Statistics of all types are located here. 

 The first is a great site that has all types of data including a life span calculator. It can also calculate by the year, month, and day the world’s death rate, birth rate, number of accidents, and much more. 

The site is dramatic in its overwhelming amount of data including how the military debt is rising each day.

 http://www.peterrussell.com/Odds/WorldClock.php

 Are you an average teacher?

http://www.reacheverychild.com/feature/demographics.html

Immigration statistics through history

http://www.reacheverychild.com/feature/immigrate.html#5

 Labor statistics

http://www.reacheverychild.com/socialstudies/economics/index.html

Bureau of Labor statistics

http://www.reacheverychild.com/feature/celebrate_teaching.html#a

 Environmental statistics by country

http://www.reacheverychild.com/feature/environment.html#4

Global statistics

http://www.reacheverychild.com/feature/global.html

2008 Volvo XC70: Inoffensive Transportation

By The Car Family

For more vehicle reviews go to

http://www.motorists.org/carfamily/home/best-cars-under-15k/

Volvo’s redone XC70’s main trait is to blend in and avoid controversy. Even though there has been major work done, the old XC is nearly identical in appearance and performance to the new one. Thus if you can forgo the extra safety features and larger cargo capacity a good deal on a 2007 model would be in order. Remember that these aren’t big sellers, but they do have a wonderful reputation for utility and safety that should appeal to those customers who like a bit of character in what they drive as well as having a practical bent.

To make more room the new model is two inches longer in the wheelbase and four inches longer overall. This makes for a very commodious interior, but one that lacks any type of exotic or cushy features. It is as if Volvo decided that being political correct was the way to attract new customers. There aren’t any sharp edges, puffy leather surfaces, glaring chrome pieces, and no electronic doodads, just a large cavern on wheels. Of course, that cavern has a host of safety features that has become a tradition from this Swedish company.

Standard equipment includes traction control, a hill decent program that permits the car to edge slowly down steep grades at six mile per hour, air bags nearly everywhere, tire-pressure monitoring, and a unique adjustable child’s seat that is clearly novel and needed. Also available are a collision warning with brake support that warns the driver if it senses a collision may occur with the car in front and automatically brakes if the driver fails to respond. We didn’t check this system or even challenge it, but it is nice to know it is there. Also available is a blind spot information program. This lets you know if there is a vehicle in your side mirror’s blind spots. Well worth it, but after testing if we found that there needs to be a more distinct warning buzzer that can be turned up or off by the driver.

Under the hood is a transversely mounted 235-horsepower, 3.2-liter; inline-6 that offers 236 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is adequate, but when the wagon is fully loaded and you are driving in the mountains you are going to want a more power. It takes a while for the six speed automatic transmission to react to and when it does the engine’s response is tepid. The standard all wheel drive system eats up a lot of the propulsion and the cars 4400-pound weight doesn’t help either.

Mom’s view: A trip back in time, that was my reaction to the Volvo XC70. It is the least expressive car I have driver in ages. It is smooth, quiet, slow, and gentle. There isn’t an aggressive bolt in its character. You can’t even provoke it by pushing on its petrol pedal. The ride is on the bouncy side due to the long travel of its off-roadable suspension and any quick input from the steering wheel is taken with a grain of salt. It reacts, but not dramatically. For those who like to drive get the V70 wagon and you have a winner. This is the best XC 70 ever, but it isn’t overwhelming in terms of driver participation. Overall this Volvo is a fine car for ski trips, travel in areas of inclement weather, and for those who want the room of a SUV with the safety and practicality of a station wagon. It is well worth the $36,000 price especially when compared to the competition from Subaru that offers less interior room and fewer features for a similar price.

Safety features abound. High -intensity-discharge headlights that turn in the direction of the steering wheel are optional and terrific. They could fry that deer caught it the headlights. You also have over eight inches of ground clearance to safely ride over highway residue as well as snowdrifts and high centered dirt roads. There are dual stage front airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags that extend lower than on previous models, a stability system, and the Volvo anti-whiplash system that helps prevent serious injury in rear-end collision. The longitudinal layout of the engine provides a greater front crush area. Volvo also has daytime running lights and adaptive cruise control as well as an available Personal Car Communicator keyless starting system. I found this feature very useful as it was easy to place the keycard in the ignition located high on the dash and press the start button to get underway. It was much better than a key system. Volvo also had what they call a Ready Alert Brakes and Fading Brake Support that are supposed to improve braking response time. I found the brake pedal feel a little soft, but when you were serious the XC responded well.

