A cool way to get kids reading

Your child's Nintendo DS is a reading tool.

Betchya didn't know that. And maybe your child doesn't either. And just maybe you're about to be the coolest parent ever. Well, this week.

Your child loves the DS, right? Well, there's a "PICTOCHAT" function that lets two DSs talk back and forth. It's like instant messaging, and you don't need any software. After the main menu (the DS on the right), click on PICTOCHAT (see the DS on the left).

Then you enter a "chat room" - don't worry, it's private and it's not on the Internet. Then you use the stylus and the virtual keyboard to type and send messages back and forth between the two units. You can also draw pictures and send them to each other.

On your child's next playdate, imagine how excited they'll be when you show them how to send cool messages back and forth, like spies! Put one kid in one room and another down the hall, and they'll have a great time. You'll hear the giggling.

You can also stash a DS in your child's room, and send him a message when he walks in. He'll hear a little tinkling bell and wonder what the heck's going on. Send him goofy messages, or better yet, send him on a hunt to find cookies.

It's one-on-one time, on his terms. And yours.

You don't have two DSs? OK, so you can't send him messages - but you can suggest that other kids bring their DSs over. If your child's not a great reader you might not think this will work, but the "drawing" function levels the playing field. So one kid can type and the other one can draw. They're kids - they make it fun.



Posted by Joyce Grant

gettingkidsreading.blogspot.com



source

BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn Trailer

BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn Trailer






Once the ruler of an entire universe, the Great Spirit Mata Nui finds himself cast out of his own body, his spirit trapped inside the fabled Mask of Life, hurtling through space. After landing on the far-away planet of Bara Magna, the mask creates a new body for Mata Nui, who unwillingly gets caught up in the furious battles of the nearly barren and dangerous planet. The locals, called Agori ask for his help against the unrelenting army of the Rock Tribe, called the Skrall and their leader, Tuma. The Glatorian warriors start to train him, teach him how to protect himself, while Mata Nui also adds some of his special powers to their fighting skill. The experienced veteran Ackar, the feisty female Kiina, the young Glatorian Gresh, and a friendly, special beetle named Click aid him on his way. But there is a traitor among the Agori, and bigger secrets lay hidden under the sands of the desert planet. Mata Nui must help his new-found friends, but he also has to find a way to return to his old body and take revenge on the evil being who had banished him.

Jeff Bennett ...Strakk (voice)
Jim Cummings ...Ackar (voice)
Michael Dorn ...Mata Nui (voice)
Mark Famiglietti ...Gresh (voice)
David Leisure ...Metus (voice)
Armin Shimerman ...Raanu (voice)
Marla Sokoloff ...Kiina (voice)
Fred Tatasciore ...Tuma (voice)
James Arnold Taylor ...Berix (voice)

how can you fix it?

don't complain...think then act.




* If something is wrong, how can you fix it?
* After you have a whinge, think about how YOU can make it better.
* After you have a whinge, then several drinks, think about how to fix it and then make it better.
* Put this poster up somewhere to remind you to think about a solution and then put that solution in motion.
* If you can't do the above then it's time to be quiet :)