Should Cell Phones be Banned in Schools?

This article will throw some light on the pros and cons of using cellphones in schools which can help us get an insight into the debate on should cellphones be banned in schools.

Should cell phones should be banned in schools? This question has been in the news for quite some time now. Schoolchildren and their parents have vociferously opposed the ban as they say that cell phones allow them to stay in touch with their each other in case of an emergency. Teachers on the other hand have pointed out that these reasons are just a pretext for students to carry the cellphone in the schools and these have been put to a lot of abuse like taking photographs in bathrooms, surfing the internet and listening to music in the classrooms etc. Should cell phones be allowed in school is one the most debated topics and people have diverse views on this issue.

Pros of Allowing cell phones in Schools

There are numerous benefits of letting students carry their cell phones with them. Let us take a look at some of these benefits.

• In case of an emergency parents need to get in touch with the child urgently and this is where cell phones are of great help. Parents are assured that their kids are just a call away and this gives them a greater sense of security. Parents can directly call their wards in case of any untoward event without calling in the staff which leads to lesser classroom disruptions. Also, allowing students to have cell phones gives them access to various important services like 911, hospitals etc.
• Cell phones can also help the children in their studies as cell phones have various applications like a camera, calculator, organizer etc. Students can take the pictures of the projects, diagrams etc. and can then forward it to absent students so that they do not miss out on important topics. Most of the cell phones have the capacity to hold entire e-books, pdf files, research papers etc. which can benefit the students in a great way.
• Another argument which the proponents have in support of allowing the use of cell phones in the classroom is that it will help the students to get hold of the new techniques of learning early on in their lives as mobile education is predicted to be the future of education. Cell phones have many advantages like their portability, fast internet access etc. which gives the students to learn 'anywhere', 'anytime'. In 2007, public schools in North Carolina gave away QUALCOMM phones to enhance the maths-skills of their at-risk ninth grade students. Various universities are planning to make their test papers available to students via their cell phones with some other preparatory assignments. So, allowing students to have cell phones with them can be really advantageous for their studies.

Cons of Allowing cell phones in Schools

Let us take a look at some of the drawbacks of allowing cellphones in schools.

• As far as the debate on should cell phones be banned in schools is concerned, it has been seen that the cons outweigh the pros, courtesy the abuse to which the cell phones have been put through. Teachers have been most vocal about the use of cell phones in the classrooms as they say that students with cell phones are disinterested and also disturb other students in the classroom. Text messaging, video games, music players, social networking websites; these are some of the things that students tend to be more interested in.
• Another drawback of cellphone usage in the classroom is that it encourages the students to cheat in the examinations. A cellphone with internet facility on it means that students can easily get the answers to any examination, quiz etc.
• Camera cell phones have been used to take embarrassing photos of students in the washroom and locker room and then it is circulated amongst the others which can lead to bullying and blackmailing.
• Students have also used cell phones to cause panic in the schools by making faux calls to the authorities that there is a bomb in the school. What is more alarming is that students who have been held for these activities have revealed that they make these false calls because they feel bored in the classrooms and want to condense class time.

These were some of the pros and cons which have been raised whenever the question of allowing cell phones in schools is raised. Many people are of the opinion that a middle-path should be adopted to ensure that cell phones are being used in the right way. They opine that cell phones should be allowed in the school campus and the students should be told to keep the cell phones in their lockers. Before they enter the classrooms, they should be checked thoroughly because students have devised new methods of carrying the cell phones in the classrooms. The main aim of any technology is to make our lives easier; so we have to ensure that technology is not put to any abuse. The question, should cell phones be banned in schools draws different responses from different sections of the society, so policy-makers have to ensure that they give everyone's opinion a thought so that there aren't too many ambiguities.

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Japan Facts for Kids

In this article we will take a look at some Japan facts for kids which will help them with some valuable information about this great nation...

The whole media attention has shifted to Japan in the past five days or so as it has been hit by a series of catastrophes. First an earthquake measuring 8.9 - 9.1 on the Richter scale rocked the nation setting up a Tsunami with a power of 1.3 pettawatts which caused huge loss to human life and property. If it wasn't enough, three explosions happened in the Fukushima Daiichi plant in Sendai and there is a possibility that more explosions can happen soon. The continuous media coverage has meant that your kids have watched a lot of disturbing news about Japan. So, to help kids see the brighter side of Japan and know the country in a better way, we have compiled a list of Japan facts for kids.

Interesting Facts About Japan

Japan is a country which has been able to preserve its ancient culture while making rapid strides in its economy. Although it is the second biggest economy in the world and stands tall among the richest nations of the world, the Japanese are very polite and hard-working. Let us know more by checking some interesting facts about Japan.

