Sparky McCloud

Meets A NHL Referee

 

written and presented by Sean Hunter

with a “little” whistle from Country Music Hall of Fame member – Charlie McCoy

 

Talk and Discover

an opportunity for parents, coaches, teachers

to share with children and friends

 

What do you admire about someone like Paul Stewart?

Why are teammates important?

In what ways should you treat a teammate like they were

your brother or sister?

How should you treat someone from another team?

How is being on a team like being a part of a family?

In what ways is a referee like a parent?

 

More Talk and Discover

 

Why are rules important in sports?

Why are rules important at home and in a community?

How do you treat someone with dignity?

How do you offer respect?

What are some of the best ways to encourage someone?

What are some of the ways you can be

 a role model at all times?

What are some of the ways to help others succeed?

When (and where) can you volunteer without being asked?

What are some of the values that your family has given you?

What are some of the standards and values that you will give

 to your children?

What are some of the ways sports helps you

 to be a better person?

 

More Talk, Discover and Growing

 

What are some of your goals in school and sports?

What are some of your hopes for everyone in your family?

What extra effort and work might you have to do

to work toward your goals?

Which job is more important – a lawyer or a teacher?

-  a soldier or a doctor?  an electrician or an athlete?

Which should be more important – the job or the person?

As an athlete, what should you say “no” to.

As a student, what should you be doing every day?

 

Continuing To Grow

 

What are some of the ways someone can be selfish?

What problems happen at home, and to a team,

 when someone is selfish?

How should a coach, teacher and parent treat or discipline

someone who is selfish?

What are some of the chores that teach respect and responsibility?

What makes someone a good role model?

Who is someone that can be your mentor?

Why is discipline good?

What is the difference between discipline and self discipline?

What is your definition of success?

In what ways can you be a better teammate?

 

A Question For Everyone

 

What rules do you think Paul Stewart’s parents had

for Paul to follow when he was growing up?

Direct download: 01_Sparky_McCloud_-_Meets_Paul_Stewart.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:57 PM

Story Notes and Extras  

Snowball – The Lucky Cat

An Imagination Story

written and presented by Sean Hunter

with the music of Country Music Hall of Fame member

Charlie McCoy

Talk And Discover

(for parents, teachers, family, friends and children)

Why is Snowball a lucky cat?

Where would you like to spend a whole winter?

What do you like about winter?

In what country do you think this stories Catnip Mountain is?

Do you think that dogs are allowed at Catnip Mountain?

What kind of dogs do you think you would find at a winter mountain?

What are some of the birds that you might find at Catnip Mountain in the winter?

What colors might the birds be?

What other animals might you find in the woods during the winter at Catnip Mountain?

What animals might return to the woods at Catnip Mountain when the weather is warm?

What do you think happens at Catnip Mountain when the weather is warm?

Do you think people go camping and hiking at Catnip Mountain 

in the winter?

Learning With Art

Draw a picture of a cat that might look like Snowball – The Lucky Cat.

Draw a picture of a sled.

Draw a picture of a sleigh.

Draw a picture of one of Snowball’s friends.

Draw a picture of a snowshoe.

Draw a picture of a snowman.

Draw a  picture of a snowflake

Draw a picture of something you might wear to keep warm in winter?

More Talk and Discover

How many barrels do you think some skaters can jump?

How big do you think some of the barrels are?

How big do you think some of the fish are that are caught at Catnip Mountain pond?

Do you think the fish in Catnip Mountain Pond are bigger in the winter

than they are in the summer?

Do you think there are any penguins at Catnip Mountain pond?

More Talk and Discover

What songs would you sing around a fireplace?

What books would you like to read if you were at the Catnip Mountain Lodge?

What foods might be nice to eat around the fire at Catnip Mountain Lodge?

What are some songs about winter?

What are some books about winter?

More Talk and Discover

What Olympic events could be held at Catnip Mountain?

Who are some famous Olympians that might like to visit Catnip Mountain?

How high would a mountain have to be to reach into the average clouds?

What are the names of some famous castles?

In what countries are some of the most famous castles?

Where in the world does it snow more than 50 inches of snow each year?

On what continents are some of the coldest places in the world?

What are some of the mountains in the world that reach above the clouds?

More Talk and Discover & Music

The first song is John Henry – look up the story of the famous folklore legend.

 What kind of work did John Henry do? 

In the song what does the music make you feel is happening?

What other ideas does the music give you?

What are some other famous American folklore legend stories?

In the second song what instruments do you hear being played?

Which of those instruments are in your school band and orchestra?

Are the voices like an instrument?

