We use plastic items all the time and scientists say plastic particles can be found everywhere. Plastics have been found on the oceans' floors(including the deepest trench, the Mariana Trench, in the Pacific Ocean). Plastics have also been found in the Arctic. Near the summit of the tallest mountain, Mt. Everest, scientists have recently discovered microplastics (tiny plastic pieces) found in the ice and snow at 27,690 ft. above sea level. It is suggested that climbers and their clothing and climbing equipment (such as ropes, tents, bottles, bags and clothing) were the source of the plastics! Did you know that microplastics have also been found in the human body?

Photograph from Pixabay.com

When workers were setting up this year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, they found a tiny Saw-Whet owl, hiding in the branches. The owl, who is believed to have made a home in the tree at its location in Oneonta,NY, traveled with the tree to the city.The owl hadn't eaten or had fluids for days. Named Rockefeller the Owl, it was taken to the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center. After spending a couple of days to be given a clean bill of health, Rockefeller will be released back into the wild. Wonder if he will return to his upstate New York area, about 170 miles north of New York City?

Photograph from MSN.com

Archaeologists in Egypt have made an amazing discovery. Over 100 sealed coffins, most with mummies still inside were discovered near Saqqara necropolis. It is estimated that the mummies date back about 2500 years. In addition to the coffins, a number of artifacts, including statues and funeral masks were also unearthed. A number of the coffins, believed to be of wealthy and important people, were placed on display this week, near the Step Pyramid of Djoser.

Photograph from NBC News

President Donald Trump was the first president in 100 years not to have any pets in the White House. President-Elect Joe Biden will be bringing the family's two dogs to the People's House when "first dogs", Major and Champ, come to their new home on January 20, 2021. It will be the very first time a rescue dog(Major) will be living in the White House. The dogs, nicknamed DOTUS(Dogs of the United States) already have a social media page where they are sharing their story.

Photograph of President-Elect Joe Biden with Major, who was adopted from the Delaware Humane Association: CBSnews

PAST NEWS STORIES

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"The school is the last expenditure upon which America should be willing to compromise."FDR "If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."(Ben Franklin) "You must be the change you want to see in the world."(Mahatma Gandhi) "School is a building that has four walls-with tomorrow inside."(Lon Watters) "We know the future will outlast all of us, but I believe that all of us will live on in the future we make."(Senator Ted Kennedy) "The purpose of life is a life of purpose." (Robert Byrne)
Special thanks to EducationWorld for letting me use this image of my "alter ego" as Mrs. "Waffenschmidt!

About Gail:

I have retired from teaching after 33 1/2 years in the classroom. Of that time, I taught Grade 6 Social Studies teacher for 31 1/2 years.I earned my BA in early secondary education with a concentration in social studies from SUNY Oneonta, New York, and my MST in social studies education from Binghamton University in New York. In 1988, I was awarded the Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Classroom Teacher of the Year Award from the New York State Council for the Social Studies. Additionally, in 1988, I was also awarded the Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award by the National Council for the Social Studies. I am the author of 8 books for teachers and over 30 books for children(Purple Turtle Series by Aadarsh Publishing). In 2019, my new series of three books, "Odd History" will be published by Red Chair Press.

My work has appeared in most children's publications including:
Appleseeds,Scholastic's Super Science,Scholastic's Science World,Highlights for Children,Jack and Jill,National Geographic World, Ranger Rick, Cobblestone, Faces, Muse Magazine,Contact Kids, US Kids,Action Magazine(Scholastic),Girls' Life,Boys' Life,American Girl, Instructor,Creative Classroom,Middle Years,Time for Kids,Scholastic News,Scholastic News Zone, Time for Kids , Ask Magazine, Dig,Calliope, Cobblestone, FACES, Studies Weekly, Glo Adventurer, and more.

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