February 2004 is filled with special days, weeks and month long celebrations.  Remember the importance of reading and discussing with children the reasons behind these special events.

In this Issue:

Black History Month
National Children's Dental Health Month
Sites To See
Read-View-Do
Let's Read More.
In the News
Cyberchase Valentine's Special
Comments from the Community

Ground Hog Day

Groundhog's Day is February 2 of each year, when, according to rural American tradition, the groundhog leaves the burrow where it has been hibernating to discover whether cold winter weather will continue. If the groundhog cannot see its shadow, it remains above ground ending its hibernation, but if its shadow is visible (that is, if the sun is shining), six more weeks of cold weather will ensue, and the animal returns to its burrow.

Presidents' Day

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12,1809, and George Washington was born on February 22, 1732.   President's Day is celebrated on the 3rd Monday in February and honors both Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

Clean Out Your Computer Day (Second Monday)
Valentine's Day (February 14 th )
Boy Scout Week (1st Week)
American Heart Month
American History Month
Black History Month
International Friendship Month
National Cherry Month
National Dental Health Month
National Embroidery Month
National Grapefruit Month
National Wild Bird Feeding Month
Responsible Pet Owners' Month

Black History Month

Notable African-American Scientists and Inventors

Read about these notable scientists and inventors in your local library.

• Archibald Alphonso Alexander, design and construction engineer
• Benjamin Banneker, American intellectual and scientist
• Edward Bouchet, physicist, chemist
• Benjamin Bradley, inventor
• Herman Russell Branson, physicist
• George Washington Carver, American agricultural chemist
• Emmett W. Chappelle, biochemist
• Jewel Plummer Cobb, biologist, physiologist
• Rebecca Cole, physician
• David Crosthwait, Jr., engineer, inventor
• Martin Robinson Delany, American black leader, physician
• Charles Richard Drew, physician
• Clarence L. Elder, engineer and inventor
• Lloyd Hall, chemist
• Samuel Elmer Imes, chemist, physicist
• Mae Jemison, astronaut, physician
• Thomas L. Jennings, inventor
• Frederick McKinley Jones, inventor
• Percy Lavon Julian, chemist
• Ernest Everest Just, biologist, educator
• Lewis Howard Latimer, inventor
• Henry Cecil Ransom McBay, chemist
• Elijah McCoy, inventor
• Garrett Augustus Morgan, inventor
• Maurice F. Rabb, Jr., ophthalmologist
• Norbert Rillieux, inventor
• Virgil Garnett Trice, Jr., chemical engineer
• Charles Henry Turner, entomologist
• Sarah Breedlove "Madame C.J." Walker, inventor, entrepreneur, philanthropist
• Daniel Hale Williams, physician
• Granville Woods, inventor
• Roger Arliner Young, zoologist

Phyllis Wheatley

An engraving of poet Phyllis Wheatley from her book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral

CREDIT: Engraving attributed to Moorhead, Scipio. "Frontispiece and Title Page from Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral." 1773. American Treasures of the Library of Congress.

America's first published African American poet, Phyllis Wheatley , born in Senegal, was sold into slavery to John and Susannah Wheatley of Boston around 1760.

At an early age, Phyllis displayed remarkable talents and published her first poem, in 1770, when she was just 17. Three years later, a volume of her poetry was published in London and Wheatley became a sensation. Wheatley's poetry dealt primarily with religious and moral themes---her first published piece was an elegy to the evangelical preacher George Whitefield. But she was also a patriot and admirer of George Washington, about whom she wrote:

A crown, a mansion, and a throne
  that shine,
With gold unfading,
  Washington! be thine.

Wheatley died at age 31, in 1784.

To learn more about Phyllis Wheatley and other patriots visit Liberty's Kids website: http://pbskids.org/libertyskids/

National Children's Dental Health Month

The annual observance of children's dental health began as one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio on February 3, 1941.  During that year, February 3-7 was designated as Children's Dental Health Week in Akron, Ohio. The American Dental Association held the first national observance of Children's Dental Health Day on February 8, 1949. This single day observance became a weeklong event in 1955. In 1981, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children's Dental Health Month.

