Next Thursday, October 20th, is the National Day on Writing! Are you ready? Read on for some ideas on how to mark this day with your writers.
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Blog: TWO WRITING TEACHERS (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: celebration, NWP, NCTE, writing workshop, Amy Ludwig Vanderwater, Jess Keating, Add a tag
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JacketFlap tags: Arbordale Posts, 4thofJuly, chemisty, history, celebration, Education, science, Fireworks, physics, Independence day, Add a tag
Independence Day is here; this weekend fireworks will light up the sky around the nation in celebration. But…how are fireworks made? And…who thought to send brightly colored explosions into the sky?
For Arbordale celebration and science go hand in hand, so here is a quick history chemistry and physics lesson in fireworks!
History
The Chinese were experimenting with exploding tubes of bamboo as early as 200 B.C., but it wasn’t until 900 A.D. that Chinese chemists found a mix that when stuffed in bamboo and thrown in a fire produced a loud bang. Over the next several hundred years experimentation lead to the first rockets, but as fire power began to fly in the air, celebrations also began to light up the sky.
Soon firework technology began to spread across Europe to Medieval England. The popularity of celebrating war victories and religious ceremonies with fireworks displays grew. The Italian pyrotechnic engineers are first credited with adding color to their fireworks in the 1830’s. The Europeans brought their knowledge of fireworks to America, and the first recorded display was in Jamestown in 1608.
John Adams predicted that fireworks would be part of the Fourth of July celebrations on July 3, 1776 with a letter to Abigail Adams where he said, “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
And so on the first anniversary of the country and each year we celebrate with Pomp and Parade, ending the day with Illuminations!
The Science
The Chinese put bamboo in the fire and the air pocket would make a bang when it was heated to a certain temperature. Today we have much better technology and fireworks are a little more complicated. The basic science has not changed, but the delivery methods have gotten much more accurate and high tech giving celebrators a bigger better show.
We know a tube is our vehicle, but how does it travel to the sky?
A mix of combustible solid chemicals is packed into the tube, along with neatly arranged metals. The metals determine the color (copper=blue/green, calcium=red), and the arrangement determines shape (circle, smiley faces, stars).
When the heat activates the chemicals, the excitement begins. The reaction is started by either fire or electricity through a fuse. As the heat begins to travel into the tube the chemicals become activated that reaction produces other chemicals such as smoke and gasses. The chemical reaction creates the release of energy; the energy is converted into the heat, light, sound and movement that we see up in the sky.
Physics takes over!
The Conservation of Energy Law says that the chemical energy packed inside that tube is equal to the energy of the released plus the energy left after the reaction. A professional firework in a large tube packed with chemicals creates a much bigger light show and bang than a tiny firecracker that jumps with a small bang.
The fireworks fly because of Newton’s Third Law. “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction” When the gasses are released from the chemical reaction they shoot down with force cause the firework to lift up into the air.
Finally, Why are fireworks always symmetrical?
Conservation of Momentum says that momentum must be the same before and after the explosion. In other words, when the explosion occurs the movement must be balanced.
Now that you have learned a little about the science behind fireworks enjoy watching them on this Independence Day. But remember, fireworks are dangerous and best left to the professionals!
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Blog: TWO WRITING TEACHERS (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: blogging, celebration, writing workshop, engagement, authentic assessment, apps, choice, Weebly, digital writing, kidblog, Green Screen, Padlet, SeeSaw, GAFE, Add a tag
Digital tools can transform your teaching by allowing students to have a writing community beyond the classroom walls, be innovative, make meaningful connections to other writers and students, have more resources readily available, and have true, authentic reasons for writing.
Add a CommentBlog: TWO WRITING TEACHERS (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: family, celebration, writing workshop, Add a tag
It’s the end of the school year and our days are full of reflections, assessments, and all kinds of celebrations. During those final days before summer vacation begins, we find many ways celebrate… Continue reading
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JacketFlap tags: collaboration, writing workshop, mentoring, celebration, challenges, Add a tag
This year, our class motto has been "Push through the struggle." Originally a mantra of one student, but quickly became the motto of the community. These are the words used to encourage each other to persevere in all learning tasks. The Slice Of Life Story Challenge was no exception!
Add a CommentBlog: First Book (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Día de los ninos, Día de los libros, Make The Most of First Book, Using First Book, celebration, pat mora, Bookjoy, Add a tag
Are you celebrating Día this year? We have five fun ideas to fuel your celebration planning.
