Dear Folks:

Apparently Grandma was trying to get up to May 24 of the Calendar History, Book (1 ). However I guess I did not catch May 23 which is just as well. Therefore, I will cover it now.

 

The First birthday on May 23 is in 1707 when Carolus Linnaeus, Swedish botanist and founder of taxonomy, was born.

 Next in 1734, Dr. Franz Mesmer, German physician who developed a treatment called Mesmerism, which is the basis of the word mesmerize, was born.

 In 1824 Ambrose Everett Burnside, American Civil War general whose whiskers on the side of his face were called Burnsides and later sideburns, was born.

In 1910 Margaret Wise Brown, children's author, was born.

 

The events that happened on that day began in 1785 when In a letter, Benjamin Franklin wrote about his new invention, Bifocal Eyeglasses.

In 1788 South Caroline became the eight state.

In 1873Canada established the Northwest Mounted Police.

In 1903 Eleven-year-old William Frederick Price became the Youngest Soldier to enlist in the British Army in this century.

In 1984 C. Everett Koop, the US surgeon general, said there was solid evidence that Nonsmokers can suffer Lung Damage from Inhaling Other People's Cigarette Smoke.

In 1989 An Italian Interior Designer named Stefania Follini climbed Out of the Cave in Carlsbad, N.M., in which she had spent the previous 130 days.  

 

Activities included on this day in Book (1) are as follows:

"Plant classifications

Have your (children) look up the word taxonomy in the dictionary. Then encourage them to walk through their neighborhood to observe flowering plants, writing careful notes and making detailed drawings of the specimens they find. Have them use these observational records and their research skills to find the scientific names of their plants.

 

A state by any other name

South Carolina is nicknamed the Palmetto State. Have your (children) investigate their state's nickname. How did the nickname originate? Invite the dis to create a nickname for their hometown, then write a silly story explaining how the name came to be.

(Along with this activity Grandma would like the children to find anything they can about any of the states and do as planning a trip to travel through each state on a very long vacation.) 

 

Selecting pseudonyms

Margaret Wise Brown wrote stories about feeling lonesome, getting lost, and acting naughty or silly. She wrote more than 100 books in her career, some published under the pen names Golden MacDonald, Timothy Hay, and Juniper Sage. Have your (children) each write a story using one of the topics Brown often wrote about. Then have them choose their own pen names. Why did they select a particular name?"

 

These should go along with the ideas Grandma gave you in the summer introduction. This is it for today.

Dear Folks:

     Here are the beginning of the summer lessons I promised you. I am sorry it has taken me so long to get them started. I am having my share of problems this summer. Grandma is at the point she felt you better be told straight that she feels the public schools would have been better to have left the classes running later into June and start after Labor Day. She feels these kinds of things are easier on the children. That it does not make sense and makes things stressful. She also feels it is easier on the parents. Therefore, she is going to be giving her lessons in that pattern. We will run these summer classes till the 1st of September and she will make sure her winter or fall classes start that way or do.

She will also still be giving you her books and finish Patricia Gallagher's helpful hints. I will also have an additional topic of etiquette to cover this summer also. I want to give more ideas on real estate and decorating also. I will also give the rest of the calendar history and famous people (7 to 8 days at a time). I hope you have started to review or started before July the American History, at least the revolution by starting the time line again, for the 4th of July. Else you may want to start it now.

I will be on vacation in August so you may not be able to reach Grandma during that time. I am sorry.

Grandma is also trying to get into more products. As I mentioned before I am always open for suggestions. I hope to get some more things going.

Learning for the summer should evolve around the Earth elements of Water, Air, and Land. Be sure to involve words, letters(for younger children), math with objects, crosswords, mazes, etc.Involve reading and researching, writing, art, and physical activity. Explain the elements of the Earth to the children and what can be in each. Then learn about each as the Air: What it is made of and what is effecting it right now as pollutants or bad chemicals. Learn how it effects our land and ourselves. Cover the same with the Land. Learn how it all effects the Land. Work into the plants and animals of the land including the insects and plants. Talk about what is in it. Talk about what is happening to our insects. Research about Monsanto, GMO;s pollutants, and organic planting. Flowers and other plants, forests, etc. Then learn about the water, animals and plants in it also. Learn about safety in the water, in our homes, and out and about.

Review the history through the time line and collect the rest Grandma will be providing. Decorate a room and learn measurements. Cooking teaches a lot.

Learn how to start sewing by first learning the tools used, materials, and parts of the machine. Practice by sewing two strips of material together.

Learn how to do rag rugs, sew pot holders together, aprons, curtains, pillow cases, quilts, doll clothes, covers for tables, and bibs.

Plant plants if you do not have a garden already. Plant seeds in pots. Beans and cantaloupe grow fast and work well for starters.

Have fun and enjoy what there is for summer. Grandma will try to give all she can. Must go for tonight. I will give more tomorrow night.

Today Grandma will keep coving the time line until the last day of homeschooling time. However she realized there were some activities that were left behind in September and October that need to be given to you this week. Therefore, she will give them to you first. Next she will cover the rest of the Calendar history for the time line and calendars for May. Next she will go into the summer months in the Calendar history, give some more fun things to do for summer as we go along; cover her books used and Patricia's material; as well as some more on real estate investing.; and anything else she can think of to give you.

 

For the 178th day hopefully given tomorrow Grandma will give you the events for the time line covering the 1800's and 1900's. of November and the 179th day December. Today (the 176th day) she will give you the activities for September and the 177th day (tomorrow for sure) October for that time period first.

 

Activities from Book (1) for September 1800 and 1900

 

"Fabulous Flocks:Very few bird species were as numerous as the passenger pigeon. For hours on end, flocks numbering 1 billion to 2 billion would darken the sky. One breeding colony in Michigan covered a 2 X1/2-mile area. Have (the children) look at a road map of their hometown and pick a location about 28 miles away. About how long would it take to drive to that location? Next, have them pick a place that's about 3 1/2 miles away. How long would it take to ride a bicycle to that place? Invite your (children) to read more about the passenger pigeon and the mystery of its disappearance.

 

The "unsinkable": The Titanic measured 882 feet in length. Have your (children) develop their own scale to compare the length of the Titanic ... . As a special homework challenge, ask them to take an 882-foot walk. Have the walkers compare how they kept track of the distance they covered.

If placed upright, the Titanic would have been taller than any building of her day. Have your (children) compare her in an upright position to the Washington Monument, the Empire State Building, the Sears Tower, the Pyramid of Cheops, the Eiffel Tower, a local monument.

 

First Jobs: (following up on the fact that Barney Flaherty became the First Newsboy in the U.S.September 4,1833) Ten-year-old Barney Flaherty got his job delivering papers by answering the following classified ad in the New York Sun: "To the Unemployed--a number of steady men can find employment by vending this paper." What are some ways your (children) earn extra money? What do they do with the money they earn? 

 

Dear Beatrix Potter (in a 1893 event):Beatrix Potter had many pets when she was growing up. She called one of her rabbits Peter Piper, a name she later used for the hero of a picture letter she went to Noel Moore, her best friend's son. This get-well letter began, "I shall tell you a story about four little rabbits whose names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter...." Ask your students to create their own "get-well picture letters" to send to the children's ward at a local hospital.

 

Calculated lengths: The Graf Zeppelin was 776 feet long. Take your students to the gym, hallway, or parking lot and mark off the airship's length. Today's airships--seen on TV panoramas of major sports events--measure about 192 feet long. Have your students use their calculators to compare the lengths.

 

Tunnel trip(based on a Sept. 5 event of 1980):Help your (children) get a sense for the distance of Switzerland's St. Gotthard Tunnel by having them use road maps or atlases to find locations that are 10 miles from their homes. Get out the calculators and find out how long it would take to travel through the tunnel at various speeds--15 mph, 35 mph, 55 mph. Encourage the (children) to graph their findings.

 

"Uncle Sam" and other nicknames(upon an event Sept. 7, 1813 of "uncle Sam in the Troy, NY, newspaper): The real "Uncle Sam was Samuel Wilson, inspector of provisions for the United States Army in New York and New Jersey during the War of 1812. An employee at Wilson's meat-packing plant jokingly told visitors that the "US" stamped on each barrel of meat stood for "Uncle Sam" Wilson. (These initials actually stood for "United States.") By the end of the War of 1812, "Uncle Sam" was widely used as a nickname for the U.S. government. Invite your (children) to share the stories behind their nicknames, or those of family or friends. If they could select nicknames for themselves, what would they choose and why?

 

Dam dimensions(to celebrate the opening of Boulder Dam Sept. 7, 1936:Hoover Dam, located in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, is 726 feet high and 1,244 feet long. Have your (children) compare its height with that of the school flagpole, and its length with that of a school bus. Tell your (children that Hoover Dam's concrete base is 660 feet deep and contains 3 1/4 million cubic yards of concrete--enough to pave a two-lane highway from New York to San Francisco. Ask the kids to use a map scale to figure out that distance.

 

Honors to the flag(Sept. 8, 1892 was National Pledge of Allegiance Day):The first flag salute read:"I give my heart and my hand to my country--one country, one language, one flag." Some people thought this salute was "too juvenile and lacking in dignity." Ask your (children) to compare and contrast the first flag salute and today's pledge. How do they feel about the original?

 

Pocketbook shock(Sept. 9, 1851 proposed average working-class budget):Ask your (children) to ...(consider) how much it takes per week to feed, clothe, and house the family. (The children) can then compare and contrast these present-day budgets with the 1851 amount of $10.37. (They'll have to adjust the figures to fit the size of their own family.) They also might want to conduct an oral history survey by asking seniors in their families or communities to recall the cost of a a movie ticket, a visit to the doctor, oil or gas, a candy bar, a bus or train ride, a car, and so on. What surprised them the most?(1851 was still in the times of the pioneers and no one from that age is still alive. Most people homesteaded. Before that they came from people who had money or worked for others and built their land taken from the natives. In the time of the depression: a home might only cost $2000 to $15,000; but people only made $9.00/ day I believe on the railroad if they were lucky to be able to work for them. Grandma will check on it. People rarely had meat to eat in the depression like many people from Mexico today. We have come a long way from that. Some had factory jobs in the cities like now. My mother scrubbed floors to put my father through accounting school which is different now also. However, he worked in a factory also, he may have done books for someone at that time. Grandma is not sure on that. A lot of people did not have work in places during the 1800's. They ate off the land, had their own cows, pigs, deer, shot other game and built houses on land taken from the natives. How money was spent was a lot different. Even at the time Grandma started out a computer job only made $2.35/hour. Most houses were only 20,000 or less.)

 

White House kids (Sept. 9,1893 the first baby, a girl, was born in the White house.)In honor of the anniversary of the birth of President Grover Cleveland's daughter, challenge your (children) to name other presidential children and do some research to discover more. What would be some of the advantages and disadvantages of being a "presidential progeny"?

 

Taking flight:In 1908 Orville Wright made 57 complete circles over Fort Myer, Va., at an altitude of 120 feet. The flight lasted 1 hour and 2 minutes and set several records. Ask your (children) to guess where a flight of 1 hour and 2 minutes could take today's passengers. Then have them check their atlases.

 

Sewing celebration:Elias Howe's first sewing machine--which imitated the human arm sewing--was a failure. But he didn't give up. With his father's financial support, he developed a second machine that could sew 250 stitches a minute. Ask Your (children) how many stitches they think a human can sew in a minute. Set a timer and ask a few volunteers to sew. Ask calculators to figure out the average, then compare it with the machine's rate. Finally, have your (children) write about someone they know who, like Elias Howe, wouldn't give up.

 

Coast to coast: When the Lincoln Highway was officially dedicated, groups of Boy Scouts across the country simultaneously put up the road signs. Have your (children) use their atlases to find other geographic locations named in honor of President Lincoln. Ask...(the children) to write the grid coordinates or latitude-longitude readings for the various locations so others can find them. Challenge (the children) to find locations named after other U.S. presidents.

 

Doggie graph(Sept. 10 1927 the hot dog appeared in butcher shops): Ask your (children) to list what they like to put on a hot dog--onions, relish, ketchup, mustard, chili, cheese, and so on. Then have (them) predict what the (families) most popular hot dog fixin' will be. Tally the results in a bar graph form.

 

Personalized parks: After New York City bought an 843-acre tract of land for development into a public park, it announced a competition for the park design. The winner was "Greensward," a landscape plan that included groves, rock outcroppings, foot and bridle paths, carriage drives, and bridges. Have your (children) create maps--complete with paths, recreation trails, bodies o water, playgrounds, entrances, and exits--of an imaginary park. After the designs are finished, ask your students what they think landscape architects must keep in mind as they work to plan--or improve--a park.

 

Comic relief (Sept. 11, 1875 the first newspaper cartoon strips"Professor Tigwissel's Burglar Alarm" was published.): Ask your (children) to list their favorite comic strips. Why do they like them? Are all comic strips funny? Do any of your (children) identify with a particular comic strip character? Look at several comic strips to see how cartoonists use frames to tell a story. Then have your (children) create their own version of one of these favorites or devise a new comic strip in which characters from one strip interact with characters from another.

