Wonder, Explore, Read, Learn & Discover

Veteran’s Day, observed annually on November 11th, was originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the signing of the armistice, or truce, that ended World War I.

In 1954, Congress changed the name to include soldiers from other wars.  Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a day to honor all the veterans of the U.S. armed forces and to promote world peace.

Duckster Website provides answers to our questions pertaining to Veteran’s Day 

This true story will be a hit because many little and big people love true stories about animals. It follows the friendship of army private James Donovan and a dog he finds in a Paris alleyway while serving in World War I. Named Rags for his disheveled appearance, the dog and Donovan form a bond working together side by side on the battlefield. It’s a nice book to pay tribute to those who serve in the military – both man, and his dog.  Rags Hero Dog of WW1 by Margot Theis Raven

America’s White Table  by Margot Theis Raven  America’s White Table by Margot Theis Raven
The white table is one that has been set in dining halls of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine
Corps since the end of the Vietnam War. The table is set to honor those who have served in
America’s Armed Forces, especially those missing in action (MIAs) and those held prisoner of war
(POWs).
Small table: to show one soldier’s lonely battle against many
White cloth: to honor a soldier’s pure heart when he answers his country’s call to duty
Lemon slice: to show a captive soldier’s bitter fate
Grains of salt: to show the tears of families waiting for loved ones to return
Empty chair: for the missing soldiers who are not here
Black napkin: for the sorrow of captivity
Glass turned over: for the meal that won’t be eaten
White candle: for peace
Red rose in a vase tied with a red ribbon: for the hope that all our missing will return someday

Before we read the picture book, The Wall by Eve Bunting, let’s go on a trip and visit the memorial in Washington DC.

• Think of these 2 questions as you tour the wall:
  • What do you notice?
  • How do you feel as you step foot on the path?

Vietnam Memorial Washington DC

Still want to learn more about Veteran’s Day, check out these links:

•  Wonderopolis What is Veteran’s Day
•  Kidzworld Article: Veterans Day

• How did people start carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns? This Wonderopolis article explains the Irish legend behind the Halloween tradition.
• Prepare to be wowed by this fascinating time-lapse video of a giant pumpkin growing to a whopping 636 pounds!

• The Giant Pumpkin Regatta
•  Creepy Carvings (Sign In as a Student.  Password is jarbig7)
• The Great Pumpkin Infographic – Carve out some time to learn about Falls favorite.   (Sign In as a Student.  Password is jarbig7)
• Halloween Around the World –  learn about some spooky traditions  (Sign In as a Student.  Password is jarbig7)
• Should You Give Up Your Halloween Candy?  (Sign In as a Student.  Password is jarbig7)

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 – October 15. Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th – October 15th by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

• Hispanic Heritage Month

Nickelodeon Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

What stories of the Hispanic community will we read together as a class?

• A celebration of the love between a father and daughter, and of a vibrant immigrant neighborhood.  When Daisy Ramona zooms around her neighborhood with her papi on his motorcycle, she sees the people and places she’s always known.
•  My Papi Has a Motorcycle Read Aloud

• This story focuses on a young girl and her curiosity over her very long name. The main character Alma is concerned about her name, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela, “not fitting” on a piece of paper. She approaches her dad about her concern, and in response he ensures her that her name does fit.
• Alma and How She Got her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal

• Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina     password is: jarbig7  (This is the actual story that you can read yourself)  You also have the option to click on Read the Text and follow along.
• YouTube Read Aloud of Mango, Abuela and Me (students at home could use this link)
• You will notice and think about the problem and solution in this realistic story about a young girl’s relationship with her grandmother.
• You will read in your head and aloud in ways that help your listeners understand the story ( changing your voice to show dialogue or a character’s feelings)  You will try to do this work when you’re reading longer sentences.
• Imagine you are Mia and you just met your grandmother. What do you want her to know about you?
  Create a mini-poster to tell this new family member about yourself. Label the most important parts!

Separate Is Never Equal Read Aloud

When a Hispanic family encounters segregation, they fight back—and win

• Sylvia Mendez was an 8-year-old American child living in California. But because of her Mexican heritage, she was barred from her town’s public school and forced to attend a run-down “Mexican school.” Soon she and her family were in the middle of a legal battle that helped end segregation in California schools.
• All readers will travel back in time and place themselves in the shoes of a family that overcame injustice and helped integrate California schools. The readers will identify the theme of the play that is based on real events.
• 2 Minute Interview  between Sylvia and her younger sister, Sandra. Listen to Sandra tell the story of when she discovered her family had made civil-rights history. Shockingly, she didn’t learn about their legacy until she was in college!
• The Fight for What’s Right Readers’ Theater   password is: jarbig7

Children everywhere go to school.  Children everywhere want to learn about the world and their place in it.  Let’s travel around the world and capture the diversity of school experiences, compare and contrast  first day experiences to different cultures.  Have your passport ready as you click the links below.

Travel to West Africa to meet Lilly, Charlotte and Esther as they share their first day of school experiences. The program follows the stories of these three girls as they complete their last year of secondary school. Esther shares her daily routine, which involves waking up very early in the morning and working hard throughout the day.

 First Day Experiences    username:cle345      password:learn345

• School Days in Peru
• Kazakhstan School System
• Kenya Schools
• Facts about Canada’s School System
• Australia School Info.

Book Trailer: This is how we do it

It is difficult to believe that so much time has passed — it seems like yesterday — since we heard those first unbelievable reports that a plane, then another plane, had crashed into the buildings of the World Trade Center. For a generation of students, the events that day — in New York City, Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania — are crucial. Their impact will never be forgotten.

The anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, offers a time to remember, to reflect about this unforgettable moment in history, and to reconsider the effect that September 11 has had on our country and the world.

• The Story of September 11th – NickNews
• Fact Sheet about 9/11

9/11 Kids ‘Cast a New Light on Darkness’ with We Go Higher, a Groundbreaking Documentary About Them –

– and By Them

• We Go Higher Film
• The Children of 9/11

Today we are going to take a lot of time and think deeply about the heroes that are near and far.  We will think about the heroes that gave a lot and those that gave it all.

What makes a hero a hero?

Task 1: Personal Heroes

Have a discussion at your table about the heroes in your own lives. This will be a whole table chat.  Think about family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, and so on. Do you have special admiration for any of these people? What qualities do you admire? Why?

Task 2: All Heroes Don’t Wear Capes

Pair up with a neighbor and read about those who gave it all on September 11th.

• A Hero of 9/11- Scholastics Article
• Saved on 9/11, by the Man in the Red Bandanna 
•  True Heroes
•  The Hero they Never Knew
• Moira Smith- Female Hero of 9/11
• Kathy Mazza – Female Hero of 9/11
• Yamel Merino-Female Hero of 9/11
• Dog Heroes of 9/11

Task 3:There’s a Hero in all of Us

Think about times in your own life when you faced a challenge in order to help someone. Look through the picture frame as you verbally share a time when you went out of the way to help someone. Each tablemate will get a turn telling their story.