My English Author Cousin Inspires Art in Wirral Children

My cousin Carl Leckey has published 8 books. His latest children's book is about to hit the market with a cover created by a local student. check out the article:
http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/9845239.Young_Wirral_artist_has_designs_on_success/?ref=erec

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 Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Guardian Angel Kids Free Magazine

Check out my article about adoption in the latest Guardian Angel Kids magazine. It includes classroom activities that do not exclude adoptees.

http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/7-012-3Dflipbook/index.html

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 Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

K is for Keys of the Kingdom Movement Exploration

Movement education activities are a perfect way to foster creativity and develop both fine and gross motor skills in young children. It builds self esteem as well because there are no wrong responses. In this activity we feature the letter K. It's a super way to introduce or reinforce phonics in the home or at school. Why not follow up with some kicking games?

Movements are indicated in BOLD. Put on some Regal sounding trumpet music and read the story slowly. Remember to give time between sentences for children to explore their movements.

Kevin the king was a kindergarten kid with nothing to do. He kept a key hidden in his kilt. What would the key unlock?

Use the key to unlock this big box. There’s kelp to eat. There's a kettle of tea to drink.  Kerplunk!  A klutzy kitten falls out of the box and cries.  Kiss the kitten and tell him, “It’s alright.”

Let’s use our key to open the door to the zoo! A kooky kangaroo is kickboxing. Let’s kick high. Now kick to the side. The kind koala bear is playing the kazoo. Keep in line and play with him.  Jump into the kayak and paddle down the river.

The key opens the kitchen door too! Karl, my kin, is making kebob. Yum!  Let’s put some ketchup on our kebob.  Eat it all up. Now turn on the karaoke machine and sing and dance with me!

It’s time to turn our key in the playground gate.  Let’s play kickball. Kick the ball far and run around the bases.  King Kevin sees a king snake in the outfield.” Run and hide. It can kill you,” he says.  “Just kidding. It won’t hurt you.”

Use the key to open the kite kit. Let’s make a kite! Tie the sticks together and glue the paper on.  Add the string. Run and let the wind carry the kite up into the sky. Let’s make believe we are kites. Float on the wind.  Dip down and make a circle.  Duck down. Watch out for that kiwi vine.  Now soar up high!

There’s a kazillion things to do in the king’s kingdom!

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 Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

The 50 Best Blogs for Future Teachers

Jumping into the teaching profession certainly poses quite the potential for intimidation. After all, the very fate of future generations does hang in the balance and all. But no novice educator has to ride off into the career-tinted sunset alone after graduation. Plenty of seasoned professionals, administrators, and parents have beaucoup advice and experience to offer. Open up a little and listen to what they have to say; not all of it will necessarily stick, but learning experiences lurk in each little snippet. Supplement conversations with mentors and peers with the following blogs, or, if you’re especially brave, reach out and ask some of the writers for the best resources and approaches for helping your students shine.

1. School Counselor Blog: Danielle Schultz and her crew talk about the issues and strategies involved with counseling kindergarteners through 12th graders on both academic and personal matters.
2. The Principal Blog: Here, an elementary school principal opens up about the day-to-day elements of her job and shares resources and ideas that have helped her through different dilemmas.
3. Superintendent’s Blog: While it understandably doesn’t update as frequently as some of the other blogs listed here, this Bedford, Mass.-based read sheds quite a bit of light on what running an entire school district involves.
4. A Principal’s Reflections: Considered one of the best administrator bloggers on the Internet, New Milford High School’s Eric Sheninger is an award-winning, Google-certified instructor with amazing insight into the education industry.
5. School Counseling Matters: Aimed at parents and teachers, School Counseling Matters offers up some incredibly valuable resources about what all the eponymous career path entails.
6. Blogs at American Association of School Administrators: All the reads hosted here cover a wide range of administration positions, and therefore perspectives, so hop on over and learn a thing or two about what all goes into keeping a whole school chugging along as smoothly as possible.
7. Michael Smith’s Principals Page: Stop here for exceptionally detailed musings about everything principalia, which expands upon content from the surrounding website.
8. School Library Monthly: Libraries are essential to a successful academic institution, so teachers new and old should pay close attention to how they work and what they offer students, faculty, and staff alike.
9. The Principal of Change: George Couros is eager to forge progressive classroom strategies that enrich and engage students, teachers, and parents so everyone grows and learns something.
10. AASL Blog: The American Association of School Libraries keeps readers constantly updated about the latest news and views hailing from … well … exactly what its name implies.

