CHILDREN'S CORNER

DAD: NAVIN CRUMP

2010-01-22T10:23:00.000-08:00

Many children are lucky
they have what some wish they had
and that great gift is
to be able to call someone Dad
It is such a great privelige
and is taken for granted a lot
Rather than wishing for more
be grateful for all that you've got
My dad is a role model
and that much I'm certain I see
But in the end of it all
I know I can only be me
I wish I could see him daily
that would sure make me glad
I wish I could say to his face
"I love you Dad"

November 17, 2009
All Rights Reserved

"Dad" was authored by Navin Crump in commemoration of 2009 International Men's Day which was observed worldwide on Thursday, 19 November 2009.

WHO AM I?: NAVIN CRUMP

2010-01-22T10:12:00.000-08:00

Do you have an Indian name? Well, my name is Navin Farley Crump. Navin is an Indian name. My grandmother on my mom’s side is Sri Lankan. I was born in Singapore which is
a tiny island north of Australia. Singapore is positioned on the Andaman Sea. I currently live in the United States with my parents and sister.

In life my goal has always been to become a professional basketball player. To be specific I have always envisioned playing for my favorite NBA team the Los Angeles Lakers. However, if my professional career goal does not come through, I have a back-up career. School, teachers, and family have made me intelligent and more prepared for life and life’s challenges. I believe that if an organization or company was formed that specialized on increasing student GPA’s, SAT scores, and the knowledge of students, the world would be a more efficient and brilliant place. Children are the future and if education is enforced into their lives, the future is dazzling.

April 30, 2008
All Rights Reserved

SONG REFLECTION: NAVIN CRUMP

2010-01-22T10:06:00.000-08:00

The song entitled “Flying Without Wings” by Ruben Studdard means a lot to me because I want to make something of myself when I am older. The song symbolizes success, devotion, and perseverance and those are traits that I want to acquire. “Flying Without Wings” explains that everybody has a certain goal which means a lot to you, and you must persevere and go all out to reach that goal.

“Flying Without Wings” is a very descriptive song. Every verse has a different meaning or point. This specific verse made me think deeply about its meaning, “You’ll find it in the deepest friendships, the kind you cherish all your lives”. That verse, I believe, means friendships are to be cherished and they will help you in life just by knowing you have someone who cares for you. The reason, I chose this song was because I too have a dream and that is to be like my parents.

This song may have many different meanings but they all tie into one main reason. That reason is in this verse “You’re flying without wings”. I believe that verse means that everyone has that someone in their life that is always there for them. It may also mean that certain person lifts your spirits when you are feeling down. My parents are straight forward people and tell it like it is. I am exceedingly proud to call them my parents.

(2007)
All Rights Reserved

THE GAME: NAVIN CRUMP

2010-01-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

The wind howls loudly
As our feet shuffle around
My dad encourages me
While the ball strikes the ground
Playing basketball with my sister
Is a lot of fun
But we are really competitive
So the game has just begun

The sun is at a standstill
The rainbow shines bright
Leaves from the tree rustle
The mood is just right
The net of the hoop sways
Whenever the wind may blow
But now back to the game
Ready, Set, Go!

The scent of salty sweat
Is smelt as it pours down our face
The mud on our shoes
Dirties the cemented place
The fragrance of cologne
Fills the air
But the odor of rubber
Is also there

The cold wind blows
While the sun exudes light
Paving the way
For my victory tonight
The game has concluded
I leave with a grin
Little does one, know
The exhaustion within

2008
All Rights Reserved

7TH GRADE MEMORIES: NAVIN CRUMP

2010-01-22T09:42:00.000-08:00

My 7th grade year has been a year to rejoice and remember. Friends from elementary have changed and joined new cliques/ Sports at school helped me relax and prevent thinking about school worries. My attitude has changed tremendously for the better. I am more school and sports focused than ever. I have made many friends but I have lost many. 7th grade has just been flat-out breathtaking!!! Junior High friends are exceptionally amusing, intelligent, and genuine. But, best friends from elementary have changed significantly. The friendship of people that I had known and liked since 4th grade had gone astray. While they had moved on and found new friends, I was left unaccompanied. Finding new friends was difficult but when I did find new friends I felt jubilant, needed, and accepted.