 

Baseball bonanza: Commemorate Pete Rose's record-breaking 4,192nd base hit by having teams of students select another baseball milestone and illustrate it--commemorative plate style--on a paper plate.

 

Olympic flashback(I am not sure if it was mentioned with Jesse Owens birthday on Sept. 12, 1913 but Grandma always has this one one her mind.): Jesse Owens deflated Adolf Hitler's "Aryan race" theory by winning gold medals in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400-meter relay, and long jump at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. Have a group of students research Hitler's "Aryan race" theory and report its basic premise to the class. Then discuss the flaws in Hitler's argument. Can your students think of current examples of racial or ethnic prejudice?

 

Artists then and now(An event that actually happened in 1940 but Grandma may have used it for the beginnings in her lessons.):The Lascaux Cave paintings depict a variety of animals important to people who lived 10,000 to 35,000 years ago. Show your (children) pictures of the paintings. Then divide the class into groups and ask each to create its own cave painting on a piece of large, brown butcher paper. Tell the groups to include pictures of animals that are important in their lives. To create a stone like effect, crumple the paper. Display the "cave paintings" ... .

 

Wonderful rhinoceros(displayed Sept 13, 1826): The rhinoceros dates back 20 million years. Today there are five species left, and they're all on the endangered list. Your (children) might be surprised to hear that a 5,500-pound adult rhino can gallop 24 mph. Ask them to use record books to compare the rhino's speed with that of other animals--including man.

 

Niagara Falls math(upon its illumination Sept. 14, 1860)-Create a three-dimensional Niagara Falls bulletin board with construction paper and ribbon. Post extra-credit math problems around the paper falls. For example, Your (children) could use almanacs and reference books to find out how many gallons of water flow over the falls in 1 minute, 1 hour, 1 day, their lifetime. They could compare the falls' height with ...(another building).

 

Thank you, Mr. Roosevelt (upon taking office Sept. 14, 1901):In 1902 President Teddy Roosevelt took a 5-day bear-hunting trip. Newspapers made fun of Roosevelt when he refused to shoot a small cub. But a candy-store owner in Brooklyn, N.Y., admired the president's decision. In Roosevelt's honor he sewed a plush toy bear, which he called a "Teddy Bear," and placed it in his window display. Read The First Teddy Bear by Helen Kay. Then have a teddy bear picnic--with your students'  favorite furry friends as guests of honor. Some (children) may want to dress a bear as their favorite storybook character.

 

A piece of pi (when the first calculation of it was made Sept. 15, 1949): The first computer-generated calculation of pi produced 2,037 decimal places in 70 hours. Today's supercomputers have reached 1,011,196,691 digits. If printed on a line, this calculation would stretch nearly halfway across the United States. Have your students figure out how many miles that would be.

 

"All the news that's fit to print" (upon the publication of The First New York Times Sept. 18,1851): Ask your (children) to list the many jobs associated with newspaper publishing. Did they remember the reporters, editors, copy editors, photographers, advertising sales representatives, graphic artists, and distributors? How about the cartoonists and columnists?

Tell your students that more than 500,000 trees are harvested to make the newspapers Americans read each Sunday. Ask (your children) to find out how their local newspaper is reducing, reusing, and recycling newsprint. Challenge them to find out about the process of recycling newsprint.

 

Mission to Mars: The United States and the Soviet Union had many cooperative space projects, including Apollo-Soyuz. When a cosmonaut and an astronaut met in Mars, Pa. --a town near Pittsburgh--they told school groups about their experiences in space and the U.S.-Soviet space efforts. Have your (children) use atlases to find other towns named for planets and other celestial bodies (Venus and Jupiter, Fla.: Earth and Mercury, Tex.; Neptune, N.J.)

 

Movie buffs (upon an event Sept. 19, 1990): The Library of Congress selected 25 outstanding movies for its National Film Registry. A committee considered over 1,000 movies before selecting such favorites as The Wizard of Oz, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Star Wars. The Library of Congress will add a high quality print of each selected movie to its collection of over 75,000 films and TV shows. What movies would your (children) nominate--and why?

 

Safety first: Elisha Graves Otis invented a safety elevator that would operate automatically in case the lifting rope or chain broke. Discuss other safety devices, such as seat belts, air bags, and smoke and burglar alarms. Then have (the children) prepare safety rules for various places and situations: on the playground, in the classroom, at home, while bike riding, (in water, driving, etc). Have the (children) make posters to show their safety rules. (Save the one for water because that one will go along with the summer lessons.)

 

Breaking gender barriers: Belva Lockwood, an early leader in the struggle for equal rights for women and an 1884 U.S. presidential nominee, believed that women should be able to pursue careers. She acted on this belief by becoming a lawyer. One of her accomplishments was to gain equal pay for women government workers. Have (the children) interview working women who are in careers once considered "men's work."

 

Ecosystems under glass: Biosphere II is a 2 1/2-acre, glass-enclosed structure in Oracle, Ariz., that simulates five ecosystems: desert, marsh, ocean, savanna, and rain forest. The eight participants in the 2-year study were supposed to raise their own food and recycle everything they used. ...(have the children) organize a suitcase of essentials for the 2-year stay. Give (the children) the opportunity to present its "must-haves" ... . Then discuss what would be some of the positive and negative aspects of being a part of this experiment.

 

Peacemakers: Mark the anniversary of the establishment of the Peace Corps by asking (the children) to interview someone who has served as a volunteer. Invite the volunteers to speak about their experiences. Perhaps you students could develop activities for a neighborhood peace corps and undertake such projects as organizing a cleanup drive, tutoring, and working at senior centers. (Grandma suggests that if you do not know anyone who has worked for Peace Corps to look it up on Youtube to see if anyone has a video of their work or an article, etc.; maybe the library can help.)

 

Decisions, decisions: The time capsule buried on the grounds of the 1938 New York World's Fair included a Bible, a mail-order catalog, and films of President Roosevelt and of a football game. Ask teams of students to agree on four items they believe are representative of today's times, and have them explain their rationale. After all the teams have presented their selections to the class, vote for the top four choices.

 

Puzzler: As a homework assignment, have your students find out how many pieces are in the largest jigsaw puzzle they own. Have them calculate the class mean, median, and mode, then figure out the ratio between the number of pieces in their puzzle and the number of pieces in the world's largest puzzle.

 

Up and away: The first dirigible flew over Paris at a speed of 6 mph. Ask your (children) whether they think that is faster or slower than most birds fly. Then check an almanac. Next, have them figure out how many minutes it would take for the dirigible to fly 1 mile, 2 miles, and 4 miles.

 

Farsighted thinking: President Theodore Roosevelt was a champion of preserving beautiful areas of our country. Survey ... (your friends, neighbors, etc.) to determine how many (children) have visited  national park. Name the states where these parks are located, then find them on a map.

 

Not welcome: In Arkansas in 1957, school integration was the law--yet black students were far from welcome in white schools. When angry whites prevented nine black students from entering high school, President Eisenhower ordered troops to escort the students and guarantee their safety. Ask your students to imagine themselves as one of the nine and write a letter describing how they felt as they entered a place whee they knew they wouldn't find many, if any, friends.

 

Budget blast: Celebrate the opening of the First Children's Bank with a math game for teams of three to five students. Give each team a catalog and see which one can select the greatest number of items without exceeding $100. Next, instruct the teams to pick the fewest number of items totaling $100.

 

Record-setters:Marc Batard climbed Mt. Everest alone and without oxygen. Ask your (children) to use record books to find facts and other records about Mt. Everest. Then have them list other time-based records that caught their eye. What do they think motivates people to break records like these? Use the discussion as a way to help kids set personal goals for the year. Make a chart with Mt. Everest as the back-drop on which (the children) can list their school goals. Encourage them to refer to it as they progress.

 

Keep on tracking: To commemorate the first use of a locomotive to pull a passenger train, ask children to bring in toy trains, books about trains, or pictures of trains. Have the kids describe similarities and differences between trains of different eras. Then read aloud a railroad folktale about John Henry.

 

Channel challenge: Ask your students to find the English Channel in their atlases. Where do they think most swimmers cross? Why? (The narrowest point--21 miles--is between Dover and Cape Gris-Nez.) Have the kids use their calculators to figure out how many times they'd need to walk up and down the hall or around the ...parking lot or gym to equal 21 miles.

 

Wordplay addresses: Tell your students that the cable address of Scotland Yard--the headquarters of London's metropolitan police--is "Handcuffs, London." What other cable addresses can they invent for other famous places? (How about "U.S. Boss" for the White House?)

 

Commemorative coins:Children from the Young Astronauts Council designed coins to commemorate the space shuttle Discovery, the first shuttle launched after the Challenger tragedy. The gold coin shows a space shuttle in flight, the silver coin depicts an astronaut on the moon, and the bronze coin shows a shuttle combined with a section of the American flag. Ask your (children) to name some recent events that might merit the minting of special coins. Have the kids draw up some plans.

 

Tooth truth: ... Give each (child) a large construction pater tooth on which to draw pictures that illustrate good dental care.

 

Frisbee free-for-all: Take a break from your routine--and celebrate the Frisbee--with some outdoor activities. Set up a variety of events, such as a long distance Frisbee throw and a toss-the-Frisbee-through-the-Hula-Hoop game. You could also blindfold a student, have another child toss the Frisbee, and ask others in the group to direct the blindfolded child to the fallen disk. When your students get back inside, ask them to describe or draw a toy of the future. In what ways is it similar to and different from today's toys?"

 

 

 

 

Good Morning! Grandma is typing up May 23 of the Calendar History here and the experiments on Light from Book (12). Grandma forgot to mention that she will be typing up some more experiments for the Summer and Her Books she is using on separate blogs as well as finishing the material from Patricia. Look for it later into next week. For now we will finish these experiments and the school season history.

 

May 23 1707 Carolus Linnaeus, Swedish botanist and founder taxonomy, was born. Book (1) says under Plant classifications, "Have your (children) look up the word taxonomy in the dictionary. Then encourage them to walk through their (neighborhood) to observe flowering plants, writing careful notes of the specimens they find. Have them use these observational records and their research skills to find the scientific names of their plants.(see if they are edible and good for what things)

In 1734 Dr. Franz Mesmer, German physician who developed a treatment called mesmerism, which is the basis of the word mesmerize, was born. In 1824 Ambrose Everett Burnside, American Civil War general whose whiskers on the side of his were called Burnsides and later sideburns, was born. Then in 1910 Margaret Wise Brown, children's author, was born. Book (1) says, "Margaret Wise Brown wrote stories about feeling lonesome, getting lost, and acting naughty or silly. She wrote more than 100 books in her career, some published under the pen names Golden MacDonald, Timothy Hay, and Juniper Sage. Have your (children) each write a story using one of the topics Brown often wrote about. Then have them choose their own pen names. Why did they select a particular name?

The events start with 1785 In a letter, Benjamin Franklin wrote about his new invention, Bifocal Eyeglasses. In 1788 South Carolina became the eighth state. In 1873 Canada established the Northwest Mounted Police.

In 1903 Eleven-year-old William Frederick Price became the Youngest soldier to enlist in the British Army in this century. In 1984 C. Everett Koop, the U.S. surgeon general, said there was solid evidence that Nonsmokers can suffer Long Damage from Inhaling Other People's Cigarette Smoke. In 1989 An Italian interior designer named Stefania Follini Climbed out of the Cave in Carlsbad, N.M., in which she had spent the previous 130 days.

We will finish the line for May starting Monday. I may get it to you sooner.

 

 

The experiments on Light from Book (12) are as follows:

 

Pinhole Camera

Bore a hole in the middle of the base of a box. Stretch parchment paper over the mouth of the box and secure it with a rubber band. If you focus this simple camera on a brightly lit building from a dark room, the image appears upside down on the screen.

Our eyes work on the same principle. The light rays fall through the pupil and lens and project an inverted image on the retina. The image is turned the right way up again in the sight center of the brain.

 

Drop microscope

Bore a hole about one fifth of an inch wide in a strip of metal and smooth the edges. Bend the metal so that you can fix it with adhesive tape half an inch above the bottom of a thin glass. A pocket mirror is placed inside on a cork, so that it is on a slant. If you dab a drop of water into the hole, you can see small living organisms and other things through it, magnified by up to fifty times.

The drop magnifies like a convex lens. When you bring your eye near to it the sharpness can be adjusted by bending the metal inwards. The angle of the mirror is adjusted automatically by moving the glass.

 

Fire through ice

You would hardly believe it, but you can light a fire with ice! Pour some water which you have previously boiled for several minutes into a symmetrically curved bowl, and freeze it. You can remove the ice by heating slightly. You can concentrate the sun's rays with the ice as you would with a magnifying glass and set thin black paper alight, for instance.

The air in fresh water forms tiny bubbles on freezing and makes the ice cloudy. But only cooled imperceptibly when they pass through the ice.

 

Shortened spoon

Look from just above the rim of a bucket of water, and dip a spoon upright into it. The spoon seems to be considerably shorter under the water.

