Susan Pettrone
I am a writer, photographer, reviewer, educator and mother of two active sons. I believe in integrity, honesty and reliability in all things and strive to represent all in my writing. I am an advocate for those who are mistreated and bullied and have no problem taking anything that is not kosher to the authorities and demand justice! I also live in the midst of Amish country, it is always a thrill to see the buggies and Amish children. I have friends of all ages, races and creeds....and I have blessed by them, each in their own way!
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- 7/1/2007
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too many schools, universities and colleges to listMotto
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Displaying Results 1 - 188 (of 188) for All Content
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How to Save Money on Your Telephone BillIn order to communicate to our hearts content and keep costs low there are a few things one can do to lessen the impact of cost when it comes to telephone usage. -
How Do You Tell a Child a Loved One Has Died?Grief shows itself in many ways and they need to know that however they feel, it's right because it comes from their heart. -
2009 Madrigal, a Magnificent Celebration of Song!The 16th Annual Department of Music's Madrigal exceeded all expectations in terms of showmanship on the evenings of December 5 & 6 as they took attendees back in time to a royal court for an evening of revelry and song. -
Why in the World Are We Teaching Chinese?This article is meant to better explain and perhaps educate those who don't realize how foreign languages strongly impact our students as they grow older and move out into the real world. -
Foreign Languages and How They Impact Our Children AcademicallyAs our world grows and we interact more and more with different cultures, it only makes sense that we rise to the level of many of these countries and teach another language in order to better communicate. -
Mid-Prairie Madrigal AccoladesI have been involved both onstage and off in many theatrical productions, musicals and operas and I cannot recall a group that was as concentrated and hard working as this group of young men and women. -
Impatience, Pride and Stubbornness After the Fall..Being handicapped is a permanent thing. But sometimes, people are given the rare chance to walk (or in this case sit) in the place of a handicapped individual. -
Musings of a Patriot's DaughterI was raised to be grateful for what this country has given us and for the sacrifices veterans such as my father have given for the good of our country and I am proud to be an American. -
Amish LifestylesTo live in the Kalona area is to live alongside those of the Amish faith. It is as commonplace to residents to see a horse and buggy sharing the road as it is a Dodge truck. -
Head Lice - Fact and FictionHead lice are persistent little creatures that tend to be passed along from person to person primarily by the sharing of combs, hats, and simply "putting heads together" as children are often do. -
Fall Leaf Ballet: Hands on Activity for StudentsThis leaf activity not only lets students enjoy the fun of a crisp fall day, while observing the changes in trees, but also allows students to display their physical and artistic creativity in a new and different way. -
How to Cut Food Costs During the Holiday SeasonAs the holidays come upon us it is imperative that we cut as many costs as possible in order to provide a good holiday experience for our families. -
Leaf Journals: A Fall ActivityTaking a natural interest in fall and the changing colors and expounding upon it can make for an interesting project for young learners and with a bit of additional information can be used for older students as well.
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Making Pumpkins! An Activity That Celebrates FallPumpkins are a well known symbol of fall. With all the wonderful shapes, sizes and even hues of pumpkins available, it is natural for kids of all ages to want to create their own pumpkins to have for their own. -
Pumpkin Painting for HalloweenA pumpkin craft that is not only an easy one to complete but is a craft that kids of all ages can participate in and enjoy not just in the fall but all year round as well. -
The Black Angel in Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City: A Monument Steeped in Legend and LoreA lot of legend and lore surround The Black Angel, Some say that the spirit of the woman who haunts her lies beneath her wings and some say they don't know but all agree she is not only a unique but strange monument. -
Tough Love Makes a Comeback for ParentsTough love when administered correctly (with the emphasis on LOVE and not on TOUGH) can well be the way to get the attention of the wayward teen, teach a life lesson and perhaps save said teen from future problems.
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How to Prepare Your Family for Early Mornings Now That School is Back in SessionWith school in session, the inevitable "Get out of bed, you're going to miss the bus!" will soon be ringing throughout homes all over the country!
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Big Brother 9: And Now It's Down to the Final ThreeBelieve it or not, Big Brother 9 is down to the final stretch. With only days to go before the first ever winter Big Brother ends, we find an unlikely trio setting up residence in the somewhat "mod" Big Brother house. And how it came to be is pretty telling.
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The Big Read Makes Tracks in Reading LiteracyOn April 18th, Council Bluffs, Iowa will join "The Big Read" a project designed to emphasize and improve reading literacy with it's month long project in communities across the nation.
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5.4 Earthquake Gives Illinois a Wake Up CallAt about 4:40 am on Friday April 18, 2008, the quiet town of New Salem was rocked with an earthquake. This town, famous for it's village celebrating the life and lore of President Abraham Lincoln was deep in sleep when the 5.4 quake hit.
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Big Brother 9: When at First You Don't Succeed "Lie, Dye and Cry"When at last we checked in on big brother 9, we discovered that Sheila had nominated Adam and Sharon with the expectation that anyone but Natalie would win power of veto and Natalie would be placed on the block and voted out.
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Wanted: Pot Smokers for a University Study"Wanted: Pot Smokers" is one statement I never thought I'd see in terms of a Wanted ad attached to a university. But it shouldn't have come as a surprise when it comes to the University of Iowa.
