Word Find Puzzles Reading, “See Spot Run” With Word Find Puzzles!

These are not your grandmother’s old search and find paper word find puzzles! Anyone who has ever seen the wonder in a new reader’s eyes, as the world of words opens up to them, knows what a joy reading is to children developing reading skills. Get in the car with any new reader, and before long, you will see signs you never saw before, and see the joy and excitement of the new reader, as they see a whole new facet of the world becoming real before them.

Everyone remembers their first reader. “See Spot! See Spot run! Run, Spot run!”
That remembered, word find puzzles can be used at your child’s party as entertainment, but you must keep it simple.

Not only will this be a great learning tool, and wonderful entertainment for your new reader’s party, it can be a ‘do it yourself game’ that costs very little. To make this game yourself, here is your shopping list:

1 roll of heavy plastic
A variety of brightly colored permanent markers
Scissors
Several boxes of washable markers, or dry erase markers
Large sponge material to be cut into erasers

Cut the plastic into large squares, approximately 3×3 feet in size. Print, in brightly colored block letters, words your child knows from reading class at school. A good suggestion for this age group is to write all the words from left to right, as they would normally appear in their readers. Then, surround the letters with random letters of the alphabet. A decorative border of the ABC’s in order will make the word puzzle look nice.

The children can each be given their own plastic word find puzzle sheet, their own washable markers, and an eraser, to take home as party favors. These sheets will be used again and again, and while being very simple, inexpensive, and fun, your do it yourself word find puzzles, will be great learning tools as well.

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free Party Games to help complete your event.

Party Games Great Games to Make Your Party a Success!

No matter the age of the participants, or the type of party you have, party games add fun to the festivities, and allow guests to become acquainted with each other. Just be sure the party games are age appropriate, and appropriate for the type party you are planning.

Adult parties can be just as full of fun and festivity as children’s parties the party games are just a little different. For example, a fun game for married couples is “The Not So Newlywed Game.” In this game, the women are given a questionnaire, and asked to answer questions like, “Where did you and your spouse go on your first date?” “What would your wife like better, chocolate or vanilla?” are just silly questions that get plenty of laughs, when the husbands answer.

Another entertaining game for both adults and kids, is the “egg game” Everyone is shown a bowl of eggs, told that all the eggs, except one, are hard boiled. One egg in the basket, you tell them, is raw. Each person smashes an egg on their foreheads until someone finds the raw egg. In reality, there is no raw egg, but the real fun is seeing the last person with the last egg. Will they break it against their forehead? If they do, they win a prize.

While most games are just really silly, and people think it is difficult to come up with new ideas, the truth is, it is the company you keep that makes the games fun. It is the laughter shared that makes friendships what they are. Whether your games are original or just homemade takes on old favorite trivia games, or painted colored circles on sheets of plastic, getting the participants all tangled up trying to stay on the right colors, party games do indeed add life to every party!

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free Party Games to help complete your event.

Motivating Employees You’re Kidding, Right

Often I’m asked to make comments or teach classes on “employee motivation.” The mere combination of these words makes me cringe. We are each unique in our own right and to say that there is a set of principles that explains how to motivate people to higher levels of performance seems too good to be true.

What makes us unique? Our family, our upbringing, our education, our religion, our circle of friends, our socio-economic status, (and on, and on. . .) all make us unique (and dare I say, “special?”) And those differences mean that a one-size fits all approach just doesn’t work.

Take for example my friend Sam. Sam is an artist and has taught art at a junior high school for 25 years. Several times, Sam has been given the opportunity to become a school administrator, which would lead to significantly more money. It would give him more power and prestige. It would allow him more freedom in his day-to-day activities. However, time and time again, Sam has turned down this opportunity. Many of his peers think he’s crazy. They say, “Sam, you’re turning down all that money and freedom. What’s your problem?” Time and time again, Sam replies with, “I like my job, I like the kids, and I like my summers off. If I became a principal, I’d work year round, have less time with kids, and I’d have to answer to the parents and the school board. It’s not worth it!”

When I ask people what motivates them, many say, “money.” However, Sam is one of the millions of exceptions to that rule. For some, money is a motivator. For others, flexibility, the kind of work they do, the freedom the have, the ease of the work may all be motivating factors.

What is it that motivates you? And, more importantly if you are a leader, what motivates the people who you are leading? The best place to find the answer to that important question is to go directly to the source and ask.