Shenandoah is the name of the third song, 

in what century is it thought that the song Shenandoah was written?

What do you think inspired the writing of the song?

Why do you think the song has been popular all these years?

In what states is the Shenandoah Valley?

What songs and music honor or are about the community and area where you live?

~ ~ ~

To know more about Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie McCoy

Go to the following links

HYPERLINK "http://countrymusichalloffame.org/full-list-of-inductees/view/charlie-mccoy"http://countrymusichalloffame.org/full-list-of-inductees/view/charlie-mccoy

HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_McCoy"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_McCoy

HYPERLINK "http://www.charliemccoy.com/"www.charliemccoy.com

Direct download: 01_Snowball_-_The_Lucky_Cat.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:22 PM

Story Notes and Extras

One Night When It Snowed

Written and presented by Sean Hunter

with 

music by Country Music Hall of Fame member – Charlie McCoy

Talk and Discover

(for parents, teachers, families and friends to enjoy with children)

What would you write in a letter to Santa?

Why is it important to remember the needs of others?

What gifts could you make for someone?

What are some of our favorite Christmas songs to sing?

What songs and hymns do you think Santa was singing?

Who would you ask Santa to do something special for?

How many angels do you think the children heard singing?

Learning With Art

Draw a picture of Santa.

Draw a picture of a Christmas manger.

Draw a picture of angels caroling.

Draw a picture of someone who you think is special.

Draw a picture of someone that you think should be remembered.

Other Stories To Enjoy

The Grinch That Stole Christmas
The Night Before Christmas

Helping To Make The Holidays Happy For Everyone

Visit someone in a hospital, or that is sick at home.
Write a note to someone that you haven’t seen for a while.
 Smile.

Help a neighbor in need.

Other Ways To Have Fun

Make a Ginger Bread House.

Sing some of the traditional Christmas songs with family and friends.

Direct download: MASTER_-_One_Night_When_It_Snowed.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:44 PM

Story Notes and Extras 

An Uncle’s Gift

written and presented by Sean Hunter

the 1931 LaSalle is one of Duane Allen’s, of the Oak Ridge Boys,

favorite cars

Talk and Discover

an opportunity for parents, children, teachers, and friends to have fun together

What are some of your family Thanksgiving traditions?

What do you like about Thanksgiving”

What do you have to be grateful for?

What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving memories?

What are some of the Thanksgiving memories that your grandparents told you about?

Who do you know that has been a Marine?

Who do you know that wants to be a teacher?

How far is it from your house to Bonsall, California?

How many states would you have to travel through from your house to Bonsall, CA?

Learning With Art

Draw a picture of a car that someone in your family once owned.

Draw a picture of what you think the 1931 LaSalle in the story looked like.

Draw a picture of a turkey.

Draw a picture of pilgrim.

Draw a picture of something that the pilgrims grew.

More Talk and Discover

When was the first Thanksgiving in America?

Where was the first American Thanksgiving celebrated?

What was the reason for having a day of Thanksgiving?

When is Thanksgiving celebrated in Canada?

More Talk and Discover

Why was LaSalle a famous explorer?

Where did LaSalle explore?

Who else are some famous explorers?

What were LaSalle and other explorers looking for when they began their journey?

What cities have been named after explorers?

What rivers have been named after explorers?

Where near you live is there a lake that has been named after an explorer?

What are some of the schools and colleges that have been named after explorers?

Extra Credit

What famous singing group has four members with the last name of

Allen, Bonsall, Sterban and Golden (that were in the story) who enjoy Thanksgiving?

In what famous song is the “Hungry House Café?”

Who wrote that famous song

and 

who else has recorded it?

More Extra Credit

When was the LaSalle first made?

Where was the LaSalle made?

What would a four door passenger LaSalle sedan cost in 1931?

How much would that amount be in today’s dollar?

In what auto museums might you find a LaSalle?

Direct download: MASTER-An_Uncles_Gift_rr_2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:43 PM

Story Notes and Extras 

 What! No Ice Cream

written and presented 

by Sean Hunter

Talk and Discover

(for parents, families, teachers and children to enjoy)

What is your favorite ice cream?

Where would you have searched for the missing ice cream?

Why did you think the ice cream had disappeared?

Who would you have asked to help find the ice cream?

Do you think the cats knew where the ice cream was?

How do you think the cats and the cows became friends?

Who else might be friends with the cows?

When is a good time to have ice cream?

When is a good time to say “thank you?”

How do you think the cows made the ice cream disappear?

Learning With Art

Draw a picture of a cow

Draw a picture of an ice cream cow

Draw a picture of something that an ice cream detective needs.