The interior is plain, painfully plain, except for a very unusual gas gauge that sits horizontally near the bottom of the center cluster. It is easy to read and leaves room for a larger speedometer and tachometer. However, the font sizes could be increased for ease of reading at night. The interior lighting is only average. The rear hatch isn’t too high or heavy to lift and close, but if you are left handed, as I am, you are out of luck because the grab handle to shut the hatch is on the right hand side. Why not one on both sides? The rear seats have a 40/20/40, and the outboard ones have an optional heating feature do the front seats. This is a blessing on cold mornings as the seat heaters work quickly and evenly. The car heater and air conditioning are slower to react and the controls are a bit more complicated. Fortunately, Volvo has gotten rid of its awful radio station all in one knob. The stereo selection if now simpler to use, but the knobs for the climate control and radio are easy to mix-up at first.

I like the look of the XC70 and feel it is superior to SUVs and even minivans for straightforwardness of use and safety features. It has a high seating position, is easier to load an infant, and has much greater visibility in all directions to vans and SUVS. My only disappointment was the relaxed nature of the engine’s response and the 18-mpg we averaged on regular. Only at highway cruising speed were we able to break the 20-mpg barrier.

Dad’s view: A very solid vehicle that appears unflappable on most every type of road. The transmission can be shifted manually, but the lack of engine torque makes this frustrating at times as there is just so much the inline six can do when confronted with a high gear ratio and two tons of Swedish steel to tote around.

The cargo area has aluminum rails and a tie-down system to secure boxes and you can order a special unit that pops up to help hold grocery bags in place. When we owned a Volvo wagon we just put some small cardboard boxes back there, but this unit is clearly better, especially since it folds out of the way.

I felt relaxed driving the XC70, not because it felt sturdy and was loaded with safety features, but because you just can’t be in a hurry with this wagon. The 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine with its dual overhead cam design and variable intake system needs 6200 rpm to produce its work, even though the 236 lb-ft of torque is ready at still high 3200 rpm. This means that unless you are willing to work the Geartronic manual shift acceleration is going to be languid. Volvo says the XC70 will arrive at 60 mph in just over eight seconds. We found that with a family onboard it was over 10 seconds. I found that it was best just to let this Volvo do its work at its own pace and relax.

Suspension is fully independent with MacPherson struts in front and a multilink system in the rear. Shock damping is very good considering that the engineers had to design a car that was capable of going both off road and on paved highway without sacrificing safety or ride comfort. You can even get a 3000 plus pound towing capacity with the wagon. Driving curves is best left to the brave as there is considerable lean. However, this Volvo is far more capable than it feels as it stays well grounded and the front wheel power pulls you through corners well, but beware that the understeering means you must be schooled in how to drive all wheel vehicles to get the most out of them.

Working woman’s view: There is a lot of room here and seating for four adults is a snap. The back seats could use a bit more headroom and the rear center position has a driveline hump to deal with. Pricing on our test vehicle was $37,520, but the major options can drive that up dramatically with a navigation system adding over $2000 to that total and the twin-screen rear entertainment system nearly $1800 more. Other options include a premium package with leather upholstery, sunroof, wood trim, auto-dimming inside mirror, a garage-door opener, heated and power driver’s seat, a desirable power tailgate, and a parking-assist system. You can easily find yourself with a $45,000 Volvo if you aren’t judicious in your option selections.

I’m a sucker for a gimmick, which is why I love the Chrysler minivan Stow and Go option. Volvo has now entered my realm of interest with its adjustable kid’s seats. They are located in both second row outboard seats. To use them just raise the seat bottoms to either of the two available positions based on the height of the child. One setting is for children from 45 to 55 inches tall and the other for those 37 to 47 inches in height. Designed for children from about four to 10 years of age or so, they are simple to use and an industry first for Volvo. The seats also allow children to look out the windows if you don’t order the DVD option with screens mounted in the front headrests to transfix their attention.

If you have a family this Volvo should be on your short list as if is so much user friendly than the gas hoggish SUVs and provide more ground clearance then minivans. I liked the looks, too, with its wide stance and easy to use interior and cargo areas. And I always like those full-height taillights that frame the rear hatch.