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How Do University of Iowa Coeds HuHot?Pass through the doors of HuHot, crowned with a pair of oversize "chopsticks" and you'll see for yourself why everyone from business men, cops, city workers and even college coed's make the trek to 917 25th Ave, to partake of this great cuisine.
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Cinco De Mayo: Learn and Celebrate in StyleCinco De Mayo is a time when we can see that celebrating and educating our children is truly the way to foster friendships and appreciation for other cultures.
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A Cinco De Mayo Lesson That's as Fun to Make as it is to EatSimple to make and fun to share, it is perfect for a child to create for a classroom project and promises to be a project that will beat hands down the typical "This is the flag of Mexico" poster.
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Big Brother 9: "Excuse Me, Diary Room, Can Someone Please Place a Call for a Make Over?"Its true, I like Big Brother and dream all things James, but let's be honest here, if the flower power table wasn't enough, add to it hot chili dishes with colors that reek of the southwest and you have a nightmare episode of The Brady Bunch goes to the southwest.
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How to Make that Disney World Vacation Memorable Months Down the LineDISNEY WORLD is often a once in a lifetime trip, remember that you are making memories for the future as well as having fun for the moment, and that is what it's all about. Have fun and give Mickey a high five for me when you see him. And tell him "I'll see you soon!"
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Big Brother 9: James and the Giant Good ByeAnd yet another one bites the dust. With a vote of 3-0, James the colorful houseguest from Sarasota, Florida was evicted from the Big Brother house. For those watchers in the know, that means "Mr. Mohawk" can start planning that bike trip around the world.
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How to Teach Longitude, Latitude, Meridian and Equator in an Easy to Understand WayLongitude, latitude, meridian and equator. This lesson is a simple one and one that will prove as easy to learn as it is fun to eat.
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How to Help Your Child Gain More Self EsteemTimes are such that children, especially those who aren't particularly athletic or graced with unspeakable beauty are pushed into the background socially. These children oftentimes find themselves left literally in the corner feeling low self esteem rear it's ugly head.
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How to Be a Better Impromptu Speaker: A Lesson PlanI have found that impromptu speaking is not only vital in learning to think on one's feet, so to speak ,but also is a talent that one can draw from throughout one's life, using it virtually until the day one passes from this world.
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Big Brother 9: Joshuah And His Doo-Rag Wave Bye ByeWell, here we go again, Big Brother 9 shows us what it's all about once more! After the same old reruns of past episodes and escapades and Julie Chen showing off her latest in Chen bot attire, we get down to business.
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Character Education Lesson: Each is an Important Part of the WholeThis project/lesson is one that emphasis' the importance of each and every individual within a group, their contributions and shows how each fits (literally) into the make up of the group.
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How to "Make a Wish" Come True!With Spring fast approaching and wishes being made for warmer weather we came up with this fun project that anyone can do to bring a little bit of fun into a young person's life and encourages compassion, caring and emphasizes character education at the same time.
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How to Recognize Cyber BulliesThe internet is a fantastic place to find information, broaden horizons and even find a recipe for chocolate cheesecake. But the Internet is used for much more these days and for some, it is a social avenue that ends in potholes and road construction delays along the way
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Wedding Favors with a Tuscan ThemeOne interesting wedding theme is Italian countryside with guests eating family (or in Italian Paesano) style. The Tuscan theme was shown by using earthy tones in her colors. And to add to the earthy tone, favors reflected the bride's love of heritage.
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How to Be Irish for Just a DayNot all of us are fortunate enough to be Irish, but if truth be told, the Irish are welcoming folk and love to share their heritage. And so when March 17th rolls around its pretty darn simple (and oftentimes very inexpensive) to be Irish for just a day.
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How to Make Shamrock Stained Glass CookiesSt Patrick's day is as everyone knows on March 17th, but as we say in our house, there is never just one day to enjoy your heritage
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How Yoga Can Help Mold a Child's Body and MindJust a thought here folks, maybe instead of trying to buy kids a self image in the way of clothing, video games, fancy scooters or NFL attire; maybe just maybe we could start them out with a good sense of self via yoga and let the rest fall into place.
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How to Help Your Teen Gain a Healthy Self ImageI have been considerably concerned about kids and they attitudes regarding body size and how they fit within society for some time.
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How to Keep Your Kiddos Happy on the Coldest of Winter DaysWinter is here and you know what that means. Too many snow days for both Parents and kids!
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How to Keep Your Resident Pirate HappyWhen your resident pirate is restless, you best be aware that unless you want to "walk the plank' foresight and preparedness is what you need in order to keep your house in tip top shape and your resident pirate happy as a buccaneer on a treasure hunt.
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How to Better Appreciate One's "Gal Friends"If you are anything like me, you treasure your gal friends, those whom you've known since childhood when you skipped rope, played jacks and read "16 Magazine" beneath a weeping willow tree with a bag of penny candy close beside.
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How to Raise a Child in Today's SocietyI think any parent of a young child can attest to the fact that kids do NOT come with instruction books. And honestly, that is just too darn bad because kids are not just feeding. burping, bodily functions, cooing and crying.
