Poems, Projects, Progress Notes - Closure Day #19

I sit in the house bored out of my mind

Wishing I could go back in time,

I miss my friend and going to school,

I thought staying home would be very cool! 

By Sam 

Pictures and White Boards are also a great way
to turn assignments in.  If you haven't turned a set
of idioms in yet, consider doing that this week.
Also, if you already did it you could do it again.
How many of you hear a idiom maybe on TV or from
your parents?  Listening for and recording phrases
we hear is an interesting Journaling activity.

Here's an example of a great way to share what you have been up to and what your plans are.  If everyone sent me something like this once a week would work out well.  I could read it and give you feedback of where or how you should go next!...Nice job Abi! - 

Hi! I wrote what I thought about the Barking poem on my white board. Here is a photo.I think it is about someone’s life and then dying and being free.I kind of liked it, but didn’t understand what some of it meant.I am going to hopefully interview my grandma and my Nana this weekend to write about them.I have one great grandma who is still alive, but I don’t think that will get to talk to her. I might write her a letter and send her a birthday card because her birthday is next week and I feel badly that she won’t get to see anyone for her birthday.I am also reading Holes with my mom and we are going to watch the movie when we finish the book. We are about halfway done. It’s really good so far.Well goodnight. It’s time for me to go to sleep. ~Abi

Rainbow poem by A.L.!
(CLICK on the picture, it will enlarge
it.  Also, then ZOOM into it to read it better.)

The Fat cat by Alex:

The cat,

sooo fat

sat on the mat

eating dead rats

though he has fat

he was very fast

he could out run a snail

by less than the size of

a nail

My my, the wind blows

but never underestimate

this one bro

He is so in the flow

You can't stop him

even with Gei-co

Even the weird

green lizard can't stop

him.

God made this cat that way

and nothing can stop him

today.

By Bella

Tell me where you want to go

And I will take you there

Just not right now

Because the virus is in the air

But we will have fun

How we will get there

And when we will get there

We will not see a bear

Traveling is awesome

It brings people joy

Wherever you go

You will enjoy

So pack your bags

And get ready for an adventure

Because wherever you go

You will always remember

Sorry, But You're Forced
Two weeks have passed
And the time has come
Get ready, get set
And run, run, run

Get your electronics charged
And your brain in gear
But do not fear
And don't think about dropping a tear

The past is the past
And this emergency won't last
I promise that

The school is ready
For you to begin
So get prepared
And win, win, win

By Bella

Student Idioms:

Hit the Hay : Its time to leave
Break a leg : Good luck
Under the weather: Feeling sick
Pull yourself together: Stop and calm down
Blow off steam: When your angry you need to cool down

~Jacie

Bad Apple - someone that is a bad influence ; trouble maker

Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover - your first impression isn't always correct

I'm All Ears - i'm listening

It's Raining Cats and Dogs - it's raining really hard

It's a Piece of Cake - it's really good

~Kira 

Hit the hay- go to bed.
Ants in your pants- you can't sit still.
Early bird gets the worm- the early person gets the special thing.
Let the cat out of the bag- you spoiled the news, you weren't supposed tell.
One in a blue moon- not often.

Brynn 

raining cats and dogs-raining very hard

piece of cake-easy

going bananas-going crazy

it cost an arm and a leg- very expensive

spilled the beans-told a secret

Some Straight Forward Brain-Pop Reports (You can do one of these anytime you are looking for something new to learn about and keep your summarizing skills fresh:

The black death killed millions of people. It first showed up in China, Hubei traders brought it to the middle east, plaque infested ships brought it to Messina, Italy then Europe. Two thirds of Europe died. 

There were smaller outbreaks for centuries. So many people died because of war, weather, and famine. Hunger makes people vulnerable to the sickness and medical stuff wasn’t based on science. 

