© 2010 Universal Uclick Building With Sandimages.gocomics.com/images/uu_com/samples/minipage/... · 2012. 6. 20. · • “Sandcastle in a Box” by Ted Siebert Please include all

© 2010 Universal Uclick

release dates: June 19-25 25-1 (10)

from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal UclickCastles and More

Building With Sand

Please include all of the appropriate registered trademark symbols and copyright lines in any publication of The Mini Page®.

Have you ever been to a beach? Playing in the sand is always a favorite activity while visiting the shore. Kids usually build castles, cities or other structures out of sand. But did you know that adults are sand sculptors too? In honor of summer (which officially begins June 21), The Mini Page talked with experts in sand sculpting to find out more about this unusual art.All about sand How does sand hold together for artists to make shapes out of it? It’s all about water — lots of water. Water acts like a suction cup between two grains of sand. Grains of sand from the ocean are “older” and have been rolled smooth by the tides over time. Sculptor Ted Siebert told us that silt from the banks of rivers makes a good sand for sculpting. This sand is “newer” and still has sharp edges, which allows water to get caught between the grains. Water’s ability to grab onto the grains is called surface tension.

This sand sculpture of a boy sleeping next to a castle was built in 2006 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. The sculptor started with eight tons of sand.

Top to bottom After the sand is pounded, the sculptor removes the form and is ready to carve it away to create an artwork. He or she begins at the top and works down. Artists might use garden tools such as shovels or trowels to begin removing the sand. For creating details, they use palette knives, brushes and shapes, such as cones and funnels.

phot

o co

urte

sy T

ed S

iebe

rt

Getting started For large projects, sculptors build a frame and fill it with tons of wet sand. A box 6 feet by 8 feet and 2 feet high will hold about 15 tons of sand. Then the artist begins compacting it — pounding it with a special machine to make it solid and strong.

This dragon was just part of a project that used 60 tons of sand.

phot

o co

urte

sy T

ed S

iebe

rt

Natural materials Sand sculpting is an environmentally friendly art, Ted Siebert told us. “Everything is reusable; there’s nothing toxic,” he said. Indoor sculptures can last for weeks. Rain and wind will eventually “melt” outdoor sand castles. “You enjoy the beauty in the moment,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to say, ‘I built that.’”

from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick

25-2 (10); release dates: June 19-25®

How to Build With Sand

Words that remind us of sand castles are hidden in the block below. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: ARCHITECT, ART, BEACH, CASTLE, COMPETITION, CONTAINER, FRAME, IDEA, PACK, PLAY, PROFESSIONAL, SAND, SCULPTURE, SUCTION, SUMMER, SURFACE, TENSION, TON, TOOL, WATER, WET.

Sand Castles try ’nfind

Just call me mr. sandman!

E N O I T I T E P M O C T E W R J V K C W E L Y S B E S O M U D C X E L N T U A N G U B N T A Q N T O A R O S L J M E R P R K S I H F E I O C P M A E L T A T H A Z O D G L P E C T U C C B C O N T A I N E R H A C U Q E R D N A S E M A R F W S J D L A N O I S S E F O R P


Basset Brown

the news

Hound’s

TM

ready resourcesfrom The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick

The Mini Page provides ideas for websites, books or other resources that will help you learn more about this week’s topics.

On the Web:• www.usopensandcastle.com• www.sandcastlecentral.com• www.sandsculpting.comAt the library:• “Sandcastles Made Simple” by Lucinda Wierenga• “Hamlet and the Magnificent Sandcastle” by Brian Lies• “The Sandcastle Contest” by Robert Munsch• “Sandcastle in a Box” by Ted Siebert


Will you be near a beach or a river this summer? You might want to try building your own artwork in the sand. You could even organize a competition with family and friends. The Mini Page helps you get started with your sand castle project.

First, think about what your sand creation will look like. Do you want a

traditional castle, or would you rather build something different? Look in newspapers, magazines, books and on the Internet for pictures and ideas.

Now it’s time to start sculpting! Start at the top. Check your picture to see

what the top of your object looks like. Then, using a garden tool, a putty knife or a brush, start chipping away at the wet sand from top to bottom to make your shape. Don’t be discouraged if your sand gets too dry and crumbles. This happened even to professional sand sculptors when they were learning their art. Sculptor Ted Siebert says: “It’s possible to do anything if you’re enthusiastic about it!” Maybe you can try again tomorrow.

