American ABC's

February is American ABC's. Our den has found this cardboard project to work on. All of the US States come apart and can be assembled together to create the US map.

We have 10 boys, so all boys got 5 states that they will get to decorate. They have been given letters of the alphabet and have been challenged to find cities that match those letters. They must then decorate the states in some way, such as using the state flag, industry or historical monuments.

The map came from www.orientaltrading.com and is item #57/6858. Cost is $12.99.

This project also counts towards the Citizenship Pin (create a collage about America)

You can find an interactive map to help your kids discover which states they have at http://www.yourchildlearns.com/us_map.htm and there is an alphabetical listing of cities in all states (except Nebraska... it somehow got overlooked) http://www.fallingrain.com/world/US/.

Have fun with your American ABC's!

Taking your boys to the polls

Today I took a couple of my wolf den boys to go vote with me. We were very fortunate, there were no lines and when the staff found out that we were Cub Scouts, they gave the boys sample voters registration cards to "fill out" for when they were old enough to vote : )

So we got to learn about voter registration and why we register to vote. Then they checked us in and showed us to a voting booth. The boys pushed all the buttons and we talked about who was running for the different positions. One boy asked me why I was voting the way I was voting, because he liked the other guy and my response was "it's my vote and I get to vote for who I like. When you're old enough to vote, you get to vote for who you like." Thank goodness that was good enough. I have a policy of not talking politics with 8 year olds.

We talked about privacy and one Wolf Cub asked why I was allowing him to see who I was voting for. Excellent question Wolf Cub! Because we are learning about voting and I wanted him to see exactly how you vote for someone. It's not this mystical process. You go in, you punch the buttons and you push the red VOTE button. And that is how you hire and fire your elected officials and let your voice be heard.

The boys thought it was pretty cool and we will be watching the returns for a little while (until bedtime) to see who the next president and representatives will be. What a great learning adventure for your Wolf Cubs!

Election Day Celebrations

Tuesday Nov 4th is Election Day. Here is a great opportunity to talk to your boys about citizenship and about how important voting for your elected officials is. One of the activities for the Citizenship Pin is taking your bosy to go vote. Most of the kids are out of school tomorrow, so take them to go vote and then take them for a tasty treat... Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream Stores are offering a free scoop of icecream from 5pm-8pm tomorrow to celebrate democracy.

Visit http://www.benjerry.com/features/i_voted/ for details and participating locations.

Belt Loops and the Wolf Program

I have recently received several emails about which Belt Loops work into the Wolf Requirements and Electives. I have put together a list of a few that work in the Wolf Program. Section 20, Electives on Sports you can work many of the belt loops into. But here are a few of the other Belt Loops.

*Fishing Belt Loop
Review local fishing regulations Wolf Elective 19D
Demonstrate how to bait a hook Wolf Elective 19B
Try to catch a fish Wolf Elective 19C

Sports Belt Loops… most can be done in Wolf Elective 20’s

*Collecting Belt Loop
Wolf Requirement 6B~ Make a Collection
Wolf Requirement 6C~ Share your Collection
*visit a museum to complete your Collecting Belt Loop!

*Computer Belt Loop
Explain CPU, Modem, Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor and Printer~ Wolf Elective 21C (Computer mouse/CD-ROM)
Show how to Start Up and Shut Down a computer
Wolf Elective 21B~ use a program to write a report

*Citizenship belt loop
Develop a list of things you can do at home (Wolf Requirement 4E)
Make a poster of things you can do to be a good citizen
Participate in a service related project (food drive)
To earn Citizenship Pin…
Go with parents to vote (Nov 4th)
Participate in a parade (December Christmas Parade)
List ways you can recycle (Wolf Requirement 7E)
Conduct a home energy audit (Wolf Requirement 7F)
Create a collage about America (American ABC’s theme in Feb)

Citizenship

I recently learned that one of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence is on display this weekend only at the Nashville Public Library downtown. I am sure that it has everything to do with the Presidential debate happing next week. What a great way to tie everything that has been going on in the news!

In addition to being able to see the Declaration, there will be period re-enactments, films and a mock election with real voting booths.

What an amazing opportunity to teach your kids about citizenship!

Check out the details here: http://www.library.nashville.org/events/show/1481