• Japan is made up of four main islands Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, but what is more interesting is that there are 4,000 smaller islands which lie in the north Pacific ocean!
• Japan is called "Nippon" by the people of Japan, which means the land of the rising sun. This is symbolized by red dot in the middle of their National flag.
• Japan is the 60th largest nation according to size and its population was around 127 million according to the 2009 census. The capital city of Japan is known as Tokyo and is home to some 75 million people.
• Around 70% of Japan is covered by mountains and many of these are active volcanoes. Mount Fuji, the highest peak in Japan is considered sacred by many Japanese.
• The Prime Minister of Japan is not elected by the people, but by the legislature.
• The Japanese people have a great affection for the beauty of the landscape like mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls etc. They believe that like human beings these things also have souls.
• Japan's national anthem is 'Kimigayo' meaning 'The Emperor's Reign' and the national flag is called 'Hinomaru'.
• Japan is located at such a place on earth that it has an average of 1500 earthquakes every year. There are about 200 volcanoes in Japan.
• Japanese are very hard working by nature. The children are taught to respect their parents and superiors and Japanese lay more emphasis on the achievement of society's good rather than the achievement of the individual.
• Japanese catch and consume more fish than any other country in the world. Fish is the main source of proteins and it is usually served with rice which is the staple food of Japan. Sushi which has become popular all over the world is a Japanese dish.
• The Japanese have many etiquette for almost all walks of life. Japanese aren't too comfortable with physical contact with each other and people greet each other by bowing instead of handshaking.
• Americans have grown up with the idea of "help yourself", but in Japan it is considered impolite to eat until the host offers the food.
• There are wild monkeys in Japan and the last thing they like is someone looking into their eyes!
• The kids in Japan love McDonalds as much as much as American kids and McDonalds in Japanese dialect sounds like Ma-ku-do-na-ru-do.
• The Gold Retriever is the most popular pet in Japan.
• Japanese drive on the left and have the steering wheels on the right side of their vehicles.
• Baseball and sumo are the most popular sports in Japan. Sumo wrestling has been prevalent in Japan since 500 A.D.
• Children's day is celebrated in Japan on the 5th of May. It is a day when families celebrate the joy of having a child.
• Japanese aren't too good at English, so you can find poorly written English everywhere in shops, discos and on T-shirts.
• Japan is world's largest producer of automobiles and many of the Japanese car brands like Nissan, Honda, Toyota are household names in US.
• Japanese men shave their heads as a mark of apology and women cut their hair after breaking up with their boyfriends.

These were some of the Japan facts for kids. We hope that these facts will help your kids to know this beautiful country, which is fighting hard to fend off a nuclear catastrophe, in a better way.

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Hula Hoop Games for Kids

Decades have passed since the hula hoop was invented. However, hula hoop games for kids are a part of a memory lane that they would never trudge along. Hula hoop games are a must promote team building activity that can make a lot of difference to your child's well-being. Hula hoop your way to a healthy tomorrow!

With the influx of technology, who has the time, energy and reserve to hoop in, out and around? Hula hoops have been tucked tight and fastened in the shackles of slumber, under the influential shadows of speed gaming. What more do you want when you have a couch to soothe your contours, chips and croissant to tickle your platter and a remote control serving as the ultimate pleasure quotient. It is time that we instill in our children that the quintessential outdoor games should not be considered passe. They are essential to facilitate growth and development of the mind and body, in the process teaching them to build and simultaneously work in a team. We need to dig out games such as the hula hoop games for kids, hidden and left neglected behind joysticks and play-stations.

Hula Hoop Games Kids can Play

Hula hoop is a fun and enjoyable game. You are free to device games and hula hoop tricks of your own. Here are some hula hoop games for kids that I am sure, you would love to try out! Have a look.

Classic Hula Hoop
This is the classic hula hoop game. All you need to do is to collect all preschoolers in your backyard and arrange a competition. The one who is the most proficient and scores the maximum rotations through the hula hoop, wins the competition. You may also arrange a competition that involves kids hooping with their arms, legs and neck. This can be done after they have acquired adequate practice with the hula hoop.

On the Steering Wheel
This is a beginners game just to acquaint the kids to hula hooping. All you need to do is to have the kids stand together and ask them to hold the hula hoop emulating the way their father holds the steering wheel while he takes them for a drive. Well, you may introduce a slight variation in this game. Ask them to grasp the hula hoop in the palm and spin it with the other, letting it loose. This will set base for the hula hooping with the arm.

Hop - Skip - and - Jump
This is an extremely simple yet fun game for kids. Place the hula hoops on the floor, one after the other and ask them to hop skip and jump from one hula hoop to another. Place as many hula hoops as you want, to add to the fun for kids.

