Best of Luck - Examinations are here...!

Most of my students are currently appearing for school exams and some of them will have their exams at the end of March and first week of April. So, here's wishing all 'Best of Luck' and Enjoy:-) 

Fight the battle strong if you have the Examination Blues. The celebrations with the dance parties and uttarayan, holi etc.festivals are soon forgotten with a long drawn face buried in books as last minute preparations demands concentration. No more telephonic calls of friends or music and fun, television or just freaking out! Serious studies are in and extra curricular activities are just ‘Out’ for a while. But than, its Recognizing values. Exams bring about seriousness towards your goals. They measure your learning abilities and capabilities to understand the knowledge books. Exams bring out the hidden potentialities and reveal your memorization skills. To chase away the butterflies and quell away the blues, students need to have healthy attitudes. Kids Free souls Attitude make a big difference, check it out!

The learning experience is the best experience in life. One faces ‘Examination’ at every step ahead towards a reach and one has to face the trials on every walk of life. So, be prepared and ‘Get-Set-Right’ for the ‘Right Attitude’. Here’s wishing all Students ‘Best of Luck’

Read Blog Note on Examination Tips | More on Healthy Attitude Guide

- ilaxi patel

Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Newspaper for Kids 

Chit Chat on Facebook - Check your Teen's Privacy Controls

Predators crawl on the web everywhere waiting for naive kids and teenagers to introduce themselves. Especially, if your children are on 'Facebook' hanging for hours playing games or chatting with friends, it's a red alert to be aware, beware!

Social networking sites appeal to kids and teenagers, mostly because they encompass so many of the online tools and entertainment activities that they know, love and talk over with friends. These networks provide a centralized control center to access real-time and asynchronous communication features, blogging tools, photo, music and video sharing features, and the ability to post original creative work – all linked to a unique profile that can be customized and updated on a regular basis.

My recent observations with children who are active on Facebook and the parental concern who complain about their child's activity on web, call for Privacy matters that matter the most!

Read More - Chit Chat on Facebook - Check your Teen's Privacy Controls

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids

November - Geography Awareness Month and Fairyland Project

November - a Geography Awareness Month and it can be quick to find Kidsfreesouls on the Googlemap here. Kids can sort to find different places on Google Maps or in an Atlas and all the geographical locations, etc. Make a Project on Asia, Europe etc. Make sheets on geographic locations, rivers, religions, costumes, languages,

Even surf National Geographic and Make your country-town map (Map Maker Interactive) - Find and explore National Geographic website as it celebrates National Geographic week from November 13-19. Explore your own Communities and learn about people, places and interconnection of the world. flags, etc.

At Kidsfreesouls Project, you can find National Geographic Awareness Month and also Book Week celebration that is held every November at Swagat Children Library. Story telling is a gateway into the heart of a child and I'm sure many of the tiny toddlers would like to listen to a story before they sleep. As we held Story telling sessions, you send us your paintings/Posters related to stories like Hansel Gretel, Red Riding Hood, etc. for Pasteboardon Kidsfreesouls. Also find Story Projects atFairyland and await a surprize for a new story coming soon on these pages !

Here is November Month Projects for Kids. Also view the past Projects that you can take in classrooms.

ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids

Cloud Computing, Environment and Google...

Did you know?

Google, which has been carbon neutral since 2007, has been a real leader in the building of green data centers, even powering them with renewable energy.

The environmental impact of so much online time really boils down to energy usage, which in turn affects the amount of greenhouse gases we pump into our atmosphere. For one, each of us can help by limiting computer time (whether surfing the ‘net or not) and shutting them down or putting them into sleep mode when we aren’t using them (this can be automated via the computer’s power management control panel).

Indeed, we miss out on such things and most of the people join for a cause on Facebook to save environment!

The time is for 'Cloud Computing' too - Gujarat Government is amongst the first few to adopt the Cloud Computing technology and if you ask me, what is Cloud Computing, I can just quick mention a few Characteristics of Cloud Computing here:

Virtual: Software, database, Web servers, operating systems, storage and networking as virtual servers.