College going male’s view: The sound system needs to be improved and the option system is highly recommended for a car with such a large interior space. The Audio Package has a 650-watt amplifier, Dolby Pro-Logic II Surround Sound, 12 Dynaudio speakers, 6-CD changer, rear seat headphone jacks and Sirius Satellite Radio. Get it. The slim center stack area is clever, but not visually impressive. We didn’t get a car with the GPS, but if the salesperson can’t explain it to you in under a couple of minutes don’t order it. Handheld units are less expensive, easier to update, and are obviously portable. Volvo also has a Personal Car Communicator with Keyless Drive, two-way car communication and heartbeat sensor. We didn’t have this option, but it sounds very cool. Maybe it could monitor the heart rate of your date? Now that would be an option every guy would order.

The steering wheel is a little too thick and blocks the gauges after I found a comfortable seating position even though the steering column is adjustable. The sun visors don’t slide enough to provide good coverage and although there is an abundance of interior storage areas, the glove compartment light and map lights are barely adequate. Drop the key fob on the floor at night and you’ll see why.

This is one car that looks bigger on the outside than the inside. I love to camp and there is enough room to sleep in this Volvo, but the Volkswagen Passat wagon has more area and is much less expensive as is the Dodge Magnum, and it can also be order with all wheel drive, too. Both the Dodge and the Volkswagen also get better fuel mileage. In other words, the Volvo is for those who love the idea of the Volvo and need the reassurances that it represents. If I wanted a wagon I would wait for the new V70 from Volvo.

Family conference: We owned a Volvo wagon for nearly ten years. It was expensive to maintain, but we put over 400,000 miles on it without having a major problem. Even the turbocharger proved problem free. The 2008 Volvo XC70 is much improved and a fine family vehicle. It does everything expected of a station wagon and adds all wheel drive, built in boaster chairs, and a go anywhere ability. The only drawback was the fuel mileage and the power. Overall, this Volvo is easily one of the best vehicles for those who want the versatility and safety of a wagon with the utility of a SUV.

For a list of all vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

Things to do in the new year: Clean up your computer

By Alan Haskvitz

http://www.reacheverychild.com

Everything from dust bunnies inside your computer to unwanted programs and other data that are slowing your processor can be cleaned easily. Here are some links and suggestions on how to do this quickly. However, remember that every computer has different applications and hardware so read the information carefully as I cannot take responsibility for these sites and procedures.

1. First update your virus detection or download one.

Free virus detection and clean-up sites

http://www.reacheverychild.com/feature/virus_protect.html

General technology links

http://www.reacheverychild.com/computers/index.html

Technology grants

http://www.reacheverychild.com/feature/grants.html

Excellent computer links and lessons

http://www.reacheverychild.com/feature/tech_day.html

Clear your browser cache to keep sites current.

http://kb.iu.edu/data/ahic.html

2. Clear your inbox to zero messages and get it organized

http://www.glennwolsey.com/2006/08/30/6-ways-to-organize-your-mail-application/

3. Clean-up your desktop.

http://www.pdxtc.com/200012-cleanyourdesktop.htm

4. Creating a cleaner desk top

http://www.lccug.com/nsidebar.html

5. For windows users

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/personalize/organize.mspx

For Mac users

http://macapper.com/2007/03/30/how-to-organize-your-desktop-dock-and-bookmarks/

General how to site

http://kinkless.com/article/kinkless_desktop

6. Clean-up your dock with Overflow or AppZapper. Get rid of applications you no longer need.

http://www.glennwolsey.com/2006/10/26/the-key-to-a-simple-dock-is-overflow/

7. Review your contacts

Take a look through your email contacts. Get rid of those that are no longer valid or of no use. There are software programs that can enable you to put these in order by importance such as http://www.adiumx.com/ for Macs and

8. Take a moment for iTune culling

If you download music take the time to organize them by section such as jazz or best of the 1980’s and get rid of the songs you no longer want.

9. RSS improvement for blog users

Blogs take time and need to be kept current. Here is a how to site that will enable you to make the task easier.

http://www.glennwolsey.com/2006/08/22/5-ways-to-organize-your-rss-reader/

10. Backup your data

On a dramatic note, the worst thing that can happen to you is data loss – so backup now! Buy yourself an external hard-drive and archive/backup all your documents, pictures, movies, and sites from the previous year using a tool such as SuperDuper! If you don’t want to fork out for a new HDD, connect your iPod to your computer and drag your most important data onto its icon; this will create a copy of it on your iPod to use as a backup.

Buy a large zip drive/external drive and download everything, including all applications, to it. Try using http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html to help and to recover broken systems as well.