Ring a Ring o' Roses
We all have heard of this nursery rhyme, haven't we? Let us ring around but with a twist. How? Place the three hula hoops together in such a manner that the circumferential edge of the three hula hoops touch each other. They should form a triangle as a whole. Now ask a group of three children to step only into the hula hoops as they sing the song merrily. You could have many hula hoop triangles configured and have the children play around it.

To Hoop and Back
This is another game that you are bound to enjoy. You must set the hula hoops a few feet apart. One kid gives the challenge and the other takes up the challenge. The kid who has taken up the challenge will receive a command on the way he needs to utilize the two hula hoops. If the instructor says, jump backwards, the kid who has taken up the challenge will jump in out and in and out of the ring backwards. If the kid is commanded to jump with his eyes closed, he must do so correctly. However, if he fails to do so, another kid will accept the challenge and try and earn maximum brownie points.

Super-Basket
Hang the hula hoop on a tree or a rope. Now, ask a group of children to form a row and stand one behind the other. You can have the kids throw basketball through the hoop. If they get the basket, you could give them incentive points. This can be performed by flying paper planes through the hoop or kicking a football so that it goes through the hoop.

Kangaroo Stance
Replace the skipping rope for the largest hula hoop you could lay your hands on. Now, as you perform the skipping session, you could jump and skip inside out as you do with the rope. This is fun and you allow your child or kids to go around doing it with a free spirit. Just remember that you need to pick up the biggest hula hoops.

Hula hoop games for kids are their best companions. It is good to see kids getting back to backyards and having fun with tricks that were once a part of the game. It is due to its novelty, in this day and age, that fun loving games have become tricks to lure kids to have fun keeping a proximity with nature!

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Preschool Field Trip Ideas

Need some field trip ideas for preschoolers? Read through the following article and you'll have some of the most fun and innovative ideas that there are. Ready?

Preschool is a great time period in the life of children. Why? Because it is during this time that they learn to get out into the world and come out of the niche and comfort zone that their homes provide for them. They learn to interact with other kids their age and understand the social skills like sharing, different etiquette forms, and how one has to be a part of society. One very important factor that is seen to work in this direction are field trips. Field trips provide for ways in which practical knowledge can be imparted to the kids. These field trips introduce the kids to varied stimuli and help them learn about newer things and concepts. In this direction then, there is always a need for newer and better preschool field trip ideas. It is some of these ideas that we shall be looking into in the following article, continue reading for more details.

Pointers to Remember

Some things have to be kept in mind when one arranges for these field trips so that the trip can be a successful. Here are some of the ideas that need to be looked into:

• Choose a location based on the season that you're planning to take the trip.
• Make sure that you choose a location that is safe. Do the necessary background search of the place before arranging for a trip.
• If possible, visit the place personally and check for the amenities before hand.
• It is important that you prepare the kids before you take them for the trip. Let them have an idea of what they are going to see there and what is expected of them.
• Encourage them to ask questions at the trip so that they learn better.
• Keep a list of emergency numbers ready at all times.
• Brief the kids on how to contact you if there is ever a problem.

Field Trip Ideas for Preschool

Now the deal with preschool is that it is a curious age for kids. They want to be exploring newer things and learning about newer concepts all the time. It is this need that has to be looked into at the time of arranging for field trips. Something that will get them to learn about newer concepts and ideas. In that direction then, let us look into some of the preschool field trip ideas that will help to teach them about newer concepts and ideas.

Water Park
Water parks are a hot favorite when it comes to preschooler field trips. And can you blame them? There is guaranteed fun that is promised for the kids. So much water, so many rides and the chance to simply freak out and have a blast. Make it more fun by holding a session of water aerobics or playing certain water sports in the swimming area.

Animal Farms
This is a great way for the kids to get interested in animals and learn about pet care. Taking them to animal farms or pet stores will allow them to see the animals up close and observe their mannerisms, eating habits and the like. This can be taken as their first experience at learning about the different kinds of animals, the foods they eat, their voices and more. Along with that they will learn about more important lessons like caring for animals, treating them with respect and understanding their mannerisms.

Factories
Another favorite among the school field trip ideas for preschoolers, if you want to teach them something that is, is to take them to factories! These are a treasure trove of gaining information about how a particular thing is made and prepared. What better way then to get them interested in a particular concept and theory? A shoe factory perhaps, or a printing press where kids books like comics are made. It's one of the most interesting ways to teach kids about a particular concept. Make it more informative by holding a question round in the end.

Supermarket
So much going on at the supermarket. Take this opportunity to take them through the different isles and explaining to them the basics of shopping. Make it even more interesting by dividing the kids in groups and then allotting a teacher or supervisor to each group. Then provide them with a list of the things that they have to shop for, give them a budget. This is a great learning experience with so much activity happening at one time and something to learn from.

Fire Department
The fire alarm, the uniformed officers and the fire drill. Now will that not hold onto their attention and get them interested further? Take this opportunity and explain to them the importance of fire safety at home as well.

