Bullying Kids Facts and Affects

October 17, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on bullying kids facts. Bullying is not a new problem. Adults and youngsters use bullying to control and intimidate others. Any adult who has ever dealt with a disruptive neighbor; an unhelpful and/or condescending boss or a controlling, emotionally abusive husband or significant other has dealt with a bully.  

 

bullying kids facts

 

Bullying Kids Facts

Fortunately, adults can sometimes escape these situations by relocating to another address, resigning from a job or divorcing a spouse. Children, however, are usually not as fortunate. Kids usually are without the ability to change schools or neighborhoods.

Even if children could leave an unhealthy environment, social media has enabled bullies to continue to reach their victims through apps and other electronic channels. That’s why it’s up to the parents, guardians and other adults in bullied children’s lives to help resolve these issues.  We must teach children the life skills they’ll need to deal with bullies now and in the future.

Signs of Bullying 

Children and teens have reported being bullied at school at a rate of 20%. Yet the percentage increases to 50% for students who are ages 9 to 12. The motivations behind bullying include factors that are out of the victims’ control.  Motivating factors can include their sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity and physical disabilities.

Bullying in children goes unreported. They might be afraid their parents will aggravate the situation by making a scene at school. Furthermore, they worry their parents will tell the child to “tough it out” because “boys will be boys.”  Also, kids won’t tell an adult because their family might already be coping with other challenges, such as unemployment or eviction.  Therefore, adults need to be on the lookout for signs that a child is being bullied.

 

Bullying Signs: 

· Physical damage: Ripped clothing, bruised skin, dirty hair or damaged backpacks could be signs of bullying. Ask your child how the damaged happened. If it happens infrequently and the child is in good spirits, it might be a result of playing too rough. However, if it occurs regularly and your son or daughter is hesitant to discuss it, ask questions.

· Items go missing: Stealing and damaging important belongings are methods bullies use to intimidate and control. They might not even want the items they take as much as they want to intimidate the people from whom they steal them from. If your child was excited about having new sneakers, only to come home without them, find out what happened but don’t threaten punishment. Similarly, if you give your son or daughter money for meals but he or she returns home hungry, investigate further.

· Changes in mood or behavior: Some children become so anxious about encountering bullies that their mental and physical health suffer. Watch for signs of anxiety, such as hesitation to go to school, disruptions in sleep patterns, changes in appetite, angry outbursts or any other behavior that is not typical for your child.

 

Bullies usually select victims who have difficulty standing up for themselves. Therefore, one action parents can take is role-playing scenarios with your children.  Teach your children how not to be a perceived target. 

Bullying can cause physical and emotional scars for life both in adults and children. It’s up to the adults who love them to know what to look for and how to intervene to protect them.

 

Check out the infographic below: 

 

This infographic was created by Kids Car Donations, a car donation organization

 

 

Author bio: Kids Car Donations is a national organization that accepts vehicle donations to better the lives of children. The organization partners with a number of well-known nonprofits serving children and teens who are confronted with physical, mental and emotional challenges to provide the care they need.

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Getting Ready for Kindergarten Tips

September 10, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on getting ready for kindergarten tips.  Your child’s first day at school is a tremendous milestone. You need to make sure that you understand the challenges that you could face while preparing your child for kindergarten.  You might have heard about children screaming and crying at the gate on their first day at school. Believe it or not, there are steps that you can take to avoid this situation.  

 

 

 

getting ready for kindergarten

 

 

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

 

Independence

Your child’s first day at school is a massive step in their movement towards independence from you.  Children can find being apart from their parent difficult.  As a result, crying and screaming becomes their way of dealing with their fears.  

Preparing to embrace being away from you before their first day of kindergarten.  First, it’s important to ensure that your child engages in independent play before attending kindergarten. They should not be with you every second of the day. Setting up play dates or having them spend time with trusted family members will guarantee that they get used to the idea. 

Furthermore, another way that you can build up their independence is by making sure that they spend time at other places. For instance, you might want to think about sending them to preschool or nursery school. You could also consider getting them involved in little clubs and activity groups as well. This will help them develop more independence.

 

Getting Ready for Kindergarten Basics 

Start teaching your children their colors, numbers, words and how to write before they attend kindergarten. In addition to teaching children basics, kindergarten helps socialize them.  As a result, they feel comfortable as an active member of the class.

