Archive for the ‘Do You Know?’ Category

Look Who Got Promoted With the Class!

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

The “Can Dos” were all excited as they met up in the school yard before class on the first day of school.

Some walked to school with a parent or older brother or sister. Some car pooled with other kids from their neighborhood. Those who lived farthest away took the school bus.

Just then the bell rang and the “Can Dos” lined up behind the sign that said their grade. Then they all marched into the school and were led to a new classroom that would be where their class would be for the whole year.

Classroom for can do class

The tables and chairs were all neat and clean. Some had supplies on them like crayons and paper and pencils.

As they were taking their seats, a voice came from behind them, saying, “Don’t take seats just yet, class. I want to assign seating.”The “Can Dos” looked at each other in amazement. They recognized that voice. It was Miss Pat!

Miss Pat walked to the front of the room and greeted each “Can Do”  in the class by name. Smiling she said, “Since I know you all so well, I know who should and shouldn’t sit next to one another. That is why I am going to assign seats.”

The “Can Dos” knew better than to groan or make a smart comment. It was true, Miss Pat, their teacher from last year, knew them very well.

Kathy turned to Hector and whispered,”Did you read those books from the list Miss Pat gave us before summer vacation?” Hector beamed and answered, “I sure did. It took me most of last week to do it!: It was a good thing too, since as soon as they were seated Miss Pat said, “Okay, class let’s begin by reviewing the books from our must read list. You know the one, the one I gave you before summer vacation.”

Before they got started talking about the books they read and what the books were about, Miss Pat asked,”Class, does anyone have any questions about the new school year?” Eulyn raised her hand and when Miss Pat called on her she asked, “How come you are our teacher again this year? How come?”

Miss Pat smiled and said, “Why class, I got promoted just like all of you!”

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The “Can Do” Kids Recycle

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011

The following guest post about the need to recycle comes from  Laura Scott, webmaster for the Toymaker of Williamsburg.

bottle to recycle“Bobby, why are you throwing that water bottle in the trash?You should always recycle plastic, glass, and paper products.”Maria said.

“Why Maria? It’s all trash. Who cares if I throw it away or recycle it,” said Bobby.

“Chipmunks and squirrels and birds care,” answered Maria. She continued saying, “Every time you recycle, you save a part of nature.”

“What? How does recycling do that, Maria?” asked Bobby.

“Everything that we use comes from something. Paper and wood products come from trees and most plastic comes from wood or oil. To get paper or plastic we need to cut down trees and those trees are home to chipmunks and squirrels and birds. But if we recycle, we can save some of those trees! If we recycle, people can use our trash to make something useful for someone else. Every time we recycle we save trees, and we save chipmunk and squirrel and bird homes.

Paper, cardboard, and bottles like that water bottle can be used to make things that people really need. All kinds of things can be made from recycled stuff.  When you recycle plastic, it can be used to make things like that fleece jacket you’re wearing or even a bench at the park. When you recycle paper, it can be used to make other paper products; you’re probably even using some at your house right now!”

“O wow, I had no idea, I think I’ll recycle this bottle.”

“That’s a great idea, Bobby,” Maria said.

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Kathy Scraped Her Knee, Now She Has a Big Scab

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

Kathy was standing outside the nurse’s office at summer camp waiting for Nurse Diane to look at her knee.

Just then Bobby walked by with some of the other campers. Bobby noticed  the big red spot on Kathy’s knee .

That thing on your knee really looks yucky, Kathy,” said Bobby.

Kathy has a hurt kneeKathy started to sniffle and answered, “I fell while jumping rope. I don’t understand. I never fall. I’m really good at jumping rope.”

Just then the door opened and Nurse Diane came out and said, “Why Kathy, what’s wrong? Did you fall and scrape your knee? Come inside and I will take a look at it and clean it up for you.”

Kathy followed Nurse Diane into the nurse’s office. Nurse Diane got some medicine out of the closet. She cleaned off the scrape and got ready to put the medicine on it when Kathy asked, “How come my knee isn’t bleeding like when I cut my finger? Bobby’s right, it looks yucky. What does it have on it?”

Nurse Diane smiled and said, “Your knee probably bled some when you fell, but not the way it would if you fell on a sharp edge and cut yourself. You didn’t cut your knee, you scraped your knee and now a scab is forming on it.”

Kathy looked confused and asked, “What’s a scab?” Nurse Diane answered saying, “A scab is how our body  protects our skin after we get a scrape by forming a hard crust over the area that is hurt and bleeding.  The scab lets the skin underneath heal.”

Kathy asked Nurse Diane how long the scab would stay on her knee. Nurse Diane told her it would fall off in a week or so and her knee would look as good as new.

