A Kitten is Cute; A Kitten is Work

April 18th, 2015

 kittenWhen Bobby rang the bell, Arthur J’s mom answered saying,”Sorry Bobby, said Arthur J’s mom, “Arthur J just got that kitten he wanted and now he needs to stay in and spend today learning how to care for the kitten.”

Bobby wanted to know if it was a big job to take care of a kitten, since he wanted a kitten, but his mom wasn’t sure he was old enough to take care of a pet. “Why don’t you come in and see for yourself,” said Arthur J’s mom.

Arthur J was setting up the litter box in the basement when Bobby walked in and asked, “What’s the kitten’s kittenname?” Arthur J held up the kitten and said,”Meet Bubbles.”

“Boy, do I ever want a kitten,” said Bobby. “Well, before you go getting one you need to know a few things that might change your mind,” said Arthur. “All pets are work and my mom said if I want a pet, I have to take care of it.”

Bobby thought a moment and said, “Well at least with a cat you don’t have to walk it, no matter what the weather.” Arthur J said, “Look what I’m doing. I’m filling a litter box with kitty litter so my kitten can go to the bathroom. I have to empty this litter regularly and throw it away and make sure my kitten has fresh kitty litter.”

Arthur’s mom came in a said, “Pets are wonderful, but they are work. Bobby, before you get a kitten think about the following:

  • There are things you need to buy  such as a litter box, cat carrier, food and water bowls, a collar and tags, and several toys.
  • You need to cat-proof your house before kitty arrives and pick up anything small  she could swallow.
  • Kittens need to eat 3x the calories as adult cats. So, you need to buy and feed her food that is especially for kittens.
  • You need to keep lots of fresh water, in clean bowls, around the house for your kitten
  • You need  to place the litter box in a quiet, out of the way place and show your kitten where it is. Make sure the sides of the litter box are low enough for her to get into the litter box while still a little kitten.
  • You need to play with your kitten every day so she learns people skills and is a good pet.
  • It’s important to provide scratching posts around the house so kitty doesn’t ruin furniture or drapes with her scratching.
  • Kitty needs to see the doctor just like you do. Her doctor, a veterinarian, will keep up her vaccinations and keep her safe from ringworm and fleas.  These visits can be expensive, so you need to be sure the family budget can allow for doctor visits for a kitten.”

Bobby looked thoughtful for a minute and then said, “Wow, I had no idea so much went into caring for a kitten! I have to think about this more and talk more about  getting a kitten with my mom.”

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The Alphabet Food Quiz

April 13th, 2015

“Okay, class let’s see how well you know what letters of the alphabet begin some of your favorite foods,” said Miss Pat.

alphabet“Bobby, please pass out this alphabet quiz to each of the students,” asked Miss Pat. Bobby gave each of the “Can Do” Kids a sheet of paper with a alphabet board and questions on it.

Miss Pat explained that the class was to answer all the questions. They had 20 minutes to complete the alphabet quiz.

How about taking the quiz with them?

The Alphabet Food Quiz

What meat begins with the letter H ?

What vegetable begins with the letter C

What fruit begins with the letter B?

What fish begins with the letter T?

What breakfast food begins with the letter E?

What drink begins with the letter J?

What fruit begins with the letter M?

What dairy drink begins with the letter M?

What is in salad that begins with the letter L?

What dairy begins with the letter Y?

If you eat all your dinner, what do you have as a treat that begins with the letter P?

What treat is in a cone that begins with the letter I?

What fruit begins with the letter G?

What vegetable is good mashed that begins with the letter P?

What green vegetable begins with the letter S?

What fruit is often red in color and begins with the letter A?

Most of the “Can Do” Kids got all the alphabet questions right. How did you do with the Alphabet Food Quiz?

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Tidy Up

April 7th, 2015

tidy upMiss Pat looked up and saw Hector throwing a piece of paper on the floor. Wow, she thought, Hector doesn’t tidy up after himself; he expects others to clean up after him.

Miss Pat said, “Hector, what are you doing?” Hector turned red and said, “Nothing Miss Pat.” Miss Pat walked over to where he was sitting and picked up the paper he had crumpled up and thrown on the floor. She handed him the paper and said, “Hector where does this paper belong?”  Hector mumbled, “In the trash Miss Pat.”

Miss Pat looked at Hector and said, “Well, if you know where it belongs why throw it on the floor?” Hector answered, “It was easier to throw it on the floor than get up and go put it in the trash basket.” Then he got up and put the paper in the trash.

Miss Pat told the class to tidy up their table areas before going to lunch. When she came back in the room after lunch she was not happy to see that a couple of the “Can Dos” had left their areas messy. So…when the class came back in after lunch it was time to have a talk about how to tidy up after yourself.