Since 1941, the observance has grown from a two-city event into a nationwide program. NCDHM messages reach millions of people in communities across the country and at numerous armed service bases abroad. Local observances often include poster, coloring, and essay contests, health fairs, free dental screenings, museum exhibits, classroom presentations and dental office tours.

"Healthy Smiles are Always in Style!" That's the theme of this year's National Children's Dental Health Month. Download coloring sheets, word jumbles, puzzles, a maze and a smile calendar at http://www.ada.org/public/news/ncdhm/index.asp#fun

The nations largest children's dental screening and care event takes place on February 6 th .  An estimated 35,000 dental professionals are mobilizing to provide underserved children with the nation's largest, free dental education, screening and care event on Feb. 6, known as Give Kids A Smile/National Children's Dental Access Day (GKAS). 

Events at 2,150 sites across the country range from large-scale dental clinics providing free fillings, cleanings and fluoride treatments, to groups of dentists providing care to underserved children in their private practices, to individual dentists giving education and screening programs in a variety of locations.

For more information about dental health in North Carolina, check with the North Carolina Dental Association at www.ncdental.org

Sites To See

For Black History Month Information check out http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhm1.html

N.C. Healthy Weight Initiative
The mission of the N.C. Healthy Weight Initiative is to shape the eating and physical activity patterns of North Carolina children and youth in ways that lead to healthy weight and reduce the risk for chronic disease. Like most states in the United States, North Carolina has experienced a sharp rise in the number of overweight children. Overweight affects 26 percent of North Carolina's 12 to 18 year olds, 20.3 percent of children 5 to 11 years, and 12 percent of preschool children 2 to 4 years of age.  To learn more about the N.C. Healthy Weight Initiative, visit the official Web site at www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com

Legislation and Federal Resources:

History of the IDEA (twenty-five years of educating children with disabilities through IDEA)
IDEAPractices , is designed to answer your questions about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, keep you informed about IDEAS That Work, and support your efforts to help ALL children learn, progress and realize their dreams

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. (Supports research, demonstrations, technical assistance and dissemination, technology and personnel development and parent-training and information centers.

The OSEP Legislation and Policy Page links to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Policy Documents Affecting the Education of Infants, Toddlers, Children and Youth with Disabilities. It also links to full text documents of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (in both English and Spanish) and other publications related to IDEA or early intervention services.

READ-VIEW-DO

READ

Arthur's Tooth by Marc Brown is a book that any child that's about to loose a tooth would enjoy. In this story Arthur is the last to loose a tooth. He feels behind and awkward for it. Everyone tries to help him loose it, but nothing ever succeeds. Finally, Francine, the bully of the group, that hassles Arthur for not loosing a tooth yet, jabs Arthur in the mouth, and knocks his tooth right out!

VIEW

Arthur airing Friday Feb 6 4:30pm on UNC-TV
D.W. Tricks the Tooth Fairy
In part two, D.W. needs money for her own Fluffy Unicorn Clothes-Horse and Horse-Clothes Barn. When she tries to pull a fast one on the Tooth Fairy, will Arthur have to pay?

DO

Ages:  Preschool and Kindergarten

Objective and Subject areas:
Learning about dental care, and making toothbrush holders, helps children develop and improve:

• Art
• Life Skills

Materials

• Clay (self-hardening or bake able)
• Paint supplies
• Toothbrush (for each child)

Directions
When do kids start losing their baby teeth? What happens after you've lost a baby tooth? Invite children to share their knowledge and questions about these and other toothy topics.

This is a good opportunity for children to learn about taking care of their teeth. Have them make tooth-shaped toothbrush holders out of clay, using a wide pencil to form a hole for the toothbrush. Etch each child's name on the bottom of the holder. Children can paint their holders when dry or baked. You may want to keep these holders in class and provide a new toothbrush for each child. Encourage children to brush their teeth after lunch, making sure they don't exchange toothbrushes.

Take It Further

Invite a dentist or dental hygienist to your class. She or he may be able to bring information sheets to send home to families, and posters or props for dramatic play.

Let's Read More.