~Marvin

~~~

No one knows who created the gun. All we know is that it uses gunpowder which ignites to shoot the bullet. The gun was first made in China to Europe to the Middle east. The second amendment allows citizens to have a gun.

      People got confused on how they would protect themselves. Some thought the army would protect them others thought people would protect themselves. Eventually the U.S. Army was made.  

~Marvin

~~~
March 30, 2020 at 1:00 we started our history walk at 9th street. First we stopped at 6th and Coal Soccer Field. This used to be a baseball/softball field. Next we to the Third Ward School. My Papaw went here for grades K-6 grade (so did Mr. Rabenold-He can tell stories about swinging up the flagpole!). Then we walked up 3rd street to St. Peter and Paul’s Church. My brother and I currently attend church and Sunday school here. I also attended PreSchool here, but the school close in 2014. Next our walk continued to the Lehighton Borough Annex. This used to be Lehighton’s High School until the 1960’s. Then it became Lehighton’s Junior High School until 1990’s. Then we walked to the old Fire Station, The 2nd floor used to be the old Rec Center. Now it is the Police Station. Right next to it is the new Fire Station. We continued to the old Lehighton Library ,which is now Mr. Schaeffer,s (Cove’s grandparent home). When the current library was built in the 1960s all the books were moved by a human chain. We counted numerous churches on our walk and continued past carriage houses and homes with turrets (cylinder rooms with a roof). Past the First Ward School, which was also an elementary school until 1993 when all classes moved to newer buildings(the bricks were all made in Lehighton by Henry Graver-click here for stories about brick making in Lehighton.). Our final stop was the Gnaden Huetten Massacre Memorial. The Moravians and Indians seemed to be getting along, until one of the Indian leaders felt as if the white men were not treating the Indians fairly. On November 24th,1755,the Moravians were attacked by the Indians and 10 people were killed. There is a mass grave site with a monument for these 10 people. We continued our walk around the cemetery looking at the mausoleums and grave sites.
by Brynn

For more information to read with details on the attack and biographical information of the victims and the survivors, CLICK HERE.

by Abby

We have a dog , his name is Bob. 

He is a pug, and he’s as cute as a bug in a rug.

He drags his toys all over the floor and then he lays down and starts to snore.

He loves to eat and eat and eat and then he tries to bite our feet. 

He is always stealing our shoes and this really gives us the blues. 

Even though he’s sometimes bad,  he’s the best dog that we ever had ❤️

~~~

The triceratops wakes from his sleep
and heads into the forest deep.
He moves slowly along the ground
to find a bush to eat.
When he's full he goes to the waterhole
where his friends will meet.
They will play tag and football
until tyrannosaurus comes and they retreat.


The cat was so fat.
then mom fell off the ladder.
the poor cat went splat.


T-rex wakes each morn.
he makes a turkey sandwich.
He lets out a BURP!

~Adam

~~~

What should we do???
We are bored
Because of this world
So let's figure out what to do

Listen to our teachers
And have great accomplishments
And then they will know
How capable you are
Of being you

At the beginning of the year
You weren't any different
Than anyone else in the room
But you had to know your'e impression

You had to get good grades
And had a chance to be ANYTHING
You just had to get there yourself
So if you didn't make it,
Try again next year

Some people think about
Not making an impression
Others just fool around

No class can be perfect
And from anyone's background
No class was too weird or too smart
Too dumb or too normal

So if you do finish
our normal work
then wait for my other poem
For the part two

Of 'What Should We Do??'

What Should We Do??? Part 2

Welcome once again

To this amazing event

Of reading these poems

And eating an amazing scent

So today if you are bored

Our OTHER teachers have something

For us to do

You can do art

The fine thing that

Anyone can do

You can make a beautiful piece

Or just eat a piece of cake

But that leads us to our next thing

Gym

The great, fun thing

That exercises you, too

From contortionists to soccer

You can pick anything you want to do

And speaking of any

How about Computers

When you can pick anything to do

Just remember about the PowerPoint that's due

And speaking of due

Music is a great one, too

You usually don't get any homework

So right now she gives you little work

And it isn't even due!!!

And Library

The fun place where you get to read

Yeah projects are due

But that's how she grades you!!!

She can't grade you on the books you pick

Or the books you bring back,

That's not a full grade!!!

You can't do nothing,

You have to do something

And that's why things are due!!

And all you have to do

Is listen to her read!