Marnie Green, Chandler, AZ, USA

Marnie E. Green is Principal Consultant of the Arizona-based Management Education Group, Inc. She is the author of Painless Performance Evaluations: A Practical Approach to Managing Day to Day Employee Performance (Pearson/Prentice Hall). Green is a speaker, author, and consultant who helps organizations develop leaders today for the workforce of tomorrow. Contact Green at http://www.managementeducationgroup.com

We offer this article on a nonexclusive basis. You may reprint or repost this material as long as Marnie Green’s name and contact information are included Mgreen@managementeducationgroup.com,
480-705-9394, http://www.managementeducationgroup.com

Online Board Games

Online board games are, as the term suggests, games played over the Internet either alone or with various people. Many of these games are the board games we used sit around a table and play with our family and friends. The only difference is now, we have no physical contact with the people we play with, nor can we see them. Additionally, we probably do not, nor will we ever, know our partners and opponents. Although, many game rooms offer a “chat” option as well.

With a few exceptions, online board games are free, and there are millions of people playing different board games online at any given time. This favors anyone who wants to play at any time because you are always guaranteed to find people who are willing to play the same game you are interested in.

Additionally, when playing online you can try any type of game you want without purchasing it. As noted, many are free, and many also offer a free “trial” period to allow you the option playing the game for a while before deciding whether you want to purchase it or not. This means that you can test literally all board games online without spending any money at all or give it a ‘test-drive’ before you consider buying. This is a huge advantage if you are a big fan of board games, since you can always expand the range of games that you like to play.

Finally, because you are playing over the Internet, you can definitely find some of the most challenging opponents to play with. Some games include a ranking system for all players who compete. If you rank high, you will be listed as a top player and could win some very nice prizes. Two of the most popular free, game websites) are MSN and Yahoo. Have fun and enjoy the games!

Board Games provides detailed information on Board Games, Online Board Games, Kid Board Games, Chess Board Games and more. Board Games is affiliated with Game Design And Development.

Are Healthy Organic School Dinners on the Increase

Jamie Olivers campaign to improve school dinners has galvanized politicians and parents alike. Even the Prime Minister has got involved saying that If changes are made it will only be a matter of months before British health, education and farming could be affected for the better. It could be one of the biggest food revolutions that England has ever seen. What is now needed is real commitment to this change and the funds from central government to back it up.

In a response to the plea from Jamie Oliver for a school dinner revolution, the Prime Minister has also said that school kitchens will be rebuilt and equipped so that food dishes can be cooked from scratch, while dinner ladies are given culinary skills to help them create appetizing menus.

From autumn 2006, school dinners in England will now exclude crisps, chocolate, fizzy drinks and low-quality meat. School children will be served at least two portions of fruit and vegetables with every meal and deep-fried food will be restricted to two portions per week. Meals that are high in salt and fat from the school canteen are also banned.

From a parents perspective, many want better school meals for their children and to swap junk food for both organic and local fresh meals but there has been pictures in the national newspapers of some parents taking dinner orders at the school gates and going and buying burgers, chips and other unhealthy meals and then delivering it to their children and others. This is clearly undermining what Jamie Oliver and the Prime Minister is trying to do, at school they have to wear a uniform and conform to certain rules, why cant this include eating green and healthy food? When they get home they can then wear and eat what they want. Its not going to kill them to eat 5 healthy meals per week is it? Wake up!!! This also reminds me of Ian Wrights (famous ex Arsenal football player in the UK) recent TV programme about unhealthy kids, he tried his hardest to engage them in exercise to reduce their obesity levels and when he was struggling he asked their parents to lead by example..many of them refused!

Back to healthy meals againthe Soil Association is encouraging the use of organic and local produce in school meals by running a Food for Life workshop at interested schools. It is a one day workshop for key stage two pupils. It is run by the Soil Associations education department. The workshop provides children with an opportunity to consider healthy eating, local and organic food through the theme of choices.

Schools also need information on good practice when sourcing healthy food for school meals. Schools can further improve childrens diets and increase their understanding of food by means of farm visits, and classroom activities. Wouldnt it be wonderful if all schools could have gardens so that kids can see that food doesnt come just from packets or appear miraculously in shops?

To encourage kids at home to eat healthily why not make soups with organic vegetables, while the children can make their own smoothies in the blender with organic yogurt or milk and fresh or frozen fruit. I bet the kids can taste the difference. All the kids in my family love organic yoghurts, and for snacks they have organic dried fruit.

