Hunter The Champ

Hunter Laird won the 3rd Annual BJ Prough Memorial Wrestling Tournament in Mt. Union. Hunter pinned both his opponents to win the 9 - 10 year old age bracket. Congratualations Hunter we are all very proud of you!

Everest Basecamp & Gear

In our novel Peak, the expedition to Everest has been a rough one to say the least. We have discussed things like altitude sickness, acclimatization, and the wicked conditions associated with being on top of the world. The students and I have really gotten into this novel and find it hard to put down. I wanted to include a real picture of base camp on Everest and then a picture of climbing gear. It certainly takes a tough individual to stay focused, healthy, and energized at nearly 6 miles up!

A True Hero

"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. "

Martin Luther King Jr.

Winter's Chill

Here is the forecast for the upcoming week. We are getting an arctic air mass moving in from Canada. Prepare for the coldest air of winter so far. YES! You do have to wear a coat at recess if the wind chill doesn't keep us from going outside!!

Awesome Auroras!

I thought this picture was pretty cool! Someone in Quebec made these "polar bears" with snow. The arctic has seen auroras every night so far in 2008! Kind of makes you wish you were one of those polar bears getting to watch one of nature's awesome displays!

"PEAK"

We have just started a new novel, "PEAK" by Roland Smith.

Have you ever wondered what inspires people to climb mountains? What drives some to the highest peaks? Fourteen-year-old Peak Marcello was born to climb. Born to a couple of dedicated "rock rats," Peak has climbing in his blood. He has a chance to be the youngest person ever to summit Mt. Everest before his 15th birthday. Mt. Everest has the highest elevation on earth, with the summit at 29,029 ft. This monster of a mountain has claimed the lives of some of the world's best climbers...will 14 year old Peak make it to the summit?

Mt. Everest 29,029 ft.

Lance vs. Cancer

Lance Armstrong is done winning bike races, but remains in the spotlight for another reason. Lance continues to speak on the importance of finding a cure for cancer. Cancer affects us all as we all can name someone we personally know who was or is affected by the disease. Lance has helped raise millions of dollars for cancer research. He has saved lives by educating people on early detection and better treatment. Through the same perseverance that won him 7 Tour de France titles and allowed him to beat cancer, I have no doubt he will not stop fighting to win this battle as well. Check out http://www.livestrong.org/ for more on Lance's quest for a cure.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Feel free to leave comments over the holiday break. Have a nice relaxing vacation, but get ready to work super hard in 2008!

Google Calendar & Homework

Hello,
I think I have come up with a better way for everyone to know what assignments and homework are due. I will also post tests and upcoming events. I created a Google Calendar which lists all homework and assignments for the week and more. I tried to put homework on the blog, but it became lost in the other information there. First, you need to create a free Google account (email/password) to view the calendar. You can click this link to do that...https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=cl&passive=true&nui=1&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fcalendar%2Frender%3Ftab%3Dwc&followup=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fcalendar%2Frender%3Ftab%3Dwc Once you have done that you have to click on all 3 of my Google Calendars (at the top of the blog) and add them to your calendar. You can customize your calendar in many ways. Let me know if you need any help with this. Thanks!

Second Grade Revisited...ENJOY!
Just hit the "Play" button

PENN STATE

This Nittany Lion Was A Gift From The Class Of 1940

Will It Explode?...NO

Huge sunspot 978 is showing signs that it will explode. The sunspot is about the size of the planet Jupiter. If it does explode it might mean solar winds heading in our direction and auroras might be possible!...UPDATE 12/15/07: sunspot 978 is breaking apart and will not explode. It's hard to believe that this sunspot was about the size of 1,320 earths!!

http://www.spaceweather.com/

I hope everyone is enjoying the day off. The State College field trip is still planned for tomorrow. Be sure to bring a disposable lunch. See you all tomorrow!

Weekend

Here is a picture of us with our awesome Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It looks even better now as several students brought in ornaments to decorate it. Don't forget to get your permission slip signed to be able to go on our State College field trip next Friday. Have a great weekend!

H.W. Read "Tops and Bottoms" / Study Lesson 14 spelling words

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN!!!

Eating Healthy

Mr. Hart and I are on a quest to get students thinking about making healthy food choices. So many of the preservatives that are in prepackaged food can lead to health problems later in life. I am allowing students to bring in and snack on ONLY healthy foods during class. Foods like nuts, fruit, vegetables, etc, will be allowed. My hope is that students will become more aware of the foods they eat and what is in them. Understanding the facts will lead to smarter decisions when it comes to eating and snacking on food.

Mushrooms are a healthy choice

H.W. Math Sheet 9.1

2 Bald Eagles & 1 Angry Crow!

At the end of first recess Darin Love spotted a bald eagle soaring southeast around the Tuscarora Creek. Just before we went inside Grant Parson spotted another eagle coming up from the creek and it flew behind Mr. Berry's house. The white of the head and tail was so brilliant against the brown ridge behind it. Amazingly an angry crow started diving at the second eagle! Finally, the eagles flew off toward the north. Since the migration of bald eagles has passed, I would say these eagles are here to stay for the winter. We should continue to have sightings throughout the winter months....Awesome!

Adding Comments

Thanks for all who have commented on the blog site. I really enjoy reading and communicating through it. It keeps us connected at home and even during the weekend. For those of you who have commented but it has not shown up, follow these steps....Choose anonymous as an identity (be sure to leave your name so I know who it was), leave your comment, and then fill in the word verification exactly as is appears. Finally, click "Publish Your Comment." If you follow those steps your comment will be posted. You can comment on or about anything...

THE SOURCE

Homework...Complete math worksheet 8.4. The spelling test for lesson 13 will be on December 6th & 7th.

Publishers Josie Rice and Megan Beasom came to me with an idea about creating a class news source. I liked the idea and gave them the side board to use however they wanted. Josie and Megan brought Gaige Kachel and Loutrail Campbell on board to design the pictures and photographs. Anyone in the class can contribute to The Source. You can read anything from the outcome of the lastest kickball game, to poems written by us. Great idea and excellent work!!

Full Moon

I took advantage of the full moon Friday night and took this picture. You can easily see some craters and plains. The November full moon is called the Hunter's Moon. Check out this web site for more info... http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/moons_and_rings.html&edu=elem

How To Cook A Thanksgiving Turkey

How To Cook A Thanksgiving Turkey
by Karrie Boone

First, you buy a turkey, or your husband can shoot one.

Second, you wash it or pluck it and then you put A1 sauce on it or BBQ.

Third, you cook it.

Fourth, you let it cool down.

Fifth, you put it in the microwave for 33 seconds if it is too cold for you.

Sixth, wait until Thanksgiving.

Seventh, you invite people,

Last, you eat it!

While we are busy with wreath making this week, there will be no homework. Just look over your review spelling words. Thanks to everyone in 3rd grade for helping out with the wreaths, you all are wonderful workers!