Summer Writing Challenge #9

Yesterday we drove up to Horsethief Reservoir and spent the day fishing.  Sadly, we didn't catch anything, but we had a great day relaxing as a family.  Some of the highlights were the 12 baby ducklings, dipping our feet in the cool water, and kicking back in the shade.  It wasn't the most exciting day, but it just seemed perfect for summer!

Writing Challenge #9

What is your favorite summer activity?  Describe the activity and tell us why you enjoy it so much.  

Writing Challenge #8 Wacky Hybrids

While trying to come up with a topic for this week, I found a couple photos that cracked me up.  These obviously Photoshopped pictures made me start wondering about what kind of lives these odd creatures would have.  Thus your topic for this week.

Writing Challenge #8
Use one of the following photos for inspiration or come up with your own animal hybrid.  Write a description of that animal's life in either first person or third person point of view.  Think about the following:

Who would he/she hang out with?
How would others treat him?
What challenges would he face?
What would her talents be?
Where would he live?

Writing Challenge #7

Good morning!  Today's writing topic is a descriptive list.  You can create simply a numbered list or put it into story form.  Please use as much description as possible.  Your list can be humorous or serious.

Writing Challenge #7
Create a list about the following topic: "Seven reasons you know it's time to go home"
Why you are away from home is up to you--on vacation, out running errands, a rough day at school, etc.  Be creative and have fun!

Writing Challenge Week 6

I hope you are finding ways to keep cool this week!  What better way than writing :)  Did you know that yesterday, July 8, was Video Games Day?  We used that as an excuse to stay home in the air conditioning most of the day.   In honor of that holiday, we're going to write about video games this week.

Week #6


Describe your favorite video game.  Why do you love that game?  Do you believe that video games can have a negative effect on students?  Explain why or why not.  

Week #5

Wow! Can you believe it's the fifth week of summer already? I hope everyone is having a fabulous summer. Any big plans for July 4th?  I'm going to go with a Independence Day theme this week. 

Writing Challenge Week 5 

 You two options this week:

1. What is your most memorable Fourth of July? Is it a fun memory, or was it a terrible disaster? Describe the events and why they were memorable.

 2. Write a story about a wacky, crazy July Fourth celebration.

Writing Challenge #4 Mystery

Writing Challenge #4 You find a mysterious note scrawled in lipstick on the mirror. Create a mystery story describing what the note says and the resulting events. Be as descriptive as possible.

2012 Writing Challenge Week #2

Week #2

This week is a story challenge.  Since I will be in Alaska this week, let's make it the Wild West.  Your story must take place in the wild west during pioneer/gold rush days.  Think back to your 4th grade Idaho history.  Think about what life would be like and create a character from that point in history.  Be as realistic as possible.

Have fun!

Welcome to the 2012 Summer Writing Challenge

Welcome to the second annual Summer Writing Challenge.  If you played along last year, this will work in much the same way.  Every Monday I will post a new challenge for you.  Some weeks it will be personal writing, others weeks a story starter, or even specific genre of writing.  I will try to play along every week as well, but the first few weeks may not happen since we are headed out of town and then we have family visiting.

Week #1 Challenge:

This one is a key work: anticipation

What are you looking forward to?  It can be something happening this week, this summer, next year, anything you are waiting for in anticipation.  This writing can take any form you wish--poetry, explanatory, etc.  

Remember, to have a chance at fun prizes, you need to email it to me or post it on Dropbox.  If you would title your file as your name and #1, that would be great.  For example, mine would be name nschuette#1.   If you post it by the end of the week, you will get two drawing entries. Anything posted after the 12th will get 1 entry.  I look forward to reading your pieces, and I will post my own sometime this week.  Have fun!

Summer Writing Challenge 2012--Sorry For the Late Start

First of all, I want to apologize for the late start.  The last week of school, I set up the first three weeks of posts, but never came back to make sure they posted.  They didn't.  I'm not sure why.  Thank you to those who emailed me.  Unfortunately, I was in Alaska, and I had spotty coverage at best.  THere was no way to fix it.  I'll have the first two weeks of posts up today.