Davinos Greeno works for the organic directory This green directory lists 100s of Organic Food and Drink Companies and Eco Jobs and Campaigning Videos

Church Service Family Style How a 3 Year Old Preacher & a Beagle Made Our Sunday Unforgettable

One unforgettable Sunday our church had a three-year- old preacher, an organist who could play one song, an altercation involving the offering and a visiting beagle who knocked over the pulpit. It happened this way.

Our family car was down at the shop getting its indigestion cured and our shop recuperating from an over-exposure of truck bumper. So there we were, without wheels, on a rainy Sunday morning. Since our church is clear across town and out of walking distance, we decided to hold our own family church service in our living room.

Our four kids were delighted. Kurt, the senior sibling at nine years old, drew up plans while we finished breakfast.

“I’ll be the preacher,” Garin volunteered with glee.

“Oh no,” groaned the two older kids. Garin is almost four.

“I’ll play the organ,” offered Kendy our kindergarten girl.

“All you can play is ‘Three Blind Mice,’” complained Kurt.

“Well,” replied Kendy, “we can sing that!”

“In church?” questioned Kurt sarcastically.

At this point baby Garth, our one-and-a-half year old, poured his orange juice over his shoulder, drenching Scratchy, our calico cat, who was waiting for stray bits of bacon and other assorted goodies occasionally floating down from the breakfast table. I declared breakfast dismissed, and we adjourned to the bathroom to prepare for church.

At nine o’clock sharp the service began with the opening chords of “Three Blind Mice.” Kurt, the song leader, asked Garin to lead in prayer. Garin squinted and prayed in one rapid breath, “Bless this food in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

When Mom had convinced the older kids that they shouldn’t laugh in church, no matter what their brother prayed, the service continued.

Kurt lead us in singing “Onward, Christian Soldiers,” to the tune of “Three Blind Mice.” The first verse came out fairly well, but since there was only one hymnbook, the next three verses got mumbled pretty badly. Plus the fact that when the last verse was over Kendy still had the last half of “Three Blind Mice” to play.

Next came the scripture reading, and since Mom was requested to do that, it went smoothly, except for the sound of Kendy’s music lesson book bouncing across and off the organ keyboard.

Kurt asked me to take up the offering. I used a saucer for a collection plate and began the rounds. “Can I have some money to put in the offering, Daddy?” asked Kendy as I stopped at the organ bench. So I got some change out of my wallet, gave it to her, and she put it in the saucer. The same process was repeated at each stop, except when I came to Garin. I gave him two dimes and a nickel, and he put the nickel in the saucer and the two dimes in his pocket.

“Put the money in the offering, Garin,” I ordered.

“I did.”

“I mean the dimes.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re giving our money to God.”

“I gave a nickel.”

“Give the dimes, too.”

“I can’t find them.”

“They’re in your pocket, Garin. Now put them in the plate.”

“I don’t want to.”

There wad a brief intermission while I gave Garin a little friendly persuasion in the bedroom. When we returned, he put his dimes in the plate, wiped away his tears, and the service was resumed.

We sang two more songs, both to Kendy’s only tune. “Holy, Holy, Holy” didn’t turn out too badly, but “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” left something to be desired.

Finally it was time for the sermon and Garin made his way up to the TV tray, which was served as the pulpit. He began to speak with great fervor, illustrating each point with his index finger, like he was scolding the air. His sermon topic rambled a bit, wandering from one important theological topic to another, such as how to drive a toy tractor, how to jump over mud puddles and how to keep a little girl next door from biting. He was just building up to an impassionate climax when our beagle, Bimbo, came streaking through the living room in a hot pursuit of Scratchy, who had snatched part of Bimbo’s breakfast. I think it was Bimbo’s forward momentum that made me topple over like that as I tried to grab her, knocking over the pulpit and sending the preacher scurrying for cover. By the time the two intruders had been ejected from the church and the pulpit had been restored to its former place, Garin had forgotten his sermon topic, and instead wanted the “David and Goliath” record played on the phonograph. So we listened to the story on the record, interrupted only by the sound of baby Garth riding his Wonderhorse and singing at the top of his voice “Jesus Loves Me.”

We closed the service with “Abide with Me,” sung to the same tune gears several times earlier. Kurt led in the benediction, asking God to forgive Garin for not putting his money in the offering, and also requesting that Kendy learn to play a new song.

Perhaps our homemade church service was not the most orthodox; perhaps some might even think it irreverent. And yet in their own childlike ways, our kids were worshiping the One who said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for such is the kingdom of heaven.” When the kids are grown and gone, and all other church services have been blurred together in our memories, this one hilarious yet precious Sunday morning service will linger on.

