COMPANIONS ON THE ROAD 

 Naniloa Smith and Mary Koehler

October, November, December 2008 Vol. 14

‘Companions on the Road’ is an ongoing column created to help us ‘adults’ remember we are children, too, and want to play.

From Naniloa Smith

I kept seeing crickets when I was out on my walk.  I thought, “Do you want to play?”  I remembered fun I had sharing with students how to count the cricket chirps for the temperature and was inspired to try it again.  (Cricket chirps in 15 seconds) + 37 = Temperature

Cricket Temperature

1.      Do you have crickets in your area?  If so, you can count their chirp and find the temperature in Fahrenheit.

2.   Prepare for the event:

a.       Mentally ask if there is a cricket who will chirp for you.

b.      Gather up a flashlight and a watch with a second hand.

c.       Have in mind a source to read the temperature to check for accuracy.

3.      Go out at night and listen for the cricket chirp.

4.      Count the number of chirps in 15 seconds.

5.      Add 37.

6.  Thank the cricket.

7.      You now have an idea of the temperature.

I counted 17 chirps in Moline, Illinois the other night.   It was right on!  The temperature gauge in my car read 54 degrees.  It was more of that simple fun.

More from Naniloa

A friend called me the other day and said she liked to remember the commercial about using the EASY button.  I was inspired to make one for myself. 

Easy Button

1.      Choose a sheet of paper or card stock.

2.      Select your coloring material.

3.      Decide on the color or colors to use.

4.      Block out the word EASY on your paper.

5.      Draw a circle or oval around the word and color it in.

6.      Place around your home in an area that’s visible as a reminder that things can be easy.

7.      You may want to make more than one.

8.      “Nice and Easy does it – all the time.”

From Mary Koehler

Sometimes “play” comes in the simplest forms and is wonderful because it refreshes me in just a few minutes.
I saw a small football in store and realized it was “just my size” and was inspired to purchase it.
The following activity came as I started to play with it.
I remember spending hours as a child tossing a ball and catching it.

Play Ball

1. Choose a ball to play with....one that feels good in your hands.

2. It can be a football, soccer ball, baseball....any kind of ball.

3. Toss the ball in the air and catch it.

4. Keep your eyes on the ball.

5. You can toss the ball as you walk or just for a few minutes in the yard.....enjoy.

More from Mary

Fall Leaves

1. Enjoy a fall walk in the trees.

2. You may choose a few leaves on the walk.

3. Ask the leaves if they may go home with you.

4. Place the leaves between 2 pieces of wax paper.

5. Cover with a piece of brown paper bag and iron over.

6. Use the leaves to decorate a fall table.

7. You might laminate them to use as bookmarks or or send to a friend.

In the Desert Children’s Project  is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation organized for educational purposes.  It accepts monetary contributions, as well as gifts of charitable gift annuities, real estate, stocks, bonds and other tangible assets. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable under the U.S. tax code.   

Send donations to:

www.inthedesertchildrensproject.org  

Naniloa Smith has a MS in education.  She is President and Founder of In the Desert Children’s Project.  She has spent over 30 years in the classroom.  She believes that 'we're all children' and want to play.  Naniloa lives in Moline, Illinois.

Mary Koehler has a BS in education.  She has raised 7 children with her husband Kurt. She loves doing art projects and exploring new activities. Mary resides in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Thank You

Contact Us: In the Desert Children's Project    425 10th Street Moline, IL 61265 (520) 405-1634  info@inthedesertchildrensproject.org          OUR HOME PAGE :  www.InTheDesertChildrensProject.org