In the meantime, here is the topic for week #3.  Since I did just get back from the most amazing trip--a 7 day Alaska cruise, I want to know, what is the best trip you've ever taken?  Or if you'd rather, what is the dream trip you would love to take?

Here's a couple of my photos, which I will use for inspiration when I write mine later this week.

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

By Ryan 

                                   History and facts

Located in europe, The United Kingdom consist of Great Britain,Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. northern Ireland is the only state that borders another country ,The Republic of Ireland. The capitol is London. Its form of government is a Constitutional Monarchy and a parliament system. Located off the continent europe. The united Kingdom has fourteen over seas territories. these are remnants of the british empire, which was at its height in 1922.

Site seeing and places to visit

There are many great places  to visit in the United kingdom. Some cities to visit are London, Edinburg, Glasgow, Manchester, the Shetland Islands, Bath, York, Cardiff, Cornwall and many more. London is known for its entertainment, history, art, romantic, culinary, shopping, nightlife, luxury, and family. Best time to visit there is April-July and September-December. Edinburgh is known for its culture, arts, history, nightlife, entertainment, and golf. Best to visit May-November. Glasgow is known for its culture, culinary, entertainment, shopping, and golf. Best time to visit is May-November.

Culture and Ethnic Groups

The United Kingdom has many religions cuisine's and ethnic groups. They have white, south asians, blacks, mixed, and chinese. The United Kingdom has no official language, however 90% of people speak english. so basically english is considered the official language. Individual countries prefer their indigenous languages; welsh, cornish, and scottish gaelic are also spoken along with english. Majority of people in the UK follow Christianity, most whom are Protestant. However there is also Roman Catholics, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists.

Iceland by Covey

Iceland
Their are flights all year from London, Glasgow, Copenhagen, Manchester, Oslo, Paris, Stockholm, Berlin, and Warsaw.
Seasonal flights are in the cities, Minneapolis / St. Paul, Toronto, Orlando, Halifax and Helsinki.
Summer flights only are in the cities, Alicante, Barcelona, Bergen, Berlin, Billund, Stavanger, Madrid, Milan, and Munich, Aalborg, Basel, Bologna, Eindhoven, Frankfurt, Friedrichshafen, Gothenburg, Geneva, Krakau, and paris.
Winter cites are Friedrichshafen and Alicante.

Iceland Express also operates flights between Copenhagaen and Akureyri.

COME TO ICELAND

North Iceland offers the best pristine nature, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultures. Obviously Iceland is the place you want to visit. You can book your stay useing Visit Iceland, the offical gateway to Iceland!

ICELANDIC CULTURE

Icelandic culture is deeply rooted in ancient heritage. Literature has always been the cornerstone of Icelandic culture, from the ancient Sagas, to the works of the Nobel Laurate, Halldor Laxness, but all forms of art are thriving in Iceland, form film and to design and find arts. 

INVEST IN ICELAND

Positive business environment, abundance of competitively priced renewable energy, solid infrastructure,  skilled workforce, minimum red tape and a range of incentives for new direct investments make Iceland an attractive location for a range of business. Learn more from Invest in Iceland. 

THE WEATHER OF ICELAND

The warm North Atlantic Current ensures generally higher temperatures than in most places of similar latitude in the world. Iceland's winters are mild and windy while the summers are cool which is typical for Scandinavia. The possibility of volcanoes is something to keep always in mind. Iceland's highest air temperature recorded was 30.5°C (86.9°F) in 1939 on the southeastern coast. The lowest temperature was -38°C (- 36.4°F) in 1918 at Grímsstaðir in the northeast of Iceland.



