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Circus Makes Reading Fun at Casas School

by Reporter Karylin Veres
Casas Christian School
Adviser: Heidi Cowell

Reading can bring many rewards. It can improve your vocabulary, make you smarter or even bring you a circus!

First-graders at Casas Christian School were given a challenge to each read 200 pages during the month of April in order to attend a Reading Circus put on by their teachers. They all succeeded! Combined, the first-graders read a total of 78,000 pages—well over their 50,000-page goal!

To help motivate them, kids received a ticket for the circus for every 20 pages that they read. All the games that they had at the circus required tickets. So kids wanted to earn as many as possible.

The teachers did a great job transforming their classrooms into a circus that kids would love. When I got there, the first thing I noticed were the clowns! The main clown was Miss Fanny. She made balloons for all the kids. For circus food, there were hot dogs and popcorn. Some of the games were really creative and fun! They had Baseball Throw, Hoop Shoot, Horseshoes and a Castle Toss, a big castle where kids had to throw rings into the open circles. Winners got to choose from plenty of prizes.

This was the seventh year that Casas first-grade teachers put on the Reading Circus. A great thing about this circus is that fourth-graders come and help with the games. Some of them remembered attending the circus when they were in first grade.

Casas students say all that reading is well worth the effort. First-grader Cameron says, “It wasn’t very hard.”

But his classmate, Julia, disagrees. “It was hard. I read mostly at home, but the circus is fun! The games are really fun!”

Kids aren’t the only ones who love the whole idea. “It really is a great thing for Casas to have a circus. The kids have an incentive to read,” a Casas parent points out.

“I think it’s a great idea because the kids earn something for their efforts,” adds another parent.

I think that these first graders really had a fun time reading and attending the circus. They had a lot of encouragement, so I’m sure they’ll keep reading.

Free Film Fun at Tower Theatres

by Reporter Cassidy Cowell
Coyote Trail Elementary

Are you looking for a cool place to spend the hot summer? Then you might want to check out a movie at the new Tower Theatres in Marana!

The theater just launched its summer program called the “Tree House.” Every weekday from June 2 to Aug. 8, Tower Theatres will show a cool movie at 10 a.m. that kids 10 and under can see for free, and everyone else only pays a buck! Some of the movies are family hits like “Alvin and the Chipmunks.” You can even have a birthday party there.

I went behind the scenes to see how to start a movie! First they check the film, which is on a big disk called a platter. They feed the film into the projector, hit the start button and check the sound. Then the movie begins!

With 12 screens, Tower Theatres probably has a film you’ll want to see.

Indy Makes Big Return for Crystal Skull

by Reporter Shane Weinstein
Tucson Hebrew Academy

After 19 years of waiting, Indiana Jones has finally whipped back into theaters. The beloved action hero/archaeologist returns for yet another globe-spanning adventure.

With his trademark fedora, leather jacket and whip, Indy is at the top of his game. In this adventure, he has his dearest Marion back at his side; a new side kick Mutt Williams, and RUSSIANS!

Cate Blanchett plays Irina Spalko, a Russian agent racing Indy to the crystal skull. Karen Allen returns as Marion Ravenwood, but she isn’t a bartender anymore. Now she’s a mom—Mutt’s mom (jeez, I wonder who the father is?). Shia LeBeouf is the major addition to the cast, playing Mutt, a greaser with an attitude.

In this fourth outing, Indy sets his sights on finding a mysterious crystal skull. But the Russians are racing Indy there, and at some points this can get confusing. There are times where Indy is looking at the map in the Russian camp and is saying the exact location of the skull’s final resting place out loud in front of Spalko. Hey, buddy, you’re kind of giving away where you’re going. Why don’t you just give up the skull, too?

Harrison Ford is great as the whip-wielding hero. Not only does the 65-year-old actor crack his whip, he also cracks jokes about his age. My favorite thing about the movie is the tongue-in-cheek humor Spielberg throws in. Through-out the film there are references to the old Indy movies. For example: at the end of the first chase sequence, if you look hard enough, you’ll see the ark from “Raiders.” Just little things like this spice up the flick.

All in all, the movie is a blast to watch with lots of eye candy.