But Library's awesome remember that, too!

So these are the amazing things you can do

And some aren't even grading you!!

So be grateful of what little you do

And, know that today's the day to read this poem, too.

Bella

Easter
It comes with candy
And can come different days
But has a meaning

We celebrate this
During the season of Spring
Where Jesus rose again
And struggled for his name

He rose on the third day
And worn his struggles out
And he was back from death

So it's not only Christmas
That has treats and gifts
But remember it's fun to have fun
But appreciate it, too

Bella 

REPORTS (continued) - 

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was one of the greatest writers in the English language. He was born in England in 1564 in a small village called Stratford- upon- Avon. He got married at age 18 and moved to London later. He wasn't well known in his childhood, but in 1594 he became a very well-known actor and play-writer in his city. He had a lot of Histories, Comedies, Tragedies, and Romances, too. He wrote 154 sonnets, 37 plays, and many more. In 1599, Lord Chamberlain's Men(his acting company) built a new theater called the Globe Theater. The theater was a big hit!!! Many people went there and it was jammed packed with not only people, but many puns and jokes that people loved. William died in 1616 at age 52. His plays are still popular today because they show true things about human nature at every time and place around the world. That's my summary for William Shakespeare. Bella

~~~

PowerPoint Slide Shows for Mrs. Rex, but since they were Social Studies themed, I also gave "credit"/participation for a SS grade too.:

Student Poetry, Project, & Family Stories (Closure Day #14)

Here's a very creative way Jose shared his acrostic poem.  Well Done!
He sent it as a Word file which was great.  Or you could take a picture
of it.  What ever works for you.  Whatever your technology allows you
to do!...The sky is the limit.  Also, I know many of you worked on
a PowerPoint for Mrs. Rex.  You could always get creative
and write a Graphic Novel and put it on PowerPoint.  (If you
don't have PowerPoint software, you can try Google Slides (I think
that's what it's called?  Ask Mrs. Rex, she'll know).  Anyway, you write
the story, and then search the internet for pictures that goes with your
ideas.  Or draw them yourself! 

Happy Grumpy Thursday All!...Here are some things kids have been working on.
Please check here once in a while to get some great ideas about what you could be doing to enrich your self-learning at home.

It's April
Happy April Fools
Everything's a prank
Even for today

Today is the day
No matter where we are now
We are here to stay

So let us look up
Many ways to prank people
Because it is fun

So make it all great
And that is all for today
So prank, prank away

Bella 

~The funny part is, the kids did give me a 'heads-up' that they were going to prank me.  To which I replied, "Bring it!"  So I was actually quite nervous about it because I know how devilish and creative they were, a bad combination for any teacher!...So I asked Bella what their plans were, and this is what she wrote:

The prank we were working on was Jacie's idea. We were going to put sticky notes all over your desk and everything on it. My other idea was to turn the staples over in the staplers and tape the red light on your computer mouse. But we did have a good conversation (pretty much everyone talked about it) at lunch some time in January. It kind of led on into recess, too. It was a good conversation. And if you are wondering, we were only going to do it to you(sorry, I guess). But just in case if you wanted to know, here you go. Bella 

The Playground

I remember when I was seven

The beehive at the playground

The old, broken swings

That Pop-pop had made

We danced , and we slept

In that old, wooden place

And we played pretend games

From princesses to pirates

We had no time to waste

Until everything changed

At the end of summer

It went three to two

As fast as I could tie my shoes

My sister did not mind it

And neither did I

But my brother was in a serious school

And for playtime

And that was our last goodbye

~Bella 

This student took the challenge of figuring out
who Eiffel was just from the picture I sent everyone.
Then she took it on herself to write this short summary of
his accomplishments on her white board.  Then she took
pictures of it.  This is a very creative way to do work!
Nice job.  I hope others will do the same.  Get a white
board at home if you can!

This is one of the mystery people who once walked the mountain up in Albrightsville northern Carbon County.  This man is one of the characters in the story I'm currently writing.  What sort of story could you create about him?  After everyone had a chance to think and write about him, I will then share what the REAL stories are about this mystery person whom I'm going to tell you a little for now: His name - Joseph Gambler.  He was PA Dutch.  He couldn't read or write.  So his name was probably "Kempler" and with his Dutch accent it sounded like "Gambler."  That's all I'll say for now.  Create a story based on this mystery man who lived in the wild country of the Pine Swamp and Hickory Run from the 1840s to the 1880s.

Are you happy or are you sad?
Are you glad to be sad, 

Or are you mad to be sad?
You tell me, 

Just write it on a note pad.

~Tori 

The day is new, 

The sky is blue, 

For the birds are happy, 

Its time for my nappy, 

The virus is growing, 

So let’s stay safe... 

...but "Keep Going!" 

(Like Rabenold always tells us to do!)

Miss you all. 

Hope to see you soon! 

Brynn 

FAMILY STORIES - 

One from Bella, Cassidy, Brynn, and one from Mr. Rabenold! - 

These are a few of the surviving cement ornaments I made during my summer
"vacations" at my Aunt Miriam Haas Parker in Center Valley.
See the story below.  I want to thank these three students for sharing their
stories here.  They sparked my own memories from my childhood that
are not earth shattering, "hold the phone" kind of memories, but all the same
are interesting pieces of my life that I had not thought about in a while.
And that is the joy of interviewing people...both the interviewer and the
subject will benefit. 
(AND YES!...That's my nosey dog Solomon True (Sol. T. Dog) coming out
to see what I was up to!)
What's altogether interesting and random about this story posting today?
My cousin Kathy who works for the US Navy in Italy sent me this
link from August 1984 - from the Morning Call - A story about
My Aunt Miriam and Uncle John's ornament business!  
Cousin Kathy sent it to me today!...How ironic. Click Here.

I think we should all take advantage of our down time to talk to as many people in our families and record little memories.  They don't have to be these big epic adventures.  I think the stories of the following students did a really nice job embodying this idea.  And the thing I've found in interviewing people about their memory is this: Don't expect much!  Just listen.  Take notes.  Then listen to the story in your notes.  Then ask yourself what you want to know more about.  The person giving you the story won't always remember everything right away.  If you return to them again after some days pass, and tell them what parts of the story you liked, you'll be surprised at what other memories this may lead to.  I hope everyone starts practicing being a Historian and interview people.  Be diligent, thorough, and interested in them!...You'll be surprised what gems of stories you will uncover.