Kathy smiled and thanked Nurse Diane. Just as she was leaving Nurse Diane called after her, “Remember Kathy, don’t pick that scab or you may get a scar on your knee. Let that scab sit there until  it comes off on its own and it will!”

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The Statue of Liberty

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

“Wake up children before you miss the Statue of Liberty. We will be passing her by in just 10 minutes,” said Grandma Maureen.

Arthur J, Annie and Kathy, rubbed their eyes trying to wake up fast and ran to the balcony . Off ahead they saw the Statue of Liberty just as she looked in pictures. “Let’s take a picture for show and tell in school,” said Kathy. ” Good idea, ” said Grandma Maureen as she ran for her camera.

picture of the statue of libertyThey all stood in awe of the statue as they passed in front of her.

“Can any of you tell me who gave us the Statue of Liberty,” asked grandma.

Arthur J, Annie and Kathy all thought for a minute. Then Annie said, “If Orrie was here, he’d know the answer.” Grandma Maureen laughed and said, “You are right. He would know, but he isn’t here so I will tell you. The Statue of Liberty is a gift from France. They gave it to us in friendship to welcome immigrants and visitors to America when they come through New York Harbor.

“I think the Statue of Liberty is welcoming us home,” said Annie. Grandma said, “What a nice thought, Annie. We went to another country and now we are home.”

Once they past the statue they all returned to their room, looking a bit sad. Soon they would dock in New York harbor. “I wish the trip wasn’t over,” said Kathy. Arthur J added, “I will miss the friends I made in cruise camp.” Annie looked at both of them and said, “Hey, we had a great time didn’t we”?

Grandma Maureen smiled at her grandchildren saying,” It’s natural to be sad when something we enjoyed is over, but we have so many stories and pictures to share with all our friends and families back on “Can Do” Street. Arthur J you can email your cruise friends, can’t you”? Arthur smile,”Yes, grandma, I got their addresses at the kids camp going away party last night.”

Just before they got ready to leave the ship Arthur J, Kathy and Annie each gave grandma a big hug and thanked her for a wonderful trip.

Soon they were on the bus heading towards the airport and the plane that would take them home to “Can Do” Street.

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Anne of Green Gables

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Grandma Maureen was standing on the balcony smiling as she watched the ship docking at Prince Edward Island. Why are you smiling, grandma,” asked Arthur J as he joined her on the balcony. “Yeah, why are you smiling,” asked Annie as she stepped out to see the ship come along side the dock.

Anne of Green GablesEver since I was a little girl I’ve  wanted to see Prince Edward Island and now I am here,” answered grandma. “Here is where my favorite childhood story took place. Oh, it wasn’t a true story, it was fiction, but the author used the places and the things and the people as they were in 1878 on Prince Edward Island  to tell a story about an orphan girl that comes to live here. The orphan girl is Annie Shirley and the book is Anne of Green Gables. It was written by Lucy Maud Montgomery who used her own childhood memories growing up in rural Prince Edward Island to write the book. Since it was published, in 1908, it has sold over 50 million copies.”

“I never heard of it , grandma,” said Arthur J. Grandma looked sad for a moment and said, “That’s too bad. When I was a girl Anne of Green Gables was required reading for school.”

Well, no matter, you will learn all about Anne of Green Gables today from our tour and walking around Prince Edward Island. Our first stop on the tour is Green Gables where Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author, grew up. So hurry and get dressed so we can have breakfast and get off the ship and start learning about Anne of Green Gables.”

After the tour of Green Gables, grandma took Arthur J, Kathy and Annie on a walking tour of Charlottetown, the main city on Prince Edward Island. There, on one of the corners in the downtown area was a store totally devoted to Anne of Green Gables. It had books and DVDS, music, clothes and, of course, dolls. They had a great time exploring the store for over an hour.

Arthur J took Kathy and Annie aside when grandma wasn’t looking and asked the girls to keep grandma busy while he bought her an the original story of Anne of Green Gables. The girls took grandma over to another section of the store and Arthur J bought the book with spending money his parents gave him for the trip. He hid it in his backpack.

Later that night, just before bed, Annie asked grandma to read them a story. “I don’t have any books with me,” said grandma. Arthur J reached into his backpack and pulled out the gift-wrapped book.

Grandma’s eye’s misted over as she opened the package and saw the book…Anne of Green Gables. She hugged and thanked her grandchildren for their thoughtfulness and said, “Under the covers you go, children. Where are my glasses? It is time to return to an earlier time and join Annie Shirley in her new life on Prince Edward Island.

For more pictures of Anne of Green Gables go to http://greengables-1.tripod.com/pictures/

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