11. Rid your machine of unworthy programs.

Get rid of them carefully. Here is a program that is worth checking out that helps you remove them.

http://lifehacker.com/software/featured-windows-download/completely-remove-programs-with-revo-uninstaller-282337.php

12. Clean up your start-up section as well as dealing with cookies and registry issues. If your computer is slow to boot-up it might be because you have too many programs that are opening.

Here is a how to for start-up issues

http://tweaksforgeeks.com/ModSysStart.html

This is a free program that helps with that.

http://lifehacker.com/photogallery/Top-10-Ways-to-Clean-Up-Your-PC/2465195

and others

http://www.get-in-control.com/msconfig-cleanup/

13. Work on bringing order to your documents

http://lifehacker.com/software/file-storage/geek-to-live-organizing-my-documents-156196.php

14. Every time you use your computer the files are stored for future use whether or not you use them again. These temporary Internet files enable anyone to follow what you have been doing on the computer forever unless they are automatically deleted. Here is how to easily do this:

http://www.winferno.com/help/pcconfidential/delete_windows_temporary_files.aspx

15.Sometimes you forget what you have downloaded such as music or photos. The best way to avoid these and other duplications that you might have on your computer is with WinMerge, It is ease to run and you’re probably going to be surprised as the duplicates you have onboard.

http://winmerge.org/

16. Take the time to map your hard drive. It doesn’t take much time and it reveals where you are using your disc space.

http://windirstat.info/

17. Clean out what you thought you had cleaned out

You may not realize it but when you delete files from your hard drive, the data is still there. You need to run a program such as Eraser to permanently get rid of this information. Make absolutely sure you don’t delete what you need. And, make equally sure that when you donate or junk your old computer you wipe its hard drive clean with a program such as Eraser or formatting.

http://www.download.com/3000-2092_4-10771249.html

18. Five steps to clean your computer files

http://blogs.msdn.com/tiptalk/archive/2005/12/22/5-steps-to-clean-up-your-computer-files.aspx

You need to register to enable this software to look for unneeded material in your hard drive. As usual with downloads, beware.

http://www.ccleaner.com/

19. How to clean-up after someone has broken into your computer http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_clean_up_after_someones_broken_into_my_computer.html

20. How to clean-up a computer registry

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Clean-Up-A-Computer-Registry&id=789081

Six ways to clean up your computer

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1318/is_1998_Dec/ai_53263539

21. Finally, get rid of the dust and hair with this the information from this site:

http://lifehacker.com/software/geek-to-live/geek-to-live-evacuate-pc-dust-bunnies-153409.php

22. After you have done all this to into the systems tools section of your computer and defragment it. This is essential for a better running computer. Other systems features include a disc cleaner which you can use to find unneeded material on your computer, too.

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/defrag.htm

General technology links

http://www.reacheverychild.com/computers/technology/index.html

Acura RDX: Putting the Sport in SUV

By The Car Family

For more vehicle reviews go to

http://www.motorists.org/carfamily/

For many years we have scoffed at the acronym SUV as almost without exception such a designation has been given an overweight, underpowered, gas swilling insult to the environment and common sense. Indeed SUV was an oxymoron. How could a utility vehicle, one meant for hauling heavy loads, going off-road, and still be able to carry a family be sporty? They weren’t. Of course, there was the ultra expensive and troubled Porsche Cayenne and the BMW X5, which had little interior space that were fast and handled well. But for $50,000 and up who is really going to take these insurance agent’s dream comes true anywhere but the local mall.

Along comes the $34,000 Acura RDX and changes the equation in terms of sportiness, although still lacking in interior room. It is a corner clinger and can get to 60 mph in about seven seconds. It is a tidy ride with a lot more hot rod than luxury vehicle feel. The wide tires generate a lot of interior noise and the turbocharged 2.3 engine that divulges 240 horsepower has a raspy note, but all this is forgiven when the RDX is pushed. The 260 pound-feet of torque are ready to play most anywhere on the RPM dial and the five-speed automatic can be manipulated with steering wheel paddles to keep everything on boil. In other words, this is truly a sporty utility vehicle if you are willing to put up with a smaller cargo capacity and gas mileage in the 18-mpg range on premium.

Mom’s view: Good brakes, small and easy to maneuver in traffic and crowded parking lots, the Acura RDX is a nice combination for a small family with a husband who was forced to give up his sports car.  There are some expensive options that can push the price into the $38,000 range, but might be worth it if this is your only car. Otherwise you get a leather trimmed interior, heated seats, satellite radio, alloy wheels, xenon headlights, ABS, heated front seats, ABS, and stability control as standard. There are also six airbags. Not my favorite, but at least it is more fun to drive than the BMW SUVs and those from the Japanese competition. However, that Subaru Forester isn’t a slouch.