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Are You Ready to Release Your Brilliance?As we go through our lives most of us discover that simply being us is not enough to insure happiness. For with most, within our otherwise common lives we often look for that which makes us different, unique from all the rest
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How to Raise that Special Girl in Your Life to Be Daring!I am one of those parents who was blessed with sons, no daughters but in that same vein, I also was blessed with nieces and friends daughters whom I spoil rotten and enjoy their places in my life immensely.
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Raise Your Hands, Who Wants to Be a Skinny Bitch?Now before you go any further, I am not being profane nor am I speaking with disrespect. What I am doing here is simply this. I am asking you if you buy into the idea of being a super skinny individual in today's society.
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Midwest Finds Itself Out in the Cold After Heaviest Day of Snowfall Since '54Iowans' awoke yesterday to a wintry blanket of snow and nearly white out conditions as a winter storm which began it's assault Tuesday afternoon further cemented the winter conditions.
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A Wedding Toast to the Bride and GroomAsk anyone about the fun and usefulness of wedding reception decorations and most will say they were totally useless, ordinary or down right boring. This decoration will not only prove to be fun, but useful far past the time the bride and groom leave the hall.
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How to Create: "Love in Bloom" Wedding Decorations and FavorsThis is a relatively simple decoration and/or favor to create for a wedding and though any color can be used in the project, I have found weddings that use a bright color add a festive, fun look to this project and make it stand out as something interesting and different
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Black History Month in Education: A Lesson for Educators and Students AlikeBlack History month is February as most realize and schools teach many units on this subject. Though most textbooks try, the coverage of Black History in our country is not as it should be and our students are sorely lacking when using just the resources.
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Cap'n Billy "The Butcher" MacDougall's Guide to Pirate ParentingBeing the parent of a child who is enamored of pirates is a job in and of itself. There is grog to be made, decks to be swabbed and of course parrots to be fed. And that isn't all. .
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HOUSE II - Horror Flick Movie ReviewIn this sequel to HOUSE, a fun horror flick, HOUSE II takes us back to the house where Jessie's parents were killed when he was but an infant leaving him 25 years later wanting answers as to what happened that night so long ago
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Thriller Movie Review HOUSEHOUSE, a wonderfully spooky thriller starring William Katt, is the story of a Vietnam vet who comes back to the House where his only son disappeared only to find he is facing not only his grief there but demons from his past as well.
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Festive Wedding Celebration DecorationsWeddings don't have to be necessarily that of pastels, ribbons, lace and tiny little rings with butter mints. No, as a matter of fact, they can be much, much more.
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Sprouting Seeds - A Science Project That Tastes GoodThe following is a way to interest students in seeds, their growth patterns and life cycles as well as showing them the end result in a way that they can appreciate.
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Leaves: A Lesson and Project for Nearly All SubjectsAll in all, this is an excellent school project for seasons, your area of the world, trees found in your area or simply a project on trees and the changing of colors. With a little imagination, this can meet may project needs and teach your child at the same time.
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Ticked Off at Your Husband? Irritated With Your Wife?No, I'm not being a total jerk and drop all those plans to write a scathing comment beginning with the words..."who are you to....." Don't shoot the messenger folks, for that's what I am today, the messenger...
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Etcetera: A Lesson in LanguageWhen teaching kids teh importance of nuances of the English language, other than words "whatever" and "dude", it is always a positive to teach the core definition of words that are heard but are not often known.
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How to Make a Great Smelling Hanging DecorationCrafts that meet a need and not just take up time are crafts that are big hits in most any home!
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How to Make a Feeder for Your Feathered FriendsIt is the middle of winter where I live, and the birds are continually looking for something to sustain them through the cold months ahead until the berries and seeds begin to appear.
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How to Make Unique GiftsOnce again spring approaches and gift giving begins again. As I have said so many times before, my Mom doesn't need anything! In fact the woman could hold a garage sale of purely useless gifts she has received!
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Does Car Sickness Ruin Your Travel Plans?Spring break is just mere weeks away and that means a car trip for many families. If you have a kid like I do, who turns green just hearing the phrase "car trip" then Travel-Eze wristbands are for you!
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Acting 101: Warm UpsAs everyone in acting can attest to, good warm up time spent is time well spent indeed. A warm up not only loosens muscles and keeps the body limber for the acting performance ahead but it also helps sharpen the reflexes, mind and ability to react to others upon the stage.
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A Lesson in Trust: Lesson 1In this day and age, trust is a non entity. Not only do we have problems knowing and understanding trust but we have actually become more untrusting of each other as the days and years have gone by.
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Homemade Gift for that "Precious Pet" in Your LifeWe all either have a pampered pooch in our lives or we know of one. With these pets, it is imperative that we do not fall for the tacky plastic toys sold by unknowing mass producers as gifts for our pets.
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A Talented and Gifted Glossary of Terms: A Sampling of Terms Most Used in TAG EducationSince I became active in Talented and Gifted Education almost 15 years ago, I discovered early on, that many people are confused by much of the terminology used in conjunction to Talented and Gifted education
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Patriotism in the Form of Beads, Love and Innocence: A Project That Spans the AgesSeptember 11, 2001, began as any other day in our home. The alarm went off, breakfast was eaten, lunches packed.
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Super Kids + Super Parents = Super Trouble"Super Mom" is a beast known by few but feared by all those involved in education, in general and Gifted Education in particular.