For the remaining sites go to http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2012/06/the-50-best-blogs-for-future-teachers/

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 Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

The Homeschooler’s Guide to Getting Into College

There's a common misconception that homeschoolers have difficulty when it comes to getting into college. This may have been true 20 years ago, but these days, colleges are making the process of admissions for homeschoolers simple and fair. In fact, many colleges are now seeking out homeschoolers themselves, as homeschooled students tend to be excellent college students. Here, we've gathered several facts, tips, and helpful resources that you can put to work to ensure that your college admissions process as a homeschooler is smooth and successful.

Did you know that Harvard recruits homeschoolers, and that most homeschoolers have a higher GPA than regular students? Read on for these facts and more.

• Harvard wants homeschoolers:

Top schools including Harvard, MIT, Duke, Yale, and Stanford are all actively recruiting homeschoolers. These schools don't just grudgingly accept homeschooled students, they do everything they can to get them in the door, recognizing that homeschoolers are often better prepared for college than their brick-and-mortar schooled peers.

• Many colleges are adjusting their admissions policies:

Some homeschoolers may remember a day when it was difficult to get into college as a homeschooler, but these days, colleges are increasingly adjusting their admissions policies to be more homeschool-friendly. Many accept portfolios of work instead of transcripts, and offer a more flexible admissions procedure.

• Being a homeschooled student can help you stand out:

In highly competitive admissions situations, it can be hard for students to differentiate themselves from the rest of small army of applicants all vying for the same spots. Students with homeschooled experience have an advantage here, as they're different, in a good way.

• You don't need a GED to get federal student aid:

A rumor has been floating around that if homeschoolers want to be eligible for federal student aid, they'll need to get a GED. This is not true: homeschooled students are specifically exempt from this requirement. But be careful, some colleges and universities believe this myth to be true.

• Homeschoolers often earn more college credits in high school:

University of St. Thomas researcher Michael Cogan has found that often, homeschool students earn more college credits before their freshman year of college than other students. On average, homeschoolers had 14.7 college credits, versus 6.0 credits for traditional school students.

• Homeschooled students do very well in college:

Throughout their college careers, students from a homeschooled background tend to do better than traditional students. Homeschool freshmen in their first semester at college average a 3.37 GPA to the 3.08 of other freshmen, and continue to keep their advantage even into senior year with 3.46 versus 3.16.

Follow these tips to make your college admissions process easy as a homeschooler.

• Know what's expected and keep good records:

Colleges will expect to see that you've met certain criteria, so be sure that you know ahead of time what you need to complete in your high school years. Keep careful records and be ready to share what you've learned in a transcript so that colleges can better understand what you've been working on.

• Don't slack on deadlines:

Find out when you'll need to take the SAT, submit your application, and work out your financial aid well in advance. Add all of these important dates to your calendar and don't let them slip.

• Don't wait to start getting college credit:

You don't have to be in college to get college credit these days. High schoolers, including homeschooled ones, can earn college credit while in high school, taking advantage of duel enrollment, CLEP tests, distance learning, and AP courses.

• Get out, and get active:

Most homeschoolers do a great job of this already, but it's important enough to point out, even if it's just a reminder: extracurricular activities, community groups, and taking extra initiative to do things will really help you shine. Remember to keep a record of each of these activities so you don't forget to mention them when applying.

• Your application essay is of utmost importance:

Experts report that even schools that typically don't read every essay will almost always read essays from homeschoolers. Why? Most admissions officers presume a bias in transcripts and give special attention to other documentation. That means that you'll really have to deliver when it comes to your essay, letters of recommendation, and test scores.

