Chemistry

Chemistry is the scientific study of matter.  Matter is anything that has mass or weight and takes up space.  Matter is made of atoms which are small uncuttable things.  Protons, neutrons, and electrons compose an atom.  The protons and the neutrons form the nucleus which contains most of the mass of the atom.  The electrons are the smallest, but they take up most of the space, which is called the electron cloud.  Also, there is the same number of protons as there are electrons in an atom.  So if an atom has four protons, it will also have four electrons.  One example is the helium atom.  It contains two protons, two electrons, and two neutrons.  The study of chemistry is quite interesting and complicated.

Theodore Roosevelt

Born into a wealthy, loving family in New York, in 1858,  Theodore Roosevelt was a weak, sickly boy who eventually grew much stronger.  His father taught him to love the outdoors, animals, and people.  At age 22, he married Alice Hathaway and lived happily for about 3 years, until she died on February 13, 1884, while giving birth to a daughter.  Later on, he married his childhood sweetheart, Edith Kermit Carow.  After the Spanish-American War, Teddy became Vice-President under President McKinley.  Shortly after he had won his second term as President, in 1901, President McKinley was shot and killed.  Roosevelt then served as President for almost 4 years and won a second term in 1904.  As President of the United States, he is most remembered for beginning the building of the Panama Canal on May 4, 1904. 

To honor one of our most sincere Presidents, the Teddy Bear toy is named after Theodore Roosevelt!  One of his most famous quotes is,   "With self-discipline most anything is possible."   He lived by his own quote, because Teddy Roosevelt was one of the toughest and most disciplined Presidents we have ever had!  How was he so tough?  For one thing, he was the leader of the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War.  Also, he was a politician, and you have to be pretty tough for that!  After living a full life he died on January 6, 1919, at the age of 60. As he lay dying, he bluntly murmured, "Put out the light.”  Then he died.  We will never forget this great President of the United States of America, Theodore Roosevelt.  

Stress Level!

Are any of these items moving? Or are they perfectly still?? 



One teacher said, "I felt like they were all moving..but slowly. Kind of like, they were breathing."

The pictures attached are used to test the level of stress a person can handle.

The slower the pictures move, the better your ability of handling stress.

Allegedly, criminals that were tested see them spinning around madly; however senior citizens and kids see them standing still.

None of these images are animated - they are perfectly still. 

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day, which is an annual holiday, is celebrated on February 1. Carefully a sleeping groundhog is prodded from his underground chamber to the ground’s surface to look for his shadow. If the groundhog doesn't see his shadow then winter is near its end. On the other hand, if the groundhog does see his shadow there will be 6 more weeks of winter. There is actually a groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania that people drag out on Groundhog Day. His name is Punxsutawney Phil. He earned his name “Punxsutawney” from his town, and his name “Phil” from King Phillip. Up to 40,000 people watch him search for his shadow. This celebration in Pennsylvania has been going on since 1883. Now that’s what I call dedication to a groundhog! I guess he discovered his shadow this year because there are 6 more weeks of winter ahead. It is ored that Punxsutawney Phil has been alive for 120 years. And how does he do this? He just drinks “Elixir of Life” every summer. He weighs about 22 pounds and is 22 inches long. There are quite a few other official groundhogs, but there are way too many to tell you about, or this would be a 10 page report! People all over the U.S. and Canada enjoy the yearly groundhog celebration.

George Moses Horton

Born in 1798 in Chatham County, NC, George Moses Horton lived in slavery until 1865. He taught himself to read and write even though it was against the law. While he was a slave he diligently worked as a school janitor at the University of NC at Chapel Hill, and when he was not working he wrote poems about how he felt. With the help of one of the professor’s wives, he published two books of poems. Through his poetry he helped people understand the sorrow of slavery. He hoped to save enough money to buy his freedom, but was never able to do so. However, in 1865 he was carried off by Union soldiers and traveled north to freedom.
George Moses Horton was truly a good man. Happily, after he gained his freedom, he became a famous newspaper reporter in Philadelphia. He died in Philadelphia at the age of 86. If ever there was a determined man who wanted to become free, it was George Moses Horton. Here is one of his most famous poems.

The Slave's Complaint

by George Moses Horton

Am I sadly cast aside,
On misfortune's rugged tide?
Will the world my pains deride
Forever?

Must I dwell in Slavery's night,
And all pleasure take its flight,
Far beyond my feeble sight,
Forever?

Worst of all, must Hope grow dim,
And withhold her cheering beam?
Rather let me sleep and dream
Forever!

Something still my heart surveys,
Groping through this dreary maze;
Is it Hope? -- then burn and blaze
Forever!

Leave me not a wretch confined,
Altogether lame and blind --
Unto gross despair consigned,
Forever!

Heaven! in whom can I confide?
Canst thou not for all provide?
Condescend to be my guide
Forever:

And when this transient life shall end,
Oh, may some kind eternal friend
Bid me from servitude ascend,
Forever!