go swimming. While it is true that summer and swimming seem to go hand in hand, it is also true that approximately 2-3 kids under the age of 14 years old die from "unintentional drowning" each and every day. Accidental drowning can occur anywhere there is water. Rivers, streams, and lakes may have obstacles such as rocks, deep holes, and fast moving currents not far from shore. In the ocean, there is the surf, currents, and rip tides to worry about. So, how can you enjoy the pool, lake, river, or ocean without risking your life? Here are a few things that might help.
Know the area you are swimming in.  Look for hazard signs. Check to make sure you are in an approved swimming area. This is especially important in rivers and streams where rocks, drop offs, tree snags, and tons of broken fishing line and lures are seen.Never swim alone. Always have someone with you. They don't have to be in the water, but they do need to be able to see you and get help if something happens. If you are a beginner or inexperienced swimmer wear a life jacket. Life jackets or Personal Flotation Devices are designed to keep you afloat until rescuers can get to you. Did you know that it only takes 20 seconds for a child to drown and less than a minute for an adult? Many lakes, rivers, streams, and beaches offer the free use of life jackets. But if you are a Stylista, then buy one before you go swimming and glam it up.Take swimming lessons. All sorts of agencies offer them to all ages. Try the Red Cross, the YMCA, or a local Kids Club. In no time, you can become a "swimmer" instead of a non-swimmer.Swim where there are lifeguards and follow their direction. Lifeguards are there for your safety. Do not dive into the water headfirst or try back flips, belly flops, swan divers, etc. unless you check the depth of the water first and make sure there is nothing that could injure you. Each year, there are hundreds of kids who are taken to the emergency room because they either dived into too shallow water or hit their head on a rock. Try sliding in feet first to check it is safe before you dive.Do not drink alcohol, smoke pot, or take any other kid of drugs when swimming. You need to be aware of what is going on and be able to act fast if there is an obstacle. Anything that slows your response while swimming can be dangerous.If swimming in a lake, pond, river, stream, or even the ocean, stay away from water plants like algae and reeds. Tangling yourself in these plants is a real possibility.If in the ocean, and you are caught by a rip current, do not panic and do not fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of it, then swim to shore. If you don't think you can make it in by yourself, wave for help and try to float until you are either free of it or help arrives.Lastly, use plenty of sunscreen, drink lots of water, and have fun. 

Hippo Bottomless: A wonderful new book by children's author, Allyn M. Stotz

"Echo can't swim like his Hippo friends. All he does is splash, splash, splash as he sinks, sinks, sinks to the cold murky bottom.Can some friends he meets along the way help or is he destined to spend his life sinking to the bottom, bottom, bottom.?"
This new book my children's author, Allyn Stotz, is a heartwarming story about a baby Hippo named Echo who just can't get the hang of swimming. No matter how hard he tries, he just keeps sinking to the bottom. Anxious to join all the other Hippos, Echo reaches out to his animal friends, Ribbit, Quack, and Otto, for help. The trio tries to show Echo how easy it is, but he still sinks to the bottom. 
Sure he will never be able to swim like all the other Hippos, Echo is sad--but then he discovers something unique about Hippos. Want to know what that is? Then read the cutest children's picture book I have read in a long time--Hippo Bottomless. Allyn's story is delightfully engaging and the illustrations by Valerie Bouthyette add a colorful dimension that will make this one of your child's favorite books for years to come. Hippo Bottomless is available at Amazon or through Allyn at her blog. 
Be sure to check out Allyn's blog for her other wonderful books: The Pea in the Peanut Butter and Kailee Finds Magic in Words. 

The Encouraging Thunder Award!

When you think of thunder, what crosses your mind? A short rumble or a loud roar? For me it is a loud roar--one that can be heard for miles and is the announcement of bigger and better things to come (that is if you enjoy lightening--and I do). So imagine my surprise when I read the blog by my friend and fellow children's author, Allyn Stotz, and discovered that she was giving me the "Encouraging Thunder" Award.
From what I have learned about this award, it is given to encourage bloggers who try to keep their message loud and clear to be strong and to make their own thunder, so to speak.  When I started this blog it was to write what is right. It is still one of my goals which is why I write specifically to the kids, their parents, and to anyone who cares about children. But through time, I have added another goal, and that is to occasionally feature children's books by writers I admire. It is my hope that these books will inspire a child to read because reading is the way our kids can really secure their future.
There are no strings attached to this award other than to post it on your blog, and when the time comes share it with another blogger you admire. Allyn has been a source of inspiration for me. She has published three children's books so far, and is working on several more. Her mother and her sister are also authors. You can check her and her books out at Allyn Stotz. 