Have You ‘Herd’ About Goats?

by Reporter Ashley Johnson
Butterfield Elementary
Adviser: Carolyn Risch

I have a boy goat and show boar goat. I’m in club El Chaparral of 4-H, which is in the Marana area. When it comes to showing, it’s not as easy as it looks. You have to work with them every day for at least 10 minutes. And when they don’t like it, they fight it!

Before you show, you have to go through a system of shaving, washing and trimming your goat’s hair. You also have to clip the old nasty rot that grew under the hooves.

We have two goats. This is my first year showing. My older sister is showing, too. This is her second year, and she helps me out.

There are two kinds of braces. There’s the chain brace, where you only hold the chain. It’s used for showmanship. There’s also a market brace, where you hold both sides of the chain in front of the ears. You only use it in market.

Showing an animal looks easy, but it’s not. You have to have a lot of courage to get up in front of all those people to show, and there’s usually five or six more people in the ring showing with you. There’s a judge in the middle who’s watching everything. You have to keep the head of your goat up at all times and look at the judge as well.

You have to be at least 8 to show an animal. There is pig, goat, lamb, sheep, cow, hamster, guinea pig, bird, pigeon and other categories.

Stop Illegal Dumping in Southern AZ!

by Reporter Elvia Silvas
Banks Elementary
Adviser: Lisa Martin

We Tucsonans live in a beautiful desert, but every day someone somewhere is trashing it.

Dumping trash in the desert not only is illegal, it creates hazards for both animals and people.

There are plenty of good reasons why we need to stop illegal dumping. Illegal dumping harms our desert. It can bring about diseases carried by flies, roaches, rats, and other pests that are attracted to the dumped trash. It creates pollution and fire hazards, and puts our air, water and land at risk. It destroys the beauty of our desert!

Since 1989, county workers have cleaned up about 3,400 tons of trash from our desert! According to Pima County Department of Environmental Quality, workers conducted 343 clean ups, putting in a whopping 32,000 hours of clean up time.

Kids, never try to confront an illegal dumper directly. You can report illegal dumping by going to the Web site: www.deq.co.pima.az.us/waste/illegal-dump.html or by calling 622-5800.

Also, if your parents hire someone to clean your yard, make sure that company has a permit or has a good reputation, so they won’t dump what they take away from your house. It’s good to know your hauler’s name, address and phone number. You can even ask for a landfill or dump receipt!

Check out the Web site for more facts about ways help keep the desert clean!

Author Shares Her Love of Writing

by Reporter Yarhani Cervantes
Banks Elementary
Adviser: Lisa Martin

Award-winning children’s author, Jennifer Ward, visited our school earlier this year. She read us her book called “The Coyote That Swallowed a Flea.” I liked the part at the end when the coyote burps because he tries to get the moon and swallow it.

Later I got to interview her over the phone. Her favorite part about being a children’s author? “I get to read lots of children’s books,” Ward explains. She adds that she loves being part of a creative community surrounded by authors and booksellers. She also likes being able to set her own hours.

Ward wrote her first published book about 10 years ago. She started writing it in 1996 while she was still teaching here in Tucson (she now lives in Illinois). Ward told me she wanted to be an author because she loves children’s books. When she was a teacher, the author Byrd Baylor came to speak at her school. Her meeting with Baylor inspired her to write.

Ward isn’t going to retire from writing anytime soon. “I see myself writing as long as it is so rewarding. I’m doing what I love doing. I feel blessed.”

Travel Back in Time at AHS

by Reporter Camila Ruiz V.
Bonillas Basic Curriculum
Magnet School

Would you like to learn about the history of Arizona?

Well, the best place to visit is the Arizona Historical Society Museum, where you can learn about Arizona, the Tohono O’odham, Hohokam and Apache, and a whole bunch of other different and interesting things.

The museum is located at 949 E. 2nd St. There are bedrooms, a mine display showing where miners worked and lots of other interesting displays showing different periods of Arizona history. When it comes to mining copper, did you know that it’s blue at first. As it is processed, it turns brownish to become the copper that we use.

The field trip we took was great. There are a lot of ancient things from Arizona’s past. I even got to try on old fashioned clothes—it was awesome and I learned a lot!

If you want to go, it’s free to the public on the first Saturday of every month. Otherwise the museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is $5 for adults, $4 for those 12 to 18 and free for kids 11 and under.