Italy by Raoul

Italy

come to Italy where we have great attractions, if you re looking for fun we have great action.
we are best known for our great spaghetti, come have some Italian food because you're not leaving all ready.
We have a great countryside and our fashion is very in.
Come to one of our famous rivers and bathe away all of your sins.
We also have very great poets even better than me, come to Italy and you will see what you dream to see.
Our sports include soccer, rugby, and cricket.
Drive as fast as you want and you probably wont get a ticket.
Our country is bleeding and oozing with art
if you don't know what you're looking for just go ahead and start.
we have great trade in our city of Milan
if you don't like war, you'll have great fun!
We became a republic government in 1946,
Come to a shoe store and get some Italian kicks
If you want history, we're the place to go!
We'll teach you something you already know!
We have great music as you probably knew that too!
We sing the blues but don't turn blue!

We have great names like my name is Raoul
and Mario Monti is a huge fool!
We have great scenery and a two thousand year old city!
We have so much confidence no need for self pity!
We have great food like shrimp and pizza
If you wanna real sight visit the tower of piza!
You can call it Italia if your feeling happy,
careful with our waitresses they can get a little snappy!
Italy is awesome if you really think about it

don't think that in Italy you're without it!

Its all food in Europe you see,
because we are all the same like you and me HEY RALPH

Poland Brian

Poland by Brian 

Hey ever wanted to go to Poland? Probably not but Poland is officially known as the Republic of Poland. The largest city and the capital is Warsaw.

                       

 Poland is the birthplace of many distinguished personalities , among which are: Mikołaj Kopernik, Fryderyk Chopin, Maria Sklodowska Curie, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Kazimierz Pulaski, Jozef Pilsudski and Pope John Paul II. Great polish painter Jan Matejko devoted his monumental art to the most significant historical events on Polish lands, along with the playwright, painter and poet Stanislaw Wyspianski. Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz  was an example of a Polish avant-garde philosopher and author of aesthetic theories. 

Pope John Paul II

Polish Literature dates back to the 12th century and includes many famous poets and writers such as Jan Kochanowski, Adam Mickiewicz, Boleslaw Prus, Juliusz Slowacki, Witold Gombrowicz, Stanisław Lem and, Ryszard Kapuscinski. Writers Henryk Sienkiewicz,Wladyslaw Reymont, Czeslaw Milosz, Wislawa Szymborska have each won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Also a renowned Polish novelist, who wrote in the English language, was Joseph Conrad.

Wladyslaw Reymont

Artists from Poland, including famous composers like Chopin or Penderecki and traditional, regionalized folk musicians, create a lively and diverse music scene, which even recognizes its own music genres, such as poezja spiewana and disco polo. As of 2006, Poland is one of the few countries in Europe where rock and hip hop dominate over pop music, while all kinds of alternative music genres are encouraged.

Chopin

Check this out if you are a fan of going to church or want to check these buildings out Polish cities and towns reflect the whole spectrum of European styles. Romanesque architecture is represented by St. Andrew's Church in Kraków, and characteristic for Poland Brick Gothic by St. Mary's Church in Gdańsk. Richly decorated attics  are the common elements of the Polish Renaissance architecture, like in City Hall in Poznań. For some time the late renaissance, so called mannerism, most notably in Bishop’s Palace in Kielce, coexisted with the early baroque like in Church of SS. Peter and Paul in Kraków.

St. Mary's Basilica

I hope you want to go to Poland someday no well ok.

Veronica's Travel Blog for Greece  

 Greece is a very exciting place. There is a lot of fun facts to learn, people to meet, sites to see, and food to eat. To sum it up, Greece is pretty awesome! Greece is located at the southeast end of Europe

 

There are so many things to do in Greece, you will never go bored. The climate is subtropical; summers are long, hot, and dry. Winters are short and mildly wet. And since its warm, why not try visiting a beach, such as Balos, Navagio, or Sarakiniko. Or go touring the streets of Greece’s capital, Athens, or go out and see the magnificent ancient ruins.  Go sailing  the Mediterranean Sea, or go shopping in the Kolonaki quarter. Make sure that you trade in your money for Greek money, the Euro; one U.S dollar is .74 Euros. Try canoeing, climbing, windsurfing, and maybe even skiing. And for you sports lovers, go see Greeks national basketball team or football team play.                                    