Sports at school has released stress and helped me unwind. Even though school is pleasant, there are certain projects and classes that are laborious. Relieving stress is not the only thing that sports assist me with. Sports are exceedingly pleasing to play and I play them for the enjoyment. I participated on the Santan Boys Soccer Team and started half the season. I also tried out for the 7th grade Boys Basketball Team but unfortunately I did not make the team. Most players that did not make the team grimaced and whimpered, but instead I continued to practice and will hopefully make the 8th grade team next year. I have played sports all my life and have experienced wins and losses, but I have never been defeated. Sports are similar to life because in life you will experience losses but you must never be
defeated internally.

During the year I have realized that I have changed. Throughout the course of the year, my teachers and parents have helped me to mature in attitude about school and life. Education has always been dreadfully important in my household. So, 7th grade has been a year where B’s on a report card are unacceptable. That being the case, I have had to buckle down and concentrate. Even though my attitude has altered, my personality has stayed unchanged.

The years 2007-2008 have been marvelous. I as an individual have grown more mature. My main goals to achieve have been about school and sports. My friends are sincere and look out for me. I have lost numerous amounts of friends but I have also gained countless more. Seventh grade has been the greatest school year of my life!!!

April 31, 2008
All Rights Reserved

WAR BONDS: NAVIN CRUMP

2010-01-22T09:36:00.000-08:00

Buy war bonds
To help support the war
Buy it with your money
Don’t waste it at a store
Every bit of money
Helps our cause
When it comes to helping
There should be no pause
So buy war bonds
To help the U.S.
With your help
We could be the best

2008
All Rights Reserved
"War Bonds" authored by Navin Crump was inspired by his study of World War I and World War II in his Social Studies class.

SPOTTERS: NAVIN CRUMP

2010-01-22T09:29:00.000-08:00

Looking to the right
Looking to the left
Looking to the east
Looking to the west
Looking up high
But never down low
Because in the clouds
Is where airplanes go
Enemy airplanes try to bomb our city
We spotters
Keep it pretty
No one roams the air
Without our permission
Everyone we see with 20/20 vision

2008
All Rights Reserved
"Spotters" authored by Navin Crump was inspired by his study of World War I and World War II in Social Studies Class

MY GRANDMOTHER: NAVIN CRUMP

2010-01-22T09:16:00.000-08:00

If I were to choose someone who has inspired and influenced my life, the most, it would definitely be my grandmother. She has inspired me in many significant ways. Her name is Rashidah Ash-Shaheed. She is my fathers’ mother. She was strong (mentally), loving, and young at heart. When her husband, my grandfather, passed away she came to live with us in Arizona; from Rhode Island. She was extremely courageous, when she arrived in Arizona she informed us that she wanted to be independent and live on her own. She did not want to be a burden to us.

We found her a nice assisted living facility that would take care of her needs. We would visit her as much as possible, to keep her company. She lived quite a distance away; it was hard to go back and forth to her house daily due to the price of gas. She would always stay strong and entertain herself by watching TV or participating in the facilities events i.e. bingo, card games, or crocheting even though she was alone and unaccompanied in her home. She was usually sick but she always fought hard to regain her healthiness and stay alive.

When I had a sporting event to attend, she would always want to come and cheer me on, no matter what her physical condition. She would shout my name when I did something good on the basketball court; or on the soccer field and she would push me to try again when I failed to do something correctly. She did not care if I won or lost my game, she just wanted me to be happy and safe from harm.

I wish to acquire traits from my grandmother like being brave, strong, and always seeing the cup as half full rather than half empty. She passed away on November 2rd, 2008. She may be gone, but her memory, legacy, and love will always be felt.

December 2009
All Rights Reserved

IS IT BETTER TO MAKE DECISIONS WITH YOUR HEART OR WITH YOUR MIND?: NAVIN CRUMP

2010-01-22T09:11:00.000-08:00

When asked the question “Is it better to make decisions with your heart or with your mind?” what would your answer be? My answer would be, it is better to use your mind. I say this due to various reasons.

Using your heart to make decisions can be very costly and I will explain why. Your heart usually makes hasty decisions because it uses emotion. If your mad at someone and have the opportunity to make them look bad or hurt them, you will most likely take that opportunity. That person could be related to you (i.e. brother, sister, cousin) but because of the reason that you are mad at them at the time, you will take that opportunity to hurt them. That is because you used your heart and not your brain to make decisions. My sister and I get into countless arguments and fights, and I am guilty too of making decisions with my heart and emotions. Those unintelligent choices often cause me to get grounded or lose privileges. If we all made decisions by using our mind and not our hearts, we would make better quality choices. Using your mind to make decisions is far more beneficial. By using your mind to make decisions, you don’t make decisions out of emotion or anger. You make decisions off prior information on the subject and knowledge altogether. Your mind knows what is best for you and will make the right decision. Using your heart to make decisions is plain stupid in my opinion. For example, if a sportscaster or sports analyst was supposed to truthfully predict using statistics on who would most likely win the game but instead chose his or her favorite team just for the reason that they were his or her favorite team, he or she might lose his or her job, get blacklisted as an unreliable sports resource, and so on. If he or she would have made the right and truthful decision by using their mind and not their heart they would still have their job.

