Mid-Shore Life

Maryland Soybean Board promotes Soybean Booklet at National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference

Just the beginning-The life of a young sprout, a 12-page educational and activity booklet published by the Maryland Soybean Board and created and designed by Laser Letters, Inc. of Easton recently debuted at the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Baltimore, MD. The booklet’s purpose is to teach Maryland’s fourth through sixth grade students a few things about the important role soybeans play in our lives.

The booklet includes information about the history of the soybean, how and where it grows, how it’s utilized and what foods and products include soybeans. Readers keep engaged with activities that include a crossword puzzle, word search, coloring page and a “Shake-It-Up” soy ice cream recipe.

The engaging and informational booklet is published with funds provided by the national soybean checkoff program. Agri-Media Services and Laser Letters, Inc., both of Easton, Maryland, collaborated on the project.  Booklets are available free of charge to Maryland educators working with fourth through sixth grade students to promote agriculture and natural resource education.

For more information, contact Amy Steward at 410-829-0436 or email asteward@goeaston.net.

Postcards from Mr. Pish Adventure Begins in Cambridge

Cambridge Books has just released Postcards from Mr. Pish, a new children’s book by K. S. Brooks.  It is currently available on Amazon.com and will become available through bookstores and other online venues soon.

Postcards from Mr. Pish is a unique children’s book about an adorable Jack Russell Terrier, Mr. Pish, as he travels cross-country.  The book features full-color photographs, documenting Mr. Pish’s grand adventure in postcards written to entertain and teach children about the United States and Canada.  Mr. Pish’s trip begins on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, which is highlighted in photographs as well as text. 

“As we drove across the country, we discovered so many amazing things; it was like being a kid again, ” K. S. Brooks said.  “The Eastern Shore is home to so many truly extraordinary places I wanted to share.”

Teachers across the country are hailing Postcards from Mr. Pish as a valuable educational tool.  Elementary School Teacher Lynn Drayzen comments “Kids...and adults...will learn important details about each state as they join Mr. Pish on his cross country travels.”

The Gamemaker's Apprentice: Game Development for Beginners

Jacob Habgood and Mark Overmars

ISBN 1-59059-615-3

Reviewed by: John K Johnson

This book will not teach you how to write your on version of Doom, Quake or any of the other incredibly rich, detailed 3D games that are the market, but it is a great first step on the path that will get you there.

The software that comes with this book (also available as a free download at http://www.yoyogames.com/make ) takes most, if not all, of the technical hurdles away and lets you create simple to complex 2D games of your very own, without having to write code (unless you want to).