It’s April 12. 
Today is “National Licorice Day.”  Do you prefer black or red licorice?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   Licorice is actually a plant that has been used medicinally for centuries, especially in China.  U.S. licorice candy is actually made from the oil of the anise plant, containing no licorice in it whatsoever.

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.”  --Luther Burbank (American botanist)
Vocabulary Word of the Day:  aversion (noun) – use this noun when you want a word that means a particular dislike for something.  Is their a type or flavor of candy that you have an aversion for?  Is there a type of weather? A school subject?

Projects!!!!

It’s April 11. 
Today is “National Barbershop Quartet Day.”  In a quartet, would you sing as lead, tenor,  baritone, bass…or just badly?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   A normal human has four vocal chords, but only two of them actually work; we all have two “false vocal chords.”  These noisy animals don’t have any vocal chords: dolphins, whales, condors, storks, and cicadas.

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “The only thing better than singing is more singing.”  --Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer)
Vocabulary Word of the Day:  a capella (adverb) – this Italian phrase is used in English to describe singing that is done without instrumental accompaniment.  Where is your favorite place to sing a capella?

Marvelous Monday Mustangs!!

Today we are going to begin our Amazing Race Project. Sit in groups of 5. Be sure to pick your groups carefully. You don't want your grade to suffer because of bad choices. Get 2 books per table.

It’s April 8. 
Today is “Buddha Day.”  He taught his followers to never be ignorant, hateful or angry.  Of those three, which is most important and why?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   Sadly, Buddha’s death—at age 80—was triggered by food poisoning, which he caught from eating a wild mushroom.

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”  --Gautama Buddha (teacher and founder of Buddhism)
Vocabulary Word of the Day:  probity (noun) – if you possess this noun, you show the world a lot of sound morals, good virtues, or solid integrity.  Who do you know who has the most probity?

Fantabulous Friday!!!

Today, we are going to take our Unit 5 Test. Read your own book when finished.

 

It’s April 6. 
Today is “Tartan Day,” celebrating Scottish heritage.  What’s something interesting you already know about Scotland?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   Because some actors consider it bad luck to say the word “Macbeth” out loud, when they perform in this famous Shakespearean tragedy, they refer to it as “The Scottish Play” to avoid saying “Macbeth.”

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “The most successful men in the end are those whose success is the result of steady accretion**.”  --Alexander Graham Bell (Scottish-born/American inventor)

**Vocabulary Word of the Day:  accretion (noun) – this noun is a fancy word that stands for a type of growth (mental or physical) that happens slowly over a lengthy period of time.  What should and shouldn’t be grown/acquired through accretion?

Wonderful Wednesday Mustangs!!

Today, we are going to finish reading Chapter 25 Lesson 3. Then test your knowledge and take a quiz over all of Chapter 25 (using your book!!)Next, a quick look at Australia. 

It’s April 5. 
Today is “National Deep Dish Pizza Day.”  What thin foods still need to have a ‘deep dish’ version invented?  Deep dish tortillas?  Or…?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   Crater Lake is the deepest lake the United States at 1,949 feet.  The deepest lake in the world is Lake Baikal in Russia at 5,369 feet.

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “It’s a shallow life that doesn’t give a person a few scars.”  --Garrison Keillor (American author and humorist)

Vocabulary Word of the Day:  profound (adjective) – use this modifier to describe a thought or idea that has great depth to it.  Shallow ideas are insipid.  Deep ideas are profound.  Which type of ideas do you have more often on a regular school day?

Terrific Tuesday!!

Today we are going to study for our vocabulary quiz (Thursday) and complete test review questions. Then read Ch 25 Lesson 3. 

It’s April 4. 
Today is “World Rat Day.”  Do you think a rat would make a good pet?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   A group of rats is called a mischief.  You can also call them a plague of rats, a horde of rats, a pack of rats or a swarm of rats.  Which collective noun do you think sounds the most appropriate?

Interesting Quote of the Day:  “The trouble with the ‘rat race’ is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.”  --Lily Tomlin (American comedienne)

Vocabulary Word of the Day:  largess (noun) – this fancy noun can be used to stand for the act of generously giving of expensive gifts.  If you had a boss (or an in-law) in the future who demonstrated largess, what might he/she give you?

Mustang Monday!!!!

Today we are going to study Gandhi. Before our study, we will practice vocabulary (quizlet). Then, test questions review. 

It’s March 32. 
Today is “April Fool’s Day.”  Are you ready for some practical jokes?

Trivial Fact of the Day:   In 1957, the BBC aired a fake April 1st news-story reporting a bumper crop of spaghetti plants by Swiss farmers, which included fake footage of peasants pulling fresh spaghetti from the branches of trees.  Hundreds of viewers called in, asking where they could obtain their own spaghetti trees to plant.  April fools!

Interesting Quote of the Day:  "The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." --Abraham Lincoln
Vocabulary Word of the Day:  jocund (adjective) – use this descriptive word as a synonym for cheerful.  Do practical jokes make you feel jocund or the opposite of jocund?

"Remember Aja Day" Friday!

Today, we are getting our last 7 vocabulary words!!!! Then, we are going to read Ch 25 Lesson 2. (You don't need a book) Do you know who Gandhi is? Find out today!

 

Have a great and safe weekend!!!!