Dancing Has Its Rewards for Nicole Sevinsky

by Reporter Aubrie Cox
Butterfield Elementary

Nicole Sevinsky has been a competition dancer for three years. She does pom, hip hop, jazz, ballet and solo.

Pom is her favorite type of dance because she says she does the tricks the best. But hip-hop is the hardest for her because it’s her first time doing competition hip- hop.

She has a competition almost every month!

Nicole likes to dance a lot, but some of the cons that she points out include not having as much fun time each day as most kids, so she doesn’t have as many sleepovers or playdates.

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Amazing New ‘Narnia’ Gets a Definite 10

by Reporter Jamie Dorer
Navajo Elementary
Adviser: Linda Boudreau

“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” starts off where the first movie, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe,” left off.

This movie introduces Prince Caspian, who is running from his evil uncle, Miraz. Miraz wants to be king, so he needs Prince Caspian out of his way. With the help of his professor, Prince Caspian escapes with a magic horn.

When Caspian blows the horn, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy—the heroes of the first movie—are magically transported back to Narnia. The children, who were kings and queens during their last visit, find their old castle in ruins and realize that they have been gone from Narnia for more than a thousand years! Narnia is now ruled by the horrid Telmarines, and the Narnians must hide in the woods in order to survive. The animals of Narnia offer to risk their lives at war to help Prince Caspian regain his rightful position as king.

I thought this movie had realistic animals and creatures, such as the water god, battling trees and Aslan. Reepicheep, the mouse musketeer, is hilarious! Trumpkin, the dwarf, proves that even if you’re small, it doesn't mean you can’t be mighty.

“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” stars Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell and many other great actors. The movie is two hours and 17 minutes long.

My favorite part was the ending of the movie, which you’ll have to see for yourself. On a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the best, this movie is definitely a 10. It was amazing, so be sure to go see this movie!

Head Out for Some Arizona Fun!

by Reporter Caitlin Chavez
North Ranch Elementary

Want to go somewhere that has an amazing view, is as deep as a 60-story building and is right here in Arizona? Meteor Crater is where a huge, fiery meteor hit the earth 50,000 years ago! It is still here today. You can do interactive activities, make your own meteor or even see when the next meteor is estimated to hit earth!

The next meteor is actually estimated to hit Earth in summer 2010, but scientists say it most likely won’t. By 2027, an even bigger meteor crash is predicted. “Meteor Crater was awesome. I had a great time!” says Sam Zubrod, a tourist at Meteor Crater.

Zubrod could see the crater from inside, through a window. She also went outside to see the crater from another angle.

If you would like to find out more info about Meteor Crater, then check out www.meteorcrater.com/index.php or visit it yourself off I-40 at Exit 233. Meteor Crater is 35 miles east of Flagstaff and 20 miles west of Winslow. Check out the radio tour by tuning into 1610 AM.

‘End of Heroes’: Can’t Put It Down

by Reporter Tiffany Lam
Vistancia Elementary

As soon as I dove into the first chapter, I was thinking, “Not another Harry Potter story!”

Even with their differences, “The End of Heroes” begins much like the Harry Potter story, with a great wizard trying to pass his exam at the wizarding school. Soon, however, I found what’s unique about this book. Not a word is wasted; information is constantly being thrown at the reader, forcing you to really sit down and absorb the story.

The beginning of this book is bizarre, and I often had to backtrack to make sure I was keeping up with the story line. I was very skeptical, but in the end, curiosity about the book drove me to keep reading.

As soon as you begin reading, you can tell the main character, Malthus Kierin, is about to go on a grand journey to prove his courage. Malthus is the son of two great magicians, and he hopes to become as well known for his good deeds as his parents have. Almost like an answer to his wish, his chance arrives soon. After numerous odd attacks, his parents and many of the other powerful leaders of the world are killed. It is time for Malthus to do what he must. But how can Malthus, fresh from school, save his homeland when all the most powerful heroes are being slaughtered all around him? How can he and his weak group of friends win this one-sided war?

About a third of the way into the book, all the little setbacks begin to disappear. The story gets very good. There is a bit of romance for Malthus, as well as the action, mystery and exciting lures that wait at every corner.