Duane Shinn is the father of four now-grown kids, and is also the author of over 500 music books and music educational materials such as DVD’s, CD’s, musical games for kids, chord charts, musical software, and piano lesson instructional courses for adults. His book-CD-DVD course titled “How To Play Chord Piano” (http://www.chordpiano.com) has sold over 100,000 copies around the world. He holds advanced degrees from Southern Oregon University and was the founder of Piano University in Southern Oregon. Previous to that he worked as an assistant music therapist and also logged in time as a pianist and piano tuner. He is the author of the popular free 101-week e-mail newsletter titled “Amazing Secrets Of Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions” with over 56,500 current subscribers. Those interested may obtain a free subscription by going to http://www.playpiano.com/

Summer Activities for Bored Kids

Summer can be a great time for exploration and discovery. But without interesting activities it could be pretty boring as well.

Here are some suggestions to help summer flow easy for your kids.

1) Cleanup Treasure Hunt… How about having your elementary school age children help you in cleaning up the house, that chaotic garage or the out of control shed? Impossible, you say? Well, here is a suggestion: hide certain toys or objects that they like and then make it a contest of discovering as many gifts as possible. While your children are digging up things to find the “treasure,” you can direct them to put things away and take the trash out or help with similar menial jobs that they would not otherwise be interested in.

2) Take the city bus or commuting train on a sightseeing tour of your city (a ride to the beach would be perfect!) and challenge your children to count the first “100 white trucks” along the way, or “50 buildings with neon signs.” The contest winner gets an additional scoop of ice cream. Most kids never get tired of playing such counting games all day long, especially when their surroundings change constantly and their levels of concentration are challenged with unusual rules.

3) Arrange a visit to a destination that normally neither you nor your kids would go. For example - a power plant, a firehouse, a battle ship, a printing press, an auction house, an antique store, a home for the elderly, a pet hospital, or the kitchen of a 5-star hotel. Kids are always enchanted by new experiences and love to learn interesting facts about complicated systems and organizations.

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Dr. Gulden Akinci is an author and a tutor with over 20 years of experience in math and science tutoring at high school and college level.

Her new 400-page book “Private Tutor (TM) for SAT Math Success 2006″ is the culmination of her years of experience in the field and brings together 1,000 exercises and examples on 50 different Math subject at 3 different difficulty levels.

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Akinci’s innovative and patented “Private Tutor” Method provides a customized, fast, complete, effective and affordable method to increase SAT math scores that has been tested successfully on all levels of high school students.

Dr. Akinci can be reached for all your SAT and math questions through her official web site http://www.privatetutor.us

Puppets Turned into Muppets - Under Age Drinkers

What is it coming too when the law can not uphold the law? with Under age drinkers

In their powerless efforts to control the rising problem with under age drinkers the numbers are increasing day by day. How sad for the parents who have tried in vain to put the kids on the straight and narrow.

These kids may as well be walking arm in arm with a suicide bomber.

Even adults over the years think they have mastered the art of self control when drink symptoms kick in taking the mind and body. I am sorry to say one drink to many and we all end up like a puppet on a string.

Coming back to the parents, we have the caring and not so caring mothers and fathers who encourage this behaviour by not knowing where the child is or what they are doing.

Your children’s health is at stake here and you need to act now to keep them safe from the harm they are doing to themselves or that of others.
We are talking about the kids of the 21st century who I am afraid to say does not fear the police force unlike in our childhood.

Police patrol in two’s; a two man army enforcement of the law is not enough to stop a riot.

Where is the guarantee for all law abiding citizens who are afraid to go out of their homes or to the local shop because of the masses of beer swilling louts making their lives a misery? Regular detours are taken because of crowded corners of gangs, if the police have no control over the behaviour from under age drinkers then what chance do we have?

We all know drink gives us all Dutch courage and if ever bravery medals should be awarded then give it to a drunk. No one will ever be has brave as he/she under the influence.

Lessons in controlling under age drinking.

Should the right force of authority be authorised to keep law and order to stop this problem from escalating even further, then so be it. Send in the vigilantes because the boys in blue are of no threat to this generation.

Our police powers are non existent so their hands may as well be tied behind their backs. If it takes a group of Arnold Schwarzenegger terminator type geezers to patrol the streets to uphold peace and calm, then I am all for that. You may bet the under age drinkers sober up pretty fast and into the bargain less lip.