In its 20th year, Día de los niños, Día de los libros (Children’s Day, Book Day – or Día) is the annual celebration of bookjoy created by children’s author Pat Mora. The nationally recognized initiative emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children, from all backgrounds and creatively links them to the gift of reading.
March is the perfect time to plan the details of your Día celebration. Now is the time to pick your location, check and evaluate your book inventory and invite your guests. Try these great ideas and find more tips for organizing and planning your celebration in our downloadable Día guide.
Blog: TWO WRITING TEACHERS (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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There are some days in an elementary school teacher's life where the white flag must be waved. Halloween. The day before holiday break. Pajama Day. Crazy Hat Day. And, of course, Valentine's Day...
Add a CommentBlog: TWO WRITING TEACHERS (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: publishing, feedback, writing workshop, personal narrative, commenting, celebration, Add a tag
Blog: Illustration for Kids Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children, Illustration, kids, celebration, cartoon, mouse, comic, thanksgiving, mice, cheese, dinner, paula becker, paulajbecker, Add a tag
Blog: TWO WRITING TEACHERS (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: celebration, writing workshop, academic choice, authentic assessment, collecting, lessons learned from students, Add a tag
Of the many ways I gain an understanding of my writers, my favorite and most valuable is gathering up all the writing and diving into reading ALL the students’ work.
Add a CommentWe're throwing a virtual baby shower for Anna, who welcomed a new baby into the world yesterday.
Add a CommentBlog: TWO WRITING TEACHERS (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Third grade was my favorite year of school. We had the best teacher ever. We sang songs and poems that I still remember to this day (Cumalada cumalada cumalada vista!). For math, we… Continue reading
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I teach writing very differently from the way in which I was taught writing. I suspect that many of the parents of my sixth graders feel the same way when their kids come home with stories about mini lessons, mentor texts, and genre studies. “What do all these terms mean anyway?” they must wonder, “and exactly how do they advance my kid’s writing?”.
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Take some time to celebrate what your students have accomplished, thanks to your teaching, in writing workshop. Name something -- big or small -- you're proud of from this school year.
Add a CommentBlog: TWO WRITING TEACHERS (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Blog: Susanna Leonard Hill (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: celebration, Punxsutawney Phyllis, birthday bonanza, Add a tag
La la la...
illustration copyright Jeff Ebbeler 2005 |
So, there I was, tootling along, minding my own business, driving to my author visit yesterday and humming my homemade Phyllis song in a most tuneful hummy kind of way when
BAM!
I suddenly realized two things:
1. Groundhog Day is a mere 11 days away!
2. THIS YEAR IS PHYLLIS'S 10th ANNIVERSARY!!!
WHAT???!!!
TEN YEARS???!!!
My little furry friend is going to be in double digits! *sentimental sniff*
AND I HAVE NOT MADE A PLAN OF A SUITABLE CELEBRATORY NATURE!!!
What kind of mother am I???!!! *gnashing of teeth and extended period of self-recrimination*
Instant panic set in.
Not good whilst you are driving and unable to do anything but drive. A spoonful of panic makes the accelerator go down VRRROOOOOOM!
"Where!" (I fumed) "is my talented and versatile personal assistant who appears like magic at my beck and call to take down notes and implement my thoughts whilst I drive???!!!"
Darn it all.
I don't have one.
But luckily I have a mind that is prone to hare-brained schemes. . .
And so.
I made a plan!
And you are all welcome to join me, and I truly, deeply hope you do, because it will not be any fun at ALL if it's just me and that will make Phyllis sad! (And Sad Phyllis is not fun to hang out with!)
Here's the deal.
We shall have Phyllis's Birthday Bonanza! (That has a nice ring to it, don't you think?)
And for it, we shall all write a poem in honor of Phyllis!
I'm thinking maybe An Ode To Phyllis... or a limerick :) or if you're really ambitious, a combination of the two :) A sonnet would be nice, if you're feeling Shakespearean. Or perhaps a haiku or two about the Natural Wonder that is Phyllis the Groundhog. Really, Phyllis is not picky, as long as it's a poem... about her... :)
I feel certain that this will result is some poetry the likes of which the world has never experienced. *snort*
Ah, but the fun shall not end there!
I mean, it CAN end there. If you are inspired to write a poem for Phyllis, post it on your blog or in the comments on the Birthday Bonanza post, and leave it at that, that will be lovely and Phyllis will send you warm furry brown hugs.
BUT.
For those of us who wish to take it to a further level... (Erik... who has been asking to make a video for like a year now... :))
Download, print out, cut out, and color Phyllis from HERE (or dig the one you made for Phyllis's Fun Fashion Show or weather predicting Phyllis out of mothballs.) (Teeny hint - a popsicle stick stuck to her back works great for puppeteering and/or propping up purposes!)