In my opinion, this topic answer is obvious. Your mind makes better and more reasonable decisions. While your heart makes hasty and dim-witted choices. I have made choices with my heart before and it resulted badly for me. So use your head and make the right choice or the result may be ghastly. This is where I stand on the subject.

Where do you stand?

2009
All Rights Reserved

HOME AT LAST: NAVIN CRUMP

2010-01-22T09:02:00.000-08:00

WOW!!! It’s Summer Break!!!
Isn’t that swell?
Vacation is going to be splendid
That I can tell
Boarding the plane
For the 26 hour flight
Depart in the day
Arrive at night
Climbing down the stairs
Of the monstrous plane
It is cloudy outside
I hope it doesn’t rain
Smelling the air
As I reminisce the past
It’s a breathtaking feeling because
I’m home at last!!!!
It is pitch black
But I remember the scene
Being a young boy
And the places I’ve been
Singapore is my home
The place where my life began
There’s the hospital where I was born
And there’s the park where I ran
And there’s my old school
Where most of my memories lie
But I’ll never relive them
No matter how hard I try
Starting to feel sad
It is coming on fast
But the greatest thought returns
I’m home at last!!!!

April 31, 2008
All Rights Reserved

WORDS: (DEEP IN THOUGHT) -- NICOLE S. DANTZLER

2009-06-19T19:33:00.001-07:00

What do words mean to me?
Letters put together to modify action, appearance, sound, thought, intensity, feel, smell, or time.
Words are everywhere around me
Most people just identify words as a language
Some even think of it as letters formed to make a sound that we understand
But words mean everything in life to me
It expresses my happiness, anger, melancholy, and humiliation
Words bring a whole new meaning to life in this world
Words lead to our behavior, depending on the tones we use
Words are a communication to one another’s soul
Words roll off our tongues to represent strife or encouragement
Words speak life and words speak death
Words fill our minds with knowledge
And words seek our hearts with emotion
But words especially fill our lives with understanding
It leaves us to want to learn more about the depth of the things we use unconsciously
Life is made for us to explore and desire the things we want most
But we never take the time to figure out the little things
Such as the meaning of words
So, what do words mean to you?

(c) 15 April 2009
[Reprinted With Permission--Courtesy of IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R)]

ALONE IN THE DARKNESS: NICOLE S. DANTZLER

2009-06-19T19:30:00.000-07:00

Deceived by the world
Taken by heaven
Ignored by the people
And understood by me
Surrounded by dark
Uplifted by light
Where can I find the real me?
Why am I hiding from myself?
My mind defines afraid
But my heart knows confidence
I choose to trap myself inside a box
So I know that I’m safe from harm
But when I open my eyes
My sight is gone
What happened to the environment?
Or is it me trying to avoid the outside
But who can I ask?
No one understands what I’m going through
I’m trapped in a box!
Or was I just afraid to speak up
I just need someone to understand my misery
But after all the people I pushed away
After all the time I’m wasting
After all the decisions I had to make
I find myself “Alone in the Darkness”

(c) 12 October 2008
[Reprinted With Permission--Courtesy of IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R)]

THIS DAY WILL COME: NICOLE S. DANTZLER

2009-06-19T19:25:00.000-07:00

We all have smiled
And we all have laughed
But we always hoped and dreamed
We imagined the day that would bring us trust
The day that would set us free
Our hearts are free but our souls are chained
What can that possibly mean?
That our hearts can soar but our souls are trapped by a lack of human belief

I stand on top of the world while living in such poverty
Trying to overcome my doubts
But I hold on tight never forgetting
That someday this day will come

When you feel that you’ve given up on hope
Look behind you
We all have made it this far
Why give in now
All the hurdles we jumped
Every mountain we climbed
Every step that we took
By faith we stand

So cherish the moments when you see someone smile
Savor the memories when you laugh together
Take a picture when you are united as one
And paste it all in a scrapbook where you’ll always remember