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Poetry Lesson: In Our WorldTeaching poetry to young learners can oftentimes be a challenge. This lesson plan brings the fun back into poetry in a way students can relate and enjoy
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Asthma Glow Cap: Find Your Inhaler in the DarkWe all know, when you need your inhaler in the dark. You need it, and don't want to waste precious time hunting around for it.
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Winter Storms and Odd Green Flashes of Light in the SkyOdd winter storms are not a rarity in the midwest by any stretch of the imagination and a recent storm was no different. Last weekend the Midwest was hit by one of the harshest winter storms in years.
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Confessions of a Chronic List MakerMy close friends and family can attest to the fact that I always have one list or another close at hand with a "to do", "don't forget" or "IMPORTANT" written on it.
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Copyright and How it Fits Within Our Lives on the InternetIt has always been tough to meet copyright rules but as the internet grows larger and the membership within online communities grows with it, copyright becomes more of an issue to deal with
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The Last Nightingale by Anthony Flacco: A ReviewIn a moment, a young boys life changes when the San Francisco earthquake hits at 5:12 a.m. on April 18, 1906. Shane Nightingale witnesses on this chaotic night, not just the aftermath of the huge quake, but the murders of his family at the hands of a madman.
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Wagon Wheel Rugs a Lost Art Worth RetrievingThis kind of woven rag rug can be traced back to the times of wagon trains. Since all wagons carried an extra 5th wheel in case of emergencies, it didn't take long to develop a way to use these wagon wheels to create a rug.
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The Mormon Trek to Salt Lake City Began in the HeartlandDuring the summer of 1856, approximately 1300 members of the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" (known as Mormon's) began an arduous trip of almost 1400 miles to Salt Lake City, Utah.
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How to Make a Party PinataA piñata is a fun activity for parties of all ages, and one we have all enjoyed at some time or another. Participants are blindfolded and then swing a stick, hoping to shatter the piñata and collect the goodies inside.
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I Pledge Allegiance to the FlagGive thanks for all you hold dear, for without love of country and patriotism you see so fully today, none of this would have been possible and for that I think most would agree, we all have time to take a moment out of our busy holiday and give thanks.
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Keep Your Child Safe With SAFE KIDParents and educators, please discuss stranger danger with your child. Authorities say that if children felt more in control of a "snatching" situation, many children could easily escape on their own. as most predators are not expecting a child to try to get away.
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Are Common Courtesy and Decency Taking a "Time Out" from Society Today?This past week, a thought that has been in the back of my mind for some time, hit me square in the face and I was at last forced to take a good look at society and how it has made radical changes of late in terms of acceptable behavior.
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All Natural Does Not Necessarily Mean Non-AllergenicMy youngest son has always been one of those kids with super sensitive skin. Born a redhead like his mother, he only has to hear the word "sun" and he becomes lobster red.
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Holiday Mayhem in the Malls, Hype or Happening?By now we all have heard about the threats against our malls all around the country.
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Quick Switch Flashlight by Energizer: For the Gadget Freak in Your House!How many times have the lights suddenly gone out at your house and you find yourself scrambling to find a flashlight only to discover it has dead batteries and the extra batteries in the drawer are the wrong size?
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Game Day IowaJust because a store totes "we have Hawkeye items" does not mean the items are of high quality and often can actually mean the HIGH part is in the price. So it's important to know where to find the popular black and gold items and save some green for the game as well!
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Coralridge Mall in Coralville, Iowa Black Friday Tips from a ProIf you are looking for a 10 year veterans tips and tricks to getting the most in the least amount of time on Black Friday at Coralridge Mall, then you have come to the right place.
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How to Create a Creepy Halloween DecorationHalloween is a BIG DEAL in our house! Having two boys definitly colors the decorations used. My son now insists on scary decorations not "sissy cute ones". And THIS from a kid who only a couple of years ago was scared of a screaming bat decorations, boy, have times changed!
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She's a Grand Ol' Flag! . . . Some Ways to Show Your Patriotism!Even years after the horrific attacks, I am still hearing persons speaking those self same words and wanting direction in how to feel "connected" with their patriotism.
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Christmas Don't Be Late: Memoirs Of a 4th Grade Party!The crowd went wild, cheering and rising from their seats in a melee of joy! It was a concert that rivaled no other in the sheer beauty, creative ingenuity and raw talent of the performers!
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Pirate Bedroom Decorating 101No self respecting Pirate would be without a treasure map and with a few supplies and some imagination, your pirate can hold his head high!
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Creating a Pirate's Room Without Paying a Kings Ransom...Creating my son's room was a creative affair. I was bound and determined that I would make as much as possible, for the least amount of money as I could finagle...and only purchase that which I couldn't figure out how to construct.
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Creating a Pirate-Themed Room for the Littlest Pirate in Your LifeIn this article you will find, WHAT I did to make a room a pirate's delight, HOW I did it, and WHERE you can go to get items for that pirate "wanna be" in your life.
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Sweet Dream Pie: A Delicious Treat Whipped with Fantasy and FunSweet Dream Pie begins with "Pa Brindle" waking "Ma" and convincing her to make some of her famous "Sweet Dream Pie" of which he promised only to eat ONE tiny piece! She begrudgingly agrees and the fun begins.