~~~

When my Dziadzi (Great Grandfather) was 14 years old in 1951, He used to work in a vegetable farm with some chickens too. When he used to have to use a chemical powder to spray the plants to keep the bugs away and he had to hand crank the sprays. It was early in the morning, so it was a bit wet so when he sprayed the plants all of the residue would stick to them.  Also, they used to ride their bikes 4 miles to work. At night he would collect the chicken eggs. He was paid 25 cents an hour.

My Grammie has a story too, When they used to go to the game preserve in 1970, the road was dirt and the animals were basic, and when they were finished with the zoo, they would eat the sandwiches they packed by the stream and after they ate they would go into the stream to look for crawfish and they would be in the stream for a long time! When they were done to leave the zoo, there was a pull off area to leave the road and the whole family would climb the big hill to climb the hill to “Their tree”. and they would eat crisp apples from an apple orchard on top of the hill and then they would roll down the hill to the car and they would drive home. 

~Cassidy L - (You know Cassidy this is full of vivid memories to me, because it is so relate-able.) 

~~~

My family is a huge one. Ever since my great grandma, Gigi had 12 other siblings. She died 4 years ago, but it's okay because she is with pop-pop now (her husband). She and her family lived in an old hotel. We live on the Mahoning Mountain. It is around 200- 250 years old. the garage next to it was actually built by my great- great- uncles, and it used to be a car garage. 

My great - great grandma and grandpa came from Czechoslovakia around 1910. They came on a ship to Ellis Island, New York. They bought a house and got several acres to start a farm. They had about 40 cats and 20 dogs at a time. They only had one electric circuit in their house. Nobody lives there now, but that house is my neighbor. I love looking at it. My Gigi was born 1938 and was the youngest child. Her oldest sibling was 20 years older than her!!! WOW!!! 

There is no Zhona today. Gigi got married and had 3 kids. My great great grandma was born 1896 and my great great grandpa was born 1891. Those three kids were my grandma, my great aunt, and my great uncle. Then my grandma had my mom and my aunt, and we got more people out of my great uncle and aunt. then they had kids and one of them is me. It might sound small, but imagine all the families that came into one by getting married. And some got a second husband or wife. So, that makes a bigger family. And they spread out, too. Some live in Tennessee, all the way to California. That's how my family started in America. 

~Bella 