Draw a picture of a clever cat

Draw a picture of a super dupper ice cream cone.

More Talk and Discover

Who do you know that works hard?

What are some of the jobs that probably are not fun?

What jobs do you know that have to be done outside when it is cold?

Who do you know that should be thanked for the work that they do?

Why is it important to thank someone?

What are some of the ways to thank someone?

When should someone send a thank you note?

Who last week did something that you appreciated?

Who should you thank every day? 

What are some of the other phrases that you can say

to show respect and appreciation?

More Talk and Discover

Why is it important to be patient?

Why is it important to think of others?

What usually happens to people that are selfish?

What usually happens to people that are selfish?

Direct download: 01_WhatNoIceCream.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:59 PM

Story Notes and Extras

The Mouse
And The House That Was Made Of Cheese

written and presented by Sean Hunter

Talk and Discover
(for parents, teachers, families, friends and children to enjoy)

What is your favorite cheese?
When is a good time to eat cheese?
What is a good food to eat with cheese?
How many types of cheeses do you think there are?
Do all cheeses taste the same?

What kind of cheese do you think the mouse’s house was made of?
Was the roof a different cheese than the floor?
Could the walls be a different cheese than the door?
How long do you think that it took for the mouse to eat his house?

What kind of cheese do you think the mouse would like for breakfast?
What kind of cheese might the mouse like for a snack?
What else could the mouse eat beside cheese?
Should the mouse have gone to work?
How big do you think the cat’s shadow was?
What games could the cat and mouse now play?

More Talk and Discover

What are some foods that are made with cheese?
What are some of the foods that are enjoyed with cheese?
In what shapes are some cheeses sold?
In what soup might you find some cheese?
What kind of cheese could you have in a sandwich?
What kind of cheese could you put in a salad?

What are some foods with the word cheese?
How many letters in the word cheese?
How many of the same letters are in the word cheese?
How many letters in the word mouse?
How many different letters are in the word mouse?
How many letters are in mouse, house and cheese?
How many of the same letters are in the word cheese and mouse?
What is a word that rhymes with mouse?

Learning With Art

Draw a picture of a mouse.
Draw a picture of a cat.
Draw a picture of a house made of cheese.

More Talk and Discover

What are some famous cheeses?
Why is cheese good for you?
What are some soft cheeses?
What are some hard cheeses?
What other animal milk can be used to make cheese?
What countries do you think make the most cheese?
What countries do you think export the most cheese?
What countries do you think import the most cheese?
What countries do you think eat the most cheese?
Why does Swiss Cheese have holes in it?
When making cheese, how long can it take before a cheese is ready to eat?
On what continent is cheese not made?


Direct download: TheMouse.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:54 PM

 

 Story Notes and Extras

 

  Sparky McCloud 

 and the Blue Sky Bakery

 

written and presented by Sean Hunter

 

 

Talk and Discover

for parents, teachers, family, children, and friends to enjoy

 

What is your favorite muffin?

When is a good time to have a muffin?

What is something that you like to smell baking?

What is your favorite pie?

What is something that you like to have ice cream with?

What kind of cake is good for a birthday party?

What kind of cake is good for a treat?

What is your favorite bread?

What is a good sandwich to share with a friend?

What is something that you can bake and bring to a picnic?

What is something that is round, you bake, and has a hole in the middle?

What else could the clouds bake?

Where do you think the clouds do their baking?

Do the clouds have a favorite cookie?

What kind of cookie cloud might you see in the sky on a Tuesday?

Can a cloud hide a mountain?

What do clouds do at night?

What do you think are some of Sparky’s chores?

What would be some good chores for you?

Who beside Sparky might be watching the clouds?

 

Learning With Art

 

Draw a picture of your favorite cookie

A picture of a cookie that you think one of Sparky’s friends would like.

Draw a picture of a cloud that looks like a cookie.

 

More Talk and Discover

 

What is a healthy dinner?

What is a healthy dessert?

Why is it good to be patient?

How do you learn to be patient?

What do dark clouds sometimes mean?

What should you do if you see dark clouds?

How fast can clouds move?

How many types of clouds are there?

What are some of the clouds you might see when it is cold?

What are some of the clouds that you might see when it is warm?

What are some ways that clouds help us?

Why are some clouds white?

Why does a cloud float?

How do clouds help to predict the weather? 