Teaching them prior to kindergarten gives them the right building blocks to succeed.  One of the ways to build a strong educational foundation is to read to them.  Read to them before bed.  Setup a story time during the day before they take a nap. 

Furthermore, teach them to understand the importance of letter-sound correspondence too. Kids are going to find it easier to grasp basic information that they need to read effectively. From an early age, make sure that you are talking to your child regularly and speaking clearly. This is going to make it easier for them to pick up how to use language effectively. That’s just one example of how you can help kids grasp education basics. 

 

 

getting ready for kindergarten

 

 

Eyesight And Hearing 

Have your child’s hearing and eyesight checked before they start school.  You may find that your child needs glasses.  It is best to find out before your child struggles in class.  Usually, there will be signs if there is a problem. For instance, they might be complaining that their eyes are sore.  Or, they could be blinking more than usual. If you speak to a professional, then they will be able to explore the issue. 

 

Sensory Issues

Some children do start to show signs of sensory issues around the time that they are starting school. For instance, it’s quite common for children to have issues with school uniforms because the collar on their shirt feeling constrictive. Make sure your child is comfortable in their uniform a few weeks before they start school.  If the issue continues, ask your child’s principal about an alternative that they can wear. 

Some kids will find the noise at school difficult. There are ways to deal with these issues head-on. For instance, if you recognize that your child has trouble with loud noises you might want to consider seeking professional help on the best method to help defuse the problem before they start school. 

 

I hope these getting ready for kindergarten tips help prepare for your child’s first day at school. They will help them to have a great first day. This can be incredibly reassuring for any parent and their child. The more proactive you are in this situation, the easier you will find it when they walk through the school gates for the first time. 

Of course, you need to prepare for their first day too. You need to make sure that you are ready to take the first step towards real independence for your child. The better prepared you are, the better prepared they will be.  

 

 

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Homework for Kids Tips That Will Reduce Stress

July 6, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on homework for kids.  If you’ve got kids in school, you know that homework is inevitable. But, if you find yourself stressing out about homework, it’s time to make some changes. Most kids feel overwhelmed when it comes to homework too. Luckily for you, there are things you can do to lessen the stress.  

 

 

homework for kids tips

 

 

 

Homework for Kids Tips:  

 

Setting up a routine – The first thing you need to do is set up a routine for your child.  The routine should not be difficult. When you set the routine up, make sure that your child knows what to do once they get home.  For example, eat a snack and start doing their homework if any.  

Homework daily – Make sure that your child knows what is expected of them in getting their homework assignments completed.  Make sure rules are clear.  Not having clear rules will make it difficult for them to complete each assignment to the best of their ability.

Know all your child’s abilities – If you know what your child is capable of and exactly what they are not capable of, it will give you insight on what you need to do to help them.  If they are struggling with a particular subject, offer assistance or get a tutor.  Not completing the homework assignment is not an option.  They must understand that, and so should you. 

No extra assignments – Set up your child’s homework so that they can focus on their primary homework assignment.  They will be more confident and manage the stress they feel if they see the end goal.  If they need additional work on a particular subject, add the worksheets/homework in the next day’s schedule.  

Reduce distractions – Sometimes, you need to make sure that your child is not distracted while doing their homework. Removing distractions will help them focus on the task at hand and also help them complete it correctly. Turn off phones, the tv, video games or music.   

 

 

homework for kids tips

 

 

 

Homework Strategy for Parents

 

Make up for lost days – If your child misses school, you need to make up their assignments to ensure they don’t fall behind.  Be sure you contact the school for any homework they need to complete.  

Create a schedule – If you can’t fit all of your child’s homework into one night, create a schedule.  It will prevent any misunderstandings between your child and you and keep them on track with their assignments. It’s important you give them enough time to complete the assignment without feeling rushed. 

Have a bedtime schedule – It’s vital that your child get plenty of rest.  Make sure they stay on their bedtime schedules each night.  Set a specific time to be in the bed, allow a little time for reading and than lights out, period.  

No additional stress – As a parent, you may sometimes feel the need to add more pressure on your child by stressing about their grades or the lack of completed homework.  Both are valid concerns; however, t’s vital that you control this type of stress.  If you feel like your child is not doing well in certain subjects, talk with the teacher and put together a plan to help improve your child’s grades.  about these topics.

