Our School Flag

The Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country.

In its original form it read:

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. At this time it read:

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God," creating the 31-word pledge we say today. Bellamy's daughter objected to this alteration. Today it reads:

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Section 4 of the Flag Code states:

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute."

...a place for a Fairy

Each fairy breath of summer,

as it blows with loveliness,

inspires the blushing rose.

The Fairy Place

by Joannda Riche

A place where few can go or tell
Follow the stream to the fairy dell.
Wings of silken lace, help them rise,
Upon the breeze of perfumed skies,
And in the place where the wee ones play,
Are made the flowers and the sunbeam's ray.
Captured in the fairy cup,
Each dewdrop is to gently sup.

The creatures they all sing along
To the merry little fairy song.
Dancing round on tippy toe,
They flash their colours just for show.
Their magic is a secret thing,
As they sit around the fairy ring.

The great tall trees are their best friends,
Guard them from where the forest ends.
And on the days when the sun is bright,
They catch the shadows and cast down light.
'Tis then you'll see the magic true,
Placed on the ground for me and you.
And as the branches gently rustle,
Behind the petals the fairies bustle.

With a flash of light they rush away,
from vision of man. They stay,
When all is quiet, all is calm,
They flicker within the sheltered balm,
To gently float once again,
And twinkle in the dripping rain.

Each fairy has, so they say,
A pointed ear on which they lay,
To hear what roots of trees might say.
The roots feel deep, and know it's true,
When we approach, the me and you.
The Fairies realm, is for a few

But you will know when elves invite
Your chance to see the fairy sight
For those who search for fairy ground
With good intention just and sound
Do not disturb this little place
Just look at the magic of their face
Their pointed ears and wings of lace
The fairies live quietly secure
Amongst themselves, in a World that's pure.
They know your mind, it won't deceive
A fairy if you don't believe!

Fairy Houses are small structures made for the fairies to visit. Sticks, bark, dry grasses, pebbles, shells, feathers, seaweed, pinecones and nuts are just some of the natural materials used.

Floating Egg Experiment:

It is easier to float in the Ocean than in a lake or a swimming pool because of the salt.Salt water is denser than fresh water.Therefore,an egg will sink in fresh water because the egg is heavier than the fresh water.However,in the salt water the egg will float because the egg is lighter than the salt water.

{click here for Experiment}

Peaches & Jam

Thank you Joy for having us over to pick peaches with you,the little ones had a great time! Either picking from the tree or in the kitchen later in the evening. The peaches were so sweet we had to do something special,so we decided to make some Jam!

Homemade Peach Jam
Ingredients
Fruit: Peaches or Nectarines - 5 pints (which is: 10 cups, or 2.25 liters, about 3.5 lbs, almost 1.75 kg) fresh.
Lemon juice - either fresh squeezed or bottled. 1/4 cup.
Water - 1/2 cup
Sugar - About 4.5 cups of dry, granulated (table) sugar. It is possible to make low-sugar, fruit juice-sweetened, or Splenda-sweetened fig jam; I'll point out the differences below.
Pectin (it's a natural product, made from apples and available at grocery stores (season - spring through late summer) and local "big box" stores. It usually goes for about $2.00 to $2.50 per box. Jam Making Directions

Sea Life ~ Nature Study

Ocean Nature Study
Sitings today were Segulls and Pelicans

Pelican Printable

All about shells
seeing,touching,hearing {5 senses}

Our Learning Lunch Table

Declaration of Independence:

~That all men are created equal

~That all men have some rights given to them by God

~That among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Our Lunch Table:

Aubrie, Aiden & Cody enjoy taking breaks,especially for snack or lunch @ the school lunch table. It's decorated for the season or what they're studying at the time. We're doing Sea life and the 4th at the same time,so we added shells to the table.

George Washington was the commander in chief of the United States' army. At first he won, and on July 4th, 1776 the United States government published the Declaration of Independence. But then the English government sent lots more men to fight (women weren't allowed), and soon the United States was losing the war.
Kidipe: {History for kids}

Now reading George Washington's Socks. We are on Chapter 11 and to my surprise the kids are really enjoying it.They can only sit for 1-2 chapters at a time...I'm still happy with that. ...

An overnight campout turns into a harrowing trip to colonial America in this action-packed novel. When 10-year-old Matthew, his younger sister Katie and their band of friends enter a mysterious rowboat with magical powers, they wind up crossing the Delaware River with George Washington in 1776. The confused children are befriended by bedraggled patriot soldiers and captured by Hessians and Indians before completing the icy but victorious march on Trenton. Woodruff...

Sea Life: Sea Otter Pup

Monterey Bay Aquarium:

Otter Pup Story {on-line}

Otter Puppet {pieces}

This was an adorable & informative little story that the kids enjoyed.I think it made them enjoy the puppet project that much more. We discussed the book and what the momma Otter fed her pup as we were working...

here are some more sea life activities

The Great Sunflower Project

The Buzz: Spring 2010

The Great Sunflower Project

www.greatsunflower.org

Aiden and I have been working on this project for a few days now...I will be out
gardening and see a few bees flying around, go to get Aiden with clip board in hand and no bees. Ok...so we'll try again tomorrow.

Strawberry Patch

We had so much fun at the strawberry patch,considering this was an un-planned trip. Shadd was studying for finals,as I was meeting with attorneys,all the while Reana watching the little ones. ...after a much needed break from all of our adult business we decided to get out of the house for a little while. The kids really thought it was fun to have everyone together on a picking trip,especially Larissa & Logan! Little ones all together Un~Schooling with their 5 senses {sight,hearing,taste,smell & touch}!

















Oh....and Reana for the two hours we were picking strawberries had left her key's in the car door. Teddy was watching Border Patrol chasing some immigrants,as he walked up to the car door and "thanked god" they didn't steel the car in the midst of running to get away!