Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Sept Virtual Book Tour Schedule 2010


1st Karen Cioffi is featuring Donna McDine
2nd Kathy Stemke is featuring Virginia Grenier
3rd Nancy Famolari is featuring Robert Medak
4th Margaret Fieland is featuring Jane Sutton
5th Dianne Sagan is featuring Marietta Taylor
6th Elysabeth Eldering is featuring Janet Ann Collins
7th Helena Harper is featuring Debra Eckerling
8th Carolyn Howard-Johnson is featuring Helena Harper
9th Heather Paye is featuring Dianne Sagan
10th Marvin Wilson is featuring Kari Wolfe
11th Stephen Tremp is featuring Nancy Famolari
12th Darcia Helle is featuring Dallas Woodburn
13th Martha Swirzinski is featuring Stephen Tremp
14th Debra Eckerling is featuring Maggie Ball
15th Heidi Thomas is featuring Heather Paye
16th Dallas Woodburn is featuring Gary Murning
17th Maggie Ball is featuring Brigitte Thompson
18th Virginia Grenier is featuring Karen Cioffi
19th Janet Ann Collins is featuring Margaret Fieland
20th Katie Hines is featuring Martha Swirzinski
21st Brigitte Thompson is featuring Kevin McNamee
22nd Marietta Taylor is featuring Darcia Helle
23rd Kari Wolfe is featuring Marvin Wilson
24th Jane Sutton is featuring Jessica Kennedy
25th Gary Murning is featuring Katie Hines
26th Jessica Kennedy is featuring Elysabeth Eldering
27th Robert Medak is featuring Carolyn Howard-Johnson
28th Kevin McNamee is featuring Heidi Thomas
29th Kim Rapier is featuring Kathy Stemke
30th Donna McDine is featuring Kim Rapier

Kathy's websites:

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.htmlhttp://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.htmlhttp://kathystemke.weebly.comFollow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemkeFollow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profileAdd to Technorati Favorites

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Find Your Niche! By Joe Twelves

Another summer has gone and school is once again in session. For high school students, the pressure and uncertainty of what they “want to be when they grow up” will be looming over them as they get nearer and nearer to graduation. There are few teenagers that can answer, with certainty, that cliché question.

When I was in high school and was asked what I wanted to do for a career, I had no clue. I went home and basically asked my dad what I should do. My dad never misses a teachable moment and at that time, he came up with a task to help me decide what I wanted to do.

I began to interview friends, neighbors, and relatives about their careers to gain insight and knowledge that could, in turn, help me make that decision. Out of this teachable moment grew a great idea that we knew would be priceless for countless individuals in the same predicament- whether in high school, like I was… or later in life because they are unhappy in their job.



The book, ”Conversations: Find Your Niche” is a compilation of 150+ interviews with real working professionals. These conversations give priceless insight and advice to those who read it. Through reading the various interviews, a person can get a better feel for what career would fit them best, because it varies in every person. Along with the 150+ interviews are roadmaps and activities that will help pin point interests, talents, values and priorities that help make the best decision possible.

We all know someone who is not happy in their career, who is approaching high school or college graduation, or who has no idea “what they want to be when they grow up.” “Conversations: Find Your Niche” and its accompanying blog Career Decisions Made Easy , will help even the most undecided person make the informed decision that is necessary to Find Your Niche… even me!


BIO:
Author, Van Twelves (pictured right), Joe Twelves (pictured left) and their family members all worked together for almost a decade to complete their one-of-a-kind career resource book. They also formed Keeper Press LLC. The family’s goal is to help as many people as possible, find the career that is best for them through their book “Conversations: Find Your Niche!” which can be purchased at Amazon.com. Along with their five star book, the family also gives help through their blog, Career Decisions Made Easy . Twitter - @KeeperPress Email – JoeTwelves@KeeperPress.com



Kathy's comments: As a retired teacher I know what students go through as they decide which college and career they want to persue. Joe Twelves book is long overdue. It will benefit students and adults alike.

Kathy's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.htmlhttp://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.htmlhttp://kathystemke.weebly.comFollow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemkeFollow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profileAdd to Technorati Favorites

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

HELP YOUR CHILD WITH MATH AT HOME!


Begin each math homework session by asking your child to explain what he's supposed to do. By his response, you'll know if he can do the assignment alone or if you need to help him get started.

When helping your child, ask questions to guide him through the process, such as, "Where do you begin?" "What do you need to find out?" " Can you show me in a drawing how you got the answer?"

It's okay to say that you don't understand a problem. It gives you an opportunity to review the lesson together to see if you've missed some important piece of information.

