4Kids.org - Week of January 05, 2002

Week of January 05, 2003

That Makes Cents

Spend a little time with Americans for Common Cents at www.pennies.org and learn about the history of the 1-cent coin. You can follow the progress of the penny's appearance, from Ben Franklin's original design to today's Lincoln Memorial façade. Trace the history of the penny and discover all sorts of strange details about pennies in Penny Facts. If you're a penny enthusiast, take a peek at Fundraisers and find out how to conduct a penny drive in your community. Finally, read arguments for and against abolishing the penny.

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Visit the Featured Web sites to find the answers

What was the name of the United States' first 1-cent coin?

The Fugio cent
The Fuller cent
The Franklin cent

What was Zora Neale Hurston's mission?

preserve the folklore, songs, and life stories of elderly former slaves
win the Nobel prize
escape Florida without harm

In 1875, van Gogh worked at an art gallery. What did he tell the customers?

He said the art was useless junk
He said go to another store.
He said I love my job

Let Freedom Ring

Take a sneak peek at Cincinnati's National Underground Railroad Freedom Center online at www.undergroundrailroad.com. The $110 million center, which opens in 2004, will teach the world about freedom and the fight for justice. Meet members of the civil rights movement, such as Jackie Robinson and Ida B. Wells. Then read about Afghani women who educated girls despite the nation's ban on female education. Be sure to share your thoughts on freedom with the world.

Van Gogh: Larger Than Life

Learn about Vincent van Gogh, the master painter who cut off his own ear, at http://library.thinkquest.org/C001734. Read interesting quotes in the Flash introduction of Van Gogh at Etten, Sketches and Billboards. About Vincent's Life includes a timeline that spans his 37 years. You'll find some of van Gogh's sketches and paintings online, including landscapes and portraits. A unique student project in Etten, Netherlands, displays giant van Gogh reproductions along a stretch of highway. This site is as lovely as a "Starry Night."

Should students be allowed to grade other students' assignments?

Speak Out Here!

Give It Another Try

"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving's not for you," I once read. While that may be true, the more common ending to that saying, "try, try again," is a good attitude to have. Oftentimes I expect myself to do new things right the first time, but rarely does that happen.

Sometimes a lack of immediate success is discouraging, but any athlete, designer or writer would agree that you shouldn't expect success on your first try. Instead, have patience when you try something new, and don't worry about making mistakes.

At times, you must motivate yourself. Michael Jordan didn't make the varsity basketball team during his sophomore year of high school. According to www.23jordan.com/bio1.htm, Jordan said, "Whenever I was working out and got tired and figured I ought to stop, I'd close my eyes and see that list in the locker room without my name on it, and that usually got me going again." You must realize that making mistakes is part of being successful. By allowing yourself time and opportunity, success is attainable.

— Amy

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