But tell me how long
How much longer will it take for this day to come?
Just believe in your heart that soon we’ll make it to the end, together

(c) 11 January 2009
[Reprinted With Permission - Courtesy of IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R)]

DADDY'S HEART: DON and CHARLIE MATHIS

2008-07-02T09:17:00.000-07:00

Where was I born?
Right here in San Antonio.
No, where was I born?
At the Methodist Hospital.
Mommy said I was born in her tummy.
Yes, that's right.
Mommy said only girls can have babies.
Men can have babies too.
Daddies can't have babies.
Sure they can.
But not in their tummy.
No. In their heart.
How did I get into her tummy?
I put my heart next to her heart.
And then you put me in her tummy?
Yes, that's right.
Why?
Because we loved each other and we wanted a baby to love.
So you had me?
Yes.
You still love me?
Yes, I do.
With all my heart!
I love you too!

[Reprinted With Authors' Permission - Courtesy of IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R)]

THROUGH OUR CHILDREN'S EYES: THE IMPORTANCE OF FATHERS AND FATHER FIGURES

2008-07-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

Is having a dominant male presence in the life of a child important? It is to our children. Recently, Just Us Books (www.justusbooks.com) which is headquartered in East Orange, New Jersey orchestrated an essay contest entitled My Most Memorable Moment With My Father. The contest which received entries from children throughout the United States was inspired by a book One Million Men And Me authored by Kelly Starlings a free-lance writer and author of children’s books. One Million Men And Me is a story of the Million Man March as seen through the eyes of a girl who attends the event with her Father. Just Us Books’ My Most Memorable Moment With My Father is not only a celebration of Fatherhood. It is a mirror which reflects the importance of Fathers and Father Figures. It provides us with an opportunity to see the importance of Fathers and Father Figures through the eyes of our children.

The winners of Just Us Books’ My Most Memorable Moment With My Father essay contest – Jahbril Porter-Ollavria, age 5; Marquez Morrow, age 7; Denarius Woods, age 10; and Tiye Atu Ima Asega Garrett-Mills, age 9 -- have a lot to say about the importance of Fathers and Father Figures.

DENARIUS WOODS: MY MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT WITH MY FATHER

My father’s name is Jeremy Hargrow. It is hard for me to remember my dad. I guess it’s because I was only five years old when he went to heaven. My granny and momma have told me details about him and the different things we did together, but I cannot remember them myself.
Sometimes when it is very quiet, I daydream about the stories they have told me. I wish that my father were here so that we could make memorable moments, but he is not, so most of the time I make up stories and wish them to be true. For instance, my favorite made-up memory is the day I graduate from college. I can hear someone calling my name, “Denarius Woods.” I stand up and quickly walk to the podium. I am excited because I am finally finishing school.

When the diploma’s handed to me, I look out into the crowd and glance across the room hoping to see my father. There he is, smiling at me because he knows that I have come a long way. Tears start to fall out of my eyes because my daddy is here to see me complete my biggest goal.

“Well done,” my father says and then he is gone.

Boy, I really wish that God could make that dream come true. I would never forget that memory. In fact, the day I do walk across that stage and get my diploma I will look up in the sky and know that my father is staring down at me, and just like my dream he will say, “Well done.”
_____
Denarius Woods, is a First Place Winner in the Fourth Grade Category of Just Us Books’ essay contest entitled, “My Most Memorable Moment With My Father”. Woods,. Who is a ten-year old fifth-grader attending College Hill Academy in Cincnnati, Ohio. Hill Academy, wrote an essay about his Father Jeremy Hargrow. [Reprinted With Permission of Just Us Books (www.justusbooks.com)]

JAHBRIL PORTER-OLLARVIA:
MY MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT WITH MY FATHER

My most memorable moment with my dad actually happens all the time. He takes me to my cello program every Saturday. My mama drops my dad and me off while she takes my brother Jahlil to his chorus rehearsal. Sometimes I carry my cello and sometimes my dad carries it. My dad always carries the black bag. The black bag has my songs, books for me to read, snacks and a notebook for my dad to take notes. First me and my dad go to my private cello lesson with Ms. Natalie. Then I have a break. I usually read, do an activity sheet or have a snack. Sometimes I play in the gym with my friends. We race each other, play basketball or tag. Next I go to my musicianship class. We play the balloon game with our bows, and we make music with different sticks. Everyone in the musicianship started at the same time. Students may play the violin, viola or cello. I have another break. Sometimes my dad takes me for a bathroom break. Next, I have group. This where only cellists can come. We sing songs and we play our cellos. My dad takes my picture when I am in my cello class. When I had my first cello concert, my daddy video taped me. My mama, my brother Jahlil and my Great Grandma Bell [were] there. I played “Tucka Tucka Stop Stop” on the D-string. I also sang “I love my cello,” and “Ants.” I love my dad a lot. I have a good time on Saturdays with my dad.