The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss:  "Who has teeth? Well, look around and you'll find out who. You'll find that red-headed uncles do." So begins this unmistakable Seuss combination of rhythm and humor. Theo LeSieg is Dr. Seuss' pen name for books he authored but did not illustrate. (His real namewas Theodore Geisel, andLeSieg is Geisel spelled backwards.) The text is cleverly illustrated with lots of teeth-zebra teeth, camel teeth and even "little girls named Ruthy teeth." An offspring of the Beginner Books, this "Bright and Early" series book is designed for a younger age group. The story is shorter, the vocabulary is limited and the pictures are good clues to the text. The rhyming text and zany illustrations will hold the attention of the youngest listeners, and beginning readers will have fun with the humor and rhyme. Ages 3 to 7

Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder by Barbara Park and Denise Brunkus:  At first, Junie B. Jones is thrilled to have a loose tooth -- it means she's turning into a "big kid," and she'll be the first one in Room One to lose one of her top baby teeth. But when Herb tells her about his "toothless Uncle Lou," an alarmed Junie B. soon tries to get her tooth to stop wiggling -- until Grandpa Miller accidentally helps it pop out. Complete with a new smile that she begins to appreciate, Junie B. then confesses to her parents that she knows the real story behind the Tooth Fairy -- she's really a brush-riding Tooth Witch that eats "tooth apples" -- and she won't leave her tooth under her pillow. Mom and Dad try to discourage this theory, but Junie gets her class involved, and they all begin wondering about the Tooth Fairy's real motives for collecting teeth. Yet just when Junie thinks she has it all figured out and leaves her tooth out for the night, an unexpected surprise winds up answering her Tooth Fairy questions and making her extra-excited. Ages:  6 to 9

Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Jan and Stan Berenstain:  Sister Bear watches Dr. Bearson fill Brother Bear's small cavity. Then it's her turn in the chair to have a dangling baby tooth removed. An entertaining story for preschoolers of a cheerful and informative visit to a dentist--This is an excellent book for your children on their first visit to the dentist. It is important to get this book BEFORE the visit . . .not while sitting in the waiting room of the dental office. I feel it is important to get a child familiar with what will happen prior to the first dental visit. This is a fun, educational and entertaining story. This story is one that can be enjoyed by both child and parent.

Also recommended: Open Wide: A Trip to the Dentist, Barney Goes to the Dentist

IN THE NEWS

New Characters Are Coming To Tarrytown Airport!

Jay Jayand his friends are revving their engines and wiggling their wings in anticipation of a new Tarrytown Airport friend and they're asking young viewers for help. Innovative in both concept and application, this web voting initiative is the first time children ages two to six are empowered to determine what new character will join Jay Jay and his friends first. The new character will debut on retail shelves in late 2004 as a new Jay Jay toy. New television episodes, a direct-to-video special and other exciting Jay Jay initiatives are expected to follow.

Through February 2004, parents and children have the opportunity to log onto the official Jay Jay The Jet Plane website at http://pbskids.org/jayjay/ to vote for their favorite among four new warm and wonderful characters. The website is already a big attraction, with over 325,000 monthly visitors accessing interactive activities, games and lessons.

"It took a great deal of thought in developing the four new characters. Each had to meet certain criteria synonymous to those found in the series," said Bruce Johnson, executive producer and CEO of PorchLight. "Like Jay Jay and all his friends, each must have personality, heart and the ability to share life learning lessons and discoveries. I can't wait to see the results of the voting."

With great hopes of taking permanent residence in Tarrytown, "home to the best fleet of friends a child could have," the characters up for election are:

·MONTANA is an exciting female adult SAFARI PLANE. She travels all over the world and has many interesting adventures, but she always likes to stop at Tarrytown Airport to share her fantastic stories with the younger planes.

·CAPTAIN BOB is a very energetic male adult FIREFIGHTING PLANE. Whenever lightning causes a forest fire to break out in Tarrytown Valley, Captain Bob is the first one on the scene, using his big water scoop to put out the fire.

·SOLAR is a boy EXPERIMENTAL PLANE. He is very interested in keeping the environment clean and he has special panels on his wings that capture the sun's energy to make him fly.