For more go to: http://www.onlinecollege.org/2012/06/11/the-homeschoolers-guide-to-getting-into-college/

 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 Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Banks County Schools Author Visit

I had a fantastic time with 120 first graders at the Primary School of Banks County. Working with two classes at a time, I read my two books, Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep and Trouble on Earth Day. Afterwards, we did a jumping game with consonant blends and a craft project invovlving recycled objects.

We sure had fun!!

To schedule an author visit for your school just email me at dancekam1 at yahoo dot com.

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 Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

10 Telling Studies Done on Homeschooling

Homeschooling often gets an undeserved bad rap, largely through a whole host of myths and stereotypes about the practice that aren't really founded in reality. The truth is that homeschooled children get an education that's just as high in quality as their public and private schooled peers, sometimes even more so, and enjoy a whole host of outside extracurricular activities. Many, if not most, go on to success in college and in their careers. There's plenty of research to back those statements up, too, as studies over the past few decades have proven that homeschooling can actually have some pretty great benefits for students. Here, we highlight some of the most striking findings from those studies, showcasing some stats that will help dispel any lingering myths about the socialization and effectiveness aspects of homeschooling.

1. A study of homeschooled students showed that they scored about 30 percentile points higher than the national average on standardized tests

   Homeschooled students seem to have an edge when it comes to taking standardized tests. Dr. Brian Ray studied results from 15 independent testing centers and compiled them in a larger report in 2009. The results were striking. Homeschooled students in multiple states showed significantly higher scores than their public school peers, doing the best in reading (89 vs. 50) and science (86 vs. 50), a difference of almost 40 percentile points.

2. More money spent on homeschool education doesn't correlate with better outcomes.

   While many public figures believe the solution to poor results in public education is to throw more money at schools, homeschools may just prove that that isn't necessary (or wise). Dr. Ray's study also showed that household income had little impact on the test results of homeschooled children, with only a 4% difference between the highest and lowest income groups. What's more, when parental spending on education was analyzed, families spending less money actually had slightly better scores than those spending more (an average of 89th percentile in families spending $600 or less versus an average of 86th percentile for families spending more than $600 a year).

3. States with more stringent homeschool regulations do not have better test scores

   Many states have extremely strict regulations when it comes to homeschooling, with the idea that it helps to improve student outcomes and ensure that all kids get a good education, no matter where they go to school. While there's no harm in that and the regulations no doubt help protect students, the reality is that even in states without strict regulations many parents tend to do a pretty good job of pushing themselves to give their kids the best education possible. Studies found no difference in test scores between homeschooled students in states with high regulation versus states with low regulation. In both, students scored on average in the 87th percentile, high above public school averages.

4. Most homeschooled students are socially well-adjusted

   One of the biggest concerns many have about homeschooled children is that they are missing out on interacting with other children and fully developing social skills. While there are undoubtedly some children to which this applies, generally speaking, studies have shown quite the opposite. In a study by John Wesley Taylor that set out to measure levels of "self-concept," a key factor in determining self-esteem, it was found that 50% of homeschooled children scored above the 90th percentile. Only 10.3% of homeschooled children scored below the national average. In another study, when homeschooled children were compared with private school children, no significant differences were found in psycho-social development.

5. Racial and socioeconomic differences are far less impactful in homeschooled children

   One of the biggest issues with public schools in America is a huge gap in achievement between minority and economically disadvantaged students and their peers. Because students in a homeschool environment get such focused attention and numerous opportunities to learn outside of the classroom, these differences disappear. In a study of more than 20,000 homeschooled students, Dr. Lawrence Rudner found that the race of the student made little difference in achievement. In math, white homeschooled students scored in the 82nd percentile while minority students scored in the 77th percentile (though overall both groups were equal in their achievement at the 87th percentile). In public schools, this gap is much larger, with white students scoring in the 58th percentile in math and minority students in the 24th percentile. Similarly, studies found almost no difference between the scores of wealthy and poor families who were homeschooling children.