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Hewitch: A Book Full of Good Old Fashioned ChillsDeep within the dank dark, creepy pages of this book, "Hewitch" lurks, casting his clever spell of cagey creepiness and stirring up a beastly stew of grins and giggles galore
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The Spider and the Fly: A Wonderfully "horrible" Book that Appeals to All Ages!I was from an early age a huge fan of anything that left those "tingles" going down my spine and threatened to give me nightmares! This book is one of those kinds of books, and one that I am lucky enough to share with my children as well.
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Http://www.acronymfinder.com/As if life on the internet isn't confusing enough these days, it seems email and chat talk is becoming more and more confusing.
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How to Make a Personalized Gift And Leave a Memory to Cherish for Years to ComeWith the Holidays upon us in mere weeks, it is all too easy to walk into a mall and purchase a gift that is promised to be "the perfect present" for anyone on your holiday list. This is a craft that is a hit with recipients of all ages.
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Community Behavior Online . . . The Inside ScoopChange is inevitable in the real world as it is on the internet, like reality we must learn to bend and change as our world does around us.
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The Iowa Firefighters Memorial Located in Coralville, IowaA firefighters job is one of high risk, low pay and often even lower appreciation. Through this memorial, the firefighter can be remembered and his/her name displayed for others to read and reflect upon and pay tribute to those brave men and women we call firefighters.
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Password Safety and the Internet, How Safe is Yours?If you are anything like I was a few years ago, changing your password is the last thing on your "to do" list. I am ashamed to admit it, but up until that time. I had only one password that I used for EVERYTHING from my main log on to my EBAY and PAYPAL
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We Didn't Just Lose a Pet . . . We Lost a Friendremember it is normal and natural to grieve the loss of a family member and pets are members of your family as much as any other. So show your compassion and caring and grieve. Death is a part of life and a part we should experience without fear of judgment.
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Jump Start Power Prep Learning SystemProfessor Polly is a character in an inovative learning system that meets the needs of a child for entertainment and education as well.
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Easy and Inexpensive Halloween CraftsOne of our favorite, easy, inexpensive crafts to make for Halloween is a luminary. This is not only a fast, easy craft but one that can be as intricate or as simple as your design happens to be.
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Halloween Party Ideas for the Teen Age Set!When party goers get past the age of about 12, the fun of playing with peeled grapes goes a bit sour and they yearn for a bit more "meat" as you will for a party to celebrate the spookiest of days on the calendar.
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Trick 'em with This Tasty Treat! .... An Easy Halloween CraftThis project is a great addition to a craft fair or even can be a fun craft for a scout troupe to make with proper adult supervision. As it isn't your typical fall project, it is one that will surely be a hit at the next white elephant or fall fund raiser.
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How to Keep Your Resident "Pirate" Happy and ContentIn trying to satisfy my son's ever-growing need for more and more pirate information and entertainment, I have compiled a listing of pirate themed activities and pages.
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Plagiarism Online: How to Be Informed and Protect Your Writingthe internet has a hard time keeping up with plagiarism and as it is happening at such an alarming rate, offenders are slipping through the cracks as an indication that this practice is running rampant both online and off.
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Hand Crafted Handprint Table RunnerTable runners are always a big hit in our house when it comes to gifts for grandparents or special Aunts and Uncles. Due to the fact that nearly everyone has a table or piano they like to keep protected, this project is bound to be a big hit with whomever you design it for.
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How to Make a Designer Quality Sepia Tone Photograph PillowSpying a pillow in a decorator catalogue some time ago, not only was I frustrated that the only images offered were that of Paris and not Italy, but the price of over $100 a pillow for these handcrafted items was far beyond my budget.
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How to Make a Pirate Buried Treasure PillowEasy instructions on how to create a buried treasure pillow at a fraction of the cost without having to dig up buried treasure to pay for it! good luck and have a great time on the seven seas me' hearty!
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Internet Sites for Hard to Find BooksI have had cause to search recently for some text books. So thinking ahead for the summer I decided to share what I have found. One of the best places for these kinds of books I have found is....
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Http://www.modells.com Has the Chicago Bears Sunshade! Oh Yea!So when I saw this beauty of a sunscreen at http://www.modells.com " I had to have it... it stands out in a crowd and accents my new navy "bear-mobile" quite well, and if you think about it, with the price of gas so high, you gotta' grab your happiness whenever you can!
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Can You Say Big Red Fun? An Elmo Birthday Party is Great!If you too have an Elmo lover in your house, whatever their age might be, consider using some of our ideas. They are simple, inexpensive and they fill the bill quite nicely for a kid who would just love to live in "Elmo's World!" HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
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Halloween Pencil Topper Craft: Great for School Party FavorsThis is a relatively easy craft that a child can actually assemble with little help from adults.
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Http://www.footballfanatics.com, NFL Chicago Bears Sunglasseswhen it comes to watching a great fall football season, these sunglasses are a must when it comes to cutting the glare and showing my Bears pride all at the same time!
