Cloverbuds
Hi! Welcome to the part of the 4-H web site made just
for YOU! Here are some games, fun things to do, and cool web sites for
4-H Cloverbuds (boys and girls who are in 4-H and are 5, 6, or 7 years
old and not yet in third grade).
Each month we will be featuring a couple of pictures from this year's county fair. Check back each month to see Cuyahoga's finest!!! Click the camera to access the pics!
Ten Days to Celebrate
December is full of special days to celebrate. Here are activities for ten of the observances you won't want to miss this month!
Hanukkah
Jewish families begin the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, beginning at sundown on a date in November or December. People in Israel make delicious jelly doughnuts called Sufganiyot during Hanukkah. Fun and games are also a part of Hanukkah, and the most traditional children's game is the Dreidel. This simple game is easy to play and easy to make with the Dreidel pattern from Holidays.net.
www.holidays.net/chanukah/dreidel.html
www.holidays.net/chanukah/pattern.html
December 1
Rosa Parks Day
Celebrated as the beginning of the end of segregation, this day is the anniversary of Rosa Park's arrest for refusing to relinquish her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus and move to the back. This incident sparked a boycott of the municipal bus system that is now viewed as the beginning of the modern civil rights movement. Read all about the life of Parks, an unlikely heroine, at Rosa Parks Pioneer of Civil Rights. You can find the story of her involvement in the boycott at Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
www.grandtimes.com/rosa.html
December 5
National Christmas Tree Lighting
On December 5, the tree-lighting ceremony for the National Christmas Tree was held. Tom Daschle of South Dakota sponsors a web site for the Capitol Holiday Tree. The site includes pictures of previous Capitol Christmas trees, and some information about the holiday season in Washington, D.C. and a tree cam that allows students to view the tree when it is unveiled. This year's tree comes from the state of New Mexico.
Study the history of the Christmas tree through a site
devoted to this holiday favorite.
www.christmas-tree.org
December 6
St. Nicholas Day
In some countries, St. Nicholas is the fairy tale character
that bestows presents on well-behaved children. His special holiday is December 6, and there are customs associated with St. Nicholas Day.
www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/xmas/around/stnicholas.html
December 12
Poinsettia Day
The Poinsettia is a beautiful plant with a nasty reputation that is not deserved! Previously thought to be poisonous, the poinsettia is actually safe. Although people are not encouraged to eat the plant, it is not harmful to children and animals. Read the facts about poinsettia online.
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia
December 16
Beethoven's Birthday
The holiday season and Beethoven – the perfect match! Ludwig Van Beethoven was form on this day in 1770 in Bonn , Germany. Many people consider Beethoven one of the finest composers of all time. Although he eventually lost his hearing, he continued to write and to conduct. The Beethoven Depot has all kinds of information about the life of this master and his works and midi files of his music for students to hear.
www.edepot.com/beethoven.html
December 18
Nutcracker First Performed
Fans of the ballet will be pleased to learn that the Nutcracker was first performed on this day. The official Nutcracker site has music and a description of the story.
www.nutcrackerballet.net
December 21
First Day of Winter
People who live in the northern United Sates shouldn't be surprised if Jack Frost is nipping at noses! December 21 is the first day of winter. The official change of seasons makes many pause to think about cycles, beginnings and endings.
www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/winter
December 25
Christmas Day
Nothing says Christmas more than delectable scents wafting from your kitchen. Print and distribute a Christmas word search puzzle. For more fun, read the holiday treasure “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss.
www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/xmas/word.html
December 26
Kwanzaa 
Like Christmas, Kwanzaa has its own customs and traditions. Re-create the Kwanzaa kinara, or candle holder on paper with the pattern from Kwanzaa Craft.
www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/ys/CRAFTS/Kwanzaa.htm
Animals in Winter
Animals adapt to winter weather in a variety of ways – some hibernate, some migrate, and others stay busy looking for food.
Did you know……?
• When some animals hibernate, they go into a deep sleep and cannot be awakened easily. Their breathing and heartbeats slow down and their body temperatures drop severely to conserve energy.
• Many animals build up a layer of fat and develop thicker coats to keep warm during the cold winter. The winter coats of some animals, such as the snowshoe hare and the ermine, turn white to hide them in the snow from predators.
• Animals that forage for food during winter are most active in the afternoon, when the day is warmer.
Literature Selections
“Backyard Birds of Winter” by Carol Lerner
A beginner bird watching handbook for young children, including pictures and descriptions of over 40 of the most common species of winter birds.
“In the Snow: Who's Been Here” by Lindsey Barret George
Visual and written clues are given for several animals that left traces behind in the snow. A turn of the page reveals each animal.
“Animals in Winter” by Henrietta Bancroft and Richard G. Van Gelder
Explores the many ways animals prepare for winter and offers suggestions for how humans can help.
Winter Plants
Long after other trees and plants have lost their leaves, evergreens are still fresh and fragrant. No wonder pine trees, holly boughs, and mistletoe are often displayed as winter decorations!
Did you know…..?
• Long ago, people believed evergreen trees lived forever since they did not seem to die or fade, even in the coldest winter weather.
• Holly was once known as holy tree because it was used to decorate churches at Christmas.
• Mistletoe was once used as a symbol of peace and hope. If two enemies met under a sprig of mistletoe, they would hug each other in friendship.
Literature Selections 
“How Nature Works,” by David Burnie
Helpful resource containing information and hands-on experiments about evergreen trees and how they grow and survive.
“Discover the Seasons,” by Diane Iverson
Poems and colorful illustrations accompany each season, along with seasonal recipes and crafts.
Links to activities for Cloverbuds prepared by Robin Stone, Program Assistant, 4-H Youth Development:
January Activities
2007 Suggestions for Reading
Polar Pals
Winter Activities
February Activities for Cloverbuds
March Activities
April Activities
May Activities
June Activities
July Activities
August Activities
September Activities
October Activities
Additional Cloverbud Links
Cloverbud Kits
Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Connections Newsletter
4-H Cloverbud Fact Sheet
Early Childhood Learning Resource
Nick Jr. on the Web
Veggie Tales
PBS Kids