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Showing posts with label Social Studies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Social Studies. Show all posts

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Surviving Hurricane Sandy and New Election Packet

I don't think I have mentioned where I live in any previous posts.  Well, I live approximately 15 minutes away from here...

Image Source Page: http://notietuesday.com/2012/10/31/hurricane-sandy
 This is the Jersey shore by Seaside Heights.


My family and I are fine.  Our roof lost a lot of shingles and we were without power from Monday until Thursday.  It was cold, so we left and headed to our parents' house 2 hours away.  I haven't been to school since it happened, and I'm waiting to find out when it will be open again.  It will be Wednesday at the earliest.  As of right now there is still no power at my school, which is about 7 minutes from my house.  There are tons of trees down, but most roads are open and down wires are still getting repaired.  The gas lines aren't as bad either.  There is a mandatory gas rule in place... license plates ending with even numbers can get gas only on even numbered days, odd plates on odd numbered days.  My grocery store opened today, which is good since everyone lost every bit of food in their freezers and refrigerators.  But we certainly aren't complaining.  We are blessed to be safe with little damage while just 10-15 miles down the road is devastated.  The beaches, homes, piers, boardwalks, stores, restaurants, roads and bridges aren't just damaged, they are decimated or simply washed into the Atlantic Ocean.  As a jersey girl, the beach and boardwalk are a central part of lives in the summer.  I am saddened that it will never be the same, but even more sad for the women, men and children who just lost everything they have.  I saw a women on TV say, "I just want to go home."  But her home was washed away and she clung to a wedding picture of her mother.  We all know what it is like to be away for awhile and want "to just go home."  I felt that way after 4 days away from my home this week.  But this lady had no where to go.  Her home was among the reeds and she was fishing through them to find any treasures that she could.  So very sad.  I'm sure the stories will just be even worse once I return to work and hear how others were affected.  Please pray for the families that Sandy affected in both Jersey and our neighbors in Staten Island and New York City.  It is much worse than you can imagine.  And you can always text RED CROSS to 90999 to donate $10 that will go directly to the Hurricane Sandy relief fund.  We are Jersey Strong and will pray, rebuild and help our community.


On another note, I posted second item on TeachersPayTeachers, and I have sold a few copies!  Of course I am super excited to make my first sale, even though it isn't much since it only costs $1.00.  It a super cute 3 page packet that includes:
1) Fill in the blank close paragraph (all about the president's job and what happens on Election Day)
2) Graphic Organizer- The President is....can....can't...
3) Opinion Writing-  The law requires citizens to be 18 years old to vote?  Do you agree with this law or do you think children should be allowed to vote for the President of the United States?

Click the picture to check it out!


I have an awesome guided reading surprise coming, so stay tuned for that!  I'm aligning it to the common core standards, so it's taking me awhile.  Not to mention the hurricane and 3 little guys running around making me crazy because they are crazy from the craziness of the last week.  Crazy huh?  Looking forward to returning to a normal schedule hopefully sometime next week.  I'll be giving away the guided reading surprise to a few followers, so stay tuned for a giveaway. Thank you to my awesome 11 followers. You are awesome. 

Stay safe and don't take anything for granted. Anything and everything can change overnight.
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Sunday, November 20, 2011

The First Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I am not only making pilgrims and writing about what we are thankful for, but also teaching the history behind the holiday. 


  Scholastic has put together a fantastic virtual field trip to the Plymouth Plantation.  Students can explore a pilgrim village, native american village, and learn about the events leading up to the first Thanksgiving.  It is probably geared more towards third grade, but my second graders are understanding most of it since we have been learning about this topic for the last week.  Another interesting book to read aloud to students in small snippets is Eating the Plates by Lucille Recht Penner.                      


  Penner makes the pilgrims and their struggles come alive as she vividly yet simply describes daily life on the Mayflower and in the Plymouth Plantation.  It is a must read to get the kids "hooked" on the interesting small facts so what they can imagine what it would have been like to be a stranger in the New World so long ago. 
{Did you know that while on the Mayflower the Pligrims often ate in the pitch dark so that they could not see the bugs crawling on their food? }

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