 

Direct download: MASTER_-_Sparky_McCloud_-_and_the_Blue_Sky_Bakery_2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:36 PM

Story Notes and Extras

Cowboy and Perry

written and presented by Sean Hunter

with music by
 Wylie Gustafson
of
Wylie Gustafson & The Wild West
(Wylie Gustafson—Two Medicine Music/BMI)


and also the voice heard around the world
in the YA-HOO commercials

Talk and Discover
(for parents, teachers, and families to enjoy with their children)

What do you think is Cowboy’s and Perry’s favorite song?
What is your favorite song?
How did Perry learn to yodel?
What songs do you think Cowboy learned from his father?
What songs do you think Cowboy learned from his mother?
What songs would a cowboy sing in a bunkhouse?
How many songs do you think Cowboy can sing in one day?
How many songs do you think Cowboy can sing in a year?
What instrument do you think Cowboy likes to play?
What is a good song for a cowboy to sing around a campfire?

Learning With Art

Draw a picture of a - cowboy – cowgirl - Perry
cowboy boots - cowboy shirt – cowboy hat
a Chuckwagon – guitar – banjo – ukulele
fiddle / violin – doghouse (upright / acoustic) bass

More Talk and Discover

In what countries would you find cowboys?
What are some of the jobs that cowboys do?
What are some of the jobs that cowgirls do?
What are some of the weather conditions that cowboys work in?
What do the words “round up” and “stampede” mean to a cowboy,
and what is some other cowboy lingo?

What are some famous Cow Towns?
How far could a cattle drive travel in a day?
How long would a cattle drive take on the Chisholm Trail?
In what states are some of the famous stock yards?
What are some of the events that you would see at a rodeo?

Enjoying The Cowboy Spirit

Read some cowboy poetry
Ask your library to recommend some cowboy novels
Find out which museums have famous paintings of cowboys and cowboy life.
What are some favorite and famous cowboy songs?

Famous Cowboys

Charles Goodnight – Oliver Loving

Famous Cowboy Performers

Buffalo Bill Cody -Annie Oakley -Tom Mix - Wild Bill Hickok

Famous Singing Cowboys

Gene Autry – Roy Rogers – Tex Ritter

Famous Fictional Cowboys

Cisco Kid – The Lone Ranger – Tonto – Pecos Bill

Learning More About Cowboys

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
www.nationalcowboymuseum.org
www.CowboyPoetry.com
and for a photo review and teaching ideas
http://www.cowboypoetry.com/photowk.htm

Direct download: M3_-_Cowboy_and_Perry_-_Storytime.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:14 PM

Story Notes and Extras

The Cookie

 

Written and presented by Sean Hunter

with

music by Country Music Hall of Fame member – Charlie McCoy

 

Talk and Discover

(for parents, teachers and families to enjoy with their children)

 

What is your favorite cookie?

What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

What do you think is Santa’s favorite cookie?

What would you write in a letter to Santa?

What would you want Santa to know about your house?

Why did the children tell Santa about the love that was in their house?

 

Learning With Art

 

Draw a picture of one of Santa’s reindeer.

Draw a picture of a candy cane.

Draw a picture of a Christmas cookie.

Draw a picture of someone that likes cookies.

Draw a picture of someone that you would like to make cookies for.

Draw a picture of a cookie that is filled with love.

 

More Talk and Discover

 

How can you tell that there is love in a house?

How would you fill a house with love?

Why is love the greatest gift?

 

Other Stories To Enjoy

The Grinch That Stole Christmas
The Night Before Christmas

 

Helping To Make The Holidays Happy For Everyone

Visit someone in a hospital, or that is sick at home.
Write a letter to someone that you haven’t seen for a while.
Let everyone see you smile.

Volunteer to help a neighbor in need.

Direct download: MASTER_-_The_Cookie.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:27 PM

Story Notes and Extras
A Gathering of Friends

written and presented by Sean Hunter

Talk and Discover
for parents, teachers, family, friends and children to enjoy

What are some of the animals of the forest that you have seen?
What are some of the other animals that live in the forest?
Where do you think some of the other animals were
when the celebration was being held?
What else do the animals have to be grateful for?
What do you have to be grateful for?
What did you have to be grateful for yesterday?
What did you have to be grateful for last Sunday?
Do you think that the animals on the farm gathered for a celebration of Thanksgiving?
What animals live in the woods and forest near you?
What animals were in the woods and forest when the Pilgrims came to America?


Learning With Art

Draw a picture of a deer.
Draw a picture of something that you and rabbits like to eat?
Draw a picture of a what you are grateful for?

   More Talk and Discover

What would the Pilgrims have been grateful for in 1621?
What would the Pilgrims be grateful for today?
In what ways are you like a Pilgrim?

Direct download: MASTER_-_A_Gathering_of_Friends.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:18 PM