Incremental Scalability: Cloud environments allow users to access additional compute resources on demand in response to increased application loads.

Agility: As a shared resource, the cloud provides flexible, automated management to distribute the computing resources among the cloud's users.

Reliability and Fault-Tolerance: Cloud environments take advantage of the built-in redundancy of the large numbers of servers that make them up by enabling high levels of availability and reliability for applications that can take advantage of this.

Service-oriented: The cloud is a natural home for service-oriented applications, which need a way to easily scale as services get incorporated into other applications.

Utility-based: Users only pay for the services they use, either by subscription or transaction-based models.

Shared: By enabling IT resources to be consolidated, multiple users share a common infrastructure, allowing costs to be more effectively managed without sacrificing the security of each user's data.

SLA-driven: Clouds are managed dynamically based on service-level agreements that define policies like delivery parameters, costs, and other factors.

APIs: Because clouds virtualize resources as a service they must have an application programming interface (API).

I am not an Expert but my research on Cloud Computing go indepth. You can read more on Cloud Computing here. Meanwhile, visit the Environment Column Q & A and find the answer how Google, Facebook, and Amazon.com are already deeply committed to the cloud computing model, with Microsoft, Yahoo and others following suit accordingly.

In Environment column:

What is the environmental impact of so many people now using sites like Facebook and spending so much time online?- Bob Yearling, Paris, TX

The environmental impact of so much online time really boils down to energy usage, which in turn affects the amount of greenhouse gases we pump into our atmosphere. For one, each of us can help by limiting computer time (whether surfing the ‘net or not) and shutting them down or putting them into sleep mode when we aren’t using them (this can be automated via the computer’s power management control panel).

Also, when shopping for a new computer, consumers and businesses alike can opt for models certified by .............

Stay connected and follow the Environment Column - almost Every week with new Question and Answer.

- ilaxi patel

Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Newspaper for kids

Children are like wet cement - Not really! In fact, they do not slip but today's tech savvy kids tend to rise and shine! As parents and teachers need a change over - "Think not what you can teach the kids, just think, what they can teach you" and kids almost prove their point when they are well equipped with information and 'Know it all'.Technology is the new wave generation and sometimes, we tend to be too over protective and we should. At the same time, explore with them and share and learn together the way of the web. We ourselves sharpen our skills while they frankly tell us what they do on Facebook or just share their skills on what innovative skills they've possessed while

they blog or fiddle with the search engines. They ego surf - their names, friends and family - even their schools or just 'Feel Good' to find their Project links.

Recently, my Swagat Kids made me explore amazingly to what they surfed with the name 'kidsfreesouls' - They took me to Google Search and got to Mr.Doobs Google Chrome Projects - Sphere and Gravity. They beamed with laughter as they searched 'Kidsfreesouls' and even had fun exploring Gujarat StateCM's name 'Narendra Modi' - Children, indeed are too innocent when it comes to talking to them about Politics and would pour their hearts and dabble all they know, heard and experienced around them. For them, the CM of Gujarat means 'Development Engine' as they find the city Infrastructure fast changing and what matters most to them is 'Inspiration' - Well, Check these sites and have fun as much fun I had sharing knowledge with them.

- ilaxi patel

Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Newspaper for Kids

Tech savvy kids took me to MrDoobs Projects

Children are like wet cement - Not really! In fact, they do not slip but today's tech savvy kids tend to rise and shine! As parents and teachers need a change over - "Think not what you can teach the kids, just think, what they can teach you" and kids almost prove their point when they are well equipped with information and 'Know it all'.

Technology is the new wave generation and sometimes, we tend to be too over protective and we should. At the same time, explore with them and share and learn together the way of the web. We ourselves sharpen our skills while they frankly tell us what they do on Facebook or just share their skills on what innovative skills they've possessed while they blog or fiddle with the search engines. They ego surf - their names, friends and family - even their schools or just 'Feel Good' to find their Project links.