6. Homeschoolers tend to score above the national average on both their SAT and ACT scores

   Being homeschooled could be an advantage when it comes to getting great scores on college entrance exams as well. Statistics from ACT show that homeschooled students get an average of 22.8 on the ACT versus a 21 for the average American student. When it comes to the SAT, homeschoolers score an average of 72 points higher than their peers. It is important to note, however, that critics point out that the numbers may be skewed due to a number of demographic factors, which could be pushing homeschool scores higher than that of public or private schooled students.

7. Homeschooled students generally fare very well in college

   Those higher college entrance exam scores might just be paying off for homeschooled students who choose to go on to college. Research by Michael Cogan at the University of St. Thomas found that homeschooled students earned a better GPA on average throughout their college careers and that homeschooled students were more likely to graduate than their peers (66.7% versus 57.5%) And homeschoolers might have another advantage. The same study found that homeschool students often enter college with more credit than their peers, having 8.7 more credit hours before their freshman year than traditional students. Some colleges, like Boston University and Dartmouth, actively recruit homeschooled students.

8. Homeschooled children are, on average, almost one grade level ahead of their peers

   While grade levels mean less in a homeschool environment than they do in public and private schools, students who are homeschooled often outperform their peers. One study found that on the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, 92% of homeschool students were above grade level in math and 93% were at or above level in reading. In a 1986 study by Lauri Scogin, it was found that 72% of homeschooled children scored a year above their grade level in reading, with almost 50% scoring a year above or more in math. Other state-specific studies, like one done in Arizona, also found similar results.

9. More homeschooled children participate in community activities

   Homeschool children aren't stuck at home, like many stereotypes would have you believe. Research has found that homeschooled children are actually much more likely to participate in community service than their traditionally schooled peers. They're also much more likely to keep up this involvement as they age, with 71% of homeschool graduates participating in an ongoing community service activity, compared with just 37% of similarly selected adults from traditional educational backgrounds. Homeschooled adults are also more likely to vote, at a rate of 76% versus 29% of the corresponding U.S. population.

10. Structure and education play a big role in homeschool outcomes

    Not all homeschool experiences are created equal. Studies have shown that students coming from homeschools where one or both parents have a college degree scored significantly better on standardized tests than those who were being educated by parents without college degrees. Education wasn't the only factor needed for success, however. One Canadian study found that students who were homeschooled in a structured way had much better educational outcomes across the board when compared to public school students. Those in unstructured environments, sometimes called "unschooling," underperformed their public school peers. While this study had an extremely small sample size and may not be applicable across the board, it's important to note that not all homeschool experiences can be lumped together in terms of methods and long-term success.

While these studies certainly show homeschooling in a positive light, it's important to note that they aren't meant to demonstrate that homeschooling is a superior educational method or that public and private schools aren't offering students a high-quality education. What they do show, however, is that homeschool students do quite well in their given educational environments, and that many stereotypes and misconceptions about homeschooling are baseless.

writtem by the staffwriters at: http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/2012/05/16/10-telling-studies-done-on-homeschooling/

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 Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Guardian Angel Kids FREE Magazine features Our Love for America and the Military,

Do you recall a time when someone said they were proud of you? How did it make you feel? Did you stand a wee bit taller? I know for myself the memory of my parents stating they were proud of me made me want to do better each day. Have you ever taken it one step further and thought what it means to be a proud American? As American citizens we live in a democracy where we have freedom of speech and religion, the right to our own opinion, freedom to choose where we want to live and work, and the opportunity for an education. These freedoms do not just come along without sacrifice. The United States military continually serves and protects the American citizens from communist and terrorist beliefs allowing us to live the American dream of freedom for all.

We invite you to visit and explore the Guardian Angel Kids www.guardian-angel-kids.com May 2012 issue of "Proud to be American " through rich history poetry, the sacrifices of military families, embracing American freedom, the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Tuskegee Airmen, and activities to get you moving and grooving.