Once I was hooked by the book, I was up reading at all hours of the night. Every description is vivid. The reader feels every emotion with amazing force. You’ll find yourself laughing, crying and smiling along with the book. I would recommend this book to anyone in fourth to seventh grade, as well as anyone else who enjoys a little dramatic fantasy.

The author, Kevin J. Herbst, lives in Chandler, Ariz., with his wife. He won the 2004 Arizona Authors Association award for “Best Unpublished Novel” for “The End of Heroes.”

Photographer Wows Camelback Kids

by Reporter Hannah Gerson
Camelback Desert North
Advisers: Stacey Lane and Maureen Riley

“Awesome” was the only thought going through my head after photographer Wilson Wyatt visited the third- and fourth-graders at Camelback Desert School.
Wyatt, of Wilson Wyatt Studios, talked to students about photography. He loves to take photos of nature.

“I strive for each photograph to become a unique gift,” Wyatt says. “Nature creates a magnificent, constantly changing canvas. Photography, in its most sincere and humble moment, offers the opportunity to share that with others.” Wyatt shared his photos with the class while teaching about different angles and perspectives. He also taught us about photograph enhancement—bringing out special details of each photograph. We learned about fine art and commercial photography.

“Fine art photography is taken with intent, as a piece of art,” Wyatt says. “With commercial photography, you have a responsibility to the person hiring you.”

Wyatt grew up in Kentucky. With the encouragement of his dad, a photojournalist, he started playing with cameras when he was just 6.

“I loved to be in my father’s darkroom, it was magical,” Wyatt remembers. “His nature photos are the best I have ever seen,” fourth-grader Lauren Appel says of Wyatt.

Some of his nature photographs are used as art and greeting cards.

Another cool thing about Wyatt is that he actually photographed the Rolling Stones. His photos appear regularly in Rolling Stone magazine, Home and Gardens and Architectural Digest to name a few.

Visit www.selectivefocusart.com to learn more about Wyatt.

Fishing Fun but Gross

by Reporter Stephanie Brodish-Aquino
Kingswood Elementary

There was a free fishing clinic held in March at the lake by the Northwest Regional Public Library in Surprise.

Michelle Holme directed the event, and 12 kind and funny volunteers from the Sun City Grand Fishing Club helped the 85 participants. This annual event is usually held in June. The organizers supplied fishing rods and bait. They also provided lunch.

There were plenty of exciting things that happened at the event. “One kid caught a catfish 17 inches long,” Holme says. Two other lucky kids caught fish, too.

The gross part about fishing was when my mom took a mealworm and stuck it on the hook. A white liquid came gushing out. The other gross time was when I asked for help to get an earthworm on the hook. The volunteer ripped the poor worm in half and gave the rest of the worm to me!

By the end, I had learned to cast, put bait on a hook and touch a worm. I learned a lot and had an experience that I’ll never forget.

Diving Into Summer Fun!

by Reporter Jae Fuhriman
Pomeroy Elementary

Are you excited for summer but worried about what you will do to keep busy? I sure am! Here are a few ideas for a great summer vacation.

First, you could go swimming. Swimming is a great way to stay active and have fun. Only swim while an adult is watching, and don’t forget to put on sunscreen!

You can also visit a few museums. There are so many types of museums, from art and science to history. This is a great way to learn new things and spend time with your friends and family.

Camping is a wonderful way to learn about nature and spend some quality time with your family. Bring your camera so you can capture any amazing moments. Finally, and most importantly, ALWAYS make time for some reading. Finding adventures in books helps build your imagination and can even make you a better writer.

There’s plenty to do this summer. Get together with your family and discuss your plans. Have a great summer and stay busy!

New Bear Web Site Is Quite a Site to See!

by Reporter Shane Weinstein
Tucson Hebrew Academy

After months of anticipation, Bear Essential finally launched its new Web site. And personally, I think it’s been worth the wait!

Go to www.bearessentialnews.com to check out the new and improved Web site. Visitors are greeted by everyone’s favorite polar bear, Boomer! On the home page, users can see this month’s cover and read top stories from the issue. My favorite part of the home page is the ticker with story ideas for Young Reporters like me.

The Young Reporters section is another important part of the site. By clicking on “Young Reporters,” you can navigate to all the current stories by kids or find the sign up forms you need to join the program. It’s all online—the forms, story ideas, helpful tips on organizing your story and fun activity sheets. So if you want to be a reporter, this is the place for you!