This illusion is based on the fact that the light rays reflected from the immersed spoon do not travel in a straight line to your eyes. They are bent at an angle at the surface of the water, so that you see the end of the spoon higher up. Water always seems more shallow than it actually is because of the refraction of light. The American Indians also knew this. If they wanted to hit a fish with an arrow or spear, they had to aim a good deal deeper than the spot where the fish appeared to be.

 

Shadow play

Lay a penny in a cup near the side. Place the cup in oblique light so that the shadow of the rim just covers the coin. How can you free the penny from the shadow without moving the cup or the coin or using a pocket mirror? Quite simple! Bend the light rays back to the coin. Fill the cup with water and the shadow moves to the side. The light rays do not go on in a straight line after striking the surface of the water, but are bent downwards at an angle.

 

Broken pencil

Half fill a glass with concentrated salt solution and top it up with pure water using a spoon. If you hold a pencil at the side of the glass, it seems to be broken into three pieces.

The light rays coming from the immersed pencil are bent at an angle when they emerge from the water into the air at the side of the glass. Because salt solution has a different composition from pure water, the angle of refraction is different. We know that how much light rays are bent when they pass from one substance into another entirely depends on the 'optical density' of the different substance.

 

Cloud of gas

If you pour some bicarbonate of soda and vinegar into a beaker, carbon dioxide is given off. You can normally not see the gas, but if can be made visible: tilt the beaker with its foaming contents in front of a light background in sunlight. You can see the gas, which is heavier than air, flowing from the beaker in dark and light clouds.

Carbon dioxide and air have different optical densities, and so the light rays are bent when they pass through them. The light clouds on the wall are formed where by refraction the propagated light is bent towards it, and the dark clouds are seen where light is bent away.

 

Bewitched pencils

Look through a round jam jar filled with water. If you stand a pencil a foot behind it, its image appears doubled in the jar. If you close your left eye, the right-hand pencil disappears, and if you close your right eye, the other goes.

One sees distant objects reduced in size through a normal magnifying glass. The water container behaves in a similar way, but since it is cylindrical, you can look through it from all directions. In our experiment both eyes view through the jar from a different angle, so that each one sees a smaller image for itself.

 

Secret of 3-D postcards

Draw red and blue vertical lines a short distance apart and lay over them along their length a round, solid, transparent glass rod. You can see both lines through the glass. But if you close one eye the red line disappears, and if you close the other eye the blue line disappears.

Each eye looks from a different angle through the rod and perceives-by the particular angle of light refraction-only one line. The experiment explains how the stereoscopic postcard works: its surface consists of thin, transparent ripples, which behave like our glass rod.

Two photographs, each taken from a different angle, are copied together in very fine vertical strips to give a picture, so that under each individual ripple lies a strip of one and a strip of the other photograph. In the ripples we see, as with our glass rod, only the strip of one photograph with each eye, and the brain finally joins the images to give a 3-D picture.

 

Finger heater

Glue a funnel together with smooth silver paper, as shown in the picture. Stick your finger into it, point it to the midday sun, and you will feel it warm up quite a lot.

The sun's rays are reflected from the walls of the funnel to the middle and are concentrated on the central axis, which is formed by your finger. If you put your finger into the dismantled concave mirror of a bicycle lamp, the son's rays would be unbearably hot. In this case they converge at a point, the focal point of the concave mirror, at which the bulb is usually placed. The heat produced is so great tat one could easily start a fire with a concave mirror. (Grandma is wondering if the heat would enter the hole on the other side and heat the inside of a circle outward this way.)

 

Sun Power-station

The sun's radiation can be caught in a bowl and by means of the heat potatoes can be stewed in their own juice. A 'nourishing' joke and an instructive experiment at the same time. Take a soup bowl or a large salad bowl with as small a base as possible and line it inside with household aluminum foil-bright side outwards. (Grandma thinks of an old electrical night light used for working on cars at night for this.)

Smooth the folds with a rubber ball and a spoon until the foil acts like a mirror. Split it a little at the base of the bowl so as to be able to press in a suction hook, on which you fix a small raw potato. If you point the cooker on a warm day towards the midday sun, the potato becomes hot at once and is cooked after some time.

Now and then you must re-align the bowl towards the sun. The sun's rays falling on the aluminum foil are reflected to the middle and concentrated on the potato. In tropical countries people often use concave mirrors for cooking. Did you know that even electricity can be produced in large poser stations by the son's radiation?

 

Magic glass

If you place a jar over a coin lying on the table, it looks just as if it were in the jar. If you now pour water into the jar and put the lid on it-abracadabra!-the coin has disappeared, as if it had dissolved in the water.

When the jar is empty the light rays from the coin travel into our eyes in the usual way. But if the jar is filled with water, the light rays do not follow this path any more. They are reflected back over the bottom of glass when they hit the water from below at an angle. We call this total reflection, and only a silvery gleam can be seen on the bottom of the jar.

 

View into infinity

Hold a pocket mirror between your eyes so that you can look to both sides into a larger mirror. If you place the mirrors parallel to one another, you will see an unending series of mirrors which stretch into the distance like a glass canal.

Since the glass of the mirror shines with a slightly greenish tint, some light is absorbed at each reflection, so that the image becomes less sharp with increasing distance. Nevertheless the experiment is interesting, because one can make an image of infinity for oneself.

 

Kaleidoscope

You need a highly glazed picture postcard. Cut the edges smooth and divide the writing side along its length into four panels an inch wide. Scratch the lines lightly and bend and stick the card into a triangular tube-shape with the glazed side facing inwards. Both openings are glued up with transparent cellophane. At one end also stick white paper over the cellophane, having previously inserted small snips of coloured cellophane in between, so that they can move easily. A beautiful pattern, which alters on tapping with your finger, appears in the tube.

The tree highly glazed surfaces of the bent picture postcard behave like mirrors and multiply the image of the coloured pieces of cellophane. A polished surface reflects better, the flatter the light rays hit it. But since part of the radiation is absorbed into the surface, the image reflected from it is not so clear and bright as with a mirror.

 

Mirror cabinet

Obtain three sections of mirror each about 3 x 4 inches in size, or cut them your self. Polish them well, and join them with adhesive tape-reflecting surfaces facing inwards- to make a triangular tube. Stick coloured paper outside. If you now look obliquely from above into the mirror prism you will discover a magic world! If you hold a finger in the prism, its image is always multiplied six times in an endless series in all directions. If you place a small flower inside, a meadow of flowers stretches into the distance. And if you move two small figures, innumerable couples dance in an immense hall of mirrors.

 

Shining head

Stick a pin with a polished head into a cork cut in half length ways and fix some celluloid on it to protect your eyes. If you look at the tiny light reflection from the head of the pin under a bright lamp, while holding it right up to the eye, it appears as a plate sized circle of light. A hair stuck onto the moistened celluloid is seen magnified to the width of a finger in the circle of light.

The head of the pin behaves like a small convex mirror. The light which hits it is spread out on reflection, and irradiates a correspondingly large field on the retina of the eye.

 

Light mill

Cut out four pieces of aluminum foil 1 X 1 1/2 inches in size. If you use the silver paper from a cigarette packet, you must remove any backing. Stick the sheets on to a match like the blades of a mill wheel, with the bright sides all facing in the same direction. Blacken the matt sides over a candle, holding a knife blade behind the foil to assist you. Put a drop of glue at one end of the match, draw it out to a hair-fine thread and let it dry. Place a tall jar in the sun, hang the mill inside, and it soon begins to turn without stopping.

We know that dark surfaces are more strongly heated by sunlight than light ones, and such heat difference is the secret of the light mill. The sooty side of the foil absorbs the light rays and is heated about ten times more strongly than the light-reflecting bright side. The difference in the amount of heat radiated from the sides of the blades causes the rotation.

 

The sun's spectrum

Lay a piece of white paper on the window sill and place on it a polished whiskey glass full to the brim with water. Fix a postcard with a finger-wide slit onto the glass, so that a band of sunlight falls onto the surface of the water. A splendid spectrum appears on the paper, and the bands red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet can be easily distinguished.

The experiment is only possible in the morning or evening when the sunlight falls obliquely. It is refracted at the surface of the water and the side of the glass and is separated as well into its coloured components The experiment also works well with light from an electric torch.

 

Spectrum in a feather

Hold a large bird's feather just in front of one eye and look at a burning candle standing a yard away. The flame seems to be multiplied in an X-shaped arrangement, and also shimmers in the spectral colours.

The appearance is produced by the bending of light at the slits. Between the regular arrangement of feather sections (vanes and barbs) are narrow slits with sharp edges. The light is bent on passing through them, that is, it is refracted and separated into the spectral colours. Since you see through several slits at the same time, the flame appears many times.

 

Coloured hoop

You will certainly only have seen a rainbow in the sky as a semi-circle up to now. You can conjure up a complete circle for yourself from sunlight. Stand out-of-doors on a stool in the late afternoon with your back to the sun and spray a fine shower with the water hose. A coloured circle appears in front of you!

The sunlight is reflected in the drops so that each shines with the spectral colours. But the colours of the drops are only visible to your eyes when they fall in a circular zone at a viewing angle of 85° in front of you. Only the shadow of your body briefly breaks the circle.

 

Coloured top

Cut a circle about four inches in diameter from white cardboard and colour it as shown with bright-coloured felt pens. Stick the disk on a halved cotton reel, push a pencil stump through it and allow it to spin. The colours disappear as if by magic, and the disk appears white.

The colours on the disk correspond to the colours of the spectrum of which sunlight is composed. On rotation our eyes perceive the individual colours for a very short time. However, since the eyes are too sluggish to distinguish between the rapidly changing colour impressions, they merge and are transmitted to the brain as white.

 

Summer lightning

Look alternately left and right at the blue of the sky. You will not trust your eyes because it flashes continuously with bright lightning.

What is the explanation for this appearance? If you look at the picture, it is imprinted on the retina of the eye. But red colour impressions remain longer on your retina than blue when you move your gaze. So the impression of the red lightning is overlaid for an instant on the blue of the sky. These two colours together, however, produce an impression of bright light in your brain. Since a new impression of the lightning is formed with each movement of the eye, the process is repeated.

 

Unusual magnification

Make a small hole in a card with a needle. Hold it close to the eye and look through it. If you bring a newspaper very close you will see, to your surprise, the type much larger and clearer.

This phenomenon is caused in the first place by the refraction of light. The light rays passing through the small hole are made to spread out, and so the letters appear larger. The sharpness of the image is caused-as in a camera_by the shuttering effect of the small opening. The part of the light radiation which would make the image blurred is held back.

 

Veined figure

Close your left eye in a dark room and hold a lighted torch close beside the right eye. Now look straight ahead and move the torch slowly to your forehead and back. After some time you will see a large, treelike branched image in front of you.

Very fine blood vessels lie over the retina of the eye, but we do not normally see them. If they are irradiated from the side, they throw shadows on the optic nerves lying below and give the impression of an image apparently floating in front of you.

 

Motes in the eye

Make a hole in a card with a needle and look through it at a burning, low-power electric light bulb. You will see peculiar shapes which float before you like tiny bubbles.

This is no optical illusion! The shapes are tiny cloudings in the eyes, which throw shadows on to the retina. Since these are heavier than the liquid in the eye, they always fall further down after each blink. If you lay your head on one side, the motes struggle towards the angle of the eye, showing that they follow the force of gravity.

 

Ghost in the castle

(This has to be in Grandma's words--If you draw a large castle with a open gate doorway in the middle on one side of a white piece of paper and put a black ghost smaller on the other side. Now stare into the mouth of the ghost for about a minute in bright light. Then look at the castle a minute, a white ghost will appear.)

When you look at the figure, part of the retina is not exposed to light from the black surface. The rest of the optic nerves are dazzled by the bright paper and tire quickly. If you now look at the castle tower, the tired optic nerves do not see the white of the paper in its full brightness, but as a grey surface. The rest, on the other hand, see the white tint of the paper all the more clearly. So an exchange of the black and white surfaces is produced and you see a white ghost in the dark arch of the tower. Only after quite a time, when the nerves have adjusted themselves, does the ghost disappear.

 

Goldfish in the bowl

Stare in bright light for one minute at the eye of the white fish. If you then look at the point in the empty gold fish bowl, there appears to be light green water and a red fish in it after several seconds.

If the eyes have stared for a long time at the left-hand picture, the part of the light-sensitive retina which is irradiated by the red surface tires and the optic nerves concerned become rather insensitive to red. So on looking at the white surface in the right-hand picture, they do not perceive the red radiation which is present in white light. They are only sensitive to the yellow and blue components, which together give green. But the part of the retina which has received the picture of the white fish is now sensitive to the opposite colour to green, namely red. Coloured after-images can be produced with other colours just as well. Each colour changes into the opposite; i.e. blue into yellow, yellow into blue and green into red.

 

Bewitched rabbit

(Grandma has to write this one also because you must have a picture of a magician holding a wand in his left hand facing you drawn on the left side of a black picture with a rabbit on the right.)  Then shut your left eye and stare at the magic rod with your right. If you now slowly alter the distance of the picture--Abracadabra--the rabbit suddenly disappears.