Establish a clear understanding with your child's teacher(s) about the frequency and amount of homework he'll receive. Modification of homework may increase his motivation and how much work he does. With his teacher, decide if he needs to do fewer problems, or if he can say the answers out loud and you can write them for him, or if he can check his work with a calculator.

If you're not around when your child completes his homework, let him know that you'll look it over when you get home. Be sure to follow through. Tell him you're doing this to help him, not judge him.

When kids realize that math is all around them, they begin to relax and see its meaning in their lives. So use math in everyday life-count out forks to set the table, pour out a measured amount of milk, or practice telling time.

Show how math is more than learning addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Math also teaches us to analyze, reason, and plan. These are all useful skills that transfer over to reading and writing as well.

Model analytical and mathematical thinking. Be a problem solver, explore questions, and find solutions. Talk about likenesses and differences, and explain your reasoning.

Encourage your child to express his problem solving out loud so you can understand his reasoning.

When driving in the car, talk about how numbers help us determine how fast we drive, the distance traveled, mileage the car gets per gallon of gas, and how long it will takes to get home.

Expose your child to money in his early school years. Have him keep coins in a piggy bank and count them out regularly. If he receives an allowance, have him keep track of the amount or start a bank account.

Have your child use an analog and digital watch or clock to learn both methods of telling time.

Post a chart of math facts on the wall in his room. Some activities and games can help kids memorize math facts.

Computer learning games can also be used to reinforce skills. Most kids enjoy working on the computer. There are software programs to fit many skill levels. Older students may want to use calendars or spreadsheets in their daily or weekly schedule. Doing this will reinforce the many uses of math.

Incorporate games involving numbers and math into play. There are many types of games — from flash cards for learning basic math facts to games involving money, time, and logic.

HERE ARE SOME MATH ARTICLES I WROTE FOR HELIUM WITH SPECIFIC GAMES TO PLAY WITH YOUR CHILDREN. http://www.helium.com/items/1183735
-young-children-money-recognition-teaching-count-spend-save-activities-songs-needs-
wants

http://www.helium.com/items/1166822-math-
manipulatives-unifix-cubes-value-of-learning-educational-resources-geometric

http://www.helium.com/items/1160113-
number-fun-skip-count-writing-recognition-activities-digits-poem-add-subtract-
multiply

http://www.helium.com/items/1117913-how-to-help-your-young
-child-develop-math-skills-at-home

http://www.helium.com/items/960547-math-games-for-the-elementary-school
-classroom



Kathy Stemke's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/
content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#
http://www.helium.com/users/
406242.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.comFollow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemkeFollow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=
4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile
Add to Technorati Favorites

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

8th Grade Final Exam: Salina , Kansas 1895



What it took to get an 8th grade education in 1895...

Remember when grandparents and great-grandparents stated that they only had an 8th grade education? Well, check this out. Could any of us have passed the 8th grade in 1895?

This is the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina , Kansas . It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina , and reprinted by the Salina Journal.


8th Grade Final Exam: Salina , Kansas 1895



Grammar (Time, one hour)


1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.
2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications.
3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph
4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of 'lie,''play,' and 'run.'
5. Define case; illustrate each case.
6. What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.
7. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.


Arithmetic (Time, 1 hour 15 minutes)


1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
2. A wagon box is 2 feet deep, 10 feet long, and 3 feet wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs., what is it worth at 50 cents/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs. for tare?
4. District No. 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?
5. Find the cost of 6,720 lbs. of coal at $6.00 per ton.
6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.
7. What is the cost of 40 boards which measure 12 inches wide and 16 ft. long at $20 per meter?
8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.
9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of which is 640 rods?
10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.

U.S. History (Time, 45 minutes)

1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided.
2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus .
3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.
4. Show the territorial growth of the United States .
5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas .
6. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.
7. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton , Bell , Lincoln , Penn, and Howe?
8. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865


Orthography (Time, one hour) [Do we even know what this is?]


1. What is meant by the following: alphabet, phonetic, orthography, etymology, syllabication
2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?
3. What are the following, and give examples of each: trigraph, subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals.
4. Give four substitutes for caret ?u?. (HUH?)
5. Give two rules for spelling words with final ?e?. Name two exceptions under each rule.
6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling. Illustrate each.
7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis-mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.
8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise, blood, fare, last.
9. Use the following correctly in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane, fain, feign, vane, vain, vein, raze, raise, rays.
10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks and by syllabication..

Geography (Time, one hour)

1. What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?
2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas ?
3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?
4. Describe the mountains of North America
5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia , Odessa , Denver , Manitoba , Hecla , Yukon , St. Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall, and Orinoco
6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the United States . Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each.
7. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?
8. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.
9. Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the earth.