Letter from the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Lynda S. Burch

Featured Book:

Ebenezer’s Cousin by Kristen K. Zajac and illustrated by Jennifer Houdeshell

SPECIAL VIDEO PRESENTATION:

Alvin and the Chipmunks sing Proud to be an American

Children’S poetry, ACTIVITIES, SHORT STORIES, and articleS:

“History Class” poetry by Margaret Fieland – the rich history of our nation.

“Activities that Celebrate America in Song,” by Kathy Stemke – the use of songs with accompanying movements helps develop gross motor movements and rhythm in our children.

“A Sergeant for Sophie,” by Catherine May Webb and illustrated by Katherine Bullock – the waves of emotions military deployment brings to young children.
“My Country,” by Sue Bangert-Wood and illustrated by Jack Foster – embracing the freedom of America.

“Proud to Say the Pledge,” by Shari L. Klase – when we say the Pledge, we are making a promise to do something.

“History Can Teach Valuable Lessons for Today: The Tuskegee Airmen Story,” by Kristen Zajac – the first African American pilots during World II and their special place in military and social history.

Visit Guardian Angel Kid today and www.guardian-angel-kids.com and enjoy a child safe and ad free Ezine.

We also invite you to stay connected with Guardian Angel Kids through our Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guardian-Angel-Kids-Ezine/163785080346247.

Kathy Sremke'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 Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

The Winner of The Trouble on Earth Day Photo Contest is.....

12 years old, Ali Jo Marshall has won a $10 gift card! She took this squirrel picture in her back yard in Snohomish, Washington in the summer of 2011.

What a great young photographer!

This photo reminds me of my main character in Trouble on Earth Day, Shelby the squirrel. Shelby wins an Earth Day poster contest at school and searches her home for things to recycle. Her recycled items save the day when she meets a homeless bluebird. This colorful picture book has 23 pages of activities, songs, games, and recycling crafts. Order your copy on my blog or through amazon or other online book stores.

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-th rough-all-seven-days/7386965# http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Ruckus Media Group CEO Rick Richter to Present Key Findings on Children’s App Use at Sandbox Summit

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ruckus Media Group, the global children’s digital media company, today announced the results of a national study that explores educational app use by children, ages 4-8, and parental preferences in selecting children’s apps. As a featured speaker at the Sandbox Summit, taking place April 17-18, 2012 at MIT, CEO Rick Richter will present on the topic of “Digital Guilt: What Parents Really Think about Screen Time.” In this session, Rick will introduce quantitative research conducted by PlayScience that sheds new light on how children and parents select and engage with educational apps.

“As more and more children engage with tablets and choose to read or listen to stories on mobile touch devices, it’s important that parents understand what to look for in an app”

While the increased use of tablets by young children has been well-documented, Ruckus Media Group set out to learn more about how children interact with apps and how parents select apps for their children. Specifically, Ruckus was interested in the correlation between children’s educational apps and early reading behaviors, as well as feelings of guilt parents experience around their children’s abundant use of touch devices. Following are some top-line findings from the survey on children, ages 4-8, and their app usage on touch devices:

• More than 60 percent of children read or listen to stories on touch devices
• 60 percent of children use apps more than four times per week
• 24 percent of those children use apps everyday
• 29 percent download apps on their own

Additional findings on what parents are looking for in apps for their children and how they feel about their children’s usage of touch devices:

• More than 60 percent of parents have more than five children’s apps on their mobile device
• 39 percent of parents have more than 10 children’s apps on their mobile device
• 88 percent of all parents are interested in the educational value of the apps they download, but 78 percent of respondents have less than five educational apps for their children on their device
• 58 percent of parents feel some guilt when letting their child play with their tablet or mobile device
• Of the parents who have 10 or more educational apps, only 42 percent feel guilty when letting their child play with their tablet or mobile device

“As more and more children engage with tablets and choose to read or listen to stories on mobile touch devices, it’s important that parents understand what to look for in an app,” said Rick Richter, CEO, Ruckus Media Group. “The results of this survey echo our mission to provide a digital environment that finally allows parents to measure the value of screen time. It’s more important now than ever to engage children in apps that are interactive, age-appropriate and keep the parent and the child coming back for more.”

