Time to Explore
The Reticular Activating System (RAS) in our brain stem is a control center continually sorting out what is important and what is trivial to us. What stored memories do we use to carry out tasks?
Information stored in the (RAS) can be good or bad - and like everything else we are good at, we become better by practicing. Playing the following games will encourage us to practice good strategies that help us remember.
You can change what memories/information are stored in your
(RAS) by practicing positive self talk, positive images, and picturing success.
The Odyssey Learning Games Connection
Rory's Story Cubes for Ages 6 and up contains 9 cubes with imaginative images perfect for building a "once upon a time" story. This practices the use of cues for remembering a sequence - or creating a story to help remember facts or ideas needed for recall. There are also Rory's Story Cubes - Action and Rory's Story Cubes - Voyages. They all can be used as an individual activity - to create a story (orally or written) or as a group activity with each person adding on to the story with a new cube.. ($7.99 ea)
Froggie Boogie for Ages 4 and up, encourages little ones to remember which eye of the frog has a 'frog' underneath it. This determines whether they can move to another pod. It is also a matching game using color cubes and a board game created by the players. (2 - 6 players/ $29.99) 
Pengoloo for Ages 4 and up, is a wonderful memory stretcher for young - and older players. Roll the dice and look for matching color eggs under the penguins - remember where they are (even if another player has one you need) as you collect all 6 penguins to win. (2 - 4 players/$24.99) Book Reviews for Kids
Ocean
Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed the Seas
By Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm (Published 2012)
This team has put together an attractive presentation of complicated ocean plant life - and its relationship to our life on earth from the "sun's" point of view in simple science terms. I recommend this book for homes and schools alike for an understandable reference on how sun is important to all living things - on earth and ocean.
(Ages 8 - adult)
By Amanda Doering Tourville (2009)
I had questions (since my 2 granddaughters acquired guinea pigs over Easter) about care, upkeep, and personalities. All of my questions were addressed and answered in simple straight-forward text with attractive 'cute' pictures. This book is part of a series, 'Get a Pet,' from picturewindowbooks.com (Our library had copies) I recommend the series as a 'starting point' for getting off on the right foot with your new pet.
Oh, Theodore! Guinea Pig Poems by Susan Katz (2007)
A 'cute' poetic journey of a boy choosing a guinea pig, learning to care for it, 'losing it,' and in the end, becoming good friends with it.
In My Backyard
This isn't about my backyard this time. It's about my daughter, Carrie and her family. As mentioned above, they are the proud owners of two new guinea pigs, Hershey and Reese. (Can you tell that my two granddaughters like chocolate?) I wonder if they knew before getting them . . .that guinea pigs like fruits and vegetables? that their front teeth never stop growing? that the cage needs cleaning often? but most of all, that they are happy pets that purr when petted - and waddle 'everything' when they walk (since they have no tails.) - Oh, and the last report was that one doesn't stop talking.
I want to close with a poem that I found by Neil Harding
McAlister
Soft and
lazy Balls of
fur.
Guinea Pigs Will hardly
stir.
Exercise? They cannot
bear it,
Unless to
fetch A nice,
fresh carrot.
Twitching
noses, Shining
eyes,
Looks of Permanent
surprise
Greet the
day With peals
of glee
When each
morning They see me.
Do they
really Miss their
masters?
Maybe it’s
just Food they’re
after.
Piggies’
brains Are very
small.
Maybe they Can’t think
at all,
And life’s
just One scary
muddle
‘Til they
get Their
evening cuddle.
Questions
only Cause us
grief.
I’ll suspend My
disbelief,
And pretend Dependency
Is a sign These pets love me.
