Spring Break :-)

Spring Break is just hours away. So I thought what better way to prepare you for break then to provide you with a sun safety quiz. If you are headed south, which much of the North Country is,take the time to test your sun knowledge on this short ten question quiz.  It looks like those of us staying behind will at least be getting a little warm weather next week. So enjoy your break and have fun in the sun!

Decorah Eagles

Some of you have been asking for the link to watch the live webcam of the pair of bald eagles that are tending their nest. Here's the link, directly from Ustream to go and watch. So far two of the chicks have hatched and the third one is expected to hatch very soon. The eagles are in Decorah, Iowa, at a fish hatchery, about 80 feet up in a tree.  This live webcam is part of the Raptor Resource Project.


Live Video streaming by Ustream

State of the Union

Last night the President of the United States delivered the annual State of the Union Address. If you missed it, you can find it on YouTube and the entire Address is available. Also on the White House website, you can find the text of President Obama's speech. 

I encourage you to take a look and either view or review the remarks from our President concerning the State of the Union. Compared to State of the Union Address' of the past, I found last nights Address to be uplifting and motivational. Maybe it's because much of what was addressed concerns me more than it ever has before. 

Either way, take a look.

Happy Holidays!

It's hard to believe that another year is coming to an end. I wanted to make one last post for 2010 and wish everyone a joyous holiday season! See you in 2011.  Here are some sites that might be useful in the last few days of school before break.

Make-a-Flake create a snow flake

Build a Snowman

Tree Light Up can you connect the lights to light the      tree?

                             Reindeer Orchestra create a song

Remembering Pearl Harbor, Decemeber 7, 1941

Today marks the 69th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I thought I would share a couple of sites with you that you might find interesting. Be sure to check out the links below. I hope everyone is enjoying the start to this busy holiday season. And here's a little bit of information for you, On December 7th, 1941, my grandmother was decorating for Christmas when she received word about the bombing of Pearl Harbor. To this day, she continues to start her holiday decorating on December 7th. Sometimes it's funny how we remember what we were doing on a certain day and then carry on that same tradition when something tragic or memorable happens.

Check out History Animated for some animations on the Pacific War.  Thank you to the blog "Free Technology for Teachers" for posting that site.
Also look at the National Geographic site on Remembering Pearl Harbor. There are photos, footage and first hand accounts available.

Scholastic Study Jams

I came across Study Jams recently and thought I'd pass along the site. It's by Scholastic and is a collection of over 200 learning resources. Study Jams are videos, slideshows and explanations for science and math that students can make new discoveries from. Each of the Jams includes a video/slide show, key vocabulary and even a test section. Students can pause and rewind as they need to and the test section allows checking for understanding and immediate feedback. You can use Study Jams as an anticipatory set (think interactive whiteboard) or as a 1 on 1 activity where students work at their own pace. 

Spring Ahead, Fall Back

Daylight Saving Time ends this coming Saturday night or at 2am on Sunday morning. Remember you should turn your clocks back an hour before you go to bed. I've recently encountered some discussions on Daylight Saving Time and thought I'd pass the information along.  There is a nice BrainPop video on the topic but here's my recap...

• Benjamin Franklin first introduced the idea that if people woke up earlier, they could save on candles.
• The idea is for it to be darker in the morning when people are sleeping and lighter longer at night when people are still up and moving.
• 1918- the US used various forms of Daylight Saving during times of war or energy crisis.
• 1986- First Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October, law passed that stated Daylight Saving Time would be.
•  2007- Energy Policy Act changes the time frame. Expands it from the Second Sunday in March to the  First Sunday in November.
• Many people also think it helps to save on energy costs, but that is still being studied under the new Energy Policy Act. There isn't enough data yet to conclude that it does indeed save on energy.

Here are some other resources that you might find useful on Daylight Saving Time-

• Daylight Saving Time- informational site
• What is Daylight Saving Time