Blog # 11 -- SNOW DAYS!!

Well, we finally got a snow day!  Actually, we got F'OUR of them!  Hopefully, we all enjoyed a full week off from school, and we will be ready to work hard for the next two weeks, before spring break!

I LOVE snow and cold weather!  This ice storm was so pretty!  Did you know snow storms are now actually named, like hurricanes and tropical storms?  The first snow storm to hit us was "Octavia," followed by "Pandora."  It looked like my back yard was made of crystal or glass.  I didn't leave my house for four solid days, and that was GREAT!  We sledded; rode four-wheelers; slept in late; and had fun just hanging out at home.  BTW -- back in 1975, we missed so much school due to snow, that we had to actually go longer during the week (7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.) and several eight-hour Saturdays!  We missed almost four weeks of school that winter!  Luckily, I don't think we will have to make any of our snow days up!   I'm glad we got a few days of though!  It was a blast!

Mrs. Sweet and Sadie

Mr. and Mrs. Sweet having some fun on the four-wheeler! 

So, what did you do during your "winter break"?  Did you go sledding? Sleep in late?  Could you get out of your driveway, or were you stuck?  Did you get bored?  Did you have electricity?  Did you make "snow cream"? 

Respond in at least five complete sentences for FIVE extra credit points!  All blog posts should be posted by midnight on Friday, February 27th.  This will be the last blog of this grading period!
Write on!! 

Blog #10 - Happy Valentine's Day!!

February is here, and we STILL HAVE HAD NO SNOW DAYS!!  Oh, well!  Next week we will be celebrating Valentine's Day!  This is a day that originated back in the fifth century!  Wow!  That's a long time ago!  Its meanings and traditions have changed through the years, but it's always a fun day!  Or is it??

Valentine's Day is associated with love.  It's not just romantic love, but love, in general!  For some that is great.  For some -- not so much!  Some people are "blue" on Valentine's Day because they don't have a boyfriend or girlfriend.  They may feel left out or alone.  Everyone wants to feel love and accepted! My advice on that is -- don't stress!  In time, most of us find love.  Until then, just enjoy life!  Remember -- you are only in 8th grade! 

Some people REALLY get all into Valentine's Day with romance, expensive gifts, trips, etc.  That may be going a little bit overboard, but whatever! 

Valentine's Day is associated with hearts!  Hearts full of candy!  Hearts full of love!  Hearts full of joy!  Not this kind of heart!  Yuck!

For some it's all about the CHOCOLATE!!  Chocolate hearts!  Chocolate cupcakes!  Chocolate kisses!  You name it, and Valentine's Day has it!  (Personally, this is one of my favorite things about the holiday!) 

So . . . what do you think of Valentine's Day?  Do you have anything planned for this year?  Have you heard of something neat someone else did for Valentine's Day?  What is your favorite part of the day, or is just another winter, February day?  Do you get Valentine's Day candy or gifts from your mom and dad?  (That's always cool!) 

Please respond to this post in three sentences for THREE extra credit points!  Blog will close on Saturday, February 14th at midnight!  Happy Valentine's Day! 

Blog #9 -- Winter Wacktivities!!

Well, students -- it is hard to believe that our second semester is upon us!  You are only one semester away from being in high school!  Woo! Hoo!  Way to go!

I know we are all hoping for a few snow days to get us through the next few weeks until spring break!

I love winter!

I love snow!

I love a variety of winter activities, some of which are a little wacky!

I love to build snowmen!  (Again, we need some snow!)

I love to make snow angels!

I love to make snow-cream!  (Note to self -- never use yellow snow!)

I love to snowmobile!  (Note to self -- "shift" when the driver says "shift" -- in order to avoid turning the snowmobile over!)

I love to ski!  (Note to self -- don't fall down and tear every ligament in your leg, plus break two bones!  Definitely, not a good day on the slopes!)

So . . . (those are ellipses!  Remember?)  What are some of the things that you like to do in winter?  Do you even like winter?  Why or why not?

