.:  Homework Help

>> Homework is sometimes boring, sometimes fun — and often challenging (like the colors on this web page). But homework is an essential part of learning; it picks up where lessons on the chalkboard left off. Homework follows up on and reinforces, in a "hands-on" way, what you were supposed to have picked up that day during class. However, grasping the day's lesson might have left you more confused than you were before you started learning about whatever it was you were being taught — and that is hardly motivation to do more of it at home. Right?
Well, that's where Educate New Mexico's Homework Help Resource Center comes in. Here you can find assistance and information on a wide variety of topics, in grade levels from Kindergarten through High School. Find your favorites and bookmark them.

Choose from the links below to begin:

• High School Ace  — the ultimate guide to free, high-quality online learning resources for teens.

• Dictionary.com™ — like the printed dictionary, only digital; it's also a thesaurus.

• StudyStarters™ — use this section of DiscoverySchool.com's™ site to jump start your imagination for that research paper topic; mostly science-related.

• BJ Pinchbeck's Homework Helper™ — DiscoverySchool.com™ again; extremely comprehensive site with hundreds of links to help you with just about any topic you can imagine…really, it's that thorough.

• HowStuffWorks™ — incredibly enlightening site that could serve to spark ideas for research papers or projects; for mid to high schoolers.

• The Beehive is an excellent site; not only fun to browse, but very helpful, too. Links to homework help are broken down into grades, then broken down further into subject.

• Homework/Study Tips — from About.com™, this site will mostly appeal to high schoolers.

• AskJeeves™ Kids —  "This is a great site! You can ask any question you want, there’s a virtual thesaurus and dictionary, and you can get homework help by topic. There are also games to play."

• DoE Your Homework — okay…so that wasn't a very good play on words. But, it is a very good site for homework help, straight from our very own U.S. Dept. of Education.

• Refdesk.com — more links to homework help than you can shake a stick at.

• Factmonster.com — facts, facts, facts…and more facts. And be sure to click the "Homework Center" icon for specific homework help by topic.

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  .:  Fun & Games

>> Congratulations! You're done with your homework! (…aren't you?)
Now reward yourself with some fun and interesting things to do. That's right…games, puzzles, activities…we've rounded up some of the best* things to do on the internet (and offline, too).
[*Best = fun enough for kids; safe enough for parents' peace of mind.]

Click the links below to see all the cool, fun stuff you can do in your free time (instead of spending countless hours surfing useless sites…):

BRAIN TEASERS • Brain Boosters™ — broken down into specific categories, this section of DiscoverySchool.com™ is sure to get those gears in your head spinning!

Puzzles • PuzzleMaker™ — create your own custom word puzzles and stump your friends!

• Word Puzzles — java-based word puzzles for all ages (crossword, word slide, and word search puzzles)

• Funschool.com® Puzzles —  "Challenging and fun puzzles. Build a virtual train set, race your team of bugs around the lawn, put the United States together, unwrap a chocolate bar, and more!" (Flash™ and other plug-ins may be required for most of these puzzles.)

Games • Jeopardy!™ Online — it's almost like being on the show… (IE version 5.0 or higher and Flash™ Player 6 is recommended)

• Funschool.com —  "A lot of fun games for kids, preschool through 6th grade. Features 'Downhill Challenge' and 'Fitness Challenge,' plus many more super-fun activities!" (Shockwave™, Flash™, and possibly other plug-ins are required to play most of these games.)

Simply Fun • Seussville™ — the fun little world of Dr. Seuss.

• Zoom —  "I am personally a fan of the TV show 'Zoom,' and on their web site you can learn how to do all of the projects they do on the show (like science experiments, crafts, games, cooking, puzzles, etc.), or you can send in your own ideas."

Offline Fun "These are fun games that make you think…and that you can play without the aid of a modem:"

• Stratego™ — a timeless classic from Milton Bradley. Sweep the cobwebs from that dusty old brain and try to out-strategize the opposing "army." Watch out for the land mines!

• Break the Safe™ — a fun, suspenseful game of chance from Mattel. Start the timer, roll the dice, and move your team from room to room to find the "keys" to the safe — all while trying not to get caught by the guard or eaten by the guard dog!

• Cranium™ (Cadoo™, Cairaboo™) — Brain-challenging games for all ages. Oil those rusty gears in your head…it's time to think fast!

• Ghost — click for an explanation of how to play this fast-moving word game

• Shout-out — click for an explanation of how to play this (?)

• Chess — That's right…it's not just for the sweater vest-wearing, tape-on-the-glasses, pocket protector-sporting nerds. Chess is a timeless classic that never loses its appeal; always challenging the players to think ahead, plan, and strategize. It's so cool, they've even made movies about it.

• Hangman — Get a piece of paper and a pencil. Draw the gallows. Think you know words? Prove it. Oh…and no fair drawing fingers and toes and eyelashes. Head, body, two arms, and two legs. That's it. Six chances to get it right.

• Cryptoquips — Ever heard of them? They're in the morning paper in the same section as the crossword puzzle. They're sure to keep you busy and challenged on a rainy day…

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  .:  Stuff to Read

>> Reading, like riding your bike or playing sports, is good for you. But instead of excercising your muscles, your brain and your imagination get the workout. The summer months beg you to be outdoors, running around and playing. But what do you do when it's 100 degrees outside and that friendly summer sun is pounding down on you with a relentless fury, causing you to feel like a marshmallow on the end of a stick being held over a crackling campfire?
You get indoors and read, that's what!
"But I read all year in school," you might say. Good point, but now you get to choose what you read, not some teacher who just can't see the historical and sociological significance of the Harry Potter series, and instead, assigns books written by old guys like Mark Twain, C.S. Lewis, and H.P. Lovecraft. And to help you make your choice, Meghan, a home-schooled, 12-year-old 9th grader, has put together a hardy list of great books that are sure to pique your curiosity and hold your interest.