Spend time with your child – Your kids should know that you are interested in their homework. While it’s normal to have a slight separation when it comes to your kids and their school work, you need to be open and willing to discuss any problems they may be facing. If they know that you’re there to help them out, they won’t feel embarrassed or overwhelmed when they come to you with questions.   

Make sure they’re prepared for test day – Furthermore, if your child is taking a test, make sure they understand what they will be tested on and they take time to study.  They can review prior homework assignment or worksheets.  It will help them study for the test with confidence.

 

Homework Tips for Preschoolers

 

Lets discuss your preschool child. Too much homework can lead to preschoolers being unhappy with school.  Furthermore, it can lead to behavioral problems like acting out or becoming depressed. Sadly, your child may not be learning as much as they would if they weren’t feeling pressure.  Find fun ways for your child to learn and develop without stress.  

For example, look into placing your child in a preschool.  Early childhood development is so important in our children’s life, and you can turn to certified teachers to help develop your child.  Not only can they learn academically, they can also learn the importance of sharing and socializing.  

If you need motherly advice on how you can better help your children develop themselves, subscribe to my blog now. I will be glad to share parenting tips with you!

 

 

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Native American Teepee Activities for Kids

March 23, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing kids printables on Native American Tepee Activities for kids.  So, there are over 5.6 million Native Americans in the United States with 574 tribes.  Alaska, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota and Montana have the largest number of Native Americans.  The Navaho is the largest tribe in the United States.

Some of the most popular Native American housing included wigwams, adobes, long houses, grass houses and the teepee.  Today, we’re going to look at Native American teepees.  The teepee was used by the Native American Indians of the Great Plains. The tribes included Crow, Sioux, Cheyenne, Blackfoot, Arapaho, Comanche, Osage, and Shawnee.  

 

 

teepee activities for kids

 

 

Teepee Activities for Kids: 

 

  • First, each Native American tribes selected the type of housing that was suitable for their lifestyle.  
  • The teepee was the most suitable housing for Native Americans of the Great Plains because of its mobility.  
  • The Great Plains Native American tribes followed and hunted buffalo. 
  • When it was time to move on to the next herd of buffalo, tribes dismantled the teepees. Tribes could dismantle a teepee in 1 hour.  
  • Furthermore, the Lakota (Sioux) invented the teepee. 
  • Teepees were made of buffalo hides and long poles.

 

 

teepee activities for kids

 

 

  • Next, women from each family built the teepees.  
  • Teepees were shaped like cones because it made it difficult for the teepees to blow over. 
  • The men of the tribe provided the buffalo hides to the women and the poles used to hold it together.  
  • Additionally, grass helped keep teepees warm in the winter.
  • Furthermore, fires heated teepees. 
  • A hole at the top of the teepee was used to let out smoke. 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Tribes used buffalo hides as blankets too. 
  • Additionally, thick buffalo hides insulated teepees.    
  • Tribes closed teepees at the top when it rained.   
  • Each teepee had an entrance for entering and to help with airflow.    
  • Also, tribes built tepees in circles to represent the circle of life. 
  • If the flap of the tepee is open it is an invitation to enter.  Otherwise, the person must make an announcement and wait for an invitation.  
  • Tribes decorated their teepees with tribal symbols, animals, and Gods. Symbols included the sun, moon, deer, antelope, buffalo, lightning and more. 
  • Finally, men painted the symbols on the teepees to showcase their accomplishments. 

 

 

 

Native American Teepees

 

 

 

 

Teepee Craft Ideas for Kids: 

Also, check out I Heart Crafty Things Faux Teepee Craft .  

Fantastic Fun and Learning Teepee Crafts.  

Make and Takes Paper Teepee Decorations

 

 

 

teepee activities for kids

 

 

Finally, I hoped you enjoyed these teepee activities for kids. This unit includes a teepee crafts, teepee word search, coloring pages, and a fill in the blank work sheet. Use them as a part of your homeschool unit on Native Americans or extra homework activities.  You can download the printables here:  

 

 

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Letter D Activities – D Is For Duck

March 5, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Welcome to my Letter D activities in my preschool/kindergarten activities. This week’s word is Duck. My Letter D activities will familiarize children with the capital and lower case D.  If you missed the Letter A and Letter B activities you can download them the Letter A activities here and the Letter B activities here. 