Yesterday, Ruckus Media Group announced the release of the Ruckus Reader, a breakthrough learning program for the iPad featuring digital storybooks that provides parents with personalized feedback on their child’s reading experience. The Ruckus Reader is designed to help young children practice important reading skills and develop a love of reading with characters they love. Moreover, it addresses the needs of parents and caregivers with weekly Reader Meter e-mail reports and an online dashboard that provides details of their child’s progress.

The Ruckus Reader is the first library of mobile apps to deliver a safe and interactive learning environment filled with iReaders (digital storybook titles), eReaders (e-books), narrated video books and videos, and activities for children to enjoy without leaving the library. Ruckus iReaders feature well-loved characters such as The Wiggles, Hasbro’s My Little Pony and Transformers as well as activities designed to appeal to the creative learner, the science lover, the math and the music enthusiast and more from popular brands such as Crayola, SeaWorld, Dino Dan, Cyberchase and VeggieTales.

Developed by educational experts, the Ruckus Reader is designed to match age-appropriate standards determined by the Common Core State Standards.

The Ruckus Reader App is available for free from the App Store on iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore.

To learn more about Ruckus Reader, please visit www.RuckusReader.com.

About Ruckus Media Group
Ruckus Media Group creates interactive applications for mobile devices designed to entertain and educate children ages 3-8. Launched in September 2010, the company’s centerpiece is the Ruckus Reader (released April 2012), a breakthrough learning program for the iPad featuring digital storybooks that delight children with interactive content from the most popular names in entertainment (Hasbro, Crayola, SeaWorld, The Wiggles, Cyberchase, Dino Dan, Veggie Tales). Parents are provided with an innovative reading assessment tool and personalized feedback on their child’s reading experience.

Previously released award winning digital storybooks include the #1 iTunes best-selling and Mom’s Choice Gold Award winner “My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle, Teacher for a Day,” based on the ever-popular Hasbro toy characters; Parents’ Choice and Mom’s Choice Award winners “Spot the Dot” by pop-up legend David A. Carter, and “Chuck & Friends: Friends for the Long Haul;” About.com Readers’ Choice Award winner and Best App Award finalist “A Present for Milo,” written and illustrated by Mike Austin; “The Velveteen Rabbit: Told by Meryl Streep” and other read-play-and-record-along classic animated storybook apps.

For a full listing of titles and additional information, see our website http://www.ruckusreader.com and the Ruckus Media Group iTunes page and follow Ruckus on Facebook and Twitter.

Contacts

PAN Communications
Nikki Festa, 617-502-4300
Ruckus@pancomm.com

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 Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Mayra's Secret Bookcase: Interview with Kathy Stemke, author of Trouble on ...

Mayra's Secret Bookcase: Interview with Kathy Stemke, author of Trouble on ...: As a freelance writer and ghostwriter, Kathy Stemke has published over one hundred articles in directories, magazines and websites. She is a...

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.htmlFollow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemkeFollow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profileFollow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Nancy Stewart Books Blog: L is for Live Earth Day by Kathy Stemke

Nancy Stewart Books Blog: L is for Live Earth Day by Kathy Stemke: Today I'm happy to welcome Kathy Stemke to the blog.  She is a fellow author, Editor and Freelance Writer at DKV Wr...

Winning Photos for our Beautiful Earth and Unusual Friends!

The book tour for TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY has been awesome! So many old and new friends have been participating in voting for their favorite photos in two catergories.

The first winning photo comes under the category of OUR BEAUTIFUL EARTH.

AND THE WINNER IS:

This little mouse edged out gorgeous sunsets, newborn horses, a tree shaped like a dancer, and majestic mountains. Bravo!

This winning photo comes under the category of UNUSUAL FRIENDS!


AND THE WINNER IS:

The expression on this monkey's face stole the hearts of many commenters to eek out a win. Sometimes opposites do attract! Way to go Monkey!

There are two more contests that beg your participation. On April 13th please go to  beautifulmomentsofjoyandpeace@yahoo.com and vote for Our beautiful Earth Part two.