·TRUCKEE is a friendly boy DUMP TRUCK. He is very responsible and is always ready to haul anything for E.Z. O'Malley or Brenda Blue.

SESAME STREET, BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE NUMBER, 35!!!

35th Anniversary Season, Launching April 5, on PBS KIDS®
Features Hilarious All New Parody Segments Including 'Dr. Feel' and 'Joe Hundred Guy'

Plus Celebrity Guests : Julianne Moore, Norah Jones, Seth Green, Venus Williams, Harvey Fierstein, Martina McBride and American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard

New York, January 10, 2004 - For 35 years, one television series has been consistently honored for its contribution to generations of children's development and remains the benchmark for the very best in educational programming.  The world's largest informal educators of young children around the world, Sesame Street celebrates its anniversary with a PBS primetime special premiering Sunday, April 4 at 8:00 PM ET/PT.  Entitled "The Street We Live On," this very special episode will re-air in daytime beginning Monday, April 5 on PBS KIDS as the series' season opener.  

A nostalgic journey through Sesame Street's most magical moments, "The Street We Live On" puts the spotlight on the series' high-spirited red muppet, Elmo, as he learns more about the street on which he lives.  Using the popular 'Elmo's World' format, the hour-long program explores Elmo's innermost thoughts and imagination.  Although shot in the present day, Elmo (with the help of his friend Grover) is seemingly transported through time to the Sesame Street that existed before Elmo was born. 

In these historic flashback moments, Elmo meets the man behind the name of that famous store, Mr. Hooper, he is on hand for Maria and Luis' wedding day; he sees the birth of their daughter Gabi; and he experiences Gordon and Susan's adoption of Miles.  The finale of the episode features Sesame Street's entire cast singing a wonderful new composition called, "The Street We Live On."  And our story ends with Elmo coming to the realization that he doesn't have to dream to find his friends on Sesame Street - all he has do to is run outside to be a part of this very happy family.

"In honor of our 35th season, we really wanted to create an episode that not only celebrates our current generation of viewers, but was also a fond look back for many parents who were Sesame Street fans when they were preschoolers," noted Lewis Bernstein, Executive Producer.  However, our season is more about the future than the past.   We remain committed to focusing on the fundamentals and how best to integrate the process of learning and entertainment.  Since the world around our preschoolers is more complex, and more extreme, Sesame Street has become a silly safe haven: reasoning is modeled, conflicts are resolved and emotions are discussed, all with humor, music and joy." 

"As always, Sesame Street is there to introduce basic academic building blocks and life lessons in a way that entertains and engages children as they embark on each new phase in their development," adds Rosemarie Truglio Ph.D., Vice President of Education and Research, Sesame Workshop.  "We continue to focus on the 'whole child' curriculum where we look at all aspects of a child's development: cognitive, emotional, social and physical.  Research continues to prove that children truly benefit from learning the Sesame Way.  Not only are they using knowledge based on what they learn, but they're encouraged to think, dream and discover for themselves.  Our goal continues to be for children to strive to reach for their own highest potential in school and in life."

Check out the latest MDR Technology in Education report . This is the state-of-the-state for K-12 Educational Technology, and has some useful information regarding types of computers in schools, teacher usage of technology, connectivity, and district technology spending.  If this is useful, you might be interested in getting the full report (available at www.schooldata.com that includes state-by-state information as well as more specific information about NCLB-failing schools and how they compare on Ed tech issues.

Watch for In Search of Shakespeare , a four-part history series exploring the life, times and legacy of the world's greatest playwright. The program will air on UNC-TV at 8:00 p.m. on February 4, 11 and 18, 2004, and at 10:00 p.m. on February 27, 2004.  Check out the companion website. In addition to many exciting interactive features, the site includes a comprehensive and multidimensional educators section. You will find:

• Lesson plans written by Shakespeare master teachers
• A professional development area featuring articles and case studies written by Shakespeare scholars and educators who have participated in the acclaimed Folger Teacher Institute
• A multimedia digital library
• A discussion board for educators
• A local events database of Shakespeare-related education programs in all 50 states

Be sure to check out Clifford's Valentine special on:

UNC-TV
Feb. 14, 9 AM Clifford's Valentine's Day Special: Smooches & Pooches

UNC-KD
Feb. 14, 7:30 PM Clifford's Valentine's Day Special: Smooches & Pooches

A HEART-POUNDING VALENTINE'S DAY ON CYBERCHASE!