Finally, take a picture of your sand sculpture so you can enjoy it for many years.

You can also try hand-stacking. Using very wet sand, flatten handfuls into

patties by jiggling them gently. Then stack the patties to make a tower.

Decide how big you want your sculpture to be. Remember, you have to work

quickly so the sand will stay wet. You also don’t want the tide to wash it away while you’re still working.

Use a bucket, box or other container to pack sand. Remember to use very wet sand and keep mixing water into it. Pack it very tightly, then turn it over and tap the sides gently to release the sand.

1

2

3

4

5

6

phot

os c

ourt

esy

Bre

tt A

lan

Pho

togr

aphy

® 25-3 (10); release dates: June 19-25

Rookie Cookie’s RecipeCarrot Cake Squares

You’ll need:• 1/2 cup sugar• 11/2 cups grated carrots• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg• 1 cup raisins• 1 cup water

What to do:1. Combine sugar, carrots, spices, raisins, water, orange juice and butter in a

large glass bowl.2. Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes until butter is melted; stir to mix.3. Cool mixture until lukewarm.4. Add flours, baking powder and salt to wet mixture. Mix well and stir in nuts.5. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray; pour in mixture.6. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Makes 24 servings.You will need an adult’s help with this recipe.


TM


Meet Key Wilde and Mr Clarke Key Wilde and Mr Clarke have a book and CD set for kids, “Rise and Shine.” They perform in classrooms and at concerts. Richard Clarke grew up in England and France. He has been in several bands and taught in the New York City schools. He often travels to Brazil in the summer to work with musicians there. Key Wilde grew up in Texas and North Carolina. He is an artist who has illustrated for greeting cards, magazines, newspapers and children’s books. He began writing music for

kids when his daughter was in preschool. The men began recording music together in home recording studios. They sold their cassettes with Key Wilde’s artwork. They are working on animated videos and an animated children’s TV show.


Sam: Where does the sandman live when he’s not putting children to sleep?

Sally: A sand castle!

Sidney: What can you eat for lunch while building a sand castle?

Sarah: Sandwiches!

TM

All the following jokes have something in common. Can you guess the common theme or category?

Susan: How should you measure a sand castle?

Seth: With a ruler!


Mini Spy . . .Mini Spy is building a sand castle on the beach. See if you can find: • two dogs • word MINI • letter D • letter B• letter A • frog • goose • fish• carrot • cherry • letter C • number 3• funny face • snake


TM

• 1/2 cup orange juice• 2 tablespoons butter• 1 cup white flour• 1 cup whole-wheat flour• 2 teaspoons baking powder• 1/2 teaspoon salt• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

phot

o by

Tho

m L

ang

Mr Clarke (left) and Key Wilde

The Mini Page’s popular series of issues about each state is collected here in a 156-page softcover book. Conveniently spiral-bound for ease of use, this invaluable resource contains A-to-Z facts about each state, along with the District of Columbia. Illustrated with colorful photographs and art, and complete with updated information, The Mini Page Book of States will be a favorite in classrooms and homes for years to come.

NEW!

To order, send $15.99 ($19.99 Canada) plus $5 postage and handling for each copy. Make check or money order (U.S. funds only) payable to Universal Uclick. Send to The Mini Page Book of States, Universal Uclick, P.O. Box 6814, Leawood, KS 66206. Or call toll-free 800-591-2097 or go to www.smartwarehousing.com. Please send ______ copies of The Mini Page Book of States (Item #0-7407-8549-4) at $20.99 each, total cost. (Bulk discount information available upon request.)Name: _____________________________________________Address: ____________________________________________City: ______________________________________________State: __________________________ Zip: ________________

The Mini Page® Book of States


25-4 (10); release dates: June 19-25®

Sifting Through the Sand


The Mini Page StaffBetty Debnam - Founding Editor and Editor at Large Lisa Tarry - Managing Editor Lucy Lien - Associate Editor Wendy Daley - Artist

Becoming a sculptor Many sand sculptors have a background in art. Some are architects, or people who are trained to design buildings. Their skills help them when constructing sand art, too.A little sand history On the beach in Atlantic City, N.J., sand artists in the late 1800s hoped their creations would inspire passersby to throw money. But sand sculpting didn’t become popular as an artform until about 40 years ago. Today there are about 100 professional sand sculptors in North America.