 

So, my Letter D activities are fun, colorful and educational.  Additionally, the printables will help preschoolers and/or kindergarteners work on both the capital letter and lower case D, tracing, coloring, letter recognition, understanding the more versus less concept, Do a Dot worksheet and more.    

 

 

Letter D Activities

 

 

Have your preschooler trace the Capital Letter D and the Lower Case d.  Practice will make perfect.

 

 

Letter D Activiteis

 

 

Additionally, practice sentences with the word duck.  The sentences will help your preschooler learn that ducks have feathers, bills, they swim, quack and are soft.  You can also have your preschooler or kindergartener watch The Run Away Duck.  It’s about 7 minutes, and a really cute short story.  

 

 

Letter D Activites

 

 

Have your students repeat the sentences to learn about ducks. They will learn that ducks are yellow, have a bill, like water etc. 

Next, finding the letters in the worksheet will help your student learn letter recognition of the Capital Letter D and Lower Case D.  

 

 

 

Also, fix a snack that starts with the Letter D.  For example, kids snacks that start with the Letter D: Dannon yogurt, drumsticks, dip, deviled eggs or doughnuts. You can serve Ranch Dip or this Caramel Dipping Sauce with pretzels or apples.  Make the snacks a part of your daily Letter D activities for the week.  Here’s a Caramel Dipping Sauce Recipe that is kid approved.  

 

Letter D Coloring Page

 

Letter D Activities

 

After your student enjoys a delicious snack, let them have a little fun with letter d coloring.  Staying within the lines doesn’t have to be an option, just let them go for it. You can download the Letter D Activities here.  Print them and enjoy!  

 

You may also like my carrot Kindergarten Matching Activities.

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Pileated Woodpecker Facts for Kids

March 1, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing Pileated Woodpecker facts for kids.  The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest member of the woodpecker family.  Its name comes from the Latin word Pileatus, meaning capped.  The Pileated Woodpecker prefers wooded areas with large, mature trees.  These woodpeckers create large holes in dead trees for nests. The holes are so large, they would snap a small tree. 

I have created a Pileated Woodpecker fact sheet, word search puzzle, fill in the blank, and added a few coloring pages and connect the dot worksheet for a little for the younger kids. Also, the worksheets make a great homeschool unit or an extra educational activity for kids to learn about the Pileated Woodpecker.  

 

 

pileated woodpecker facts for kids

 

 

Pileated Woodpecker Facts for Kids: 

  • Males have a red cheek stripe, females have black stripes. 
  • Pileated Woodpeckers eat carpenter ants, beetles, fruits, nuts and will visit suet feeders.
  • They pull bark off trees to find ants.
  • Nests are large holes bored into large tree trunks. 
  • Females lay  2 – 5 white eggs.  Both the male and female keep the eggs warm.  However, the male keeps them warm at night.
  • Eggs hatch in 2 weeks. 
  • Babies stay with parents for 30 days. 

 

 

Pileated Woodpecker facts for kids

 

 

 

  • Pileated Woodpeckers drum to help establish boundaries and to scare away rivals.  They also drum when digging for food and building their nest. 
  • They stay in their territory year round. 
  • Their claws a large so they can grip trees. 
  • Nesting areas have several entrances so it can be large enough to house up to five off-spring. 
  • Females pick their mates based on the best nesting area.  
  • Pileated Woodpeckers only use wood chips for nesting material.
  • Nests are not reused the next breeding season.

 

 

Pileated Woodpecker Facts for Kids

 

Finally, you can attract the Pileated Woodpecker to your backyard with a Pileated Woodpecker suet feeder.  Since the Pileated Woodpecker is a large bird, they need a large feeder.  They love suet.  So, make my homemade Crunchy Apple Raisin Suet Cake to keep this beauty coming back. Download the Pileated Woodpecker Worksheets and enjoy.  

 

Check out my other bird facts for kids before you: 

Bald Eagle Facts

Interesting Facts About Blue Jay for Kids 

Kids Bird Identification Tips

Facts About Baby Blue Jays

 

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Monarch Butterfly Facts for Kids

February 27, 2021 by 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing educational activities on Monarch Butterfly facts for kids.  So, the Monarch Butterfly is the most studied butterfly on the planet. It could be because millions of Monarchs migrate from the United States and Canada to California and Mexico yearly.  Another reason could be their brilliant orange, black, and white color that makes you wonder what kind of butterfly is it. Or, it makes you wonder where it came from or how beautiful it is enjoying the nectar from the flowers.    