Recently, my Swagat Kids made me explore amazingly to what they surfed with the name 'kidsfreesouls' - They took me to Google Search and got to Mr.Doobs Google Chrome Projects - Sphere and Gravity. They beamed with laughter as they searched 'Kidsfreesouls' and even had fun exploring Gujarat StateCM's name 'Narendra Modi' - Children, indeed are too innocent when it comes to talking to them about Politics and would pour their hearts and dabble all they know, heard and experienced around them. For them, the CM of Gujarat means 'Development Engine' as they find the city Infrastructure fast changing and what matters most to them is 'Inspiration' - Well, Check these sites and have fun as much fun I had sharing knowledge with them.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Newspaper for kids

Kids Blogs - why make student blogs, tips and more..

WHY MAKE STUDENT BLOGS? | Blog Making Tips | Make a Blog

Swagat Children Library aims to Improve Student Literacy and Creativity. Always a step ahead in Creative Activities, with Technology shaping up lives of Children with Social Networking on a rise, I have opted for Student Blogs to help children to use Social Networking sites like 'Facebook' in a constructive way. My approach is to encourage and inspire children for 'Any time, Any where Learning' and enable learning and assistance outside of Swagat Library hours.

Times have changed and we need to motivate our children to use Internet positively and with moms/teachers, explore to boost knowledge sharing platform.Swagat Children get a chance to display their work to +190 countries through Kidsfreesouls Global Network.

Here is a glimpse into Blog Preparations that I conduct for my students. I am sure, this will help many parents and teachers to help children for preparation to new generation computing on the web. Do give me your feedback, drop in your comment mails or ask a question and I shall be pleased to hear from you. You may even explore Swagat Children Library Page and visit Kids Blogs. Enjoy.

- ilaxi patel

Newspaper for Kids
www.kidsfreesouls.com

Vishwaraj Jadeja shares his sports journey with Swagat Kids

Few days ago, Vishwaraj Jadeja, a long track speed Skating and Ice Skating Champion, visited Swagat Children Library. He shared his Sports Journey with the children and talked about his experiences on pursuing his hobby. Children attentively listened to him and asked him a lot of questions as to his routines and how he reached this far. Apart from a lot of tips and advice, Vishwaraj told the children to concentrate on three things : Determination, dedication and hard work. Especially, he focused on Time Management and balancing sports and other academic, professional fronts. Watch the video here and his other Interviews. Kids at Swagat cherish the memories of talking to Vishwaraj and support him for a cause that he would hopefully participate in the upcoming 2014 Olympics in Russia for which, he is even looking for Sponsorers. Out there, anybody interested may sponsor Vishwaraj, a gujarati boy who makes it big in Holland, Denmark and reach fame internationally. Vishwaraj has received the highest 'Sardar Patel Award from Gujarat State and will be the first from the nation to reach Olympics 2014 and make it big.

- Follow Vishwaraj Follow my article 'Sports skills'

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/

Newspaper for Kids

Freedom comes from within

Are we really Free? Economically, socially, Politically, Culturally? Well, the answer lies within your heart and the mind rules! It's all about 'perspectives' - If we ever see the brighter side of things, we see the sun and horizons but if we see the negatives, we sure apt to end up finding a lot of negatives and faults...that's all human minds.

Whatever grudges people have for India, I Love my India, I love my Gujarat and a day is not far what our scriptures and even nostradamus predicted - India will be a Super Power one day.

India, the Land of Legends (Free), proudly stand independent and as we commemorate the nation on its Anniversary of Independence/Republic Day, Kids Free Souls salutes all those immortal souls for their gallant undying contribution for the cause of the freedom.

- India Independence Day Mahatma Gandhi Rabindranath Tagore

- ilaxi patel
Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com
Kids Newspaper

Happy Friendship Day

Happy Friendship Day - (First Sunday in August)

Friendship is the intensity of the love that leaves behind trails of sweet memories to cherish the core of life giving a whole new meaning to it. The enigma of friendship strengthens with the bonds of relationships so unique which is unselfish, intimate, pure and beautiful. Learning to appreciate, speak out on issues, Listening, confide and sharing secrets, meeting of wavelengths and such deeper corners are focused for a caring friendly relationship with the people you love most.