The retina of the eye consists of a large number of light sensitive nerve endings, the so-called rods and cones. These are absent at one point, where they join together at the optic nerve. If the image of the rabbit thrown on the retina falls at this "blind spot" as we move the picture we cannot see it.

 

The disappearing finger

Cover your left eye with your right hand and look straight ahead with your right eye. Raise your left forefinger to your left ear and move it until the tip of the finger is just visible (A). If you now move your eye to look directly at the finger (B) the light rays from the finger go past it.

 

Hole in the hand

 

Roll a piece of writing paper into a tube and look through it with your right eye. Hold your left hand open on the left next to the paper. To your surprise you will discover a hole, which apparently goes through the middle of the palm of your hand. The right eye sees the inside of the tube and the left the open hand. As in normal vision, the impressions which are received by each eye are combined to give a composite image in the brain. It works particularly well because the image from inside the tube, which is transferred to the palm of the hand, is in perspective.

 

Moon rocket

(For this next picture you must have a moon drawn on the left side of the paper with a little star in the middle and a rocket on the right side of the page.) Hold the picture so that the tip of your nose touches the star, and turn it round slowly to the left. The rocket flies into the sky and lands again on the moon. Each eye receives its own image on viewing and both impressions are transmitted to give a composite whole in the brain. If you hold the star to the tip of your nose, your right eye only sees the rocket and the left only the moon. As usual, the halves of the image are combined in the brain. As you turn the picture on its edge, it does not shrink any more because both eyes see the same image by squinting.

 

Ghostly ball

Hold your forefingers so that they are touching about a foot in front of the tip of your nose and look over the fingertips away to the opposite wall. On doing this you will see a curious ball, which is apparently fixed between the fingertips.

When you look over your fingers your eyes are focused sharply on the wall. But the fingers are then projected on the retina in such a way that the images are not combined in your brain. You see the tips of both fingers doubled. These finally combine to give the illusion of a round or oval image.

 

This is for the experiments today. Grandma will give the rest next week.

Revelation is Grandma's favorite part of the Bible because it really gives us hope in the future that God loves us enough that he gives us eternity in a beautiful city and could make the world whatever he wanted it to be. He really has the power for anything we just have to trust him.

 

Therefore, here is the Introduction to the Revelation:

 

"How ...does Revelation show us God's love? Revelation shows that all of God's glorious plans will come to perfect and complete conclusion. Enemies of God will resist him and cause troubles for God's  people, but they will finally be defeated. Then God will usher all believers in Christ into a beautiful New kingdom, heaven, where there will be no sin or tears or sadness.

 

Whom...did God inspire to write this book? John, a disciple of Jesus, wrote this book, along with the Gospel of John and the epistles 1, 2, and 3 John.

 

For Whom...was this book first written? This book was written for all Christians everywhere.

 

When...was this book written? John wrote this book about AD 90.

 

What...special messages does this book give us? This book is a very special message from Jesus. John wrote it to tell people about a vision he had of Christ and about "what must soon take place" (Revelation 1:1). Suffering is ahead, but Christ will finally bring his faithful people to the perfect joy of heaven.

        ...are some important teachings in this book?

Jesus will return in glory.                                        Revelation 1:7-8

Jesus is God.                                                        Revelation 1:9-18

Letters to seven churches.                                      Revelation 2-3(this is not Grandma's mistake)

God is on his throne.                                              Revelation 4:1-7:17

Various enemies of God's

        people will be conquered.                                Revelation 8:1-19;5

God will judge Satan.                                              Revelation 20:7-10

God will judge the dead.                                          Revelation 20:11-15

A new world.                                                          Revelation 21:1-22:6"

 

Now Grandma will give you the exercises in Revelation of Faith Alive:

 

"Words to RememberRevelation 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.

 

Let's Live It!Revelation 1:9-18 Jesus is Almighty God--John was a close friend of Jesus. But what happened when he saw Jesus as he truly is in heaven? Read Revelation 1:9-18.

Find or draw a picture of how Jesus might have looked as a baby. Find or draw a picture of how Jesus might have looked as a grown-up teaching and healing. Find or draw a picture of Jesus in heaven, as he is in Revelation 1. Put the three pictures together on your wall to remind you that Jesus is God as well as your loving friend.

 

Did You Know? Revelation 3:1 Who were the angels of the churches mentioned in Revelation 2-3? Angel means "messenger." John was writing to leaders of these churches. They were God's messengers. Each of the cities mentioned was in Asia Minor, not far from the Island where John was a prisoner when he wrote Revelation.

 

Words to RememberRevelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

 

Did You Know?Revelation 4:2 What did John see in heaven? John saw God on his throne, being worshiped there. Then John saw Jesus, the Lamb of God. In John's vision of the future, Jesus is about to begin punishing the people of earth for their sins.

 

Life in Bible Times-A Sealed Scroll--Important papers were fastened with seals. Wax or clay held the papers together. A mark was made in the wax or clay when it was soft. No one could open the papers without breaking the seal.

 

Did You Know?Revelation 6:12 What are the seals in Revelation 6? The seals represent punishments that come on those who oppose God.

 

Did You Know?Revelation 9:18 Should we fear some great disaster to come? The plagues here are not literal disasters to take place. Rather, they are picture language of punishments on God's enemies at many times. Christians will suffer in life, too, but the message is that in the end all God's enemies will be destroyed and all his people will be delivered.

 

Did You Know?Revelation 10:11 What if all this seems too hard to understand? The book of Revelation is difficult for everyone because John is describing a series of visions. He uses many words that are symbols. No one can be sure what everything means. Yet Revelation is a comforting book. It clearly teaches that all people who believe in Christ will triumph.

 

Did You Know?Revelation 13:1 Who is the "beast coming out of the sea"/ No one can be sure, but he will be an ally of Satan and try to take God's place. And he will be defeated.

 

Did You Know?Revelation 17:5 What is Babylon? Babylon in the book of Revelation does not mean the historical city but is a symbol. It may mean the church when it falls away from pure teachings of God and follows false doctrines.

 

Life in Bible Times-Horses--When rulers rode on horses it meant they were going to war When rulers came in peace they rode donkeys. Jesus is pictured here in Revelation as a warrior coming on a horse to conquer Satan finally and forever.

 

Did You Know?Revelation 19:11 How will Jesus come? When it is time to judge the world. Jesus will come back as a warrior, with all the armies of heaven. He will punish God's enemies then and defeat Satan.

 

Did You Know?Revelation 20:10 What will happen to Satan? Satan will be thrown into hell, to be punished there forever. People who do not believe in Jesus will be forever in hell also.

 

Did You Know?Revelation 21:4 What will heaven be like? Revelation 21-22 are about heaven. Heaven will be a beautiful place. There will be no sorrow of tears there. Everything will be new, best of all, we will be with God  forever.

 

Words to RememberRevelation 22:12 Behold! I am coming soon!

 

Let's Live It!Revelation 21:1-22:6 What is Heaven Like?--Read Revelation 21:1-22:6. These verses tell us a lot about what heaven will look like. Name three jewels that will be found in heaven. What will the streets be made of? Why will there be no sun or moon (Revelation 21:23)? What four things will not be in heaven (Revelation 21:4)? This information provides only a glimpse of the brilliance of heaven and the glory of God who fills heaven with his light.

Today tell at least one friend why you are glad Jesus died so you can live with him someday in heaven.

 

Words to RememberRevelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon" Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

Hello Folks! Grandma has two last books on South America to cover with you. The second one has Arpilleras to make and I obtained a film about them. So link to Arpilleras Information and make one yourself if you wish.

 

The first book to read is called LLama and the Great Flood: A Folktale From Peru by Ellen Alexander,New York: Thomas Y Crowell, 1989 about the country Peru.

"Summary:

The llama warns his master of a forthcoming flood and saves the family by taking them to a high peak in the Andes Mountains.

 

Activities

                               a. glaciers

                               b. lakes

                               c. rivers

                               d. natural resources

                               e. types of transportation

                               f. alpaca

                               g. chinchilla

                               h. condor

                               i. huemul

                               j. llama

 4.   The Incas tied colorful yarn containing special herbs to the ears of the llama. They believed that

       this would keep the animal healthy and protect its owner. Although there is no written record of

       this, perhaps the ties were also used for identification. List animals on which we place markings of

       identification. Describe the methods used to mark the animals.

  5.   Read more Indians of Peru. Compare them to their ancestors.

 

 

The next story is about Arpilleras which I have given you a link up above, but Book (6) that this story came out of showed a simple Arpillera with a quilted felt tree and stump with leaves and a puffed flower are made for it. You can do this simple Arpilleras if you wish or you can do any of the ones the film shows.The book is called Tonight is Carnaval by Arthur Dorros (Dutton Children's Books, 1991, 24 pp.)

 

This upbeat book, about a Peruvian child anxiously awaiting Carnaval, is warmly illustrated with a series of folk-art quilts known as arpilleras. The story line introduces young readers to a slice of life in the Andes Mountains. An overview of a typically difficult work day is softened by the optimism of the colorful arpilleras--and by the promise of the Carnaval celebration to come!

 

 

 

Follow-up Activities

The quilts known as arpilleras, which are used to illustrate Carnaval, help readers understand the Peruvian way of life by offering a look at a popular regional folk-art form. Have children look at the photographs of the arpillera-makers quilting the wall-hangings together. Have them notice the modest workroom where the quilters are working, as well as the photograph of the woman working with her baby slung on her back. Read the photo captions to the class. Then, take a second look at each of the arpilleras used to illustrate the book. List all of the elements in each of the illustrations that tell us a bit about life in Peru (e.g., type of animals, work, instruments, terrain, vehicles, plants, etc.). Remind the children that any art form draws from the experience of the artists. Since arpilleras are popular decorating items, it may be possible to locate a real arpillera to share with the (children). (Try borrowing one from a parent, a colleague, or a local shop).

 

The narrator of the book looks forward to playing his quena (a reed flute) in the Carnaval band. ...(See if you can obtain a visit somewhere to see such instruments as a reed instrument, a wind instrument and a percussion instrument). Why do the children believe the folk instruments of Peru are made of different materials than the instruments we are most familiar with? Your local record store may be able to help you select recordings of traditional Peruvian music you can (listen to).

 

Till tomorrow-Grandma is going to bed.

Another Day! Grandma is going to give you lessons out of Grandma's book(4) for a Book called The Gift of the Sacred Day by Paul Gable (Macmillan 1980).

 

"Summary: This is a legendary telling of how the nomadic buffalo-hunters of the Great Plains acquired horses. According to the legend, the people were suffering because they couldn't travel fast enough to hunt down the buffalo herds, on which they depended for food. They had only dogs to pull their travoises, and in times of drought and famine even the dogs gave out. A young boy, determined to help his people, travels to a lonely place, prays to the Great Spirit, and has a visionary dream in which "sacred dogs" (actually horses) of great speed and strength come to his people's aid. The dream comes true. The people give thanks and promise to take good care of the horses forever.

 

Preparation:

 

Guide comprehension by discussing why the people in the story at first think that horses are a kind of larger, swifter dog. Invite (the children) to complete a Venn diagram that shows the differences and likenesses."( A Venn Diagram is two circle connecting the Likenesses or connections between two things or ideas with each of the differences on the other two sides of the middle inside each of the circles.) Below shows the results of the answers.without the circles around connected around them.

 

                    Dogs                                                                       Horses

 

               Eat meat                                                                    Eat plants

               Cannot pull                                                                 Can pull

                 heavy loads                                                                 heavy loads

               Don't run                       Likenesses                            

                 as fast                                                                      Run swiftly

                 as horses                     Four legs

                                                   Are mammals

               smaller than                   Can be tamed                         very big

                 horses and                    by people                              whinny,

                 eat less                         and directed                           neighs

                Has more                       Dedicated                              Takes time to

                litter to eat                                                                   train more.

 

"To help students respond to the young hero's adventure, invite volunteers to tell about times they have tried to help their friends or family What special things did they decide to do? What was difficult and what was rewarding about their undertaking? In the story, what difficult things does the boy experience? (he goes off on his own; he has a scary dream) What is his reward? (knowing that his people can now hunt the buffalo).

As you read the last pages of the story, suggest that students listen and look at the illustrations to find clues about how the people in the story feel about Earth's resources and how they act as a result."

 

Invite the children to research ways in which other animals besides the dogs and horses contribute to our world. "Malamutes in the North still do pull loads for people." A cat saved a boy from a dog shown on the news the other day. Some ideas are reptiles, spiders, snakes in the garden,oxen,monkeys, rats and mice, cats, cattle, sheep, deer, rabbits, birds, praying mantis, Bees, wasps, and butterflies,bats, elephants,  etc.You can keep recording this information in the collection of animals you have now as you think of things.

 

 

Being a Story Character  Invite students to imagine that they are one of the following story characters and to tell about the hero from that character's point of view: a dog who must pull a travois; a buffalo-dancer; the magic rider in the boy's dream; a "sacred dog," a buffalo. Students can write and illustrate their responses, or work with a small group to make a tape recording in which the different characters speak. After the finished products have been shared with (you or some people) discuss how the boy's actions affect different characters in different ways. What might have happened if the boy had not taken on the responsibility of helping his people? Invite volunteers to tell how carrying out a chore or another responsibility of their own affects the total environment.

