Tuesday, December 27, 2011

World Wide Wednesday

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday so far.  As we approach the new year, I want you to think about personal goals.  What is your New Year's Resolution for 2012?

Everywhere around the world the new year will ring in.  Each celebration is special in its own way.  Try to catch some of the festivities on television. At least 12 hours before us they will be celebrating in Asia and the South Pacific. As you watch, think about what you want to do differently this year and how you will achieve your goals? 

Adults are known for pledging to lose weight, exercise more, stop smoking and much more.  What are teens your age saying on this eve of a new year?  Let's make our pledge right here on the blog for all to see.

Thailand


Australia

Sydney Harbour, NSW, Cities, Sydney Harbour Bridge, fireworks

Moscow, Russia



Paris, France

New Year’s Eve in Paris

 London Eye Fireworks  UK

London Eye Fireworks


Times Square NYC
New Year's Eve in Times Square, New York


New Years Mexico

New Years Mexico
 
 
Honalulu, Hawaii
 

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Time to Think Thursday

This will be a busy week, indeed.  Let's take a moment to think and reflect.  The quote below comes from one of our beloved Presidents, Calvin Coolidge.

I am reposting the famous quote shared by our own Calvin D.  Thanks, Calvin.  It gives us food for thought and helps us reflect on what's really important this week and throughout the year. 

Let's think.....

Calvin Coolidge
To the American People: Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.



Birthplace---Plymouth, Vermont



Coolidge Homestead



Circa 1924...
File:Coolidge after signing indian treaty.jpg
So what are your thoughts on President Coolidge's quote about the holiday season?  What does he mean?  Do you agree or disagree?  Can you find proof in your life or thoughout history to prove the President's quote?  Let's talk about it here. 

christmas-star

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Memorable Toy Monday

This is the season of gift giving. Children have wide eyes as they think about receiving their favorite toy.  Look at each of the toys below.  Are any of them familiar to you?  Did I find a favorite of yours? Please comment on the pictures.

I'd like to hear about your favorite toy from childhood.  Which one holds a special place in your heart and always will?  (No technology, please.)

Explain what makes that one  special toy so special to you.

 Slinky Toy

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Yoda
girls 16 bikeTickle Me Elmo



boys 16 bike



Many Webkinz pets as part of one child's collection.Webkinz thanks to Jazmine
G.I. JOE Hasbro 3 3/4" Wave 9 Action Figure General Hawk

Baseball glove,bat and ball on grassmy little pony

Icon image uploaded by adminCabbage Patch Kids



teddy bears paradise

Wilson American Football Ball : Micro

SoccerBall
Legos

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Tradition Tuesday

This great idea for this week's blog post came from a student. I would like the student who suggested traditions to identify herself in a post.

I am sure you all have interesting traditions for this time of year. Please describe how your family celebrates the holidays.  For years my family enjoyed special sandwiches that we would make ourselves. We called them "sloppy Joe" sandwiches.  These were always reserved for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve celebrations.  Can anyone describe this special sandwich?  Just so you know, it does not contain any ground beef. When I was young, my brother and I used to spend all evening on New Year's Eve cutting up old newspapers to make confetti.  At the stroke of midnight, we would go out in the street and throw it around. We made sure we had pots and pans to bang together too. Our parents always had a party so there were many young kids there to join our party in the street.

Tell us about your holidays.  Who, what, where, when, why can all be used to describe your celebrations. Don't forget to include how far back in your family this tradition can be traced.  Was it the same celebration that your grandmother would have had or your great-grandmother or back and back and back? How has your family's tradition developed or changed?  I think you would need to ask your parents about their holidays when they were little to answer that question. 

Do a little family research before you post your comments.  We can talk about Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.  I look forward to hearing from you all.

"Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles."



menorahhomemade kwanzaa decorations





traditional diwali for hinduism


The New Year's Eve Ball

The Ball was a geodesic sphere, six feet in diameter, and weighed approximately 1,070 pounds.


Did anyone have a tradition involving snow?  Our family did.  Let's hear yours.


  • Wednesday, December 7, 2011

    World Wide Wednesday

    Because we are in the month of December, I thought it was time to start thinking about what happened in the world in 2011.  I always love when the news reports include a photo montage of the year in review.  Let's try to think about what happened this year starting way back in January 2011. Try to think about the second half of your 7th grade year and what events happened this past summer. September through December should be easy for you all because of your many current event assignments. This topic will take some research, I'm sure.  We may even have to ask the content teachers like Mr. Eckert, Mr. Szot, Miss Patterson, Mrs. Howanich, and Mrs. Mackin. Who else would have a handle on the pulse of the world? Mr. Gordon? Maybe.  I think he would know what new trivia questions have surfaced in 2011. I bet there are many.  Mr. Rizzo, Mr. Iveson or Mrs. Gross? Has there been any new information that would concern a mathematician or accountant?  There certainly have been many developments along those lines. Can you identify them?

    I guess you will have to think about that now or even ask these knowledgable professionals. That's your task.  I will post picture, and I ask that you  identify the event and the approximate time that it was in the news.

    Note:  As I am writing this blog, Santa is driving through my neighborhood on a caravan of fire trucks.  It is anything but quiet!

    First and foremost.....

    The photo is from the Blue Jay Parade in the San Bernardino Mountains.  The Fire truck is from the Crest Forest Fire Department a 1926 fire engine which is the last of the three original fire engines bought by the fire department in 1926.

    Now, how about these events.....

    Space shuttle Atlantis launch

    Japan Earthquake 2011





    Arkansas Tornado 2011 Map
    Arkansas Tornado 2011 Map

    The images were so upsetting for this next one.  This is the most benign of all.

    a dead Osama in Laden is. Osama bin Laden is Dead and


    Happier times....

    Image: Kate's dress will go on display at Buckingham Palace this summer.


    Who and why?
    Where could Muammar Gaddafi be Hiding