Friendship Day - Joys of Friendship, Friendship Recipe, quotes

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids

Harry Potter at Science City IMAX' 3D

Banned Books and a lot is said about Harry Potter! HP books promotes witch craft as mentioned them to be inappropriate for Catholic schools.

Here's the banned list:

Harry Potter Series:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's stone

These books were to ban out of the school libraries, based on a claim they promote witchcraft. The themes of witchcraft and sorcery were inappropriate for a Catholic school. A county school board members said the books were good tools to encourage children to read and to spark creativity and imagination.

Well, with the new movie being screened at Science City in Ahmedabad with the 3D effect, the craze is on. More, experience the Harry Potter (Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows- Part 2) in IMAX 3D with Sweepstakes tickets to win - Enter for your chance to win posters from all six Harry Potter IMAX releases, a Snitch Clock, the Harry Potter Film Wizardry book from Harper Collins, a Harry Potter IMAX t-shirt, and IMAX tickets.

I think the movie sadly fails to impress! The final chapter begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue their quest of finding and destroying the Dark Lord's three remaining Horcruxes, the magical items responsible for his immortality. But as the mystical Deathly Hallows are uncovered, and Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again.

You can read the synopsis here and maybe you like the thickening plot. Too much complicated and I think, far beyond to enjoy a theme like this by kids in India when most of the children hardly have formed the habit of reading and just hooked to watching hindi movies and cartoon channels. Maybe some exceptions, can't say but sure, they would be exceptional kids.

If you know kids who've watched the movie at Science City, do get them to write the reviews and submit to Kidsfreesouls.com -I shall be pleased to put it on site for other kids to read. Btw, find Harry Potter stamps online. Enjoy.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/

Newspaper for Kids

Fathering : Dads choosing to be hands-on, hearts-on fathers

"Be kind to thy father, for when thou were young,
Who loved thee so fondly as he?
He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue,
And joined in thy innocent glee."
-- Margaret Courtney

Joys of Fathering see no boundaries as being a Father itself is an emotional feeling from the day the child is born - a feeling of love, compassion, possession. A feeling of nurturing and protection. And these days, we find many Dads choosing to be hands-on, hearts-on fathers than ever before - Children are blessed with the love and care of a Dad who guides them to climb the steps of their life slowly and steadily. Father's Day is about honoring father and celebrating fatherhood, parenting influence and love to care. A Father is 'Role Model' and here's 9 ways that may help Dads to stand by Moms in bringing Kids Gracefully and helps kids manage their workplace with a positive rewarding experience.

Here's quotes for you to add to your Father's Day Card and a print out to fill up 'Dad's Day Report Card' - He's sometimes more than a mother who unconditionally love you and as Robert Frost says, " “You don’t have to deserve your mother’s love. You have to deserve your father’s. He’s more particular.”

Happy Father's Day to all Dads on the web!

- Father's Day Dad's Report Card Dad Tips

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids

Back to school - Follow Kidsfreesouls & Swagat Children Library to Create a Genius in your child

Back to School in June and it's time to Create a Genius in your Child!

Month of May had been too busy at Swagat Children Library with Reading sessions and Activities. Children enjoyed writing Book Reviews, Archie Day, Carry a Poetry in your Bag and got inspired with Color Paste session with exhibition of childrens' drawings and paintings. The last fun activity this month will be Coloring Competition and Poster making. Followed by this, a Debate Session and in comes suggestions for topics like, "Should kids carry fancy things to school?" and "What do you think should be the first month activity at school?"

Mid June, a session on Goal setting has been decided where Children will jot down their Goals for this academic year. Focused on overall development, kids at Swagat look forward for an informative, educative and fun filled activities round the year this year as Registrations Open for this June-May 2011 yearly members. To know more, follow the Swagat Page.