~~~~~
I interviewed my grandmother, (my dad’s mom, Ruth-Ann who is Mr. Rabenold's cousin through the Nothstein family!) 

Her favorite memory is when, "She and her siblings went to their grandparents one week at a time every summer. Her two aunts would be there too. Her one aunt was 1 1/2 years older and the other aunt was 3 months younger than her. They would make tents out of blankets over the wash lines in the backyard. 

They also played school, and her one aunt would always be the teacher. Her grandmother also gave her flour and water to make pies. She sometimes went to church softball games. with her grandparents." that is all that she said. 

~Brynn 

~~~

This is what Mr. Rabenold replied to Brynn about her story above:

"These are good memories.  That kind of life was similar to my growing up too.

You had less busy things to do then.  And people spent much less money on big vacations. 

So, to give their kids "mini-vacations" you would go stay with an aunt for a week."

I got to stay with my sister (12 years older than me and married) over the summer and over Christmas break.  

She lived in the back piece of a mountain, with a small farm with horses, at the end of a two mile dirt road.  It was a paradise.  

We would go explore Fawn Run creek and catch baby trout in our hands.  We would build a dam on the creek to make a fishing hole.  It also became deep enough for us to swim in it too!  The water bubbled up from the ground deep into the woods, it was and still is one of my favorite hikes to take.

There was one spot of quick sand there too, where the water bubbled up from deep in the ground.  As a result the water was always cool and refreshing.  

We used to tempt our fate to see who was brave enough to sink in up to our knees or our hips.  If you got deeper than your knees you needed help to get pulled out.  My brother Rick would be there sometimes, and the neighboring farm was where my sister’s husband’s family lived and they had a brother and sister my age.  

So, we would ride horses in the woods and go on “snake roundups.”  We each took a horse feed bag and went out to see who could catch the most snakes!  Mostly ring neck garter snakes.  Only once did you find a poisonous copperhead, but we were too afraid of it to catch it in our bags.  These are the same mountain woods I go to “get lost” on my hikes.  The Lehigh River wraps around some steep cliffs known as the Devil’s Elbow.  You can find it on Google Earth near White Haven.

I'd also go to my Aunt in Center Valley who made cement lawn ornaments.  They sold a lot!  I got to run the cement shaker that got the cement settled into the molds.  I'd help Uncle John mix and pour the cement and make deliveries.  And work the air gun to paint things.  Each year we got to make one or two things to keep for ourselves.  I made an elf that played a drum (I still have it).  A frog playing a clarinet.  A turtle, a frog, and some little ducks, and an elf laying on his belly.  (See the picture at the top of these stories!)

Thanks for the memory from you Grandmother, it made me think about my childhood too!  

~Mr. Rabenold

~~~
The End

"Catfish Pond" - Deep in the woods between Route 940, the Pa Turnpike, and the Lehigh River.  There is no easy way to find this place.  There are no direct trails or roads.  It's at least a 30 minute walk from an old dirt road.  Maybe a 30 minute walk from the Turnpike (if you knew where to park).  So to me, this is one of the most isolated places I know.  If you ever heard of Walden Pond, and how it was an inspirational place for writers and poets, then you;ll understand what this place means to me.  What's you favorite place?  Why?  Where is it?  Go there!

Also, if you're looking for some art inspiration, why not try something like what this kid is doing?  Be creative and think of things you can line up and trace.  Does it matter where the sun is?  High in the sky, low in the morning or afternoon?

Experiment with the shadows.  Be scientific about it and chart data as the shadows change through the day.