Enjoy:

EXCITING SERIES: ELEMENTARY GRADES • The Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
• Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park
• My America — Historical fiction, various authors
• The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes by Anne Mazer
• Amelia’s Notebook by Marissa Moss
• Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
• The Moffats by Eleanor Estes
• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• American Girl books — various authors
• Cam Jansen Mysteries by David A. Adler
• Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• The Zac Files by Dan Greenburg
• Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
• Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
• The Ramona by Beverley Cleary
• Judy Moody by Megan McDonald
• The Doll People by Ann Martin (has a sequel)

EXCITING SERIES: MID SCHOOL–YOUNG ADULTS • The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
• Girls of Many Lands — various authors
• Left Behind: The Kids by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye — (36 books), a series based on Biblical Scripture, the Book of Revelations
• The Seven Sleepers by Gilbert L. Morris
• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• Piercing Proverbs by Melody Carlson — Excellent reading for teenagers; teaches how to apply the Book of Proverbs to your life
• Does God Have a Big Toe? by Marc Gellman
• Lost and Found trivia books on Bible Scripture by Tamela Hancock Murray

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  .:  Get Busy!

>> What's going on here?! In the "Stuff to Read" section we suggested that you lay around and read books. Now, in this section we're telling you to go out and do stuff. What gives?!
Well, let's face it, you can't just lay around and read all day…you'll get out of shape faster than your dad can burn that steak to a crisp out on the grill. No, what works best is finding a healthy balance between lying around and being rambunctious outside. The activities listed below strike that perfect balance…and may just enrich your mind while they're at it.

Check 'em out:

• Lodestar Astronomy Center in Albuquerque — Explore the night sky…during the day. (505) 841-5955

• The Rio Grande Zoo in Albuquerque — See lots of cool creatures, and possibly meet some relatives you never knew you had in the monkey exhibit. (Sorry…couldn't resist!) ;) (505) 764-6200

• Popejoy Hall has the Ovation Series for kids. "I saw The Nutcracker there one year and loved it!" (505) 925-5858

• Children’s Radio Hour on KUNM — Saturdays at 9am. Tune in to 89.9 FM and take a listen!

• Harwood Arts Center has children’s art exhibits for your viewing pleasure. (505) 242-6367

• The South Broadway Cultural Center in Albuquerque always has interesting art exhibits on display. (505) 848-1321

• The Rio Grande Nature Center "This place always has fun things planned, and in the off-chance there aren’t any planned activities, just take a cool walk with your family." (505) 344-7240

• Explora! in Albuquerque — "This place makes adults wish they were kids again! Too cool for words. Call them, find out when they're open, and GO!" (505) 224-8300

• The Santa Fe Sierra Club — Find out what they're up to.

• The Tinkertown Museum (near Sandia Crest) — features Ross Ward’s folk art, like wood carvings and sculptures, and really neat stuff made from other neat stuff.

• Mark Kistler’s summer drawing camp. "Over the last few years, this was held in Albuquerque at S.Y. Jackson school. You may want to watch for it to return here next summer, but in the meantime, browse through his site. It's pretty amazing to see how he creates his drawings."

• Page One Bookstore "has story time for the younger kids and Page One, Too sells used books, so raid your piggy bank and head over to buy some great books." (in Albuquerque)

• The Santa Fe Children’s Museum holds many interesting things to see and do. (505) 989-8359

• Santa Fe Opera sometimes has "Youth Night at the Opera." Call for more information: (505) 986-5900

• Zoom Zone at the Atomic Museum in Albuquerque — "They have directed activities on Saturdays. When I went there, I made an optical illusion toy and also built a wall of plastic cups all the way to the ceiling!" (505) 844-7304

• The National Atomic Museum itself has neat exhibits for kids. (505) 245-2137

• The Museum of Natural History in Albuquerque has interesting exhibits. Call for more information: (505) 841-2802

• Call the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque to see what is going on for kids: (505) 246-2261

• The Georgia O’Keefe Museum in Santa Fe often has activities for kids. (505) 946-1007

• Borders Bookstore in Santa Fe has story time on Saturdays. (505) 954-4707

• The Archery Shoppe (in Albuquerque) has a shooting range and lessons. If bows 'n' arrows is your bag, then this is for you. Call for costs and times: (505) 878-9768

• There is an after-school craft club at Bound to Be Read on Wednesdays in Albuquerque. Call for times and details: (505) 828-3500

• There are ongoing crafts at Hastings in Albuquerque at 7pm on Wednesdays. (505) 299-7750

• Check out the Family Art Workshops at the Albuquerque Museum on Saturdays from 1:00pm–2:30pm. They are free with admission to the Museum. (505) 243-7255

• Petroglyph National Monument and Park — See the prehistoric art etched on the rocks and learn about the people who did it and why they didn't get in trouble for doing it.

• Go hiking/walking/exploring in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. There are a lot of accessible areas at the end of some of our major roads along Tramway, like Candelaria, Comanche, Menaul, Indian School, etc.

• And when you're finished with the bottom of the Sandias, go to the top. You can get there by tram or car, and once you're there, the view is outstanding. Plus, you can explore the rock house and hike along the top ridge of our majestic mountain. Cool, if you like the feeling of being on top of the world.

"Have fun and remember: Simply refuse to give in to boredom!"

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