 

Caring for Animals  Review how the boy's people felt responsible for the animals and plants around them. Discuss the idea of stewardship with the (children); the concept that because human beings are powerful enough to change the environment in radical ways, they are also responsible for taking care of the plants and animals in that environment. If possible, organize a field trip to a nature center local wildlife and how young people can help fill these needs. Examples are building bird nesting boxes; designing, making, and maintaining bird feeders, working with a local environmental group to green-up an area with wildlife plantings to provide food and shelter for small animals. Invite interested students to form groups to plan and carry out one of these or another stewardship project. Encourage groups to give up-date reports to (you) and then to describe their progress and what they are learning."

 

Poems of Praise (Grandma is changing this a little--for she want you to write about some special animals in your heart and what makes them so special. These can be displayed when they are finished.)

 

There is two activity sheets that can be done. One is a picture of a herd of horses you and write at least three things to be thankful for. It can be cut out and placed on cardboard to hang somewhere.

The other sheet has tickets with various animals on it and you can put how each of these animals are helpful to mankind and they can be traded with friends or family members.

It is 10:30 at night and Grandma can't keep going I will have to finish early before I go to the doctors and get back to enter more information to you. It was just so demanding today for Grandma.

 

 

 

Good Morning! Grandma is going to be very busy the next few days giving you materials to finish lessons with. To begin with Grandma will give you the rest of Little House on the Prairie and move into The Gift of the Sacred Dog, Three Names, and Stone Fox from the Geography book. Then Grandma will give you some on South America and finish the Bible. She will also give you the months September, October, November, December for 1800's and 1900's. Then January and February for the 1900's. She will fit in 6 experiments for each of the days. This will all be given by the end of the week if I have no more disasters.

 

The first exercise sheet to be done for Little House on the Prairie from Grandma's book (185) is called Medal of Honor. It has a medal on a ribbon formed in a square holding these fill in sentences. It says "There are many heroes in this story. Tell who does each brave thing below by writing Ma, Pa, Laura, or Jack in the blank." It has pictures of them under the ribbon square. They are also suppose to write about what Mr. Edwards does that is brave.

 

 

 

                

 

                       1.______________________leads the ponies across the creek.

 

                       2. _____________________drives the wagon across the creek.

 

                       3. ______________________almost drowns, but finds the family.

 

                       4. ______________________puts out the fire in the chimney.

 

                       5. ______________________pulls Mary and Baby Carrie away from the fire.

 

                       6. ______________________saves Mr. Scott's life.

 

                       7. ______________________gets water for Mary when she is very sick.

 

 

 

The next exercise activity is called Pioneer Words. It says, "Complete each sentence by filling in the (crossword) puzzle with items that were used by the pioneers. The words in the log (Grandma has at the top of this page) might help you. (The Crossword puzzle is placed in a log house.)

 

 

                  panniken                            sills                            bedstead

 

          petticoat                   latch                       pegs                           windlass

 

 

 

 

 

 

Across

2. (8 letters) Pa builds a ____where

   he and Ma sleep.

5. (5 letters starting at the third letter of

    3 down and goes through 1 down on the

    fourth letter) Pa makes a _____to keep

    the door closed.

6. (8 letters and starts down further under

    the 2nd question the 5 letter of 4 down,

    that starts 1 square space below the

    line of 2 across. 6 also goes through

    the 8th letter of 1 down. It is also

    running past 3 down 1 square space

    above it.) Pa lowers buckets into the

    well on a _______.

7. (4 letters long running through the

     seventh letter of 4 down.) Instead

     of nails, Pa uses wooden ______.

 

Down

1. (Starts a square above 2 across and

     goes 6th letter of word 2. It is nine

     letters long and goes through 5 across

     on 5's 3rd letter as well as 6's 6th

     letter.) Laura wears a _____ under her

     dress.

3. (Starts on the 4th letter of 2 and goes

     through the first letter of 5 across. It is

     5 letters long.) Pa starts building the

     house with two big logs called ______.

4. (Starts a square space below the 2nd

     letter of 2 across. Its 5th letter goes

     through 6 across on 6's 2nd letter.

     4 down is 8 letters long.) Ma keeps

     soap in a wooden box called a ______.

 

It asks, "What does Ma use to iron the girls' dresses?"_____________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

The next exercise page is called Animals of the Prairie. Laura and Mary love to watch the animals

that live on the prairie. Label each animal that the girls see. Choose from the names in the box."

(Grandma gives them at the top of this page. Below the words are pictures of the animals they have

seen. Maybe the children can take the words given to them and draw pictures of each one.)

 

                  mustang                    gophers                      wolf

 

     jack rabbit                    fawn                      panther

 

"What bird says good-bye to Laura and her family when they leave the prairie?

 

The Next exercise page is called Happy Times. The page has a picture of a milking cow kicking Pa.

The next picture on the other side of the page halfway down shows the family watching and Pa playing fiddle to someone dancing. The last picture back to the left side in the bottom corner is of a silver cup, tow cookies, jelly beans, and candy canes. The children are to tell about the happy things that happened to Laura and her family on the prairie.

 

 

 

The last exercise page in Grandma's book (185) is called a Daily Journal. The children are to pretend they are crossing the prairie, like Laura, in a covered wagon. They are to write a page in their journal, telling about what happens in a day either from the book or a made-up event of their own.

 

It also says to write why Laura feels sad to leave the little house, but she is also excited.

 

Book (185) has some Art Activities called Homemade Fun. It says, "The only toys pioneer children had to play with were toys they made themselves, like Laura's and Mary's rag dolls. In keeping with the spirit of long ago, invite students to make their own toys, too, (as a rag doll).

 

"Homemade Yo-Yo...

You Need: empty thread spools; medium-sized pieces of string, 2 1/2 feet long; lids from cottage-cheese or yogurt containers."

 

 

"Button-and-String Game. Challenge (the children) to see how long they can make their buttons spin.

You need: large two-holed buttons; string

 

 

 

Button-in-the-Cup The following homemade toy will challenge (the children) hand-eye coordination.

You Need: string; wooden clothespins; buttons; tacks; egg cartons; paints and brushes

 

 

The next page of activities in Grandma's book is for Cooperative Learning Activities working as groups. Grandma is going to give it  a little twist. One thing this page points out is how hard it was for the natives and the pioneers to communicate. Many men were as stubborn as some men are today. There was a scene in the book upon which a Native had killed a panther and he was trying to explain to Pa how he had shot it from sitting in a tree the night before. The Native and Pa had to do a lot of sign language and acting to convey the message to each other. Book (185) want the children to act out a message much in the same way. In order to be true have them write it on a card and turn it upside down on a table near them. Then they are to act out the message and see if the rest of the audience can get the message. Much like charades.

Next For the first part, Grandma wants the children to think of some ways they can trade off work with others around them, have contact with, or know. They are also to think of areas they have trouble learning and find others that can help them with that work. This will probably take some initiative from the children to talk to others the same as Pa did to trade work with Mr. Edwards and Mr. Scott. Many things like building a barn and having a barn building day were done the same way. Branding and haying are still done today much the same way. Somethings just take more than one person. The village my husband was from did much of this for the yearly festival in December, they share one tractor among them and help others in many ways. When we were there for a couple of days a woman had a heart attack and the village arranged for us to take her to the hospital. The people were all grateful and all participated to carry her to the car.

 

The next page is a Graph Activity/Curriculum Connections page called Have a Nice Day

(Grandma plans most of what she does in this same way or sets up schedules for herself even if they never turn out the same. It helps her regulate her goals.) Talk about the ways you and your children spend their days. Write down the amount of time spent at each task, lesson, activity, whatever, it is you do in the day. Knowing there are 24 hours in the day try to think how you spend each hour of that day doing; be sure to include sleep; cut it where is necessary and add where is necessary to make 24 hours a day. It helps organize your day in your head and where the next day will go. Next draw a large circle on the side of a box or poster and divide the circle into 24 pieces. Explain to the children how this is a what they call a Circle Graph and put the amount of time divided in the 24 pieces by the pieces as 1 hour each. Therefore, if one study is 2 hours long mark the area on the pieces(2) as that. Later you can cover it with pictures if you wish of each doings of time. Mark it "What a Day!"

Next with the Circle Chart do the same with Laura of Little House on the Prairie. Figure out what they spent their day doing and chart it on a separate Circle Graph. Talk about the differences then talk about how time might be for children in the future especially since they are integrating computer learning into classrooms and at home now.

 

Another section of the page talks about learning manners in the time of the pioneers. Learning may not have been as much fun as with the Ingalls. Many homes of those times and before times may have been pretty cruel that Grandma does not want to talk about and leave it in the past. However, do talk about the manners of napkins, sitting up straight, walking without slouching, using silverware (which some homes still had none of, licking the fingers, talking with the mouth full, contradicting, speaking unless you are spoken to, etiquette, speaking too loud or speaking out, etc. Talk about how they may have been taught and how they are taught today. Talk about the importance. Grandma had learned in her school work that some parents can be too strict and create some imbalances or mental blocks, but some children can have no direction and that is worse for them. That it is better to teach that there is consequences to every action, not necessarily discipline by parents but things that actually do happen; like having to pay for a window broken, which is better if it is not taught with the ill thoughts of mankind. I hope you agree. Happy homes make happy people that is for sure, just don't lack in any direction at all. Some of these learnings may be found out by talking to older people you know.

 

The last page in book (185) is a Summarizing/Curriculum Connections page of Extended Activities

 

One Day at a Time Summarize the story Little House on the Prairie in which the Ingalls family started with a wagon and before the end of the book Pa has built a house with a door, a fireplace, a wood floor, a bedstead, and a rocking chair. He built a stable and dug a well, and the family had planted a vegetable garden. Make a special time line to show this where all they have at the end is the wagon again.

 

"Social Studies: Where in the World? To identify the setting of Little House on the Prairie, help (the children) locate the places from the book on a map of the United States. Have students take turns finding Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma, then trace the Verdigris River through southeastern Kansas to where it flows into the Arkansas River near Muskogee in eastern Oklahoma.

 

Black American Pioneers The Black American West Museum in Denver, Colorado, documents the rich heritage of black men and women in the American pioneer movement, including law officers, stagecoach driver, miners, editors, farmers, and cowboys. A catalogue of books and materials is available from the Black American West Museum, 3091 California Street(if it has not changed) Denver, Colorado, 80205; telephone number (303) 292-2566(which probably has changed)."

 

Health: A Balanced Diet Make a chart of food the Ingalls family ate and compare it to a record of good food to eat. Book (185) says they ate Grains of cornbread(and they probably ate some oatmeal and grits as well as pancakes and musk, breads of different grains and fruits as berries found in the woods and in the prairie; Dairy-milk, cheeses as cottage cheese. butter from buttermilk; Meat-rabbit, prairie hen, beef(pretty rare, fish, chickens, and especially eggs as well as beans, maybe pork or bacon if lucky, duck more likely, lots of turkey, maybe buffalo or bear. probably some dear if lucky, and lamb if really lucky. Fresh vegetables were grown if they were lucky to get the seed. They could grow plenty of potatoes, peas, chickpeas and Garbanzo beans, beats, corn, spinach, okra, tomatoes, carrots all of which could be canned. Berries, watermelons, pumpkins, cantaloupe, and grapes could all be cooked and canned also. There was no place cold but a possible cellar, cool streams, or the winter to freeze things. Some people had smoke houses to salt and smoke meat to keep it. They had to use milk and such products fast so they did not spoil. The vitamins in things were probably better than today."

 

"Science: Take Your Medicine ...the real name of the sickness called "fever 'n ague" is malaria. ...the bitter medicine Laura has to take is called quinine. Invite (the children) to look up malaria in the encyclopedia to find out more about how it is caused and cured." Talk to the children about some of the medicine of those times compared to the medicines they take to day. Grandma has cleared her ear infections with peroxide, but her mother had bad earaches when young that her grandmother cured with hot oil and it worked. We used olive oil which has many cures in Grandma's ears and it cured them this year and it has not come back again. We have taken curry for the sinuses and it has helped. Turmeric is suppose to help arthritis but I have yet to try enough. Some home remedies were good and maybe some were not good enough. Who is to say. Grandma has yet to learn.

 

The Science experiments from Grandma's book (12) are about Evaporation and Vaporization. The first experiment is called Jet boat. Bore a hole from the inside through the screw top of an aluminum pill tube about four inches long, and pour some water into the tube.( They may not make these any more, check with the pharmacy.) Fix the tube in an empty sardine can into which you have fixed three candle stumps and place the can in water. If you light the candles the water soon boils, and the jet of steam escaping from the back drives the boat.

Steam is formed in the boat's boiler when the water boils. Because it expands sharply, it escapes at high pressure through the nozzle and causes a recoil. Do the experiment in calm weather!

 

The next experiment is called Hovercraft. Place a tin lid on a hot-plate and heat it well (take care!). If you then let a few drops of water fall on the lid, you will observe a small natural phenomenon. The drops are suspended in the air like hovercraft and whiz hissing to and fro for a while.