Balos                  

Parthenon

Greece is full of ancient history, with many ancient buildings, including temples, theaters, and stadiums. Try going to see the Parthenon, the Erechtheum, and Temples at Paestum, the Athenian Treasury, or the Theater at Epidaurus. Explore all the ruins of ancient houses, where people once happily lived, climb the famous Mount Olympus or any of Greece’s many mountains, or go see an active volcano, such as Santorini's Nea Kameni.                                                                                                                             

Gyro

 Hey, since you’re in Greece, why not try Greek food? Greek food uses olive oil, vegetables and  herbs, grains and bread, wine, fish, and various  meats, including poultry, rabbit, and pork. Olives, cheese,eggplant, and yogurt are also important.  Nuts and honey are used in Greek dessert. The grain in Greece is mainly wheat and barley and important  veggies are tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes,green beans, okra, green peppers, and onions. Some dishes include Gyros (which are pretty much Greek tacos), Stifado (meat stew),Spanakorizo ( spinach and rice stew), Baklava, ( layered dessert pastry filled with nuts and drenched in syrup), and Fakes ( a lintel soup). Some Greek recipes have been passed down from ancient times. Greek food is cooked and seasoned in many different spices such as oregano,mint, garlic, onion, dill and bay laurel leaves.

                                              

                                                                                                                                                                            

Greek Christmas

The customs and ways of Greece is interesting. They have many myths that include strange creatures and gods. Greek literature includes poetry, drama, philosophy, and history. The Greek people are very superstitious and religion means a lot to them, Greek traditions and festivals are all religious (like Christmas), and the main religion is Greek Orthodox. The people all mainly speak Greek, with a little bit of Macedonian. The Greek people are all warm and hospitable. When invited into a Greek home, arriving 30 minute late is considered arriving on time, and you are to be very polite at the table.       

                                              Russia

It is about 17 million square kilometers. It is 1.8 times larger than the U.S. in size. The capital is Moscow with a population of over 10 million. St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and Nihzniy Novgorod are also considerably large as well. There are broad plains and low hills west of the Ural while in Siberia there is largely tundra and coniferous forests. The Ural mountains seperate west Russia and Siberia. The caucasus are along the southeren border. Climate is northern contintental. The population as of August 2011 is142.9 million people. The annual population growth is 0.07. Ethnic Groups as of 2002-(Russian 79.8%) (Tater 3.8%) (Ukrainian 2%) (Bashkir 1.2%) (Chuvash 1.1%) (other 12.1%). Religions are Russian Orthodox, Islam, Judaism, Roman Catholicism, Protestant, Buddhist, and other. Russian is the official langauge but there is more than 140 langauges and dailects. 99.4% of the country is literate. Life expectancy is 63 years for men,75 years for women. The government is a federation type government. There are several political parties.  Some want the  government to be a communist country once more (A.K.A KPRF) while others are extremly liberal (A.K.A. LDPR). Other parties are the Yabloko, Just Russia, and the patriots of Russia. In 2010, 1.477 billion    

$ were made.

The averge growth rate is  4%. Their main resources are petroleum, natural gas, timber, furs, precious

metals, and other metals. Agriculture prouducts are Grain, Sugar beets,sunflower seeds, meat, and dairy proudocts. They manufacture automobiles, farm equipment,advanced aircraft, aerospace,mining and extractive industry, medical and scientific instruments, and construction equipment. Russian is also the language of such giants of world literature as Pushkin, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov, Pasternak, and Solzhenitsyn. About 8.1 thousand students attend higher eduacation at their choice of 1108 facilities.Russia's human rights record remains uneven and poor in some areas. Despite significant improvements in conditions following the end of the Soviet Union, problem areas remain. In particular, the Russian Government's policy in the North Caucasus has been a cause for international concern. Although the government has recognized the need for international human rights standards. There are, however, some indications that the law is becoming an increasingly important tool for those seeking to protect human rights. Russia has several great  tourist areas like the Kremlin or the Saint Petersburg museum. Russia's premier hotel is the metropol.