Please respond in at least FIVE sentences for FIVE (yes, count 'em 1, 2, 3, 4,  5!)  extra credit points!
All responses should be posted by Friday, January 23rd!  Here's hoping for a snow day soon! 

Blog # 8 -- Merry Christmas!!!

Well, students --

The first semester is almost history!  It's been an interesting year so far, and I've really enjoyed getting to know you all!  I look forward to second semester, but not until after a nice Christmas break!

I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season!  I hope you enjoy your time off, and have a great Christmas!

I have it on good authority that Santa just may read this blog!  So here's your chance! 

What is on your Christmas list?  What is the thing you want most for Christmas?  What are you most looking forward to during the holidays?  Do you have a special trip planned, or are friends and family coming to visit? What are your favorite family traditions of Christmas? 

Please respond in three to four sentences for 3 bonus points!  Responses will be due by Friday, 12/19!  Merry Christmas! 

Blog # 7 -- How 'bout those RESEARCH PAPERS!!!

It is hard to believe, but your research papers are almost finished!  I am very proud of the hard work and effort that most students have put into this very time-consuming and important project!  From what I have seen, these papers are well researched and well written.  I look forward to reading all of them over the next several weeks!

I hope that you feel a sense of accomplishment with the completion of this major task.  If you worked hard and diligently on the paper, you have every reason to be proud of your work.  If you did not do your best work, you really need to stop and consider why.  You will have innumerable tasks before you in your future, and you need to truly create good habit in making sure you accomplish them!

For three extra credit points, please respond to these questions:

1.  Did you enjoy researching your paper topic?  Why or why not?

2.  Did you feel that our process was clear and easy to understand?

3.  What did you like about the project?

4.  What would you change about the project, if you were the teacher?  (Not having a research paper is NOT an option btw!)

Your response should be stated in 3 to 4 complete sentences!  Responses are due by Friday, 12/12.

Have a good day!

Mrs. S

Blog # 6 -- Why Is It SOOOO Dark Outside?

In case you are wondering, it is not just your imagination!  It really IS dark outside earlier these days!  Do you know why?

We have recently diverted from Daylight saving time (DST).  This is also knows as summer time, and it is the practice of advancing clocks during the late spring and summer months by one hour so that the sunlight is extended a bit during the early evening hours.  Typically, users of DST adjust the clocks forward in the spring and adjust them backwards again in the autumn.  You may have heard the saying -- "Spring forward and fall back!"  This is an easy way to remember which way to set your clock at the various season!  So, we are now in standard, regular or normal time, and that is why our daylight hours are darker!

DST was originally used for farmers and other agricultural business to have the premium daylight hours needed for harvesting crops.  Today, most of us just usually enjoy the long, lazy days of summer without really thinking of the reason those days seem to last a little longer.

In Nashville, the normal sunset for this time of year can be as early as 5PM.  It is pitch dark by 6PM, and we actually feel like we should be ready for bed by 7PM!  So what do you think??

Do you like DST or normal time?  Why?
Do you think there just be a standard time year round?  Why or why not?
Have you ever really thought about it?
Do you really even care?
Does it matter?


Respond in 3 or 4 sentences for 3 extra credit points!  Happy writing!  

Blog #5 -- Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Well, the baseball season is almost over!  It has quickly drawn to a close, but not before the top two teams struggle it out to be named as the top team of the year!  Tonight begins the 2014 MLB World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals! Will you be watching??

The Sweet family is a baseball family, and we LOVE the game!  Mr. Sweet is in California this week, which even adds to the excitement!  (Not that he is pulling for the Giants AT ALL!  He likes the Royals!)  

Will you be cheering on the Giants or the Royals?  Do you even like baseball, or could you care less?  What team do you WISH had made it to the series? 

For three extra credit points, please create a blog response.  In three to four sentences, answer the questions above!  Use creativity and proper English, spelling and punctuation in your answers.  Blog will close at midnight on 10/31/2014 (HALLOWEEN!)