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Www.sportsunlimitedinc.com: Welcome to the World of a Die-hard Bears Fan!If you're like me and you dream of seeing the navy and orange play in person, then this is the Welcome mat for you. It's a great size (perfect for those dirty shoes encrusted with playground dirt)and it's bound to irritate those "Packers" fans that cross your doorstep
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Affection and Our Children in Society TodayEver since I was a child I have known affection.Having a family that was open with love, affection and appreciation for one another has created within me a sense of self worth that no 6 figure paycheck could ever create.
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Marriage and Families, Some Common Sense Advice that Actually Works!Having been married for almost 2 decades, I am hardly an expert as to what works and what doesn't but I can tell you what has saved many a battle in our household and why it works so well with us.
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Help Your Child's School and the Environment: My Daily PracticesIt is a relatively simple thing to begin to keep your eyes out for ways to help your school and recycle at the same time. Below are a few of the ways we help our school and the environment as well.
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Homemade Bath Product Links: Where a Google Search Leads YouIf you enjoy bath salts, sugar scrubs and salt scrubs, here's an inexpensive way to get them.
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Halloween Bingo: A Game for Early ReadersAs school Halloween parties begin to be planned, games often are one of the hardest parts of a party.
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Santa-at-Home.com: Christmas Graphics, Recipes, Artwork and MoreThis is the time of the year when kids' thoughts turn to the man in the ruby-red suit and lists of all the goodies they hope he'll bring to them Christmas morn! Of course, the holiday season would NOT be complete without the obligatory letter to Santa.
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Making Halloween Masks: Ditch Store Items for Customized LooksHave you checked out the half masks available for Halloween in stores lately!?! Not only are they made of hard plastic with sharp, scratchy edges, (they don't bend easily OR fit little faces well, either) but they are BORING!
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Create a Halloween Candle Holder: A Quick-Hit CraftSince Halloween is fast approaching, it's the time to drag out some craft supplies and get busy making a craft that is cute and will be a part of your home for many years to come.
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It's School Bake-Sale Season: Be Prepared With These TipsSchool is only days-old, and already notes are coming home announcing the first bake sale of the year. Parents all over the country are panicking needlessly!
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The Bone Detective by Donna M. JacksonWhen I spotted this book in our local library, I snatched it up faster than you can say, "he suffered blunt force trauma before death".
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Bill Zuber's Restaurant. In Amana, Iowa is Full of History, Legend and Great Food as Well!BIll Zuber's Restaurant is one of those places that offers much more than a good meal...it offers a piece of history as well.
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Amana Heritage Society & Museum in Amana, Iowa Holds Over 150 Years of History in the HeartlandIn 1855, the "Community of True Inspiration" a religious group looking for a place to settle, found the area now known as the Amana colonies and out of a need for religious freedom a colony of 7 villages was born.
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High Amana General Store in Amana, Iowa is a Step Back into a Simpler Time of LifeOriginally built in 1857, this general store has retained all of its original architecture. Looking around this store visitors can see the tin ceiling, the original glass display cases and even the original brickwork on the exterior of the building.
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Common Sense Advice from a Black Friday Shopper of Over 20 Years!While there should be warning signs posted so shoppers can avoid all those after the elusive bargain of the day, there unfortunately are not so common sense must prevail!
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School Has Started and Already the Problems Have BegunI have just returned from yet another trip to school to find out what is going on with my son's 2nd grade teacher and this is only the second week of classes!
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Overmedicated Children in Society TodayMy pet peeve of the day, the week and so far, the year is the way society tries to "fix" things with "letter diagnosis"...and "meds".
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Helicopter Parents - When is Enough Enough?A "helicopter parent" is a term for an individual who pays extremely close attention to their child or children, particularly at schools, classes or other educational avenues.
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Friendship....the Ever Elusive "Treasure"Friendship is one of those things that we see staring us in the face nearly everyday. From billboards with happy friends shopping together to ads in the paper with friends enjoying summer fun to even books, which extol the virtues of being " true friends".
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Christmas is Fast Approaching...gift Givers Everywhere Are Starting to Panic!Christmas will soon be upon us and it seems that gift givers usually fall into two categories when it comes to gift giving for that special man in your life.
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When Writers Write......Readers Read.....and Everyone Wins in the End!I have seen over and over in the past few months, the same question asked, "how do you use the name of a business in a creative way?"
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Are You Ready for Halloween?!? Free Pumpkin Carving Patterns for Everyone!Have you always wanted to carve a cool pumpkin for Halloween but didn't want to buy a whole book for one pattern?!?
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Teachers Need to Know so Much More Than Just How toTeach!It seems to be that the answer is to pay teachers a decent salary in the fist place and then encourage them with aid to add the classes they are required to have for re-certification....
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Butterflies Are a Wonderful Science Lesson for All at Http://www.butterflywebsite.com/Butterflywebsite.com/ would be a great extra study unit for kids and adults alike and there is honestly so much information on this site that even adults will most likely find something they did not know before visiting and checking out the information there
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Cool Websites on Those "BRR Cold" Days for Kids!Winter is on it's way to much of the country and with it comes BRRR cold temps and snow! Now don't get me wrong, sledding, building snow forts, snowmen and snow angels are great!