On contact with the heated metal the water drops begin to evaporate at once on the underside. Since the steam escapes with great pressure, it lifts the drops into the air. So much heat is removed from the drops by the formation of steam that they do not even boil.

 

The next experiment is called Rain in the room. Rain after sultry days makes the inside of the window pane suddenly sweat. You can distinguish the tiny water droplets through a magnifying glass. Where do they come from?

After it has been raining the air outside cools sharply because the water evaporates and thus uses heat. The warm air in the room, which is saturated with water vapor, especially from cooking, cools down only slowly on the window pane. But cold air cannot hold so much moisture as w

arm air, and therefore loses some of it on to the pane. It forms water droplets-exactly as when it is raining out-of-doors and moist, warm air meets cold air.

 

The next experiment is called Weather station. Fix a dry pine cone on to a small piece of wood with sealing wax or glue. Stick a pin into one of the central scales and place a straw over it. Put the cone out-of-doors, protected from the rain. The straw moves according to the state of the weather. Fix up a scale.

This simple hygrometer was built by nature. The pine cone closes when it is going to rain, to protect the seeds from damp. The outside of the scales absorbs the moisture in the air, swells up and bends--a process which you can also observe with a piece of paper which is wet on one side.

 

This next doings is called a Hygrometer. Coat a strip of writing paper two inches long with glue and roll it onto a sewing needle. Stick a strip of shiny photographic paper about 1/2 inch wide and one foot long onto its end so that its shiny surface faces the glue-covered side of the writing paper. The film strip is rolled round the needle like a clock spring. Punch a small hole through the middle of the bottom and lid of a furniture polish tin, and also air holes in the bottom. File off the metal projections formed. Push the needle through the central holes and stick the end of the film strip firmly to the side of the tin. Fix a paper pointer in front of the needle with a cork disk, and a bead behind it.

The gelatin layer of the photographic film expands-in contrast to the paper layer-with increased air humidity, causing it to wind up sharply, and move the pointer to the right. When the humidity of the air falls, the pointer returns to the left.

 

The next experiment is called Water from the desert. We still read in the newspapers of people dying of thirst in the desert, but many of them cold help themselves in this emergency. An experiment on a small scale in a sand box will show you how to do it. Dig a fairly deep hole and place a beaker in the middle. Spread a suitably sized piece of transparent plastic foil over the edge of the hole and lay a small stone in its center so that it dips down to the beaker in the shape of a funnel. The edges are fixed firmly into the sand. Soon, especially in sunshine, small drops of water form on the underside of the foil. They become larger and larger and finally flow into the beaker.

The effect of the sun is to heat the ground strongly under the foil. The moisture held in the sand evaporates until the enclosed air is so saturated that small drops of water are deposited on the cooler foil. Even desert sand contains some moisture. If you also place cut up cactus plants into the hole, you will obtain enough water to survive.(When Grandma was young we had a neighbor who had been a farmer show us how to take a V-shaped branch and holding it straight forward would bend down where water could be found to build a well. It was really neat.)

 

The next experiment is called Bath game with a coin. Stretch a strip of cellophane (not plastic foil), 1 inch wide, tightly over a soup plate and fasten the ends with adhesive tape. Lay on the middle of the strip an average-sized coin and pour water into the dish up to about 1/2 inch under the coin. The coin sinks slowly and reaches the water after several minutes.

The water vaporizes, the cellophane absorbs the water particles from the air and expands until it reaches the water. But strangely enough it soon begins to tighten again, and the coin rises again slowly to its original position.

The last experiment in this section is called Steam boat. Break off the head of a match and drop some glue on to the end. If you place the match in a dish of water it moves jerkily forward.

The glue contains a solvent which evaporates to give a vapor. It puffs out from the drop in invisible little clouds, giving the match a small push each time. Eventually so much of the solvent has escaped that the glue becomes solid. In a dried drop of glue you can still see the residual solvent vapor as small bubbles.

 

Last for this day given will be the Calendar History for two days of May. May 22, 1783 William Sturgeon, English inventor who devised the electromagnet, was born. In 1813 Richard Wagner, German composer, was born. In 1844 Mary Cassatt, American painter, was born. Impressionist artist Mary Cassatt is best known for her paintings of family life. Show students reproductions of her artwork. Then ask them to design and color updates of these pictures, using today's fashions and their own family activities.

In 1859 Sir Arthur Conan Dayle, British author and creator of Sherlock Holmes, was born. Book (1) says,"Celebrate the birthday of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle by having (the children) conduct a week long search for traces of Doyle's most famous character--Sherlock Holmes--in books, newspapers, television programs, films, magazines, and so on. At the end of the week, the (children) can share their evidence of Holmes's pervasive influence in daily life.

In 1907 Sir Lawrence Olivier, English actor, was born. In 1933 Arnold Lobel, children's author and illustrator was born. Book (1) explains, "In honor of Arnold Lobel's birthday, read aloud a story about two of his well-known characters, Frog and Toad. Afterward, pass around the book so students can become familiar with these characters. Then encourage the children to generate questions about the lives of Frog and Toad. For example: What happened before the story began? What will happen after the story ends? Do Frog and Toad have brothers or sisters? Do they have other friends? After the children have developed a list, ask them each to select a question they'd like to answer. Then have them create stories that answer the questions. Encourage the students to role-play their stories or to write and illustrate them.

It is International Pickle Day on May 22.(There is nothing like experiencing a large pickle to eat.) Book (1) says, "On International Pickle Day, tell your (children) that the word pickle can be used as a noun or a verb. Together, come up with example sentences. Then challenge the kids to list other words that can be used as either nouns or verbs. It is also National Maritime Day on that day.

In 1570 The Flemish cartographer Abraham Ortelius published the First Modern Atlas. In 1819 The First Steamship crossing of the Atlantic was completed. In 1900 E.S. Votey obtained a patent for the First Pneumatic Piano Player. In 1906 Orville and Wilbur Wright received the First Airplane Patent. In 1972 President Richard Nixon became the First U.S. President to Visit Moscow. In 1980 Joe Hernandez did 135 Consecutive Chin-Ups with no breaks in Cashion, Ariz.

We will start on another Day as soon as Grandma sweeps the floor and does some dishes.

 

Dear  Folks:

 

Grandma has twenty to twenty-two more days of

information to enter. However, I will be entering it as 

two separate days in one day.  Be sure to finish up

reports here this next week along with your year

books; family scrapbooks, trees, and information;

recipes collected; information on animals, insects,

plants, planets and space; recycling; pollution;

older people; poems; jokes; riddles; art; math reviews;

spelling and vocabulary reviews; words, writing, alphabets; and anything else to finish up as the end

of the year on the newspaper, journals, any of your reading, mine I have given. Grandma still has a few

more books to cover for you, calendar history to catch up and give. Then she will finish the calendar

for the summer; the rest of the bible; South America; Science; and any thing else we can think of. I

will continue with lessons for the summer and then start the year over again in following what we have

and adding to it.

 

For today's Calendar History Lessons Grandma will cover May 15th and 16th on this day along with

the 1900's for April. Then I will cover a Book in the Bible; some science; some things on the Pioneers

and Little House on the Prairie.

 

May 15th 1856 L Frank Baum, children's author who wrote the Wonderful Wizard of Oz was born. In

1859 Pierre Curie, French physicist and cadiscoverer of the element radium, was born. In 1930

Jasper Johns, American artist, was born. Book (1) says to "Tell your (children) that Jasper Johns

often incorporated numbers into his works. Share some photographs of John's paintings, including

Zero through Nine. How many numbers can the kids find?" Link to Jasper's Paintings in Youtube.

In 1602 English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold discovered Cape Cod. In 1862 The U.S. Department

of Agriculture was established. Also in 1862 The First Baseball Stadium opened in Brooklyn, N.Y.

In 1941 Baseball player Joe DiMaggio began his record-breaking 56-Game Hitting Streak. Book (1)

says, "For 56 consecutive games, New York Yankee star Joe DiMaggio managed to get one or more

hits, a streak many believe will never be matched. Ask your (children) to estimate what percentage

of the 154-game season DiMaggio's hitting streak covered. Then have them check their estimates

using calculators."

 

   

 

 

In 1930 The First Airline Stewardesses started work.

Book  (1) says, "Ellen Church, a registered nurse,

was the world's first airline stewardess. She and

seven other nurses were hired by United Airlines

to serve food, allay passengers' fears, and help

with the upkeep of the plane. Ask your (children)

why they think nurses were hired for this job. What skills do today's flight attendants need?"

In 1942 Wartime Gasoline Rationing Began, with most people limited to 3 gallons a week.

In 1989 The apple industry Agreed to Stop Using the Chemical ALAR, a ripening and preserving

 agent, because of its suspected carcinogenic effects. Do some research if wish.

It is also Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Memorial Day. It would be a good time to talk

about these people and do some interviews. It is also Straw Hat Day. Book (1) says, "Celebrate

Straw Hat Day by asking your (children) to wear their favorite hats .... Invite each child to share a

story about the hat, telling where it came from, how old it is, When it's usually worn, use paper

plates to create their own, then decorate them to show their favorite sports or hobbies.

 

May 16 1801 William Seward, U.S. secretary of state who promoted the purchase of Alaska from

Russia, was born. In 1804 Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, American educator and founder of the

first English-speaking kindergarten in America, was born. In 1928 Betty Miles, children's author,

was born. In 1955 Olga Korbut, Russian gymnast, was born. In 1964 John Salley, basketball star,

was born.

In 1866 A U.S. Five-cent Piece was authorized. Book (1) says, "Have younger (children)

calculate the number of years nickels have been in circulation. Then have the children collect

10 to 20 nickels. Arrange them in order from the oldest to the newest. How old is the oldest?

Compare  the head and tail impressions. Are they all alike? Have the children speculate

about how the terms heads and tails might have originated."

In 1875 The First Kentucky Derby took place. In 1903 George Wyman left San Francisco on the

First Transcontinental Motor-Cycle Trip. In 1929 The First Academy Awards (Oscars) were presented.

Book (1) says, "Ask your (children) to list eight Oscar categories, real or made up." For each or at

least one category create brief written nominations in it, then read them to the family or some group. 

Hold a vote to determine the winners.

In 1939 Rochester, N.Y., introduced the First Food Stamp Program. In 1973 The First Flight of a

Solar-powered Balloon took place. In 1975 Junko Tabei of Japan became the First Woman to Reach

the Top of Mt. Everest. In 1988 Ricard Stokes became the First Black to Join the Buckingham

Palace Guard. In 1990 Muppet master Jim Henson died. Book (1) suggests, "To mark Biographers

Day-- and in memory of Muppeteer Jim Henson--have the (children) each select a favorite Muppet

character, then write a short biography of that character.

It is also National Egg Month and whether Grandma covered it or not, Book (1) asks you to "Ask your

(children): Which came first, the chicken or the egg? ...encourage the kids to conduct some

background research. Afterward, have them each write a persuasive paragraph supporting their position.

  

This brings Grandma down to giving you the 1900 events for April as follows:

  

April 11, 1900 The U.S. Navy bought its First Submarine, the USS Holland.

 

April 24, 1913 The Woolworth building opened in New York City. At 792 feet,

it was the tallest Building in the World.

 

April 2, 1902 The First Motion-Picture Theater in the United States opened in Los Angeles.

 

April 6, 1909 America explorers Robert Peary and Matthew Henson reached the North Pole.

 

April 8, 1904 Longacre Square in New York City was renamed Times Square.

 

April 12, 1917 President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany

so that America could help "Make the World Safe for Democracy."

 

April 10, 1912 The luxury liner Titanic Hit an Iceberg just before midnight.

 

April 20, 1902 French scientists Marie and Pierre Curie discovered Radium.

 

April 21, 1908 according to Dr. Frederick Cook, he reached the North Pole.

 

According to Book (1) "Although Frederick Cook kept a journal purportedly proving he'd

discovered the North Pole, another man has been given credit for the discovery. Challenge

your (children) to find out who that man was."

 

April 18, 1906 A devastating Earthquake struck San Francisco destroying 3,000

acres of the city.

 

April 15, 1912 Albert Einstein first spoke of Time as the Fourth Dimension.

 

April 15, 1912 The Ocean Liner Titanic sank in the North Atlantic.

 

April 11, 1921 Iowa became the First state to Impose a Cigarette Tax.

 

April 1, 1923 The First Dance Marathon began in New York City.

 

April 13, 1923 The Illinois legislature Gave Women the Right to Serve on Juries.

 

April 18, 1923 Yankee Stadium opened in New York City.

April 10, 1924 Simon and Schuster published the First Crossword Puzzle Book. 

 

April 16, 1926 The Book-of-the Club was founded in New York City.

 

April 6, 1927 The First Pilot's License was issued by the U. S. Department of Commerce.

 

April 7, 1927 Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover appeared on screen in the First

Public Demonstration of Television.

 

April 3, 1933 An airplane first flew over Mt. Everest.

 

April 12, 1934 The Highest-Velocity Natural Wind ever recorded--231 mph--occurred

on Mt. Washington, N.H.