“Class,” said Miss Pat, “I was disappointed to see that some of you don’t know how to tidy up after yourselves. Annie raised her hand and asked, “What does tidy up mean?” Miss Pat smiled and answered, “Well, its a term that my grandma used to use all the time when I was a little girl. It means, clean up.”

Miss Pat thought a minute and then said, “I am going to go around the room and ask each one of you what you do at home to tidy up after yourselves.” As she went around the room there were answers such as…I put my toys away, I throw my dirty clothes in the laundry basket, I make my bed, I clean my dishes off the table after eating, I hang up my coat and hat when I get home.

A few of the “Can D0s” could not think of anything they do at home to tidy up after themselves. Not good thought Miss Pat, especially since these were the “Can Dos” who left their table areas messy. Maybe they don’t know how to tidy up, she thought.

Miss Pat announced, “Children, I have a way we can practice tidying up. It’s a game and we can play it on the computer. Everyone go to your computers. The “Can Dos” were all excited. They loved using the computers.

Do you want to play along with the “Can Dos”? Just go to the “Can Do” Club House, choose more games on the purple balloon and then choose the new game…Tidy Up. You will have fun and your parents will like the game too!

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A Chocolate Bunny for the Winner of the Easter Egg Hunt

March 31st, 2015

 bunnyOn Sunday afternoon, the “Can Do” kids all gathered at the “Can Do” Street Community Center for the annual egg hunt, and the awarding of the chocolate bunny for the most eggs collected.

With the blowing of a whistle, the “Can Dos” all set out to find the colored eggs hidden in the field behind the community center. They all carried baskets to hold the eggs they found. There was to be a prize for the most eggs found. The prize…a huge chocolate bunny that was the exact image of what the Easter Bunny was thought to look like.

There was so much excitement! The “Can Dos” were running and looking all over the place! Soon there were no more eggs to be found and the “Can Dos” carried their baskets into the recreation room to join their parents for refreshments and the awarding of the prize for most eggs. Members of the Seniors club served individual bunny cakes and orange-flavored bunny punch. Everyone pretended the bunny punch was carrot juice since rabbits love carrots!

After refreshments, it was time to award the prize for most colored eggs. Miss Hattie came to the microphone. She said, “Before I award this chocolate bunny, the one that looks exactly like the Easter Bunny, can anyone tell me where the Easter Bunny comes from and what does he have to do with colored eggs?”

Silence fell over the room. The “Can Dos” just wanted to know who won. The suspense was too much! Hector couldn’t help wishing that somebody would tell Miss Hattie what she wanted to hear so she would get on with awarding the chocolate Easter Bunny.

Just then, Orrie raised his hand. Now, the truth be told, most of the time, some of the “Can Dos” got annoyed with Orrie for always having the answer. But this time, a cheer went up from the “Can Dos” when Orrie raised his hand. Hector mumbled under his breath, “Get it right, Orrie, or we’ll be here all afternoon!”

Orrie cleared his throat and began talking. “Long ago, thousands of years ago during pagan times, there were special things to do to welcome spring. The rabbit and eggs were symbols at these spring celebrations. In the 1600’s Germans began to write about a rabbit they called Oschter Haws. He was a rabbit that was believed to have the ability to lay colored eggs that were given as gifts to good children.

When German immigrants came to America they brought this custom with them. It was celebrated on Easter. When it was time for the boys and girls to gather the colored eggs, the boys used their caps and the girls, their bonnets. Over the years, Easter baskets took the place of hats.”

Orrie stopped talking and the room broke into applause. Orrie’s family beamed with pride at their smart boy!

Well, the eggs were counted and the winner announced. Eulyn collected the most eggs…fifty-six to be exact. Miss Hattie handed her the bunny. Why it was almost as big as she was!

Then Eulyn did a really special thing. She walked over to the “Can Do” Kids table and invited each “Can Do” to break off and eat a piece of the chocolate Easter Bunny. Now that’s a girl who knows how to share!

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Bobby Needs to Practice Speaking with Respect

March 25th, 2015

respectBobby is excited about visiting another class in school. He asks his teacher if the are going to Mary’s class.

Miss Pat, his teacher,  reminds him that we do not call teachers by their first name. Out of respect, what does Bobby need to call Mary, the teacher his class is going to visit?

Miss Mary                    Teacher Mary

Bobby plays sports. He has a coach named Ned. What should he call him?

Coach                     Mr. Ned                      Ned                     Sir

What can Bobby call men he meets in and out of school?_____________

What can Bobby call women he meets in and out of school?_________

What you would call a nurse, a doctor, a fireman, a policeman, a school crossing guard, the librarian, and the check out person in the supermarket?________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

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Can you think of an other adults you call by a special name like aunt?

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