Well, here's June Projects for kids:

Back to School : Make Sticker Labels. Select Stickers from Kidsfreesouls and make Labels to stick to new book. Just click to Kidsfreesouls Student Assignment Google site, print the sheet, cut the labels and stick on the book. You can also find more on Stickers page here.

Get back to School pages here and Set up your Goals. Write down your Goals and what you would like to achieve by end of this academic year.

World Environment Day on 5th June. Make this an Environment Month. Make Environment Project - Write, draw and color environment pics, make poster with trees, etc. and write How can you help to Save environment. You may also plant trees, do gardening, collect leaves and add to Scrap book and write on them, make poems on trees and more.

You can explore Environment pages on Kidsfreesouls and make your own Earth Talk Q & A Project Book. Click right click and save the pictures and stick to your project and add the Q & A in short.

Finally, follow the simple rules of better Handwriting and tips on Homework Hassles or How to work Smart in classroom and at Home.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/

Newspaper for Kids

Summer fun - Welcome to Kidsfreesouls Fairyland

Summer Activity in May - Welcome to Fairyland! Once upon a time....Thus begins the tale and right away, from those first few words, one's heart warms in anticipation of fantastic wonders and the unexpected, the end! There are wonderful fairy tales all around the world and fairy tale writers have just charmed, not only the children but adults too. There are still insufficient stories to satisfy the need of children for fresh stories. Hence, here's Fairy Land - with the old and new tales - for you, me and us.

It's said, "Fairy tales are fiction, yet hold a hint or two, That no bold hero dare deem untrue."

A child may be reading or Listening - Grimm's tales with the enchanting stories so popular, to name a few like the Hansel & Gretel, Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, Cinderalla, Sleeping Beauty. Or, whichever the Story reads.

Read More:

Fairyland Stories Fairy Fantasy Fairy Quiz

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Kids Newspaper
Author of Guardian of Angels

Access to safe and clean water a “human right" - In Environment Q & A

This week's Environment column speaks of 2009 World Health Organization and UNICEF study found that 24,000 children in developing countries die each day (one every three-and-a-half seconds) from preventable causes like diarrhea resulting from polluted water.) In 2010, United Nations (UN) agreed to a new resolution declaring the human right to “safe and clean drinking water and sanitation.”

In many rural villages in Gujarat, improved access to Water is about more than having something to drink, access to Water, Improves Quality of Life for Women and Children, Getting Water to Crops, and Slow and Steady Irrigation works wonders. There has been improved sanitation facilities for women and girls. Gujarat rural areas are developing with the bare necessities and more, Educating the women who learn to be literate and stop the drop out ratio which stand 58% amonst children going to school.

A worth read digging to Earth Talk Q & A:

Recently the UN voted to declare access to safe and clean water a “human right.” Isn’t that a no-brainer? What are the ramifications of this declaration? - P. James, Boston, MA

A 2009 World Health Organization and UNICEF study found that 24,000 children in developing countries die each day (one every three-and-a-half seconds) from preventable causes like diarrhea resulting from polluted water. Pictured. An Ethiopian girl drinks water from a newly-installed hand pump.

Were Japan to close all its nuclear plants following the recent damage and radiation leaks from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, what could its energy mix look like? Would it be able to provide all of its power in other ways? - Richard Miller, New York, NY

Japan would be hard pressed to close all of its 54 nuclear reactors anytime soon, especially given that these plants provide over a third of the nation’s electricity supply and 11 percent of its total energy needs.


- In Environment column

ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids

Leave your footprints - Readers Survery for Kidsfreesouls.com

Blowing your trumpet? Yes, it do make sense sometimes. Why, you would say and here is my logic. When it is a 'Feel Good' Factor, we work hard to scale to success. Towards the path of achievement, in comes the hurdles but Kidsfreesouls has experienced ins and outs, ups and downs - a journey since years while I wrote 'Freesouls' in Sambhaav and still continue to write @ kidsfreesouls.com. While I searched my articles in Way Back Machine as I gave Internet lessons to my Kids Blogger 'Tulsa', here comes the form for all my readers to fill up and let me know where Kidsfreesouls stand! 90% new visits to Kidsfreesouls comes from Search Engines, next is Direct visits and rest is Referred visits.