 

April 18, 1934 The First Laundromat--called a "Wasateria"--opened.

 

April 8, 1939 The First Telephone Weather Forecasting Service began in New York City.

 

April 7, 1940's Booker T. Washington became the First African-American depicted

on a U.S. Postage Stamp.

 

April 16, 1940 Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians pitched an Opening Day

No-Hitter against the White Sox in Chicago.

 

April 20, 1940 The Electron Microscope was demonstrated for the first time.

 

April 9, 1941 The Golf Hall of Fame was established in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

 

April 1, 1943 Norman Rockwell did his first April Fool's cover for The Saturday Evening Post.

 

This had an activity with it but Grandma decided to skip this one.

 

April 13, 1943 President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.

 

April 3, 1944 Anne Frank, age 14, described her family's eating habits in her diary.

 

Book (1) says, "Through her diary, Anne Frank gave the world an account of her feelings and

experiences as she and her family hid from the Nazis during World War II. After 21 months in

hiding, she wrote about "food cycles"--times when she and her family ate only one food, prepared

in various ways. For example, "We had nothing but endive for a long time, day in, day out, endive

with sand, endive without sand, stew with endive, boiled or en casserole..."  Ask your (children)

to keep a diary recording what their family eats for 1 week. Compare their diet with that of Anne

Frank."

 

April 1, 1946 Stan and Jan Berenstain, the creators of the Berenstain Bears, were married.

 

An activity goes along with this in which Book (1) says, "Stan and Jan Berenstain have two sons.

When the boys were young, they asked their parents to buy them funny books. The Berenstains

eventually ran out of books to buy, so they created their own. Read several of the Berenstains'

books to the (children), discussing how humor makes the stories appealing. Then choose one

story and ask the (children) to write and illustrate another episode or a different ending for it."

 

April 18, 1946 The League of Nations officially went out of existence.

 

April 10, 1946 Japanese Women voted for the first time.

 

April 7, 1947 A 23-Day, Nationwide Telephone Strike in the United States began.

 

April 9, 1947 Sunspots were Large Enough to be visible to the naked eye.

 

April 11, 1947 Jackie Robinson broke major-league baseball's "color barrier" when he

joined the Brooklyn Dodgers.

 

April 7, 1948 The World Health Organization was founded.

 

April 4, 1949 The North Atlantic Treaty organization (NATO) was formed.

 

April 23, 1949 Governor Adlai E. Stevenson of Illinois vetoed a Bill requiring cats to be leashed.

 

Book (1) says "In refusing to sign the bill requiring cats to be leashed, Governor Stevenson noted,

"it is in the nature of cats to do a certain amount of unescorted roaming." Do your (children) agree?

Ask them to make a class list of things pet owners can do to ensure their pets aren't a nuisance

to other people." (Grandma had an experience of her granddaughter wanting to leash the cat

because it meowed constant to go back outside and she did not like him roaming with the wild ones.

A friend held the leash and it got loose and caught under a car. If they can be kept in but if they insist

it is better to let them do their natural roaming in my opinion. However, Grandma has had some very

bad things happen to them by others.) 

 

April 13, 1950 Simon, the cat mascot of HMS Amethyst, was awarded a Medal for his

Rat-catching Exploits.

 

April 19, 1950 Ham Kee Young, a 19-year-old from South Korea, became the Youngest

Runner to win the Boston Marathon.

 

April 24, 1951 The Soviet Union applied to Participate in the Olympic Games for the first

 time since 1912.

 

April 15, 1952 The Franklin National Bank of New York issued the First Bank Credit Card.

 

April 24, 1953 Winston Churchill was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

 

Book (1) says, "Sir Winston Churchill is noted for his outstanding military and Political leadership

during World War II. When Britain seemed on the verge of collapse, he rallied the nation with

magnificent speeches and directed the war effort with unflagging nerve. Churchill was also a fine

writer--he won the Nobel Prize in literature in 1953--the same year he was knighted by Queen

Elizabeth II. As a child, Churchill had been considered a poor student. His mother felt a

military career would suit him because he liked playing with toy soldiers. After taking the entrance

exams for the Royal Military College three times, Churchill was finally admitted. There he excelled.

His great interest in the military had sparked his hidden abilities. Ask your (children) if they think

they have hidden abilities. Can they identify the hidden abilities in others? Have partners interview

each other in an attempt to find out. Then have each child write a paragraph of praise about his

partner. Post the paragraphs."

 

April 10, 1953 The House of Wax, the First Feature-Length 3-D Movie in Color, Premiered

in New York City.

 

April 11, 1953 The Department of Health, Education and Welfare was established.

Oveta Culp Hobby became its first Secretary.

 

April 17, 1953 Yankee slugger Mickey Mantle hit a 565-Foot Home Run, the longest ever measured.

 

April 1, 1954 The U.S. Air Force Academy was established in Colorado Springs, Colo.

 

April 11, 1954 "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley ant the Comets was recorded.

 

April 23, 1954 Home run King Hank-Aaron hit His Homer in the major leagues.

 

April 12, 1955 The Polio Vaccine, developed by Jonas Salk, was pronounced safe and effective.

 

April 15, 1955 The First McDonald's Restaurant opened in Des Plains, Ill.

 

April 14, 1956 Videotape was First demonstrated to the public.

 

April 24, 1956 Willard Cravens caught a 360-pound, 9-foot-long white sturgeon in Idaho's Snake

River. It was the Largest Freshwater Fish ever caught with rod and reel.

 

April 7, 1959 The First Atomic-Generated Electricity was produced in Los Alamos, N.M.

 

April 9, 1959 NASA announced the selection of America's First Seven Astronauts.

 

April 21, 1959 Alf Dean caught a 2,664-pound Great White Shark.

 

April 1, 1960 Tiras I, The First weather Satellite, was launched by the United States.

 

April 12, 1961 The Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the First Man in Space.

 

April 13, 1961 The UN General Assembly voted to condemn Apartheid, South Africa's

policy of racial segregation.

 

April 5, 1963 The Soviet Union and the United States established a telephone "Hot Line"

linking their leaders. The need for a direct channel of communication was demonstrated

during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

 

April 7, 1963 At age 23 Jack Nicklaus became the Youngest Person to win the Master

Golf Tournament.

 

April 9, 1963 Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was made an honorary U.S. Citizen.

 

April 17, 1964 Jerrie Mock of Columbus, Ohio, became the First Woman to Complete a Solo

Flight around the world.

 

April 16, 1965 Early Bird, the First Commercial Communications Satellite, went into orbit.

 

April 9, 1965 President and Mrs. Lyndon Johnson were honored guests at the opening of the

Houston Astrodome.

 

Book (1) says, "The Houston Astrodome, which cost $20 million to build, has a plastic dome that's

208 feet above the stadium floor at its highest point. Challenge your (children) to work ...to create

freestanding domes using only plastic wrap and straws for support."

 

April 24, 1967 Soviet Cosmonaut Vladimar Komarov was killed when his parachute straps of his

spacecraft got tangled during a landing attempt.

 

April 4, 1968 Civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn.

 

April 22, 1968 Forty-four countries signed a Treaty Pledging Cooperation in Rescuing

Astronauts in trouble.

 

Book (1) suggests "After discussing the treaty to rescue astronauts, talk about treaties and their

significance in history. Then ask each (child) to research an important treaty and report to (you).

As each treaty is discussed, note its place in history on (the) class time line."

 

April 4, 1969 Doctors in Houston implanted the First Artificial Heart in Haskell Karp of Skokie, Ill.

 

April 13, 1969 A White Tiger Cub was born in captivity for the first time, at the National

Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.

 

Book (1) says, "Tell your (children) that the white tiger is one of the world's rarest tigers. So when

a white tiger cub was born at the National Zoo, there was much rejoicing. To commemorate this

event, have your (children) draw and color a "birth announcement" for the baby tiger."                                                              

 

April 23, 1969 Robin Knox-Johnston completed the First Nonstop, Around-the-World Solo Sailing Trip.

 

Book (1) says to "Tell your (children) that Robin Knox-Johnston was at sea for 312 days and covered 29,500 miles. Then ask the kids if they'd ever want to go on an adventure alone. Why or why not? Have a ...discussion about being alone. What's it like? Can being alone feel good sometimes? Can it also be frightening? Ask (the children) to imagine that they were going to duplicate Robin Knox-Johnston's journey. What kinds of skills would they need?" (Grandma says to remind them that Jesus is always with them and God.) 

 

April 22, 1970 The First Earth Day was observed.

 

We will let the activity go to this one for now unless grandma already assigned something.

 

April 3, 1971 Gordie Howe retired from professional hockey after 25 years.

 

April 20, 1971 The supreme Court upheld Busing as the Primary means to Achieve Racial Balance in the public schools.

 

April 16, 1972 Chinese Giant Pandas arrived at the U.S. National Zoo.

 

April 4, 1974 Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves tied Babe Ruth's record of 714 career home runs.

 

April 8, 1974 Hank Aaron hit his 715th Career Home Runs, breaking Babe Ruth's long-standing major-league record.

 

April 4, 1976 Kazukiki Asaba Flew 1,050 Kites at one time.

 

April 21, 1977 The Musical Annie opened on Broadway.

 

April 6, 1978 President Jimmy Carter signed into law legislation Raising the Mandatory Retirement

Age for government Age for government workers from 65 to 70.

 

April 20, 1979 Thirty-five riders pedaled the Longest True Tandem Bicycle ever built. It was almost 67 feet long.

 

April 12, 1980 The U.S. Prime Interest Rate hit a record 20%.

 

April 14, 1981, The First Space Shuttle the Columbia, was launched.

 

April 14, 1981 The Space Shuttle Columbia ended its First test Flight with a Smooth Landing in California.

 

April 17, 1982 Queen Elizabeth II gave Canada the Right to Amend its Constitution, thus severing its last legislative link with Britain.

 

April 18, 1981 Pitcher Tom Seaver struck out his 3,000th batter.

 

Book (1) says, "Tom Seaver went on to strike out 640 more batters after achieving his 3,000-strikeout milestone in 1981. He retired in 1986. Ask your(children) to figure out how many strikeouts Seaver averaged per year over his 20-year career. Tell the kids that through the 1992 season, Nolan Ryan, baseball's alltime strikeout leader, had fanned 5,668 batters over the course of a 26-year career. How many strikeouts had Ryan averaged per year?"

 

April 1, 1983, Newspaper reporter Steven Newman began a 15,000-Mile Walk-Around the World.

 

April 1, 1983 The Tiger Tops Tuskers won the First Championship of the World Elephant Polo Association.

 

April 5, 1984 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored his 31,421st point, becoming the Highest-Scoring Basketball Player in NBA History.

 

April 11, 1984 Two astronauts from the Space Shuttle Challenger performed the First IN-Space Repair of a Satellite.

 

April 12, 1984 The Crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger placed a satellite it had retrieved and repaired back into orbit.

 

April 19, 1985 Susan Montgomery Williams of Fresno, Calif., blew the Biggest Bubble Gum Bubble on Record. It was 22 inches in diameter.

 

April 15, 1985 The World's Largest Marching Band, 4,524 students, performed at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

 

April 6, 1985 William J. Schroeder became the First Artificial Heart Recipient to be Discharged from a hospital.

 

April 9, 1985 Thomas Bradley became the First Los Angeles Mayor to win a Fourth term of Office.

 

April 5, 1986 A British Guiana 1-cent Stamp sold for $850,000, the highest price ever paid for a stamp at an auction.

 

April 23, 1989 Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, professional basketball's all-time leading scorer, played his last regular-season game.

 

April 16, 1988 Residents of Fort Madison, Iowa, raised $12,383.06 in Pennies for a playground.

 

Book (1) says, "The residents of Fort Madison, Iowa, housed their 1,238,306 pennies in the high school gymnasium. To give your (children) a sense of Fort Madison's accomplishment, cover a dollar bill with 100 pennies. Then ask the kids to estimate how many dollar bills would be needed to cover a desk top. Next, trace a dollar bill on drawing paper and have your (children) cut out enough to cover one desk top (A 24X18-inch desk would require 26 dollars.) Now, ask your students to calculate how many desk tops could be covered by $12,383.06."

 

April 20, 1987 New Jersey became the third state to pass a Recycling Law.

 

In place of Book (1)'s instructions have the children make a record of people they have talked to in interviews that recycle. Graph the results. Can they think of some ways things that we throw away be used.

 

April 15, 1989 The Highest and Fastest Steel Roller Coaster--the "Great American Scream Machine"-- opened at Great Adventure in Jackson, N.J.

 

April 7, 1988 The World's Largest Quilt, measuring 1.73 acres, was completed. Its 4,200 panels commemorate Aids victims.

 

April 12, 1988 The U.S. Postal Office issued a Patent For a Live Mouse, a new breed genetically altered to aid in the study and treatment of cancer.

 

April 18, 1988 Kenya's Ibrahim Hussein became the First African to win the Boston Marathon.

 

April 2, 1989 In an editorial, The New York Times Declared that the Cold War was over.

 

April 7, 1989 A Soviet Nuclear Submarine Sank in the Norwegian Sea.