 

 

monarch butterfly facts

 

 

Monarch Butterfly Facts for Kids: 

 

The fact sheet on the Monarch Butterfly is a great science resource.  It discusses how long the Monarch Butterfly lives, what it eats and other interesting facts.  There’s also a word search puzzle, coloring pages and butterfly math sheets.

 

 

monarch butterfly facts

 

 

Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle:

 

Furthermore, the Monarch Butterfly life cycle goes through 4 stages, laying the eggs, hatching into a caterpillar or larvae, spinning a chrysalis, and the metamorphosis into an adult butterfly.

Stage1 – (Eggs – The female Monarch lays between 300 and 500 eggs on milkweed.

Stage2 – (Caterpillar or Larvae) – The Monarch hatching will grow into a full size caterpillar and feed on milkweed for approximately 2 weeks.  

Stage3 –  (Chrysalis or Pupa) – During this stage, the caterpillar with hang in a J from a wad of silk and spin a jade and yellow colored chrysalis around itself.  

Stage4 – (Adult Butterfly) – The adult Monarch emerges from the chrysalis into the new world.  

 

 

Butterfly life cycle

 

 

Additionally, use the above printable to discuss the 4 stages of a Monarch Butterfly’s life, and what happens in each stage. Have students review the Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle videos below.  

 

Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly – YouTube – This video is thorough.  It goes through each of the 4 stages in detail.  It’s a great resource for older kids.  

Monarch caterpillar forming chrysalis (real time) – YouTube  – Kids will be intrigued watching the caterpillar hanging in a J shape and spinning the beautiful jade and yellow chrysalis.  This video is interesting and will hold the attention of younger children as well as older kids.  It’s a perfect addition to the Circle of Life discussion of Stage 3, the Monarch Chrysalis. 

Adult Monarch Butterfly Emerges from its Chrysalis – YouTube –  If the kids thought watching the caterpillar spinning his Chrysalis was amazing, they will love watching the butterfly emerge and get ready to take flight.  Mother nature truly is amazing.  This video is a great addition to Stage 4, the adult Monarch Butterfly. 

 

monarch butterfly coloring page

 

 

Don’t forget the complete the sentences activity.  It’s a great reading comprehension activity.  Finally, you can download the Monarch Butterfly activity sheets here.

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Duke Ellington Black History

February 25, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing kids educational resources on Duke Ellington Black History.  Ellington was born, Edward Kennedy Ellington.  Duke Ellington became known as one of the greatest jazz pianist, composers, and bandleaders of all times.  I’ve put together a fact sheet, multiply choice worksheet, matching worksheet, word search puzzle, and coloring sheet for a Black History unit.  

 

So, Duke Ellington was born in Washington, DC on April 29, 1899.  Both his mother and father, James Edward Ellington and Daisy Kennedy Ellington, were pianists.  Furthermore, they stayed with his material grandparents at 2129 Ida Place. Duke’s father, James Edward Ellington created blue prints for the United States Navy.  He also worked as a butler, driver, caretaker and handyman for a prominent Washington, D.C. doctor.  He worked as a part time butler during the Warren G. Harding era.

Elegant, well-mannered and a dapper dresser earned Ellington the nick name “Duke” by a childhood friend. The nickname stuck for the remainder of his life.  

 

Duke Ellington Black History
Duke Ellington Black History:  
  • Duke began playing the piano at age 7. Ragtime, church and classical music were influencers in Duke’s love of music. 
  • Also, he also loved baseball and sold peanuts at the Washington Senators baseball games.
  • In 1914, Ellington worked as a soda jerk at the Poodle Dog Cafe.  During that time, he wrote a composition called Soda Fountain Rag.  Soda Fountain Rag is also known as the Poodle Dog Rag.  
  • Also, being a musician was a great way to get dates.  So, Duke started listening and imitating ragtime pianists.  A music teacher from Dunbar High School gave Ellington private harmony lessons. Additionally, he learned to read music and worked to improve his technique.
  • Duke formed the group, The Duke Serenaders.  He earned 75 cents from his first performance.  The band thrived, and as a result he performed throughout Washington, DC and Virginia.  He preferred playing for embassy and private parties.  
  • At age 19, Duke married his high school sweetheart Edna Thompson.  They had a son named Mercer Kennedy Ellington. 
  • Ellington moved to New York in 1923.  In 1924, he became the leader of his big band and began recording. 