THERE'S STILL TIME TO WIN A GIFT CERTIFICATE!

Throughout the book tour visitors will be asked to send their best EARTH photo to dancekam1@yahoo.com to be displayed on the last day of the tour. A winner will be selected and awarded a $10 gift card.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

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 Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Karen Cioffi Writing and Marketing: Trouble on Earth Day Book Tour Review

Karen Cioffi Writing and Marketing: Trouble on Earth Day Book Tour Review: Earth Day is approaching and Kathy Stemke is touring her book Trouble on Earth Day . Along with great guest blogging stops, Kathy is offeri...

Recycling Crafts for Earth Day

Earth Day is approaching. Celebrate with me on my book tour for Trouble on Earth Day by doing some recycling crafts with our children. Show them that helping the earth can be fun!

Snake Craft

This is a craft and a fun toy all in one! Preschoolers design their snake and then they can take it for a “walk” by pulling it along with the yarn.

What You Need: paper towel tube, scissors, tempera or poster paints, googly eyes, scrap of red felt, red yarn, glitter glue, paintbrush, glue.

How You make It: Adult cuts the paper towel roll into six sections of similar width. Preschooler creatively paints the sections, adding glitter glue and other details. Once paint is dry, help preschooler apply googly eyes and glue red felt forked tongue to the “head” tube section. Loop yarn around last section and tie; thread the yarn through the rest of the section, leaving it loose at the head as a leash to pull the snake.

Octopus Toilet Roll

Paint

Cut eight legs

Glue buttons for feet

Google eyes

Draw a mouth

Make a pebble Jar Vase

1. Clean a large pickle jar. (4 ½” diameter)

2. Glue a 2” to 2 ½” jelly jar inside the pickle jar.

3. Place small rocks or pebbles between the two jars.

4. Tie raffia or vines around the rim of the pickle jar.

5. Fill with dried flowers.

Remember to help the Earth and have fun on Earth Day with recycling crafts!










Fourteenth day-Recycling Crafts
http://educationtipster.blogspot.com/2012/04/recycling-crafts-for-earth-day.html

Thirteenth Day-Carolyn Howard-Johnson

http://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/2012/04/celebrate-earth-day-give-book-to-kid.html

Twelfth Day- interview with the illustrator

http://www.kurtoonsonline.com/?p=701

Eleventh Day

http://donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/2012/04/to-z-challenge-e-is-for-education.html

Tenth Day

http://nancycl.webs.com/apps/blog/show/13771210-kathy-stemke-s-virtual-book-tour#.T3twsinQpW0.blogger

Eighth Day of Trouble on earth Day Book Tour

http://slowandsteadywriters.blogspot.com/2012/04/earth-day.html

 

Seventh Day of Trouble on Earth Day Book Tour

FREE EARTH DAY CARD FOR KIDS

FREE EARTH DAY CARD FOR ADULTS

http://educationtipster.blogspot.com/2012/03/get-your-free-earth-day-card-for-kids.html

 

Sixth Day of Trouble on Earth Day Book Tour-book Review

http://familiesmatter2us.blogspot.com/2012/03/book-review-trouble-on-earth-day.html

 

Fifth Day of Trouble on Earth Day Tour- Book Review

http://terri-forehand.blogspot.com/2012/03/book-review-trouble-on-earth-day.html

 

Fourth day of Trouble on Earth Day Tour- Fun Squirrel Facts

http://hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com/2012/03/it-is-my-great-pleasure-to-welcome.html

 

Visit third day of Trouble on Earth Day Book Tour

http://gritsandgroceries.blogspot.com/2012/03/day-three-trouble-on-earth-day-book.html

 

Please Visit the Second Day of my book Tour for Trouble on Earth Day

http://barbarabockman.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/review-of-kathy-stemkes-pb-trouble-on-earth-day/

 

Celebrate Earth Day with Pictures First day of book tour for Trouble on Earth Day

http://susannedrazic.blogspot.com/2012/03/celebrate-earth-day-with-pictures.html

 http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.ledin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285