mariaretanAmerican Bison … Making a comeback!.. Where are they now? Students will be transported to a time when the bison roamed the Great Plains by the millions. We will learn how they were inextricably interwoven with the lives of the Native American people. We will take an up close look at Bison today… learn what they look like, what they eat, where they live, and how they are used. Together we will learn a Bison song composed by Mrs. Retana and Mrs. Rhoads. Offered in Spanish, English, or both!...
The Bison: Symbol of Native American Culture
On Tuesday, June 14, 2011 author Maria Retana and her illustrator Pat Pollock Rhoads visited the Buffalo Company Ranch in Buckeye, AZ they conducted research on the Bison which symbolizes the Native American Culture. They we were transported to the time when the bison roamed the Great Plains by the millions. As a result of their experience, a story for children’s ages 2-6 and a workshop for preschoolers and kindergarten students will be available in the next few months. Mrs. Retana graciously...
The Importance of Play in a Child’s Life
The Importance of Play in a Child's Life It has been proven that children's brains expand through play, especially when they are allowed to pretend. The child's language, vocabulary, imagination and creativity become part of the experience and therefore part of their lives. On December 22nd, the Retana family visited the Tucson Children's Museum. My two grandsons were with us that day and everyone had a wonderful time. I want to share some of the pictures of our experience. Plus, I want to...
Spring Festival at the San Pedro House
On May 7, 2011 the San Pedro House in Hereford, AZ sponsored a Spring Festival to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day. María Retana was the featured author at the event,presenting from 10:00 am until 2:00 p.m. There were activities for kids that blended in with the stories that Mrs. Retana read. the titles offered were: The Pig that is not a pig/El cerdo que no es cerdo, Born into the pack/Nacer en la manada and The Mystic Call/La llamada mística. Enjoy the pictures below:
My Mother’s Voice
My Mother's Voice By Izak Last When I was a child my parents both read to me on a regular basis. I am thankful that they took the time to do so, it certainly has helped my cognitive abilities in nearly immeasurable ways. Today, I am an avid reader, devouring fiction and non-fiction titles alike. I have a healthy appetite for literature that includes classics, sci-fi, fantasy, and even young adult novels and children’s books. I attribute my interest in such a wide range of books to my mother...
Never Too Soon to Read to Your Baby
Start Reading to your Baby Today! You don’t have to wait for your baby to get be a certain age to begin reading children’s books to him or her. Start now! They will benefit from the images, sounds, and pattern of your voice. The image above is my son-in-law reading to my grandson Miles at 1 month old. The book is full of musical instruments, bright colors, and animal-like characters. At what age did you start reading to your children? Which are some of their favorite books?
Holiday Goodies
One way to remember your childhood during the holidays is through the sharing of memories. Such memories are preserved by sharing a recipe of a dessert (or any special dish) that your family has enjoyed throughout the generations.
Here is mine:
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups corn flakes lightly crushed into small pieces, NOT crumbs
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 cup butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup raisins
1/3 cup chopped...
The Pig That Is Not A Pig
Are javelinas pigs? No they are not. Here are some interesting facts about javelinas: -They might look somewhat like a domestic pig but they are quite different. -They belong to a different family in nature and they have a special scientific name: Collared Peccary. -A javelina can weight between 50 and 84 pounds while pigs weigh in between 200 and 1000 pounds! -Mama javelina has 1-3 piglings, once a year, while a mama pig can have many piglets, several times per year. -A mama javelina feeds...
Welcoming the New Year
In Cuba, in the 1950's, the New Year was welcomed by making a scarecrow out of old clothes and magazines and burning it just before midnight. It symbolized deleting the previous year. Also, families honor the tradition of eating twelve big juicy green grapes. Each grape representing one month of the New Year and the hope for a rainy season and therefore a good harvest. Do you know of other interesting ways people in the US (or other countries) welcome the New Year? Thanks for sharing.