Heights of oblivion where you remember nothing is not having a good time and very dangerous too. So why waste your money. No matter what I say or do is going change the habits of a great many of you but it may help the ones crying out for help

I haven’t forgot that I was young once, and there were times when I managed to pull the wool over my mums eyes, but if what I did at the time was going to hurt my parents in a way that it would break their hearts and cause them pain, then there was no way I was going to let that happen to the two closest people in my life. Think of yourself but most of all think of Mum and dad.

If drinking is causing you to suffer then please cut down on your intake, it is not the answer but it is half the battle won.

Talk to your parents, if they bawl and shout it is only because they care. Remember you always hurt the one you love. So next time mum jumps up to give you a clout, you know it is because she loves you and heaven forbid should you get a good hiding then her love for you is stronger than you will ever know

Influenced by alcohol turns puppets into Muppets

I was a kid once and I know how hard it is to get out of a situation, whether it drink related or other issues. Go to Kacys Content page for help and advice http://www.benidormbeaches.com

Trip Report Lamu, The Pearl of the Kenyan Coast

My first thought upon arriving in Lamu, the pearl of the Kenyan coast, was where have I taken my 7-year-old kid? Dusty, dirty and it smelled, horribly.

Lamu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural significance, is steeped in the Swahili culture that once dominated the East African coast from Somalia to Mozambique. And despite my first impression, it doesn’t take long for this backwater town to get under your skin.

Narrow streets, storied buildings, and elaborately carved wooden doors set the backdrop. Donkeys, the town’s sole means of transports, provide local charm. But what sets Lamu apart from the beach resorts further south are the people: courteous, welcoming and warm. While one should be aware of small tricks, as of yet, there are few ‘beach boys’ here.

We spent the first afternoon wandering the settlement’s bustling streets, stopping each time something intrigued. Watching locals play Mancala, a board game, was fascinating; their skill only wholly appreciated after we had our first go at Count and Capture, as the game is often referred to in the West. Shopping also proved hard to resist. Kikoi, the striped and plaid fabric worn by men, line shops throughout the ‘old town’. And while you may be able to buy the material and get a beach cover made for less than the

Top 10 Xbox Games Your Kids Want For Christmas This Year - Guaranteed!

Here are some of the main Xbox games kids will be playing and talking about this Christmas. A variety of styles and levels of difficulty are included. Any of the games can be enjoyed by old pro’s or beginners.

1. Grand Theft Auto Double Pack

For the price of one game, you get both Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City together. Both GTA games give players some of the best racing and action gameplay available. This is an Xbox classic.

2. Need For Speed: Most Wanted

Take a unique, fast-paced ride in Need for Speed: Most Wanted. Build up your Rap Sheet to become the most wanted street racer. Drive head-to-head against top drivers while evading cops. A great racing Xbox game.

3. Halo: Combat Evolved

This game is story-driven, includes science fiction, and keeps the action level high. Halo has elaborate scenes as well as a ton of pure blasting action. This first-person shooter game is the standard by which all other first-person shooters are measured.

4. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Knights of the Old Republic allows gamers to choose whether to walk the Dark or the Light side. This game mixes real-time and turn-based combat, and features tons of realistic dialogue of the Star Wars genre.

5. NBA Street V3

This is a fresh and challenging basketball game, featuring players from the fictional Street Legends team and real NBA players. The single-player game is rich but the multi-player game is even better, more complex and sophisticated.

6. Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge

This air combat game features tons of shooting action, a deep storyline, and online competition. The reward system provides a bunch of fresh airplanes opponents to add challenge.

7. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

If you or your child enjoy artistic style and texture, you’ll find this game a beautiful achievement in animation, and a masterful blend of platform, action and adventure genres that players will enjoy.

8. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six 3

This shooter game holds many gamers into its addictive web and keeps them playing late into the night. With plenty of game maps and new ones still being released, there’s still plenty to discover after the initial gametime.

9. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow

Players choose to be either Spies or Mercenaries. Each group comes with different moves, equipment, and objectives. The Spies play in third-person while the Mercenaries play from a realistic first-person view.

10. Project Gotham Racing 2

Provides amazing racing detail in various city streets where you can speed away in over 200 different cars. The scoring system allows drivers to earn points off slides, catching air, and passing opponents. Learn to drive cool.

Greg Purnell is a free-lance writer and Xbox gamer from Dallas, Texas. See more reviews & news at http://www.eastwestinternet.com/xbox-games/