Bakery
This one promises to be one of the most interesting preschool field trip ideas. Imagine all those smells and treats on display and then you're going a step further and showing them exactly how they are prepared and what goes into making these treats and goodies. Don't forget to give them a taste of the treats later. If you don't, why that's just cruel.

Zoos
Zoos are another great idea for field trips for toddlers as well as preschoolers. Watching all the animals in their habitat and how they carry through their daily lives is a great learning experience for them.

Puppet Show/Children Plays
The profusion of colors, actions, songs and dances and more. All this is a great show stopper for kids any which way, and when you take this opportunity to impart knowledge onto the kids by explaining certain concepts to them through this entertaining medium, it makes a better impact on them and they tend to remember things better.

When taking preschoolers for a field trip, don't forget to look into the basics of how to arrange for that trip so that it best aids the kids in gaining knowledge and be entertained at the same time. Cause as they say, that is the best way to get someone to learn things better and remember them for a long time after. Rest assured, they'll remember this trip for a long, long time into their adulthood.

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Easy Ways to Raise Money for Kids

For those kids who believe in earning while learning, suggested below are some easy ways to raise money for kids. The jobs suggested below are perfect for kids as they do not have to spend much time on these and thus their studies won't get affected by taking these up.

Kids these days do not like the idea of solely depending upon their parents for pocket money. Kids are smart and want to start earning as soon as they can. Although, for all those who are looking for some easy ways to raise money for kids, I have one very important advice. This is the time to concentrate on your studies and learn as much as you can. You will have all the time in this world to earn money, so right now study, explore and gain knowledge. Of course, you can take up these easy and less time-consuming jobs along with your studies to earn side by side.

Good Ways to Raise Money for Kids

Pet sitting
Kids who love pets can make money out of it by offering their pet-sitting services. You can find such jobs with neighbors who have pets. Walking the pets, taking care of them, feeding them, bathing them - kids can offer all these services to their busy neighbors and get paid handsomely in return.

Babysitting
One of the good ways to raise money for kids is to offer their baby sitting services to couples with small children. Those kids who have younger siblings and know how to handle small children are perfect for taking on this job. Check around amongst your neighbors and family friends and you will easily find such jobs, especially during weekend nights.

Gardening
Another of the easy ways to make money for kids is to offer their gardening services such as mowing the lawn, weeding, trimming, cleaning, watering the plants etc. People would be actually willing to pay you quite well, if you do these menial, odd jobs for them.

Art and Craft Sales
For those who are good at some art and craft activity such as jewelery making or painting, one of the easy ways to raise money for kids is to make these items and hold an exhibition of the same. Another idea is to ask your parents to sell these items for you on the Internet on websites such as eBay.

Garage Sales
A fun way to raise money for kids is to hold a garage sale of the items that are still in good condition but are no longer being used by them. For such a sale to be successful, all the kids in the neighborhood can get together and put on sale various items such as old books, clothes, shoes, toys, CDs, DVDs, bags, etc.

Paid Surveys
Kids who are Internet savvy can make money by taking up paid surveys online. These surveys are conducted by market research companies to know what the consumers think about a particular product as well as what are the current trends in vogue amongst the customers. Kids can conduct these surveys on the company's behalf and get paid in return. The best thing about this online job is that you do not require a credit card number to do it.

Car Washing
Kids can make money by washing cars for people around their neighborhood. If they cannot do this job everyday, they can offer these services on Saturday and Sunday mornings, as these are mostly the days people leave such chores to.

Delivery Services
Kids can take up home delivery jobs such as delivering newspapers or delivering food for restaurants or other things from departmental stores to the customers. To carry on this job, you would need a cycle as well as good memory so as to remember the names and addresses of the people who live around the area.

Cookie Sales
For kids who enjoy cooking, a good idea is to bake cookies, with the help of their mother or elder sibling, gift wrap them and then sell to people on the street, outside the church or in the neighborhood. Cookie gifts will find many takers, especially during the holiday season.

Lemonade Stall
Putting up a lemonade stall, outside a jogging track or a garden, during the summer months, can reap a lot of money for the kids. To do this business, kids need a table, tablecloth, glasses, salt, lemon, sugar and an icebox. A little bit of investment in these and you can make a lot of money by offering lemonade to the thirsty passersby during the hot summer months.

Hobby Classes
Kids in their preteens, who have some talent, like singing or dancing or acting, can take up hobby classes for the same with smaller children. Such classes can be conducted by the kids in their home itself, during the evenings, after the school hours.

Kids can earn money through these part-time jobs and lessen the financial burden on their parents. While working, the kids will get to learn a lot of important life lessons and will realize the importance of hard work. However, as I mentioned earlier, kids should concentrate more on studies and less on working and earning money, as gaining knowledge during these crucial years is much more important.

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