Dad’s view: It takes more courage than I have to get the most out of the RDX. It is capable of outstanding skidpad times, but the nature of all SUVs is one of being top heavy and it is difficult to rid your mind of this when entering any corner. After a while the competence of this Acura starts to win you over and you become less intimidated by the past and more inclined to stretch this SUVs sidewalls. I really liked the RDX in many regards such as build quality, braking, and of course handling. The engine needs to be kept busy to get the most out as, although small, the RDX weights 3900 pounds. The only element that gave me pause was the gas usage. The best I could manage was 20 mpg and the more powerful, but not nearly as fun six cylinder Toyota RAV4 got 25 on regular fuel.

Driving the RDX is a study in restraint. It is ever so tempting to crush the turbo boast gauge only to see what is left in the 18 gallon fuel tank quickly disappear. In heavy traffic too much accelerator input can fool the automatic transmission, but this really isn’t a car for daily crowded commutes. This is a car for those who love to drive and don’t mind a bit of turbo lag. A perfect skimobile, this Acura has a driving feel that is nearly identical to the TL sedan, albeit a bit less refined.

Young working woman’s view: The seats are comfortable, the interior easy to master, the GPS workable, but the rear cargo area was quite small and the second row of seats doesn’t have a lot of foot room. I cute SUV with plenty of character and very willing to please, this is one SUV that I wouldn’t mind owning if it got better gas mileage.

College going male’s view: Easily the sexist of the SUVs, the Acura RDX is capable of being whatever you want it to be. The 18-inch alloy rims look good and the grip is outstanding. You have Acura’s all wheel drive system that can send torque to the front or back or right or left side and clings to every type of surface better than any SUV I have ever tested. Very appealing, but the price is too dear for those of my ilk. If you need less sport and more room try the Acura MDX which supplies 300 horsepower, an optional third row of seats, and gets nearly the same fuel mileage.

Family conference: The only SUV that we have tested that is sporty. The downsides are its initial cost, poor fuel economy on premium, and interior cargo space. It is clearly capable of playing tag with the BMW and Porsche and is much easier to live with for a small family.

For a list of all vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

Explorers

By

Alan Haskvitz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Haskvitz

The study of explorers can be used to stimulate a lot of student interest and has a foundation for some excellent integrated lessons plans that involve science, technology, geography, culture, history, and language arts as well as art.

Exploration in the news makes it a good tool to use for teachable moments as well as cause and effect relationships.

Here are some of the best links I have found.

A list of sites that have free printable maps

http://www.reacheverychild.com/socialstudies/geography/geography3.html

Female Explorers

http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/subject/explore.html

A short biography on a huge number of explorers from early to space exploration is covered. For elementary use.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/

A general link site to explorers with the emphasis on North America

http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/explorer.html

The Conquest of North America

Spanish explorers

http://www.vaca.com/inset11.html

Canadian exploration

http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/explorer.htm

Slow loading, but worth the wait

This site has both a list of explorers and countries explored. Good links and activities.

http://www.kidinfo.com/American_History/Explorers.html

A large link site

http://www.kathimitchell.com/explorer.htm

Explorers as an integrated theme.

For grades K-8

http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/explorers.html

Mariner’s Museum

A good site with the emphasis on the ships. Don’t miss the activity section.

http://www.mariner.org/educationalad/ageofex/

An encyclopedia approach

This has explorers listed in alphabetical order with links.

http://www.42explore2.com/explorers2.htm

Explorers by period and location

Very complete site.

http://www.win.tue.nl/cs/fm/engels/discovery/index.html

European Explorers

http://www.chenowith.k12.or.us/TECH/subject/social/explore.html

Lessons and printables

http://www.proteacher.com/090065.shtml

Solar system exploration

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/educ/lessons.cfm

How to become an astronaut

http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/facts/faq12.html

Excellent site for advanced thinkers

Space exploration and the problems it represents.

http://www.challenger.org/teachers/lessons/exploration.cfm

The Unconventional Explorer

Interesting site that offers lesson ideas on a variety of lesser-known explorers as well as the usual.

http://hti.math.uh.edu/curriculum/units/2004/02/04/04.02.04.php

Ocean exploration

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/18/g35/ballardmuseum.html

Compare and Contrast Explorer traits

http://www.dembsky.net/explorers/