Intentional Mothers by Ms. Nancy Fertig

Image courtesy of www.clipartpanda.comThis year was a journey for both myself and my 10 year-old grand daughter. Her mom devoted herself to making sure she and her older sister had the best education possible, and that education was delivered through Class Link. Class Link is a shared partnership in education between three days a week of homeschool and two days a week of class room studies. 
While my daughter was an expert at this, I was not. There was so much to learn in order to make sure my grand daughter had the best education. My journey would have been in vain had it not been for her teacher, Mrs. Avery, and one of the most caring, most committed to home schooling, and the most dedicated woman to the idea that parents have a role in their child's education I have met--Mrs. Nancy Fertig. Nancy teaches parents how to partner with the school and become the educators their kids need. She is an outspoken advocate of a shared partnership between teachers and parents in education. This is her tribute to the "Intentional Mothers" who devote their time and energy to their families and their communities.
"Mothers are people who set their care on others, showing good will toward the ones the mothers are concerned about without expecting to be reimbursed with any form of currency. Mothers maintain their caring even when the object of their care and concern tries their patience. Mothers show the full spectrum of love in order to build up theobject of their concern, and thereby cause that object of their concern to achieve hi or her purpose. Mothers "mother" at great cost to themselves. Mothers "mother" within their family and their communities."
THANK YOU TO ALL INTENTIONAL MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS

My Teacher of the Year!

Everyone at some time in their life had a teacher who inspired and encouraged their progress. Mine was my high school science teacher, "Mr. K". He provided the platform for his students to think outside of the box, ask questions, and occasionally make their own solutions. I never thought I would come across another teacher like him until I met Mrs. Amy Avery.Mrs. Avery is my grand daughter's 4th grade teacher at River Homelink in Battle Ground. She has my grand daughter in her class two days a week. When we lost our daughter last summer, I was overwhelmed at the prospect of home schooling my grand daughter. I wasn't sure if I could do it, and my grand daughter wasn't sure either. 
Mrs. Avery was the one who stepped forward. She built me a lifesaving platform, encouraged me to think outside the box, let me ask all the questions I could think of, and helped me find solutions to all the problems that come with homeschooling a ten year old through 4th grade. For myself, my grand daughter, and my son-in-law, she has been fantastic. I know, being fantastic isn't that unusual for teachers, but there is more.
Mrs. Avery not only teaches 50 fourth graders four days a week (a Mon/Thurs and a Tues/Fri class), she also home schools her own three children--and her kids are just as amazing! 
What makes her even more special is her compassion, empathy, and kindness. She really cares about her students, their parents, and the learning journey. She personally motivates her students to do the best they can do, and when they try to slack off, she encourages them with a smile, several kind words, and a positive attitude that makes them feel that they can conquer the world. I know because I have seen it in my grand daughter. And, I know because she has done the same for me.
There may be no awards waiting in the wings, but there should be. Amy Avery is definitely my Teacher of the Year!

Is it a Case of Test Anxiety?

You've completed all your work for this semester, taken notes, studied until late at night, and arrived early to school for your final, so what's up with the sweaty hands, rapid heartbeat, and that "I'm going to puke!" feeling in the pit of your stomach? Sounds like you have a case of "TEST ANXIETY!"It's not unusual to feel a little nervous before a test especially a final exam. After all, this is where what you have learned throughout the semester is judged by how well you answer the questions presented. But if that little butterfly feeling in your belly causes you to freeze before you enter the room, maybe these tips will help.Get a good night sleep before the test. That means no staying up to midnight to cram for the exam. Rest your body and your brain.
Eat a good breakfast. Try to stay away from the sugar cereal, chocolate croissants, muffins, or the pancakes with syrup. Loading yourself with sugar or a lot of carbohydrates will not feed your brain. They may invigorate your for a few minutes or even an hour, but sooner or later they will make you feel sluggish and tired. Try eating a protein food like eggs or a protein shake. Your brain runs on protein, so give it hat it needs especially on test day.Expect to do well. You studied, right? You've prepared for this all semester. Your brain is full of facts, figures, dates, or what have you from all the assignments you've completed. If you are still feeling anxious, try closing your eyes and breathing slowly in and out through your nose until you feel your muscles start to relax. You can do this at your desk and in between testing times. 

Homework, Homework, and more Homework!

