4Kids.org - Week of March 3, 2002

Week of March 3, 2002

Artificial Anatomy

Check out Artificial Anatomy: Papier-Mâché Anatomical Models at http://americanhistory.si.edu/anatomy. You can learn about the history of papier-mâché, or literally "chewed paper." Find out about the first papier-mâché anatomical models made in France in the 1800s. These colorful models were used to teach anatomy, but now the Smithsonian preserves them as artwork. You can view images of the museum's collection from the inside out. Bone up on anatomy with the Body Parts game.

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What are the oldest known examples of papier-mâché?

pot lids and helmets from China's Han Dynasty
finger puppets from the Dark Ages
roofing from the early Roman Empire

Which carotenoid helps prevent sun damage to the body?

Beta-carotene
Lutein
Zinc

How did Congress regulate the credit card boom in the 1970s?

by limiting credit card usage to individuals 21 and older
by imposing a surcharge on every purchase with a credit card
by banning the mass mailing of cards to college students and others

Battling Free Radicals

Team Antioxidant awaits you at Fresh Starts at www.freshstarts.com/home.html. The Team will educate you about the harm of Free Radicals and how to combat them with a healthy diet. Have a Food Fight and find out the good, the bad and the ugly about the food you eat. The Body Basics Quiz can teach you which vitamins are important for different parts of the body. You'll even find great recipes to try at home, so ask your mom, "What's In The Kitchen?" (This site is no longer available.)

Attention: Affluenza Sufferers

Beware of Affluenza, a common ailment similar to materialism, now featured at www.pbs.org/kcts/ affluenza. Symptoms of this sickness include credit card debt, huge shoe collections and compulsive shopping habits. The history of Affluenza stretches back to the 15th century and has grown considerably in recent decades. The Diagnosis will help you decide if you are coming down with Affluenza. Victims need not worry, though. The site offers Treatment with 10 helpful tips for beating the bug.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?

Speak Out Here!

Beware the Ides of March

Had it not been for Shakespeare's tragedy "Julius Caesar," the Ides of March would not stir emotions of fear and gloom. "Ides" is actually a word that refers to a specific day of each month in the earliest Roman calendar.

The calendar is said to have been created by Romulus, Rome's mythical founder. In the months of March, May, July and October, the Ides referred to the 15th day of the month. It referred to the 13th day in the other months. The Roman calendar also used the term "Kalends" to name the first day of the month. The "Nones" referred to the seventh day in March, May, July and October, and to the fifth day in all other months.

The Romans would count backward from the nearest named day in order to give the current day a name. For example, March 15 is the Ides of March, so March 12 would be IV Ides. The Romans were inclusive with their counting, which means they included the actual named day when they counted backward. You can learn more about the not-so-scary side of the Ides of March online at www.travel-italy.com/ct/episodes/ ides.html. (This site is no longer available.)

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