 

 

Duke Ellington Black History

 

 

 

  • Duke Ellington played regularly at the Cotton Club in Harlem, NY in 1927.  He performed there for 5 years.  All Cotton Club performances were broadcast almost nightly.  By 1930, Duke Ellington and his band were famous. 
  • President Richard Nixon invited Duke Ellington to the White House for his 70th birthday.  He was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
  • One of Duke Ellington’s favorite places to eat was Ben’s Chili Bowl when he was in the Washington, DC area. 
  • Duke Ellington was a genius of instrument combinations.  His music made him stand out among other composers of his time.  Ellington ranked with composers such as a George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin. 
  • The piano was Duke’s favorite instrument. 
  • Duke wrote more than one thousand compositions.  His work became a standard in jazz music.
  • Duke Ellington won 12 Grammy Awards.  Additionally, he received the Life Time Achievement Award in 1966.
  • Additionally, Duke Ellington was a Freemason.  He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. 
  • In 1976, Stevie Wonder wrote the song “Sir Duke” as a tribute to Duke Ellington. 
  • Duke Ellington led his band from 1923 – 1974, 50 years. The Duke Ellington Orchestra is still in existence today.
  • The Duke Ellington School of the Arts was established in Washington, DC in 1974. 
  • In 1986, a Commemorative stamp was issued with Duke Ellington’s image. 
  • Duke Ellington’s son, Mercer Kennedy Ellington, managed the Duke Ellington Orchestra after his dad’s death.  
  • New York City May, Michael Bloomberg, declared April 29, 2009 Duke Ellington Day. 
  • Finally, Duke Ellington’s granddaughter, Mercedes Ellington, is carrying on his name.  

 

 

 

Duke Ellington Black History

Sadly, Duke Ellington died on May 24, 1974 as a result of pneumonia and lung cancer.  He is entombed in the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, NY.  Ellington’s last words were, “Music is how I live, why I live and how I will be remembered.”  More than 12,000 people attended his memorial service.  I hope you enjoyed my Duke Ellington Black History.  You can download the worksheets here. 

Check out Duke Ellington’s song It Don’t Mean a Thing, one of greatest hits.  

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Unique Bald Eagle Facts for Kids

February 20, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing educational resources on bald eagles facts for kids.  The Bald Eagle is the national bird and symbol for the United States.  It represents freedom. 

So, Bald Eagles are not really bald.  The name “balde,” means white not without hair.  If you liked those facts, check out my list of other Unique Bald Eagle Facts for Kids below.  Use them as a part of a science unit or interesting birding facts for kids.  

 

 

bald eagle facts for kids

 

Bald Eagle Facts for Kids:

Bald Eagles are large; they have a wing span of 5 – 8 feet.  The female is noticeably larger than the male, and weighs in around 13 pounds.  The male weighs around 9 pounds.  However, Alaska has the biggest eagles. These majestic birds prefer to live around large bodies of water like rivers and oceans.  The Bald Eagle likes to dive for fish, but they are known to take fish from other birds.  As a result,  Benjamin Franklin did not want the Bald Eagle as the United States symbol.  He believed the species was a thieve, and didn’t earn his keep honestly. Fortunately, the Bald Eagle would remain the iconic symbol of freedom.  

Native Americans have revered the Bald Eagle long before it became a symbol for the United States.  Native Americans believe eagles have magical powers. Many tribes use them in religious ceremonies and consider them medicinal. 

The oldest Bald Eagle was 38 years old.  Unfortunately, a car killed it in 2015. St. Petersburg, FL holds the record on the largest eagle’s nest.  However, a nest was found in Vermilion, OH.  It was  shaped like a wine glass, and weighed 2 tons. The tree holding the nest was blown over, sadly. 

So, here are a few other interesting Bald Eagle facts for kids.  Print a copy and discuss them with your student/children.   