Notice that this exam took FIVE HOURS to complete.

Gives the saying "He only had an 8th grade education" a whole new meaning, doesn't it? This also is a perfect demonstration pointing out how poor our education system has become. And, NO - I don't have the answers.

Kathy Stemke's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.htmlhttp://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.htmlhttp://kathystemke.weebly.comFollow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemkeFollow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profileAdd to Technorati Favorites

Sunday, August 8, 2010

ABC'S OF MULTICULTURAL



A is for AWARENESS of those around us
B is for BEAUTY for all people
C is for CARING about each other
D is for DIGNITY that we all possess
E is for ETHNICITY of which we would be proud
F is for FEELING, important to us all
G is for GIVING of ourselves
H is for HOPE for a better tomorrow
I is for INTEGRITY, our standards tell so about us
J is for JOINTLY working together
K is for KNOWLEDGE which erases ignorance
L is for LOVE to be shared
M is for MANKIND, the entire human race
N is for NOBODY is unimportant
O is for OPTIMISM which enhances everyone's life
P is for PROGRESS made toward understanding
Q is for being QUIET when asked
R is for RESPECT for oneself and others
S is for SELF-WORTH which we should never be without
T is for TOLERANCE toward others
U is for UNDERSTANDING different cultures
V is for VALUES learned along the way
W is for WEALTH gained by sharing our diversity
X is for X-RAY vision that helps us see the good in others
Y is for YOU. Make your life what you want it to be, forward and upward
Z is for ZEAL to appreciate a multicultural world

-- Author Unknown

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.htmlhttp://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.htmlhttp://kathystemke.weebly.comFollow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemkeFollow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profileAdd to Technorati Favorites

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

TOP 20 EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES AND BOOKS

Strictly speaking, every day should be Earth Day because that’s the very least our planet deserves – to be treated with respect and concern for the protective home it provides us. However, one day in the year is set aside to celebrate this special occasion when we honor and acknowledge the earth’s contribution to our wellbeing and prosperity and strive to protect our environment and the only world we know – Earth Day is marked by activities and resolutions, some of which are kept and others that fall by the wayside. If you’re looking for ways to ensure that your contribution counts, here are a few good Earth Day activities and books:

Show you care:

1. Plant a tree.
2. Organize a garbage pickup or cleanliness drive.
3. Leave your car behind and walk, carpool or take public transport.
4. Skip the elevator and take the stairs.
5. Dispose of your trash responsibly.
6. Recycle and reuse whenever and wherever possible.
7. Work with land trusts to foster biodiversity/prevent extinction of species.
8. Campaign for cleaner air and fresh water.
9. Use recycled water for your garden.
10. Invest in solar power.
11. Upgrade your appliances to newer models that save power through efficiency.
12. Get your car a hybrid retrofit.
13. Work with a cleanup crew to protect natural habitats and save wildlife.
14. Grow your own garden of fruits and vegetables.
15. Go organic.
16. Buy from sustainable sources when you buy wood.
17. Dispose of electronic waste responsibly.
18. Use non toxic paints and recyclable building material in your home.
19. Don’t leave the water running or appliances on standby when not in use.
20. Go green whenever and wherever you can.


Get your kids more involved in Earth Day with these books:


1. Let’s Celebrate Earth Day by Peter Roop
2. Kids Can Care by Rhoda Orszag Vestuto
3. Earth Day by David F. Marx
4. Reduce, Reuse, Recyle by Rozanne Lanczak Williams
5. Teaching Kids to Love the Earth by Lachecki Marina
6. Let’s Get Ready for Earth Day by Lloyd G. Douglas
7. Every Day is Earth Day by Kathy Ross
8. The Great Trash Bash by Loreen Leedy
9. Earth Day Activities by Pamela Friedman T.
10. Earth Day – Hooray by Stuart J. Murphy
11. Earth Day (On My Own Holidays) by Linda Lowery
12. Earth Day by Linda Lowery
13. All New Crafts for Earth Day by Kathy Ross
14. Best Kids-Love-The-Earth Activity Book by Cynthia Overbeck
15. Earth Day by Nancy I. Sanders
16. Earth Day Birthday by Patty Schnetzler
17. 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth
18. Earth-Friendly Outdoor Fun by George Pfiffner
19. Ecology Crafts For Kids by Bobbe Needham
20. More Teaching Kids to Love the Earth by James Kasperson

By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Anna Miller, who writes on the topic of online degrees. She welcomes your comments at her email id: anna.miller009@gmail.com

Kathy's Websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.htmlhttp://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.htmlhttp://kathystemke.weebly.comFollow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemkeFollow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profileAdd to Technorati Favorites