Sparkle Buds November 2023

Corners Divide kids up so that they each have a home corner. Then, have them run around the room in a circle. On your cue, they need to return to “home” and do a few easy exercises (say, five jumping jacks or one 30second plank). Let kids decide what exercises to do in each corner to give them ownership over the game. Benefits? Changes of direction (side-to-side or reverse) work both muscles and the brain, improving kids' coordination.…

Did you ever go far out into the great ocean? How beautiful it is to be out at sea when the sea is smooth and still! When a storm approaches, the scene changes. The heavy, black clouds appear in the distance and throw a deep, long shade over the world of waters. The captain and sailors soon see in the clouds the dark signs. All hands are then set to work to take in sail. The hoarse notes of the captain, speaking through his trumpet, are echoed across the ship. They’ll be happy if all is made snug before the gale strikes the vessel. At last, the gale comes like a vast moving mountain of air. It strikes the ship. The vessel heaves and groans under the dreadful weight and…

On the afternoon of 31 August 2013, Calyn Hoad, aged 7 years, rescued his brother from an oncoming vehicle at Springwood, Queensland. Calyn’s mother was attending to his sister in the ladies’ washroom after her dance class whilst he and his younger brother waited for them. When his mother was distracted, his brother ran out of the dance studio building and through the car park. Calyn closely followed the boy who proceeded to run into traffic on busy Watland Street. Calyn immediately grabbed his brother’s arm and pushed him back onto the footpath and out of the way of oncoming traffic. At this point, a 4WD, which was unable to stop at such a short distance, hit Calyn causing severe injury. By his actions, Master Calyn Hoad displayed considerable bravery.…

Dragonflies are insects that have long bodies, transparent wings, and large eyes. There are over 5,000 species of dragonflies that are part of the scientific infra order called Anisoptera. Because dragonflies are insects they have 6 legs, a thorax, a head, and an abdomen. The abdomen is long and segmented. Despite having 6 legs, the dragonfly doesn’t walk very well. It is a great flyer, however. Dragonflies can hover in one place, fly extremely fast, and even fly backwards. They are some of the fastest flying insects in the world reaching speeds of over 30 miles per hour. Dragonflies come in a variety of colours including blue, green, yellow, and red. Amazing Facts! Having a dragonfly land on your head is considered good luck. They are some of the most colourful…

The girl hurried through her schoolwork as fast as she could. It was the night of the high school dance, about 70 years ago in the town of Kingsville, Texas. The girl was so excited about the dance. She had bought a brand new, sparkly red dress for the dance. She knew she looked smashing in it. It was going to be the best evening of her life. Then her mother came into the house, looking pale and determined. “You are not going to that dance,” her mother said. “But why?” the girl asked her mother. “I’ve just been talking to the preacher. He says the dance is going to be for the devil. You are absolutely forbidden to go,” her mother said. The girl nodded as if she accepted…

Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg was a German inventor, printer, publisher, and goldsmith who introduced printing to Europe with his mechanical movable-type printing press. Regarded as a milestone in modern human history, the printing press played a key role in the advancement of the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and the Age of Enlightenment. Gutenberg’s printing press was considered a historychanging invention, making books widely accessible and ushering in an “information revolution.” In 1455 Gutenberg completed his 42-line Bible, known as the Gutenberg Bible.…