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The Logan family works hard to keep their farm running smoothly during the hard times that have befallen the country. Cassie Logan and her brothers have been raised with the understanding that they must be proud, honest, hard-working members of their community. And though they are of the Black minority in Mississippi during the 1930’s, nothing should keep them from their dreams.

But Cassie’s pride is being tested as she is confronted by racism in its most frightening and humiliating forms. Men driving to their farm at night imbue her world with a danger that she hadn’t been faced with before. The mean-spirited behavior of racist classmates at school shakes her up. Moreover, people in her community have begun to suffer cruel indignities at the hands of the people in power.

Not only is Cassie’s family feeling the effects of local violence, but her very spirit is threatened. Roar of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor won a Newberry Award in 1977 for this rich and provocative look into the Logan family’s fight to maintain their land and their pride. You’ll feel like you’ve lived the molasses-thick nights and buzzing days on the Logan’s farm. Likewise, you’ll get to know the Logan family as if they were your own kin.

This book is a true gem.

At the center of a tornado is a spinning column of air called a vortex.

Create a real mini-vortex with this cool experiment.

You will need and adult’s help operating the drill.

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For those of you who might not have heard of curling before, do not think that it has anything to do with hairdressers. Seriously! Curling is a highly revered sport that has controversial beginnings, and an ardent following in the northern regions of the world.

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Why do you think owls have such a reputation for being wise old birds? Is it their big, haunting eyes? The way they swivel their heads around, looking for answers? Maybe it’s their shrugged shoulders and nocturnal schedule?

Well, let’s just say that owls are some of the most highly refined creatures alive today. For example, the Burrowing Owl can imitate the sound of a rattlesnake if a predator approaches their home. These owls also are fond of collecting odds and ends, which they leave around the entranceway to their burrows for decoration. And Screech Owls and Long Eared Owls do a great broken-wing routine to trick prey into thinking they are injured when they are actually just plain old hungry!

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King Tut was discovered with 13 bracelets, 15 rings, and other earrings and amulets found on his body. Today, we still wear jewelry on our necks, hands, fingers, and all over our bodies. Although jewelry is most frequently associated with girls, boys have also been known to wear these beautiful accessories. Afterall, King Tut was a boy! Try to make your own necklaces and bracelets using these easy-to-follow instructions.

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One of the greatest archeological finds in history is the discovery of the burial tomb and mummy of a young king who ruled over 3,300 years ago! The tomb of King Tutankhamun (more commonly referred to as King Tut) was discovered by Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon in Egypt, 1922. It all started with the discovery of a single step that would ultimately lead the young king’s tomb. The most significant aspect of this discovery is that it was the first tomb found in Egypt that was untouched by robbers.

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The Johansen family felt that life was fairly unaffected by the war. Even though there were always soldiers around, and sometimes food was not readily available, life at home and at school seemed to go on pretty much as usual. That is, until their friends, the Rosens, began to feel the very real threat of the Nazi presence in their Danish town.

When the Rosens felt endangered by the emerging situation, they implored the Johansens to care for their daughter Ellen until they could make it safely to Sweden. There they might find refuge from the fascist regime. Suddenly, life has become more complicated for everyone: can Ellen pass as the Johansen’s daughter? Will the Nazi soldiers recognize that she is a Jew? What will happen to the rest of the Rosen family? What would the Nazi’s do if they caught the Johansens assisting a Jewish family?

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The coyote is one of the few animals whose voice is often heard. Most animals won’t let you know that they are present, for fear of predators and desire to remain hidden from prey. Coyotes don’t care! They howl at night in a high, wavering cry, and they also let out short, high-pitched yips. They use their calls to communicate with their kin, and to defend their territory as well. Being so vocal hasn’t seemed to harm the coyote much, for their range is readily spreading, and they are considered to be one of the most adaptable animals in the world.

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Most of us know that we have a president who runs the United States of America. But do you know who the very first President was? In February we will commemorate his birth and remember the accomplishments of his life.

Actually, this holiday is to honor all of the past Presidents of the United States. It was started in 1971 when President Nixon declared that the third Monday of February would be a federal public holiday to remember the achievements of all the Presidents. But, this country started with one President who was a strong military commander and an astute political leader who is affectionately known as “the father of our country”.

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An unproven story that is told about George Washington is that when he was young, his father gave him a hatchet. George tried to cut a cherry tree down with it, and when his father noticed the marks on the tree, George proclaimed, “I cannot tell a lie, I did it with my hatchet.” Though we have no proof this happened, George Washington has been associated with honesty and cherry trees. On that note, we have some yummy cherry recipes. (Make sure to ask for help when using a knife or a blender)

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Turning on the television these days is as easy as flipping on a light-switch. But, can you imagine not having heat in the winter, or even the privilege of your own bed to sleep in? Get this, in England in 1290 A.D., people only took baths once a season! The book Catherine, Called Birdy introduces Birdy, a noble born young lady who cannot stand to follow the direction of life that has been set out before her. She keeps pretty good track of what befalls her each day, including the types of herbal concoctions that she conjures up to help her overcome her bad moods.

Birdy’s father has arranged her marriage to an older, awful-smelling knight. Needless to say, Birdy wants to have nothing to do with it. And although she has managed to run off all of her other suitors, it looks as though this one is going to claim her as his own. Can she concoct a scheme to wriggle out of this unhappy sentence?

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Here are more vision tricks, this time using colored paper to help learn more about light sensitive cells without which we would not be able to recognize color.

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