The new Web site offers things for teachers and parents, too! Teachers can order free work sheets and learn about classroom presentations by the Bear staff. Editors visit schools to talk about effective writing or the basics of reporting. Teachers also have access to Bear’s handy dandy Field Trip Guide.

Parents can get the information they need through Boomer’s handy Birthday Party and Summer Camp guides. Also, parents can get extra copies of articles that ran in the newspaper. Now friends and relatives of Young Reporters can enjoy the kids’ articles, even if they don’t live in Arizona.

Around the World in Only One Day!

by Reporter Anaise Pack
Back ‘2’ Basics Horizons

Imagine how exciting it would be if you could travel to 10 countries in one day. About 100 kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix did just that in February when they attended World Journey, an international festival held at the Herbert A. Kieckhefer Boys & Girls Club.

The kids came from 10 different clubs. Each club presented a country at the event: Egypt, France, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Papua New Guinea, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland and Spain.

In order to create their booths, the kids had to research their chosen country. Some staff and kids from the clubs even wore cultural costumes like tunics, sombreros and berets. Each booth had a tri-fold presentation: food, music and either an activity like a game or an arts & crafts project for members to try. Kids had the chance to sample tom kha gai, a chicken and coconut milk soup from Thailand. Nicholas Yanez, 11, did not like the soup. But Sara Vasquez, 11, said, “It was very delicious.”

Five cultural performances followed the presentations.

Everyone who attended the event from the performers to the kids really had a great time learning about other cultures and watching the amazing cultural performances.

Catching Up with the Cows

by Reporter Lexi Ramirez
Ashland Ranch

Have you ever wondered where your school cafeteria milk comes from? Well, if you see a white cow named Roxie on the carton, your milk comes from Shamrock Farms!

Founded in 1912, Shamrock Farms is the largest milk and dairy processor in the Southwest. Not only does the farm sell milk, they also produce sour cream, organic and flavored milk, coffee creamer and ice cream inspired by the wonders of Arizona, like “Grand Butter Pecanyon” and “Rocky Route 66”!

The farm owns more than 10,000 cows, and every day almost 20 new calves are born and put into the Shamrock Farms nursery. To make sure that the cows are in the best care, they are put in their very own spa with cooling fans, hoof pedicures and two showers every day. The cows go to the milking barn 50 at a time, and each is milked twice a day, producing about five gallons of milk. Their milk is so fresh that the products are in stores in less than two days!

There’s a separate milking herd of 200 Holstein cows, and these cows eat organic grains and have more than 300 acres to graze. The milk tastes just as rich and creamy as the regular milk, and it still has all the calcium and the nine essential nutrients. These cows are also treated with the same TLC (tender loving care) as the other cows.

The farm offers tours during the school year for kids to see the farm, the cows and the milking process up close and personal. There’s also a playground with a cottage cheese slide and a 20-foot milk bottle for children of all ages! When you go to the calf nursery, you can name your own baby calf and pet them!

Visit www.Shamrockfarms.net for more information.

Hope you have a great time down on the farm!

‘American Idle’ Production Plays Up Laziness

by Reporter Audrey Lewis
Grace Ev. Lutheran School

Live from Glendale, it’s “American Idle!”

No, it’s not the singing show we all love. But it’s just as good.

In April, Grace Lutheran School performed a production called “American Idle.”

The story is about a scam artist named Bruno Slacker who convinces eight contestants to live in a house together for a week and be completely idle, or lazy. The person who is the idlest wins a million dollars at the end of the week.

I played Dee Zine, a fashion designer who redesigns the living room and gets kicked off for not being idle.

It’s quite fun to be in a play because you get to hang out with your friends and see some funny bloopers.

Kitty Slacker, Bruno’s mom, was played by eighth-grader Ashley Raddatz.

“It wasn’t hard to learn my lines because I’ve had experience in other plays,” Ashley says.

Debra Tennesen, the director, has been directing plays for 27 years. “The hardest part for directing a play was keeping kids quiet behind stage,” Tennesen says.

Let’s give a round of applause to all the participants in the play.

Stories for Bear’s State Edition will resume in August.