Then.
Video your Phyllis doing a dramatic reading of your special poem!
We will be especially appreciative of creative backdrops, clever costumes, or singing :)
Unless you're channeling Samuel Taylor Coleridge and writing the Rime of Phyllis The Ancient Mariner (or something equally appallingly long) your dramatic poetry reading should probably fit into a video of a minute or two or so (or less - we're going for entertainment value, not length :)) so it doesn't have to be a huge production. And you can hopefully do it pretty easily with your computer or your phone - nothing too film-industry-specific required.
Then on Monday, February 2nd, Groundhog Day 2015, in celebration of Phyllis's 10th Anniversary, I shall put up the official Phyllis's Birthday Bonanza post (yes, of course there will be cake! I can't believe you even asked that!) and you can all put your post-specific links on the link list (or post in the comments, or email your entry to me and I'll post it for you if you can't post in the comments - susanna[a]susannahill[dot]com or handy email me button in the sidebar) and we can all visit each other and party in honor of Phyllis, loveliest of lovelies, marmot extraordinaire!
And there will be presents! For you! Which I am still working on thinking up because, like I said, I just thought of this and I wanted to give you as much time as possible to prepare your Phyllis Poem & Video. There might be some kind of voting process... or there might not. Like I said... still thinking :)
So I am sincerely hoping that this sounds like the kind of hare-brained scheme you can get on board with! Teachers and classes are welcome to join the fun too! Anyone who loves Phyllis :)
Phyllis is wild with excitement and says she will make strawberry pie for everyone while she's waiting!
Looking forward hopefully to the fruits of your creative talents!
Let the wild poetry writing start!!!!!
Blog: Sugar Frosted Goodness (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: halloween, celebration, flowers, tradition, day of the dead, dia de los muertos, Skull, november, sugar skull, sandra vargas, red poppies, sandygrafik, Add a tag
Blog: Utah Children's Writers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing, revision, celebration, editors, dedication, critique, marriage, delayed gratification, Add a tag
by Neysa CM Jensen
(in Boise, Idaho)
This recipe for a school-wide writing celebration offers one idea for a way to include all students without the anxiety that often comes from presenting in front of a large group. Also, it is easy to prepare and the outcome is delicious!
Add a CommentBlog: Phyllis Harris Illustration (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Celebrate Life, Nuresry Wall Art, Phyllis Harris Designs, Celebration, Sale, Free Shipping, children's wall art, Cancer Free, Add a tag
I hope you will celebrate with me as today, April 24th marks a very special day for me, indeed.
Why am I celebrating? I am celebrating because 5 years ago today, on April 24th, 2009 I had a life saving surgery and I praise God that I have been cancer free ever since. 5 years cancer free!! Hallelujah!!
I am so grateful for every single day that I have been blessed with especially since my battle with breast cancer. When I think back on everything that has happened over these past 5 years, I am so very grateful that I got to witness my sweet daughter get married as well as getting to be there when my precious grand daughter was born. I am so very blessed to be married to my wonderful and amazing soul mate and best friend for these past 32 years who was with me every step of the way throughout my battle.
And to top it all off…I get to do what I love and love what I do every single day at Phyllis Harris Designs! How could I ever ask for more?
To help celebrate this wonderful day I am going to offer FREE SHIPPING in both my shops. In my own shop as well as in my Etsy shop but this offer is only good for ONE DAY ONLY(4-24-14) so hurry. Just use the special code CELEBRATELIFE at checkout and receive FREE SHIPPING on your order.
Thank you all for being a part of this wonderful journey!
Phyllis
Please join me in celebrating with Beth, her husband, and her daughter as they welcome a new addition to their family, Jackson Brinton Moore.
Add a CommentPlease join me in celebrating with Anna and her husband as they welcome their son, Thomas Hudson Cockerille, into the world.
Add a CommentBlog: TWO WRITING TEACHERS (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Many parents, guardians, and extended family members cannot leave work to attend writing celebrations. Here are some ideas to bring your next publishing party into the community where you teach OR to make them virtual celebrations.
Add a CommentBlog: TWO WRITING TEACHERS (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Beth Moore offers a collection of ten publishing party ideas you can use to celebrate your students' writing.
Add a CommentBlog: TWO WRITING TEACHERS (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Each year Deb Gaby helps select a reading theme for the school year at Milford Elementary School. This year, to kick off the BIG reading year, we hosted a carnival. Kids made book… Read More
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