Cyberchase celebrates in a special episode

Online and on-air, the hit PBS math mystery series CYBERCHASE makes February fun!

UNC-TV will air this episode on Monday Feb 16 3:30pm
Hugs & Witches
It's Valentine's Day, and Hacker captures Doctor Marbles and Lady Ada Lovelace (Jane Curtin), placing them inside a time machine invented by the mathematically-minded Lady Ada. The kids and Digit must decipher a series of poems left behind by Lady L, and free them from the time machine before it time travels to the nether regions of cyberspace - never to return! Will the kids get there in time, or will Valentine's Day bring nothing but broken hearts?

The Big Idea: When you have different numbers that describe members of a group, you can often find one number to fairly represent the group as a whole.
Math Topic: Data Clusters
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Links: Data Analysis & Probability
Science Connection: Identifying central values

Tune in to "Hugs and Witches," a special Valentine's Day show featuring the voice of Jane Curtin asLady Ada Lovelace.  In this exciting episode, Hacker captures Dr. Marbles and Lady Lovelace inside her newly invented time machine. To save the day, Jackie, Matt, Inez and Digit must decipher the clues left behind in a poems by Lady L. Will the kids break the code and save Dr. Marbles and Lady Ada Lovelace from the dastardly Hacker's time trap...or will this Valentine's Day leave them with nothing but broken hearts? 

Who is the real Lady Ada Lovelace? And who is her father? Log on to CYBERCHASE Online ( www.pbskids.org/cyberchase ) to find out!  Fans will also find printable Valentine cards, coloring pages and e-cards featuring the CyberSquad and other popular characters. ~ February's "Send It" feature in the CYBERCHASE Club will invite kids to submit their own "Valentine Cyber Rhyme" for publication on our website.  This new content launches January 26th.

Thirteen/WNET New York and Nelvana International Ltd produce Cyberchase.

The National Science Foundation, PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting provide major funding.  The Intel Foundation, The Kettering Family Foundation and The Volckhausen Family provide additional funding.  Jif Peanut Butter and Intel Corporation provide corporate funding.

CYBERCHASE airs daily on PBS KIDS.

Comments from the Community

A Day for Daycare Conference, Chapel Hill, North Carolina  (January 31, 2004)

"I think you did an excellent job.  I love Berenstain Bears.  I have collected their books since '97 (before I had my kids).  I have always thought that they [Berenstain Bears] had a good message.  Actually, I love the book, 'Trouble with Manners.'  At home and school, we can play out that we are eating and how we do on manners.  Playing it out makes learning too."

"There were a lot of helpful ideas, but just to pick one-it would be the Jay Jay tape.  That seemed very enjoyable.  I really enjoyed this workshop.  I have a lot of ideas."

"It was a very good workshop, and I loved the handouts.  I'm going to remember to do them when I get my foster child-remembering what family is all about and how to love and care for a child."

"I think Pamela Hines is one of the best.  She held a great class today!"

"I will use a video as my theme introduction to give a little example of my theme, and ask the children questions."

"Video 'Getting Ready for Kindergarten' is a good example to get one ready for school.  'Why not Just Turn It Off' gives good ideas for less use of TV."

"The workshop helped me to learn that each child is different, and learn at different paces.  Also, television can be a learning tool if used correctly.'

"I will use this program [Berenstain Bears] for my three year old to introduce [her] to learning new words and problem solving situations."

"You are great!  I enjoyed every minute.  We could do a lot with the things you have taught us today.  Keep up the good work!"

Counties Impacted :  Mecklenburg, Person, Lenoir, Wake, Chatham, Guilford, Vance, Rockingham, Orange and Alamance

Cities Impacted :  Siler City, Lumber Bridge, High Point, Durham, Statesville, Sanford, Greensboro, Graham and Raleigh