______
Jahbril Porter-Ollarvia’s essay about his father Mr. Jason Ollarvia won him First Place in the Third Grade Category of Just Us Books’ Essay Contest entitled “My Most Memorable Moment With My Father”. Ollarvia is five years old and is enrolled in the first grade at Ujima International Education Center in Country Club Hills, Illinois. [Reprinted With Permission of Just Us Books (www.justusbooks.com)]

TIYE ATU IMA ASEGA GARRETT-MILLS:
MY MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT WITH MY FATHER

Fourth grade is awful. Seriously, nothing seems worth getting up in the morning except seeing my father’s shining face. My father is one of the most important figures in my life. He’s handsome in every way. He has a kind face, dark eyes, and a long beard.
My father is thoughtful and thinks about how other people feel. One example of this would be how he wakes me up in the morning. My mother shakes me up. My brothers yell and my sisters scream. But my father makes me a big bowl of my favorite oatmeal and says “Hey baby girl! Get on my back. I made you a bowl of oatmeal.”

When my father and I are alone and he is picking me up from school, we go to Blackberries, a coffee shop, and get ice cream. One time, when my cousin gave me dirty looks, my dad took me to Burger King.

When I was little, he took me to a playground and placed me on top of a giant turtle and said “I love you.” Those words had been stuck in my mind ever since. I think fathers are important in everyone’s life, because you can count on them no matter what, and they love you no matter where they are. But I love mine best in a way I can’t describe.
_____________

Tiye Atu Ima Asega Garrett-Mills’ essay about her father Mr. Joel James Mills won her Second Place in the Fourth-Fifth Grade Category of Just Us Books’ Essay Contest entitled, ‘My Most Memorable Moment With My Father”. Mills is a nine year old fourth-grader enrolled at Institute Of Global Scholarship in Denver, Colorado.

MARQUEZ MORROW: MY MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT WITH MY FATHER

I wish that I had a father that was really my own. I do have a Father in Christ and he is there whenever I call on him. I have a mentor that is [a] good father to me. He loves me and guides me in the right direction to grow up to be a young intelligent man. But in my mind, having someone in my corner means a lot. I still just wonder about a lot of things. I wonder what it would be like to have a father that would be there for me day and night. Would I really be excited? I wonder just for a day, how it would be if all my friends could see my father. My friends and I could see how really cool it is to have a father that wants to have fun and just play outside. Thinking would my friends be more friendly with me? Maybe it would just be best being me. I was given a Bus Captain [named] Brother Aaron Eggers and we sing songs all the time on the church bus. I have gone different places with Brother Aaron Eggers and he shows me a lot of love each and every time. These moments are the best time of my [life] to have a father role model and enjoy having a good time with a father. Brother Aaron Eggers from time to time shows me the right way to live and do my best at whatever I am trying to do. My Pastor put a very good mentor to be around me and I enjoy the love that my Pastor has and Christ has for me. This is the most memorable moment with a Father that loves me and is part of my life.

_____________
Marquez Morrow is a seven year old second-grader enrolled at Owen Scholastic Academy in Chicago, Illinois whose essay about his mentor Brother Aaron Eggers won him second place in the First-Third Grade Category of Just Us Books’ essay contest entitled, “My Most Memorable Moment With My Father”. [Reprinted With Permission of Just Us Books (www.justusbooks.com)]

A CHILD'S PLACE: SAM LEMON

2008-07-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

A morning circle is on the way
We smaller ones begin our day
they measure me and I stand tall
"Three-feet four" against the wall

We get in line to go outside
Race to the sandbox or the slide
Our laughter echoes down the hall
Wild ponies brightly running all

And when I'm smiling on the swing
I lift my little voice and sing
We splash each other in the pool
Sweet summer days in nursery school

We learn the things that we should know
Plant some seeds and watch them grow
Look at countries on the map
Eat our lunch, and then take a nap

And when the day is almost done
I know that soon my Dad will come
Then in a chorus strong and clear,
They sing, "Noelle, your Dad is here!"