Eyes on the prize For some sand artists, sculpting is a competitive sport. Sand castle competitions can be found in many areas of the United States, mostly near the coasts. But there are inland competitions, too. Contests may include several divisions, with competition for professional and amateur adults and children.

The Mini Page thanks sand sculptor Ted Siebert of The Sand Sculpture Co., sculptor and teacher Lucinda Wierenga, and Bonnie Vieira with the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition for help with this issue.

This sculpture, called “Sun Salutation,” was created by professional Sandy Feet (also known as Lucinda Wierenga) in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica, in 2006.

Next week, The Mini Page celebrates the Fourth of July with a story about marching bands.

phot

o co

urte

sy L

ucin

da W

iere

nga

These kids are competing in Kids ’N Kastles, part of the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition in Imperial Beach, Calif. This year the contest takes place the weekend of Aug. 7-8.

phot

o co

urte

sy B

rett

Ala

n P

hoto

grap

hy

Working on the beach Would you like a job where you could play in the sand all day? Many sand sculptors work for companies, cities, organizations or individual people. They travel the world to create special pieces of art for weddings, company anniversaries and meetings, and other events. Sandy Feet has been sand sculpting for about 30 years. Today, along with competing and doing professional sand sculptures, she gives lessons on the beach near her home in South Padre Island, Texas. This former high school English teacher said students of all ages enjoy learning how to make sand art.

release dates: June 19-25 25-5 (10)

(Note to Editor: Above is copy block for Page 3, Issue 25, to be used in place of ad if desired.)


(Note to Editor: Above is the Standards for Issue 25.)

Standards Spotlight: Building With Sand

Mini Page activities meet many state and national educational standards. Each week we identify standards that relate to The Mini Page’s content and offer activities that will help your students reach them.

This week’s standard:• Students understand that the visual arts have specific relationships to various

cultures. (Art)Activities:1. Divide a piece of paper into four sections. With a friend, design a sand

sculpture for each section: a birthday, July 4th, Thanksgiving and St. Patrick’s Day.

2. Circle five pictures in the newspaper that would make good sand sculpture ideas.

3. Find five tools in the newspaper that you could use to make a sand sculpture.4. How are these important for sand sculptures: (a) shovels, (b) water, (c) brushes,

and (d) river banks?5. Use the Internet to learn about other sculpturing materials, such as wood or

marble. Write a paragraph comparing another material to sand sculpture.(standards by Dr. Sherrye D. Garrett, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)

®from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick

Supersport: Ndamukong SuhHeight: 6-4 Birthdate: 1-6-1987 Weight: 300 Hometown: Portland, Ore. Ndamukong Suh is about the last guy opposing quarterbacks and running backs want to seeing coming at them. But NFL backs will have to brace for the impact. Suh is coming soon as a member of the Detroit Lions, the team that picked him

second overall in the pro football draft in April. Pronounced “En-dom-ah-ken Sue,” the hard-hitting former Nebraska defensive tackle was the Associated Press College Player of the Year in 2009. Big, strong and fast, he made 82 tackles and won virtually every major award given to a college lineman. Suh, who didn’t play football until his sophomore year in high school, will soon sign a huge contract. Generous as well as tough, he plans to donate $2 million to the University of Nebraska’s Strength and Conditioning Program and $600,000 to assist students in the College of Engineering. In the fall, keep an eye on this guy. You can be sure opposing NFL teams will.

TM

by Betty Debnam

Appearing in your newspaper on ______.from The Mini Page© 2010 Universal Uclick

in

Distributed by Universal Uclick

®

(Note to Editor: Above is camera-ready, one column-by-31/2-inch ad promoting Issue 25.)

Read all about sand

castles

photo courtesy Lucinda Wierenga

Documents

© 2010 Universal Uclick Building With Sandimages.gocomics.com/images/uu_com/samples/minipage/... · 2012. 6. 20. · • “Sandcastle in a Box” by Ted Siebert Please include all