Do you know about Frederick Douglass? It’s not an exaggeration to say he is one of the greatest American heroes to ever live. He was born a slave in the state of Maryland in 1817. From an early age, he decided to FIGHT against the absolutely disgusting practice of slavery. After suffering through some very difficult times in his life, he eventually escaped his bondage and went on to become one of the most influential and inspiring figures to speak out against slavery. His book, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave is a must- read and explains and describes Douglass’s AMAZING life.
How does learning happen? Often, it simply starts with a question! After a question pops into your head, you should then go and LEARN all you can to find an answer. What questions are you thinking of right now???
What is the proper way to conduct a science experiment? Most people agree that you should follow something called The Scientific Method. Sometimes the wording can vary when this is taught, but the steps and ideas are always the same. This simple song can help you understand the process!
What does it mean to have courage? Having courage or being courageous means that you are showing bravery to do something that is difficult, hard, or scary! In what situations at school, in the neighborhood, or at home do you feel like you need courage to help you get through?
Our corner garden is sleeping right now. It’s hard to imagine, but very soon our 5th grade class—along with the much-anticipated springtime sunshine, air, and rain—will transform this space into something colorful and beautiful. Try to picture what we have in mind…
The lower level will feature all kinds of sweet peppers, surrounded by various perennials that are returning from last year. The upper level will also be packed with colorful peppers, but these ones will be hot—perfect for adding some spice to recipes for our neighbors.
Our middle level is where the color should really pop! Alongside the already existing Jerusalem artichoke, iris, and lavender, we will be filling the entire level with all sorts of zinnias in a variety of shades and sizes. These will, hopefully, attract both the eye and neighborhood birds.
As you can see, we’ve got some big things ahead for this space. Stay tuned to follow along and check out our progress!
When George Washington was a young man in Virginia, he had his eyes set on a life as an English country gentleman. In Washington: A Life, author Ron Chernow describes one way Washington tried to attain this goal. He copied 110 social maxims from the book The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation in an attempt to know proper etiquette. Here is one of these guidelines I just couldn’t help laugh at:
Bedew no man’s face with your spittle by approaching him too near when you speak.
Well now I know bedew is a word and I will try not to do it to someone’s face!
In 1750, Henry Knox was born in Boston. After some limited education at Boston Latin Grammar School, he began to work as a clerk in a local bookstore. According to Ron Chernow in Washington: A Life, Knox “took advantage of every spare moment to read, preferring military history and engineering.” At the age of 21, Knox opened his own business called the New London Book Store. During this time he continued to read and gain military knowledge from British soldiers who would occasionally stop by the shop.
In his years at the New London, Knox solidified his revolutionary beliefs. When war broke out in 1775, he quickly joined the militia. Just outside Boston, Knox used the ideas he acquired in his hours of reading to help build fortifications surrounding the city. The breastworks that Knox designed allowed the Patriots to sting one of the most feared armies in the world.
When George Washington came to take command of the Continental Army, he was immediately impressed with Knox. This favorable impression would carry on, and Knox quickly became one of Washington’s favorite officers.
Throughout the Revolution, Knox moved up the military ranks and would eventually don the title of major general. When the British finally left the city of New York, Knox was at the command of the American forces taking over. After the war, he would go on to serve as our nation’s Secretary of War before dying in 1806.
It turns out that during the Siege of Boston back in 1775, everything in Knox’s store was destroyed. Though the piles of his books were probably torn or burned, the words on those pages had certainly already made their power known through Henry Knox; Boston bookseller and lover of the written word.
Do you want to become something great? Go read a book!
Hey Mister, Sing Me a Song! 