And so we climb into our car
We head for home -- it isn't far
The window's down, the air is cool
Swett summer days in nursery school

(c) 1991 - [Published With Author's Permission]

JUSTIN'S WORLD

2008-06-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hi! My name is Justin. I’m three years old and I go to pre-school. I don’t know what pre-school is. All I know is that it’s a place where I go during the week and where I spend most of the day. And when my Mom and Dad talk about this place where I go during the week and spend most of the day, they call it ‘pre-school’. Other children who are the same age that I am are there, too. They are my friends. I like pre-school. I have fun. I get to do a lot of things at pre-school. I learn things. Our teacher – Miss Jones – teaches us the alphabet and how to spell. And she even teaches us how to count. But I knew the alphabet before I went to pre-school. I knew how to count before I went to pre-school, too! My Dad used to sing the alphabet song to me when I was little and he taught me how to count! Well, I’m still little now, but you know what I mean. My Dad said he used to sing the alphabet song to me when I was really small and had to sleep in a crib.

I am going to say the alphabet for you now: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z.

How’s that?

And I can count, too!

I am going to count for you now: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100!

But that’s not all! I know how to write the letters of the alphabet. I learned how to write the letters of the alphabet before I started going to pre-school. My Mom and Dad taught me! Do you know how to write the letters of the alphabet? Let’s play a game. Let’s call it the “Write The Alphabet” game. I have already written the letters of the alphabet in small and capital letters. I left a blank line next to each letter of the alphabet so that you can write the letter of the alphabet that is next to the blank line. Ready? Get set! Go!

A _____ a _____ B _____ b _____ C _____ c ______

D _____ d _____ E _____ e _____ F _____ f _____

G _____ g _____ H _____ h _____ I _____ i _____

J _____ j _____ K _____ k _____ L _____ l _____

M _____ m _____ N _____ n _____ O_____ o _____

P _____ p _____ Q _____ q _____ R _____ r _____

S _____ s _____ T _____ t _____ U_____ u _____

V _____ v _____ W _____ w _____

X _____ x _____

Y _____ y _____ Z _____ z ______

Wow! That was fun!

Did I tell you that I know how to write numbers? My Mom and Dad taught me that, too! Let’s play another game. Let’s call it the “Can You Write Numbers From 1 to 100?” game. Can you write the numbers that are missing on the blank lines? Let’s see. Are you ready? Get set! Go!

1 _____ 3 _____ 5 _____

7 _____ 9 _____ 11 _____

13 _____ 15 _____ 17 _____

19 _____ 21 _____ 23 _____

25 _____ 27 _____ 29 _____

31 _____ 33 _____ 35 _____

37 _____ 39 _____ 41 _____

43 _____ 45 _____ 47 _____

49 _____ 51 _____ 53 _____

55 _____ 57 _____ 59 _____

61 _____ 63 _____ 65 _____

67 _____ 69 _____ 71 _____

73 _____ 75 _____ 77 _____

79 _____ 81 _____ 83 _____

85 _____ 87 _____ 89 _____

91 _____ 93 _____ 95 _____

97 _____ 99 _____

If you were not able to write all of the missing numbers, don’t be upset. Just keep practicing. Keep working at it. It takes time to learn things – and it takes practice – lots of practice.

Now, let’s see. At pre-school, I have a great teacher. Her name is Miss Jones. She always has something happy to say to us. Every morning she has a happy greeting for us. I think I can remember it. I remember it! Want to hear it? Here is Miss Jones’ happy greeting:

“Good Morning. Children,
We are all in our places
with sun shining faces
Oh, what a way
to start a new day!”

Oh! We sing songs in pre-school, too. We have a song we sing about our teacher, Miss Jones. I will sing it for you:

“Two, four, six, eight!
Who do we appreciate?
Miss Jones! Miss Jones!”

Do you ever think about what you would like to be when you grow up?

Maybe you’d like to be a teacher. Or an astronaut . . . a lawyer . . . a scientist . . . a college professor . . . a policeman . . . a fireman . . . a nurse . . . a doctor . . . a plumber . . . a mechanic . . . an engineer . . . an artist . . . an architect . . . a senator . . . a poet . . . or even the President of the United States.

I think a lot about what I would like to be when I grow up. I can’t make up mind yet what exactly I’d like to be. When I figure it out, I’ll tell you. How’s that?

Well, I’m getting sleepy. It’s time for my nap. I had fun talking to you! Bye!