School is almost out, but there still is the problem of homework. No one likes it, and with soccer, baseball, football, and all the other sports beckoning your time, homework is the last thing you want to do. After all, it is work! Am I right? Unfortunately, there are only two choices when it comes to homework: ignore it and spend another year in the same grade; or, get busy, get it done, and move on.  Here are five things you might try to make these last days of school a little easier. ·         At school: When your teacher(s) give you an assignment or you still need to finish a project, don’t just toss the paper in your backpack. Put it into a simple folder marked “Homework”. Use the same one for all of your classes. This will keep all the work together and make it easier to find.·         At school: Put the homework folder in your backpack. Do not put it in your desk. How can you do it if it is at school? Then, TAKE IT HOME!·         At home: Give yourself a break. Your brain needs time to unwind and so do you. Go for a run, play a short game of ball, walk the dog, dance to a song or two, or anything that will get your body moving. This will make it easier for you to hit the books. And—no video games! For most of you, your brain had enough computer time at school.·         At home: Find a quiet place to study. That means no TV. Now I realize that some of you can actually study better with a little music in the background. So if you are one of those kids use it. Just try to keep it low so your thoughts don’t have to compete with the words of the song(s). ·         At home: Prioritize. Decide what absolutely has to be completed first, or which assignment is the most difficult, and move it to the head of the line. Keep the easiest assignment(s) for last when your brain is beginning to wear down.·         At home: Set a timer. Try not to spend more than an hour on your assignments before you take a 10-15 minute break. The timer is for the break. Train yourself to return to study when the timer goes off regardless of what you are doing when it does. ·         At home: If you assignments are piling up, or there’s something you don’t understand, ask for help. Talk to your parents or an older sibling. You might be surprised by how helpful they can be.
·         Finally: Don’t give up. School is your doorway to your future. It may seem dumb at times, but it is important. Homework is just a part of life, and it actually will help you discover one important fact—YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TOO! 

Kids: A New Book Just For You--THE EMERALD DRAGON

Are you searching for a new book that will spirit you away to a magical land? An adventure book that features a kidnapping by a DRAGON? Then you will want to check out The Emerald Dragon. It is the sequel to The Well Spring of Magic.Written by children's author, Jan Fields, this book is destined to be a favorite. Already available on Amazon, it is officially scheduled for release on May 1st. Want to know more? Here is something that will make you want to read more.
Rachel and her creative friends are heading back to the magical realm for a gift-giving party. But the realm magic has an unexpected effect on the gifts they made for the party, and they accidentally conjure up a dragon. When the dragon flies away with Kaida, it will take all of their gifts (and the help of some new friends) to find her and bring her home. 
Meet the Author, Ms. Jan Fields

Jan Fields is the author of dozens of books for children and adults, including many books in the popular Annie's Attic Mysteries series, the Annie's Quilted Mysteries series and the children's book series The Monster Hunters. Her short fiction and articles have appeared in a variety of magazine publications. She lives in Ledyard, Connecticut. Check Jan's website.
Side Note: Jan is an instructor for the Institute of Children's Literature, and a wonderful, caring, and informative mentor to those of us who have graduated from the Institute or are just starting their journey into writing for kids. She has a wealth of knowledge about writing and publishing that she willingly shares. I am proud to highlight her new book, and recommend her books--of which I own several--wholeheartedly.

Kids: How Will You Make A Difference On Earth Day?

Beautiful isn't it? So, how are you going to celebrate Earth Day? What? You don't know about Earth Day? Well, let me share.
Created to acknowledge and demonstrate support for the protection of the environment we enjoy on the planet Earth, Earth Day is an annual event. This is the 45th year that countries around the world have united to show they care about the environment. Everyone can help. Everyone can take part. Age doesn't matter, and since you are the future thinkers, doers, and protectors of our environment, you--all kids--can definitely make a difference. Need an idea? Here are four small things you can do to help.
miniclips.phillipmartin Make a poster about Earth Day and share it with your family, friends, and classmates.  Turn off the lights when you leave the room.  Plant a tree, a bush, or a garden.










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Put litter in the trash can not on the ground.

Kids? Have you read Squirrel Wars?

Squirrels are usually thought of as docile, playful creatures that spend their days wandering from tree to tree in search of their next meal. But are they really?
In the book Squirrel Wars, a young red squirrel named Rowen is anxious to learn about the Grey Invaders--the army responsible for his father's death. His mother insists that Rowen's siblings not talk about the monsters with great big teeth that slash and devour red squirrels, but let their little brother enjoy life on their little hill surrounded by forest. Then Rowen meets a new squirrel--one he has never seen before. Her coat shines like silver, and she seems to like him. The two become friends, and this is where the story becomes exciting.
Squirrel Wars by English author, Jane Finch, is a story about curiosity, bullies, family, and friendship. Based on an actual rival between the smaller red squirrel and the larger grey, readers follow Rowen as rallies the Reds to outwit the Greys and save his friend, Fern. It is a perfect book for young and old. Available as an ebook or in print, pick up a copy today at Squirrel Wars on Amazon.
Meet author, Jane Finch  
Jane is an author of adult and children's fiction. She has written and published 15 books, and 6 of those are for kids. An amazing woman, Jane is also an editor, proofreader, book reviewer for Reader's Favorite, blogger, and promoter of other author's work at her website Bookchoice4u.