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Did You Know Butterflies Spend Part of Their Day "basking"? Http://www.butterflyschool.orgWhen you realize that "basking" is behavior in which the butterfly absorbs heat from the sun with their wings outstretched. Since they are cold blooded they cannot generate enough heat to stay warm so they rely on the sun for warmth
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Prepare for Winter Now: Bottled Water and Flashlights Among NecessitiesOur family survived a storm last winter with little hassle, but some forethought helped us get through the worst. Perhaps hearing our story will help others as winter quickly approaches with snow and ice forecast for much of the county.
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Mr Rogers an Icon of American Culture Continues to Touch Lives, After All These YearsOn Thursday, February 27, 2003, an icon of American culture died. I am not talking of Babe Ruth, "Miss America" or even Lassie. The icon I am speaking of is Mister Rogers of MISTER ROGERS NEIGHBORHOOD fame.
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Springhill Suites in Elmhurst, Illinois.....small Town Charm, Big City ConvenienceAfter much debate, discussion and research, we decided to stay in the Elmhurst/Oakbrook area and we narrowed our choices of places to stay to the SPRINGHILL SUITES by Marriott
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Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark in Dubuque, Iowa....not Such a "Grand" Place After AllOK, I know many people have found Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark to be great, and that's fine. After all, their opinion is an important as mine. BUT...I would like to explain WHY I find it to be such a disappointment.
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Learn to Draw with Billy Bear.comWhile this site is obviously geared for the under 10 set, but even I must admit it's fun to create the pictures using the wonderful step by step illustrations given as guides. The lessons are easy, but fun and kids of all ages can enjoy what this site has to offer.
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Plant Answers.com.....if You Have Questions, They Have Answers!What I found on plantanswers.com was a virtual "treasure trove of information and answers to all the questions I might have regarding my tree damage and other plant related information as well.
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Treeradar.com.....an Interesting Way to See Tree Rot as it Really Is!Being somewhat curious about tree rot and what I may have to deal with in my future, other than disposing of tree trunks and limbs all over the backyard, I did some searching and came up with treeradar.com.
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Mall Safety: Precautions to Take During an Emergency at Your Local Shopping CenterHelp your child be prepared for danger in a public place by teaching them to stay with others, hide and contact authorities.
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Throwing a Pirate-Themed Party: Great Fun for Halloween and Birthday PartiesPirate-themed parties can add spice to your event with features such as pin the tail on the parrot, fun invitiations, treasure hunts and more.
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Vocabulary.com Can Give You the Start You Need for the SAT!http://www.vocabulary.com is a comprehensive site in which 10 sessions have been created to aid students in learning 180 of the "top SAT words" used on the test.
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Powerprep.com Is a Site that Will Benefit College Bound Students of Any Age and AbilityPowerprep.com http://www.powerprep.com/collguid.htm is one of the most detailed and complete sites I have found in regards to prepping your student for the SAT test as well as future college days ahead.
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Artcyclopedia.com: A Site Devoted to and Filled with Information About Artists and Their WorkIf you seek information on Art Museums anywhere in the world, with over 8,000 artists, 2,278 art sites and access to 180,00 works of art available, then this site is the place to begin your search.
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Freesatprep.com Is Another Great Way to Get Yourself Ready for the SAT'sFreesatprep.com claims to raise your SAT tests scores through it's online prep, but as it also states, the best prep course will not help you if you do not apply yourself and give it your best.
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Online College Prep at Http://www.onlinecollegeprep.com/ : Not Worth the PriceI recently had a chance to try out this site and in observing the process of preparing a child for college, I must be honest and report that this paid service in my opinion is of the same quality as many of the other college prep courses offered online for free.
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Cheap, Cute Duvet Covers You Can Make Yourself!For those who are looking for a unique duvet cover but can't afford the high end prices, don't despair...there is an answer. And the answer to where you can find a good duvet cover is to simply....make one!
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The Perfect Gifts for Grandchildren Often Cost Only Pennies!With school beginning and summer drawing to a close, Christmas will be upon us before we know it and grandparents all over will be asking "what do I get my grandchild that they really want?"
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Mywonderfulworld.org - National Geographic Website for All AgesThe eye alights upon the phrase "Give our kids the power of global knowledge" when first viewing this website. And from that moment on it is apparent that National Geographic fully intends to extend the global knowledge of our children far beyond our wildest imaginations!
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Handwritingworksheets.com - Great for Handwriting "Brush Up" SheetsIf you have kids that are just learning how to print letters or perhaps you have older children learning how to write cursive, then "The amazing handwriting worksheet maker" on handwritingworksheets.com http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/index.htm is the site for you
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www.magickeys.com/books/ : Great Interactive Site for Beginning or Reluctant Readers!Magickeys.com was brought to my attention as a site that would help my son with not only his reading but his self esteem as well, and after testing it for a short time with my son, we found it is a gem in the rough!
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Gather.com....Not Just Another Online Blogging Community!BLOGS are well and good, don't get me wrong, but they are sorely lacking in one thing....they are oftentimes impossible to find a true person to connect with behind the wisdom, humor or just plain good common sense found within.
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Review of Monarchwatch.org - a Wonderful Learning Website for All AgesIn my search for additional information on the monarch butterfly, I was lucky enough to stumble upon http://www.monarchwatch.org/ and found within it a treasure trove of information about the monarch butterfly.
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Butterflywebsite.com - Get More than Basic Science Lesson PlansFrom start to finish when it comes to education, I have found that not only is hands on experience important to today's child but adding to that knowledge with good websites is vital to a childs total learning experience and educational growth.
