It’s February 29. 
Today is “Leap Day.”  What special thing can you do today that you’ll remember doing four years from now when it’s Leap Day again?

Trivial Fact of the Day: In days of yore, it was uncouth for a lady to ask for a man’s hand in marriage.  Queen Margaret declared in 1288 that on February 29 a single lady had the right to pop the question to any man she liked. Menfolk
could refuse but were expected to give a gift to the female asker.

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “Life is a travelling to the edge of knowledge, then a leap taken.”  --H. D. Lawrence (British author/poet)
Vocabulary Word of the Day:  sparse (adjective) – apply this modifier to nouns that are thinly dispersed or scattered.  Like people with birthdays on “Leap Day,” or…?

Happy Monday!!!

Today we will begin our mapping lab on Asia. We will complete Challenge 1 & 2.

It’s February 22. 
Today is “Be Humble Day.”  What do you find it hardest to be humble about?  What do you find it easiest?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   An adult human body contains on average 250 grams of salt, which is about half a pound.

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”  --John Wooden (American basketball player and coach)
Vocabulary Word of the Day:  submissive (adjective) – use this fancy adjective to describe someone or something that is obedient or acts passively to those in power. Is it bad to be submissive? Can it show that you’re being humble?

Monday!!!

Today we are going to discuss Economics Problems on North Africa. Then, complete a test review.

It’s February 19. 
Today is “National Chocolate Mint Day.”  What confection** made with chocolate and mint do you prefer?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   Stuntmen use bottles and glass windows made of sugar.

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “A wise woman puts a grain of sugar into everything she says to a man, and takes a grain of salt with everything he says to her.”  --Helen Rowland (American journalist and humorist)

**Vocabulary Word of the Day:  confection (noun) – this word has two acceptable meanings: 1) a sweet dish or delicacy; or  2) an elaborately constructed thing, especially one that isn’t necessary.  Have you ever seen a building or piece of furniture that might be called a confection?

 

Fantastically Fabulous Friday!

Today we are going to finish our questions from yesterday and begin reading Ch 18 Lesson 2.  Don't forget test on Tuesday and States and Capitals Quiz on Wednesday.

 

It’s February 18. 
Today is “National Battery Day.”  Like the Energizer Bunny, should this day just keep going and going and going?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   Our earth receives 100 lightning strikes per second, or 3.6 billion every year.  At any given time, there are probably 200 thunderstorms happening somewhere on this planet. 

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “I bought some batteries, but they weren’t included.”  --Stephen Wright (American comedian)
Vocabulary Word of the Day:  behemoth (noun) – something of tremendous power or size.  In 2012, China built a behemoth of a battery; it is larger than a football field.  How many homes do you think it could power?

Thursday!!!

Chapter 17 homework due today!! Continue working on Chapter 18. Read Lesson 1 and share out your section.

It’s February 16. 
Today is “Do a Grouch a Favor Day.”  What favor would a grouch need?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   On Sesame Street, Oscar the Grouch had a pet worm named Slimey, and he had a girlfriend named Grundgetta.

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.”  --Groucho Marx (American comedian)
Vocabulary Word of the Day:  curmudgeon (noun) – a fancy word for someone who is ill-tempered most of the time; it’s more often used as a synonym for an old man with this type of temperament.  Do you know any curmudgeons?

Tuesday!!!!

Finish Overview of Oil in the Middle East and turn in digitally. Do not turn in through Google docs, it must be uploaded. Chapter 18 introduction and Chapter 17 homework.

It’s February 12. 
Today begins “Jell-O Week.”  Do you have any funny stories that involve gelatin?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   In 1936, Jell-O introduced a cola-flavored gelatin. It was discontinued the following year. What should they have tried instead?

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “There’s nothing like a dream to create the future.”  --Victor Hugo (French poet and novelist)
Vocabulary Word of the Day:  aspire (verb) – this action word means to seek to attain a particular goal.  What career do you aspire to become?  What new flavor of Jell-O should someone aspire to create? 

Happy Almost Valentine's Day Friday!

Today, we are going to work on An Overview of Oil in the Middle East.

It’s February 11. 
Today is “Make a Friend Day.”  What are three benevolent** ways one might make new friends out of three complete strangers today?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   A sneeze travels out of your mouth at about 100 miles an hour.  What if we could harness that force and turn it into electricity?

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “There’s not a word yet for old friends who’ve just met.”  --Jim Henson (Creator of the Muppets)
**Vocabulary Word of the Day:  benevolent (adj.) – use this descriptive word in front of a person or an act that is intended to do some good or something kind.  His benevolent handshake ______________.   How would you complete that sentence?

Thursday!!

Today we are going to begin our study of the Israeli - Palestinian Conflicts.

It’s February 10. 
Today is “Umbrella Day.”  What memories are stirred up from the word umbrella?

 

Trivial Fact of the Day:   Cold weather makes fingernails grow faster.  Why do you suppose that is?

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “A rose must remain with the sun and the rain, or its lovely promise won’t come true.” --Ray Evans (American songwriter)

Vocabulary Word of the Day:  preclude (verb) – this action word means to prevent.  A large, snarling dog would preclude you from entering an unfamiliar yard.  What else would preclude you from trespassing?

 

Wednesday

Today, we are going to continue studying the 3 major religions.

 

It’s February 9. 
Today is “National Stop Bullying Day.”  What are some ways you can stop bullying if you see it happening?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   Giraffes can actually go longer without water than camels, and a kick from a giraffe can kill an attacking lion.

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!”  --Ralph Waldo Emerson (American essayist and poet)
Vocabulary Word of the Day:  duplicity (noun) – this fancy word can be a synonym for dishonesty, but it’s really more accurate if the person being dishonest is particularly crafty with his/her lying.  What professions do you suspect might have people who practice duplicitous ways?

Tuesday!!!

Today we are going to begin/continue Cornell notes on the 3 major religions.

It’s February 8. 
Today is “Laugh and Get Rich Day.”  Which of your friends makes you laugh the most? Can a sense of humor ever make one opulent**?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   On average, children laugh about 400 times a day, while adults only laugh about 15 times daily.  If we can have blood banks, why can’t we have laughter banks? 

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.”  --Woody Allen (American screenwriter)
 **Vocabulary Word of the Day:  opulent (adjective) – this descriptive word can be applied to someone who has goods, property, or money in abundance.  What’s the best way to become opulent?  What’s the worst way?

Monday!!!

Welcome back from a marvelous weekend. Today we are going to continue with Chapter 17 Lesson 2  and also read Chapter 17 Lesson 3. At the end of class we are going to begin our discussion of religions around the world.

It’s February 5. 
Today is “Weatherman’s (Weatherperson’s) Day.”  Can you write how you are feeling today in the voice of a meteorologist? 

Trivial Fact of the Day:   It’s so cold in some parts of Russia that milk is sold in frozen blocks instead of in liquid form.

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “If you cannot be the poet, be the
poem.”  --Robert Carradine (American actor)
 Vocabulary Word of the Day:  tempestuous (adjective) – use this
descriptive word to modify a noun that shows the characteristics of a violent storm.  Have you ever had a bad enough day that you could have described your mood as tempestuous?

Fabulous Friday!!!

We are going to finish the analyzing the political cartoon. Then read Chapter 17 lesson 2 & 3.