 

April 20, 1988 Teacher Alice Meyer performed Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation on a puppy that had been stuffed into a student's book bag.

 

Book (1) says to "Discuss proper care of pets with your students, then have them develop a list of dos and don't s."

 

April 8, 1990's Ryan White Died at age 18. A Hemophiliac who had contracted Aids through a blood transfusion 5 1/2 years earlier, White had promoted a greater understanding of the disease.

 

April 14, 1990 The Space Shuttle Discovery was launched with a copy of the U.S. Constitution on board.

 

April 22, 1990 Millions of Americans celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Earth Day.

                                                                                                          

Good Morning Folks! Grandma has computer service again with the protection I need along with a Tablet to use. The World is definitely getting better. Grandma could not get it all finished till I was so tired last night. Decided it was better to enter information this morning and then add tomorrows lesson with it this afternoon. Please bear with me and we will get through.                                                     

 

                                                                                                                                                    

We will start with Lessons from the Bible of Faith Alive lessons starting with the Philippians.

Philippians introduction is as follows:

"Whom...did God inspire to write this book? The apostle Paul wrote Philippians. This is the sixth of Paul's thirteen books in the Bible.

 

To Whom...was this letter first written? This book is a letter Paul sent to Christians at Philippi, a city in Macedonia (Greece). Paul had established this church on his second missionary trip (Acts 16:11-40).

 

When...was this letter written? This book was written about AD 63 from Rome, where Paul was in prison.

 

How...does Philippians show us God's love? Philippians tells how Christ Jesus was totally devoted to saving us. He is God, but he humbled himself even to die on a cross. Therefore, God the Father raised him up, just as he will raise us from death someday. That means we can live every day in joy, and when we die, we'll even be better off.

 

What...special messages does this book give us? Paul thanks the Philippians for their love and gifts. Then he shows them how their salvation in Christ makes it possible to rejoice even in suffering.

       ...are some important teachings in this book?

 

A win-win situation.                                          Philippians 1:19-24

Jesus humbled and exalted.                              Philippians 2:5-11

The Christian's goal.                                         Philippians 3:12-16

Rejoice always!                                                Philippians 4:4-7

Think about good things.                                   Philippians 4:8-9"

 

Read Philippians and carry out the material from Faith Alive of the following:

 

"Did You Know? Philippians 1:4 What makes Paul's joy in Philippians so amazing? Amazing that Paul was writing from prison! Knowing Christ gave him joy even there.

 

Let's Live It! Philippians 2:5-11 Exaltation From Humiliation?--They say "you can't win for losing." Oh, no? Read Philippians 2:5-11.

For a while there, Jesus looked like one big loser, like a big "nothing." He lost everything. He died a most terrible death.

But see what came of it? Because he humbled himself, God the Father exalted him, lifted him up in glory. Because he humbled himself, we win big!

 

Word to Remember Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

 

Words to Remember Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

 

Life in Bible Times-Running a Race--In Greek Olympic games and at other games, runners tried to be the first to reach a wooden goal. The wooden goal, instead of a tape, marked the end of the race.

 

Let's Live It! Philippians 4:8-9 What's on Your Mind?--Read Philippians 4:8-9. What does God want us to think about?

Often it is easy for people to think bad thoughts. Many times we have bad thoughts because we've put bad things into our minds, perhaps by watching a violent TV program, playing with friends who use rough language, or listening to hard rock music.

Instead, what sorts of things are "true," "noble," "right," "pure," "lovely," or "admirable"? See what examples you find in John 17:17; Proverbs 31:10-29; 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13; Psalm 119:9-16; 84:1-5; Ephesians 5:15-20; Colossi an 3:15-17. What are some other such things you can think of--and then think about?"

 

Next read Colossians and do the activities in Faith Alive. The introduction to Colossians is as follows:

 

"Whom...did God inspire to write this book? The apostle Paul wrote Colossians. This is the seventh of thirteen books by Paul appearing in the Bible.

 

To Whom...was this letter first written? This book is a letter written to Christians at Colossi, located in modern-day Turkey.

 

When...was this letter written? Colossians was written about AD 62, when Paul was in prison in Rome.

 

How...does Colossians show us God's love? Colossians reminds us that when God gave his Son Jesus Christ, he gave us his all. Jesus was not just part of God living on earth. He is the fullness of God!  Therefore, Jesus is also the fulfillment of everything the Bible has promised. Jesus is all we need for eternal life!

 

What...special messages does this book give us? Certain people were suggesting that other requirements besides Christ were necessary for salvation. Colossians shows that Jesus is supreme and that he saves us completely.

        ...are some important teachings in this book?

 

Jesus is supreme.                                          Colossians 1:15-20

Jesus is the fullness of God.                            Colossians 2:9

Jesus forgives our sins                                     Colossians 2:13-15

Jesus fulfills all Sabbath laws.                           Colossians 2:16-17

Jesus enables the holy life.                               Colossians 3:12-17"

 

Now follow and do Faith Alive teachings as follows:

 

"Did You Know? Colossians 2:9 Is Jesus really God? Yes! In fact, Colossians 2:9 says that the whole fullness of God lives in Jesus. When we know him, we know God.

 

Words to Remember Colossians 2:13 He forgave us all our sins.

 

Did You Know? Colossians 3:12 What is holiness? 3:12 What is holiness? Because God declares us holy by forgiving our sin, we now are able to live a holy life in ways described in Colossians 3.

 

Words to Remember Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above.

 

Let's Live It! Colossians 3:18-21 Family Job Descriptions--A job description is a list of things a person is supposed to do in a certain job. Your parents probably have job descriptions for any employment they have outside the home. Ask them to show you theirs.

Then, ask family members to make up job descriptions for home. First read together Colossians 3:18-21. These really are job descriptions for families, aren't they? Next give each person time to work on his or her own description. Write down in more detail the sorts of activities the verse you'd like to add and change in one another's.

Pretty tough assignments? Yes they are. For encouragement, read together Colossians 3:1-4."

 

Next read 1 Thessalonians and do the Faith Alive activities. The introduction for 1 Thessalonians being as follows:

 

"How...does 1 Thessalonians show us God's love? The book of 1 Thessalonians is an expression of God's love especially to Christians who are persecuted. When troubles and dangers come, believers more than ever need support from their God. This book assures persecuted them, in the present day and at his second coming.

 

Whom...did God inspire to write this book? The apostle Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians. This is the eighth of Paul's thirteen Bible books.

 

To Whom...was this letter first written? This book is a letter Paul sent to Christians at Thessalonica, a large seaport city in Greece. Paul had founded this church during his second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-9).

 

When...was this letter written? This book was written about AD 51 from Corinth.

 

What...special messages does this book give us? Both 1 and 2 Thessalonians give special insights about Christ's return on the last day. In 1 Thessalonians, the encouragement is that Christians who have died before Jesus comes back are not lost forever. They will arise first when Jesus appears.

 

        ....are some important teachings in this book?

 

Love even in suffering.                                            1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

Living to please God.                                              1 Thessalonians 4:3-12

Jesus will come again.                                            1 Thessalonians 4:13-18"

 

Now for the activities of Faith Alive following: 

 

"Did You Know? 1 Thessalonians 1:6 What had happened during Paul's first visit to Thessalonica? Paul met with resistance and had to leave the city quickly. Still, some believed and formed an active church.

 

Word to Remember 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray continually."

 

The last book for today is 2 Thessalonians so read it and follow in the Faith Alive lessons. 2 Thessalonians introduction is as follows:

 

"Whom...did God inspire to write this book? The apostle Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians. This is the ninth of thirteen books by Paul appearing in the Bible.

 

To Whom ...was this letter first written? This book is Paul's second letter to Christians in Thessalonica, a city in Greece.

 

When...was this letter written about AD 52, probably from Corinth.

 

How...does 2 Thessalonians show us God's love? The book of 2 Thessalonians explains that Christ's second coming will be a joy and comfort to Christians, not something to be feared. Some of the Thessalonians were afraid they had missed Christ's return and had been left behind. God reassures Christians that Jesus is till coming in the future. When he does, he will take all his faithful people to heaven.

 

What...special messages does this book give us? As with 1 Thessalonians, this book gives much detail about the last days of the world. Paul warns that before Jesus comes back, a "Man of Lawlessness" will try to replace God's true church. Therefore, we are to follow God's teachings carefully. Also, we should not sit idly by as we wait for Jesus' second coming, but be active in work and service.

        ...are some important teachings in this book?

 

Jesus will come to gather his

believers and punish the wicked.                                  2 Thessalonians 1:5-12

 

Before Jesus returns, a "man of

Lawlessness" will appear.                                            2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

 

Believers are to be active in

their faith while they wait.                                           2 Thessalonians 3:6-15"

 

Now for the lessons from Faith Alive as follows: 

 

"Did You Know? 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Who is the "man of lawlessness"? That's a difficult question. All history since the life of Jesus is "the last days," so perhaps this "man" has already come. He is someone who works evil from within the church. Finally though, he is destroyed.

 

Word to Remember 2 Thessalonians 2:14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Let's Live It! 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10 Waiting, Working--Isn't it tough to concentrate the last month of school? Summer coming, vacation plans. Who can think about school work? And then they make you take exams!

The Christians in Thessalonica had their minds on Jesus' second coming. That was good. Unfortunately, some forgot to concentrate on work in the meantime. Jesus' coming back can instead encourage us to work hard now! With an "endless summer" ahead, we can use our energy for God's earthly business now."

 

That is all Grandma will give of the Bible for today. I will have more lessons for you here in a few minutes. 

 

Grandma is back to give you two books to read about in Australia and the Calendar History for the day.

 

The first book to read and do activities for is called Possum Magic by Mem Fox (New York: Gulliver Books, 1990. This lesson is in Grandma's Book (2).

"Summary: Invisible Hush and Grandma Poss travel around Australia eating "people" food in hopes of making Hush visible again.

 

Activities

 

 

 

The second book to read and do activities with is called  Where the Forest Meets the Sea by Jeannie Baker (New York:Greenwillow Books, 1987.

This section of activities are from Grandma's book (2) but she also has activities covering this book in her Book (6).

 

"Summary: On a boat trip with his father to a remote area of Australia, a young boy recalls the history of the Daintree Rain Forest and imagines what the forest will be like in the future.

 

Activities

                    a. What does the author's statement mean?

                    b. What do you believe a walk through the forest was like in the past?

                    c. How has it changed?

 3.   The young boy stops to wonder how long it would take for a tree in the forest to become fully

       grown. Why do you think the author draws our attention to this thought? Find out how trees

       grow from seeds. Draw a diagram to illustrate the process. How can the age of a tree be

       determined?

 4.   The first people to live in Australia were the Aborigines. Compare their traditional culture to

       their present way of life.

 5.   As the trip with his father ends, the boy imagines the future of the forest. What does he envision

       it to be like? Make a list of the pros and cons of his vision."

 

From Book (6) it says,"One read through this extraordinary book and the reader feels as though he or she has indeed visited an exotic Australian rain forest. But the sad message at the book's end is that the Australian rain forest, like other ecosystems around the world, is in grave danger of being destroyed. And young readers may be surprised to learn that the beautiful rain forest"s most dangerous enemy is us.

 

 

 

Follow-up Activities

 

Have children scan the book to locate and list unfamiliar words (e.g., reef, cockatoo, creepers, aboriginal). Tell children that good readers often take guesses at the meanings of unfamiliar words. Encourage the children to guess at the meaning of each word they listed and to share reasonings for their guesses. Point out that readers often use context cues (other words and illustrations) to lend meaning to the unfamiliar words. Then, have the children look the words up in the dictionary to see if they guessed correctly.

 

Share with the (children) the notes following the story which describe how the author/illustrator developed the relief collages she uses to illustrate the text. Then, take a closer look at each lush and detailed illustration. Can the children identify the materials the artist used? Can they find the midden and transparent pictures present in most of the settings? Ask children why they think the "hidden" pictures were included by the artist/illustrator. (Possibly they suggest animals and people who have inhabited the rain forest.) After examining the illustrations, provide students with pieces of cardboard or oaktag, clay, natural moss (available in plant and craft stores) and glue. Then, take a nature walk and allow children to collect additional natural materials (e.g., leaves, bark, shells, dirt, sand, grass, etc.) Back (at home), have the children glue the natural materials on the cardboard to create relief collages. Then, have the children draw full-body portraits of themselves on construction paper. Cut and glue fabric bits to the paper dolls to represent that some of the natural materials overlap the dolls, Have children describe the natural spot they have replicated to others. Display the reliefs for all to enjoy. (*Variation* In lieu of paper dolls, actual likenesses of the children may be trimmed from photographs ... and used in the collage arrangement.)

 

Have the (children) study the unusual illustration on the last two pages of the story. Have the children describe what they see. The author/illustrator uses these pages to hint at the problems which could threaten the rain forest. ... (Use the table below to:) Help the children list the problems foreshadowed in the book, and then help them list reasons why these problems threaten to harm or destroy the rain forest. In the third column have children list possible ways the threats can be averted.

 

 

Problems threatening             to Change Australia's Environment	Why Changes Will              Hurt Environment	?