 

bald eagle facts for kids

 


Also, take some time to view the Bald Eagles on the live EagleCam sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV.  The nest is located about 75 miles from Washington, DC along the Potomac River.

Furthermore, it’s a great way for students/kids to learn about these beautiful birds from the comfort of home. They can can watch the female eagle, Bella, incubate her clutch around mid-February.  Hopefully, at the end of March or early April there will be babies.  Her mate is Smitty.  They work together to build the nest and keep the eggs warm.  The camera is on the nest 24/7, so you can schedule time regularly to observe their behavior and happenings.

Eagle’s eggs must be kept warm at all times. So, they are only off the eggs for short periods of time.  The baby eaglets will be ready to fledge, leave the nest, in 10 – 12 weeks.  So, the Eagle Cam will give the students an opportunity to watch the Bald Eagles parent their babies. Have your student write an essay on their observations of the Bald Eagles. Another day have them write an essay on what they learned from the Bald Eagle fact sheet.  

 

Bald Eagle Activities for Kids:  

 

 

bald eagle facts

 

 

Next, give them a challenge with my math activity.  The activity includes a combination of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division for older students. There is an addition sheet for younger students as well.

 

 

bald eagle facts

 

 

Last, have a little fun with my Bald Eagle Coloring pages.  They can watch the cam and than color the pictures.  For additional fun, make these Bald Eagle Treats:  

Patriotic Regal Eagle Cookies

Patriotic Edible Eagles

 

Finally, you can download the Bald Eagle activities here.  

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History of Chicken and Waffles – Black History

January 24, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on the history of chicken and waffles. This post contains Black History Month educational facts for kids. Historians researched this dish, and it first appeared on the menu of the Wells Supper Club in Harlem in 1938. Many people believed that chicken and waffles originated in the South, but no it was New York.

So, the Wells Supper Club was a popular late night stop for jazz musicians. Patrons found that it was too late to order dinner, but too early for breakfast from the menu.  Fried chicken on a waffle was an acceptable dish for hungry musicians and other patrons. So it became a hit.

Black History

 

 

History of Chicken and Waffles:

 

People have asked what makes chicken and waffles so appealing?  The perfectly seasoned chicken over a crispy waffle is the appeal. Topping it with lots of sweet syrup is a bonus.  You can’t beat the salty chicken, crispy waffle and sweet syrup combination.

 

  • Fried chicken was only served to wealthy Whites. Prior to the Civil War, chicken and waffles were extravagant breakfast staples in plantation houses cooked by slaves.
  • Slaves could not eat any of the dishes created for White families.
  • West African slaves were experts in seasoning food.  They introduced southern whites to spices and the technique of using seasoning and batter on food.
  • Palm oil was used to fry battered, seasoned chicken.
  • When fat was rendered into lard, it became the oil for frying chicken.
  • Chicken became a popular dish in Black homes after the emancipation of slaves. Freed slaves could raise their own chickens.  They were cheap to feed, and had lots of meat on their bones.
  • Black women sold fried chicken, pies and biscuits to make money for their families once they were emancipated.
  • Once Black women became entrepreneurs, fried chicken became associated with Black people and poverty.  Even though wealthy White people devoured fried chicken that slaves fixed in their kitchens for years, but they created the stereotype of Black people and fried chicken to make them feel inferior.

 

Black History

 

 

  • The Dutch introduced waffles to America. However, Thomas Jefferson made waffles popular in upper class homes and plantations.  He purchased a waffle iron in France, and brought it back to the United States.

Black History Month - chicken and waffles

 

 

 

However, The Wells Supper Club combined the two and they served their famous chicken and waffles for 50 years.  Sadly, the club closed in 1982.  But, if you’re ever in the Los Angles area, stop by Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles. President Obama stopped by in 2011, he ordered the Country Boy, 3 wings and waffles.

I encourage you to whip up a batch at home.  I use my Belgian waffle iron when I dish up chicken and waffles, I like the thickness.  However, regular waffle irons will work to.  Wings are my favorites with waffles, but chicken legs and thighs work too.  Some people even use skinless, boneless chicken breasts.  Whatever you do, drizzle lots of  syrup over the dish.  The salty and sweet combination will explode in your mouth.

 

You can download the Black History Month kids printables here.  You may also like my Black History Facts on the Lone Ranger.  Also, you may like Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles.

 

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