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.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
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!
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!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Woogiworld
Woogiworld is the best place on the internet, because it teaches you internet training and safety. There are all sorts of things you can do there. You can make buddies and decorate your wigwam, you can make your woogi look the coolest of all, and you can earn coupons! It teaches you about nutrition and other cool stuff. There are also multi-player games, and one of them is called “Woogilympics.” There is a 100 meter run, and to make your woogi run fast you type fast. Then there is the hammer throw event; the faster you find the right element on the periodic table the farther you will throw. There is also a voting booth in Woogiworld. You get to vote and guess what the highest vote is! There are also some celebrities in Woogiworld, such as YY, Wiggiwalker, Bigwig, Wanda Wiggs, Mr. Wigwatts, Wallywoog, Weegor, and Dr. Wiggenstien. If there is one place on the internet that teaches you internet safety and training while also having fun, it’s Woogiworld!
Woogiworld is the best place on the internet, because it teaches you internet training and safety. There are all sorts of things you can do there. You can make buddies and decorate your wigwam, you can make your woogi look the coolest of all, and you can earn coupons! It teaches you about nutrition and other cool stuff. There are also multi-player games, and one of them is called “Woogilympics.” There is a 100 meter run, and to make your woogi run fast you type fast. Then there is the hammer throw event; the faster you find the right element on the periodic table the farther you will throw. There is also a voting booth in Woogiworld. You get to vote and guess what the highest vote is! There are also some celebrities in Woogiworld, such as YY, Wiggiwalker, Bigwig, Wanda Wiggs, Mr. Wigwatts, Wallywoog, Weegor, and Dr. Wiggenstien. If there is one place on the internet that teaches you internet safety and training while also having fun, it’s Woogiworld!
Monday, January 26, 2009
A Mother and Her Sons
There was once a mother who had two sons and both of them had special requests. The older one wished that it would snow so he could go skiing. But the younger one wanted it to be warm and sunny because he was going to an outdoor party. The older boy entreated his Mother to pray for snow, while the younger son asked for clear weather. Greatly torn, the mother did not know which son to pray for.
Moral: You can’t please everybody.
There was once a mother who had two sons and both of them had special requests. The older one wished that it would snow so he could go skiing. But the younger one wanted it to be warm and sunny because he was going to an outdoor party. The older boy entreated his Mother to pray for snow, while the younger son asked for clear weather. Greatly torn, the mother did not know which son to pray for.
Moral: You can’t please everybody.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
God Says Row
One beautiful evening a fisherman, who had just finished his day’s work, was returning to the dock. Suddenly, the motor in the boat stopped. It had run out of gas! Countless times the fisherman tried to restart the motor as he drifted farther out into the sea. The fisherman prayed to God that He would send someone to tow him back to shore. Then he thought he heard God chuckle and reply, “Sit down, son, and row!”
Moral: God helps those who help themselves.
One beautiful evening a fisherman, who had just finished his day’s work, was returning to the dock. Suddenly, the motor in the boat stopped. It had run out of gas! Countless times the fisherman tried to restart the motor as he drifted farther out into the sea. The fisherman prayed to God that He would send someone to tow him back to shore. Then he thought he heard God chuckle and reply, “Sit down, son, and row!”
Moral: God helps those who help themselves.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Fact and Fiction of King Arthur
The stories which were written about King Arthur are a mix of fact and fiction. Actually King Arthur was a tribal chief in England after the Romans left, and he bravely helped fight off invaders. Some story tellers invented fantastic myths about him. The most famous story about King Arthur is “The Sword and the Stone.” Many young s have probably read and dreamed about Sir Gallahad, the purest of knights, and the stories of Merlin the Magician are quite famous, too. But most people think that King Arthur is the real superhero. Now you are probably wondering, “Why is he called King Arthur if he doesn't rule anything?” Well, that’s where you’re wrong! With the help of the Knights of the Round Table and Merlin, King Arthur ruled a kingdom called Camelot. Many people claimed to be related to King Arthur so they could usurp the throne of England. One myth says that King Arthur never died, so some people believe that he will come and rule again when they most need him. That is why he is called, “The once and future king!” The legends of King Arthur are the best known stories in British literature.
The stories which were written about King Arthur are a mix of fact and fiction. Actually King Arthur was a tribal chief in England after the Romans left, and he bravely helped fight off invaders. Some story tellers invented fantastic myths about him. The most famous story about King Arthur is “The Sword and the Stone.” Many young s have probably read and dreamed about Sir Gallahad, the purest of knights, and the stories of Merlin the Magician are quite famous, too. But most people think that King Arthur is the real superhero. Now you are probably wondering, “Why is he called King Arthur if he doesn't rule anything?” Well, that’s where you’re wrong! With the help of the Knights of the Round Table and Merlin, King Arthur ruled a kingdom called Camelot. Many people claimed to be related to King Arthur so they could usurp the throne of England. One myth says that King Arthur never died, so some people believe that he will come and rule again when they most need him. That is why he is called, “The once and future king!” The legends of King Arthur are the best known stories in British literature.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Boston Tea Party
On December 16, 1773, a group of men who called themselves the “Sons of Liberty”, dressed up as Indians and sneaked onto three ships in Boston Harbor. Cautiously under cover of darkness, they dumped 90,000 pounds of tea into the water. The Boston Tea Party happened because the people of Boston became angry when the British began taxing tea. It wasn’t that the tea tax was too high; it was because they had absolutely no say in the matter. The Americans resented being bossed around by England. The Boston Tea Party became a key event preceding the American Revolution.
On December 16, 1773, a group of men who called themselves the “Sons of Liberty”, dressed up as Indians and sneaked onto three ships in Boston Harbor. Cautiously under cover of darkness, they dumped 90,000 pounds of tea into the water. The Boston Tea Party happened because the people of Boston became angry when the British began taxing tea. It wasn’t that the tea tax was too high; it was because they had absolutely no say in the matter. The Americans resented being bossed around by England. The Boston Tea Party became a key event preceding the American Revolution.
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