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A July Birthday Party Can Be a No Sweat Event!A few years ago, when my youngest was ready to turn two, his ever helpful older brother was bound and determined that he was going to have a party! The only problem was, what to do!?! It was July and hotter than Hades!
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A Simple Garden Theme Craft that Kids Can Make!Hearing me whine about the outrageous prices found in magazines for simple garden signs, my son came up with one heck of a crafty plan!
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A Great Gift for that Canine Caroler on Your Christmas List!Since almost everyone either HAS a dog or knows of someone with a dog that they feel they must give a gift to, this is both practical and unique, plus it has the added bonus of being relatively inexpensive to create!
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Teens, Testosterone Poisoning and the Trial Years AheadThe term "Testosterone Poisioning" is not used lightly nor is it used in vain. It is used in all seriousness and with great trepidation.
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Preschool Learning: Fun for Pennies is Priceless!Preschoolers spend most of their waking hours learning from the environment around them. What they see, hear, do, smell and taste leave lasting marks upon them at this impressionable age
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Save Money on School Supplies in 2008 by Thinking Ahead Now!"...the store is jammed full of products that merchandisers are CONVINCED we cannot live without and who are trying with all their might to make us believe we will be sorry if we don't purchase their products now. And you know what? They are right."
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You're Invited to a Pirate Birthday Party Matey!For those who have kids who LOVE Jack Sparrow and want to celebrate their birthdays with style while Mom wants something that doesn't take a lot of effort to plan...a pirate party may be the perfect thing!
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Get Back into Shape for School with These Simple Brain Exercises for Kids!School starts soon but don't fret and don't despair, there is still time to do some brain gymnastics to help your child get ready for the school year and 8 hours of studies a day.
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Picasso's Gift to the City of ChicagoPicasso's art lies within the city of Chicago, making a silent statement about the city and the people within.
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National Traffic and Road Closure Information: A Keeper of a Site for Road TripsPicture it if you will, Mom's mini van packed to the gills with kids, coolers, crackers, kool-aide and kindred spirits, all set out on the quest of "the perfect vacation"!
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The Hawkeye Express - Another Perk of Living in the Iowa City AreaIf you are like me, sick and tired of the hassle of trying to find a place to park near Kinnick stadium...then consider instead "THE HAWKEYE EXPRESS. It cuts the hassle and doubles the fun of game days at Kinnick stadium!
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Consider a Forensic Science Major at Simpson College in Indianola, IowaRecently Simpson College, located in Indianola, Iowa, has broadened its horizons and added a major that is fast becoming one of the most popular across the nation.
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Thornberry Off Leash Dog Park in Iowa City - a "howling" Success!The Thornberry Off-Leash Dog is an 11 acre park with a dog yard, small dog area (yard), agility area and an in ground waste tank for disposal of dog waste as well as plans for even more entertainment for your 4 legged friend!.
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College Football Preview: Kinnick Stadium, Home of the Famous Iowa HawkeyesIt's about that time of year again....Hawkeye football season and the fans are anxious for their beloved Hawkeyes to reign victorious over many a gridiron giant!
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National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium Filled with Mississippi Legend and LoreThe National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium covers Louis and Clark, Sacajawea, BlackHawk, and the steamboat era, and highlights barge travel as well as the changes the Mississippi has undergone since the addition of locks and dams.
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Etiquette for the Flag of the United States of AmericaAs Independence Day passes and Labor Day fast approaching, it is appropriate that proper flag Etiquette should be discussed and reviewed.
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Handbook of Gifted Education ...tops In Its Field of Talented and Gifted EducationI have been extremely lucky the past few years to have worked with and taken classes from some of the brightest minds in the field of Talented and Gifted education.
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Mission to Mars . . . a Book That Leads to a Universe of Imagination!This book is a book aimed primarily at grades 2-3 but the story is so interesting, that I can easily see this book being used as an introduction to Mars or simply an addendum for a unit on the solar system for much younger students than those stated.
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Moving? Check Out Www.newhomesource.com Before You Begin!Moving is hassle enough without being organized or knowing the first thing about new homes. Newhomesource.com is the place to go to get the newest of news, advice and tips on moving online!
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Random Acts of Kindness That I Have WitnessedRandom acts of kindness happen every day. Though we don't often stand back and take note of them. I did just that recently and this is what I found.
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Education Sale Here!....."blue Light Special" in Aisle 16!Education for sale...what a novel idea! Not really....though it would be a much more interesting post for me if it were so.
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Helping Your Child Understand Death...something Every Parent Should KnowDeath is never an easy subject to broach, whatever the age. However, due to the sensitive nature of most children, one has to be more careful in explanations and actions regarding death most times more so, than when dealing with an adult.
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Tips and Tricks of Bargain Hunters, Savvy Shoppers and Coupon LoversThe internet puts hundreds of thousands of bits of information right at your fingertips, something that was previously unknown to savvy shoppers, allowing them to find the best bargains in mere minutes of research
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Character Education and How it Applies to Online BLOG BehaviorCharacter Education program attributes are those that I feel should we keep in the back of our minds, will serve us well as bloggers on today's internet. Some of the traits with which I'd like to emphasize are as follows.