50% elementary, middle- and high-school teachers and librarians
30% parents and grandparents of kids ages 3-17
20% kids ages 6-17

Did you Like Kidsfreesouls.com? Well, you know the answer. Stay tuned and help Kidsfreesouls be a better destination for Kids, Parents and Teachers on the Internet Super Highway:-) Please do fill up the form - Or fill up here too. Thanks for your support.


- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids

Carry a Poem in your Pocket on 16th April 2011.

April and it's all about Poetry - National Poetry Month. Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is more 'Learning Poetry, Writing Poetry.' How to Write a Poetry session can be taken in classrooms and children can select their own topics on like, writing poetry with names of all animals, colors, places or maybe on what they'd like to be, etc. Know the words, build vocabulary and learn how to rhyme. Here's on Learning Poetry. They can also make a scrap book and write their fav poems or pin up poetry charts on soft board of their classroom/bedroom/study room.

This year, children at Swagat will have a Poem in your Pocket Day as 16th April 2011. Wondering what is this? Well, the idea is to write and carry a poetry in the pocket and share with friends, teachers, parents and anybody they would love to recite. Pin it up on paste board at home or at Library and even supportive to this, draw or dribble in their scrap books and have fun with rhyme and words. Sounds Interesting? Try it and it sure is fun and learning! Do share your poetry with us and I will love to put it on Your Poetry Page on Kidsfreesouls.

- ilaxi patel

Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/ Newspaper for Kids Author of Guardian of Angels : A practical guide to Joyful Parenting

Colors of Love, colors of Life

Here comes Holi and its Colors of Love, colors of Life. It's time to paint the town red and spread the message of love - colors fill live with beauty and leave lasting impressions on minds. Your liking for different colors reveal your moods and personality. Check this out and Paint the town Red with Kidsfreesoul ideas - Happy Holi - Enjoy! Keep the Faith!

- ilaxi patel

Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com

Newspaper for Kids

Les Miserables - novel in Literature class

Born on February 26, Victor Hugo is one of most known author whose work 'Les Miserables' is used in Literature class. Victor Hugo said: ‘‘I condemn slavery, I banish poverty, I teach ignorance, I treat disease, I lighten the night, and I hate hatred. That is what I am, and that is why I have written Les Misérables.’’ The novel is a critical statement against human suffering, poverty, and ignorance. Its purpose is as much political as it is artistic. Les Miserables is the story of four people. Bishop Myriel, Jean Valjean, Famine, and Marius Pontmercy, who meet, part, then meet again during the most agitated decades of nineteenth-century France. It also tells the story of the 1832 revolution and describes the unpleasant side of Paris. The novel is in essence a plea for humane treatment of the poor and for equality among all citizens. A must read and if not, watch the movie and it really gives thorough understanding. Watch the movie trailor and find the profile of Victor Marie Hugo

ilaxi patel

Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/

Kids Newspaper

Author of Guardian of Angels

Rhyme with a reason - Auden's Poetry

Schooling years are the best when children learn Literature. The Literature Projects aim for understanding English Literature and know the poets and authors. Children can be encouraged to draw the Character Sketch of the Literature Profile and learn the poems - the rhyming and rhyme schemes by providing them vocabulary of words that rhyme. Later on, teach them how to write poetry. Well, W.H. Auden was born on 20th February, an English born poet who was born in York, England, in 1907 (20th Feb). He made a remarkable contribution and best known for variety of his works W.H. Auden has written the best ballads, blues, limericks, sonnets, nonsense verse, oratorios, free verse, librettos (words) for operas and dramas. Find the Profile and use in Classroom February Projects.

Btw, Read my Book 'Guardian of Angels' and my poetry in poetry pages. Enjoy.

- ilaxi patel

Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/

Newspaper for Kids