The Greatest Fair

Our county fair is the greatest fair on earth. There is so much to see and do. There is so much to like and to enjoy.

I like our fair because of all the projects I get to do for the fair, especially the animals. I like the smells of the Small Animal Barn, the smells of all  the good food. Walking down the Midway, I smell French Fries and Corn Dogs. I like eating the good food like French Fries, deep fried Oreos, donuts, and Elephant Ears. I also like the rides, like Freak Out, Tilt-a-Whirl, and the Starship 3000.  Also there are the tractor pulls, the Demolition Derby, and the Combine Derby. I like these because of explosions and smashed up cars and combines. The lights at night that come from the rides make everything bright and colorful. I like the old lady at the path that crosses the track, who’s there every year gives us someone to share our smiles with even if she does look so grim. Sigh. Working at the 4-H  Kitchen and getting a free lunch is something I look forward to. Looking to see if you got honorable mention on your Legos [Jake will beat me every year]. Helping out at the Small Animal Barn by sweeping and moving cages. Letting little kids pet my rabbits. Doing the rabbit show and trying your best. Doing rabbit and turkey chores. Walking around the fair grounds and getting cotton candy.

These are the things that make our county fair the best in the world.

Martin Luther a Reformer

 

Martin Luther was a reformer of religion in his day. He taught that the Bible should be the authority in the church. He also taught that people are justified through faith in Christ. Martin Luther’s religious movement led to the beginning of Protestantism.

Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Germany. When Martin was old enough he went collage to study Latin and law. One day a storm came up when Martin was walking to Erfurt. Lighting was hitting the ground everywhere. He was afraid and promised to become a monk.

But while Martin was in the monastery he became troubled about his soul. He wondered if he was doing what God wanted him to do? He wasn’t sure everything the priests were saying was right or biblical. Martin Luther was so worried about it that he spent hours in spiritual turmoil.

One day Martin was called to Wittenberg, by Dr. Staupitz, a professor. He told Martin to become a professor and a preacher. While Luther was teaching at Wittenberg he began to believe that the Bible was more important than the teachings of the priests. He decided to preach that the Indulgences practiced by the Catholic Church were wrong. Indulgences were part of a church practice called penance. Penance meant one was truly sorry for their sins, confessing to a priest and having the priest forgive them. Martin Luther’s opponent Tetzel, a Dominican monk, began to sell indulgences to the people. When Luther spoke out about the church’s practices on indulgences, some of the church fathers refuted what Martin Luther said.

All the interest in indulgences bothered Luther. So following the custom of that time period he invited his fellow professors to debate. Martin Luther put his thoughts about the church’s practices into writing. These became the Ninety-five thesis, or ideas. In the Thesis he objected indulgence money to build a great church in Rome and to the pope’s claim that he had power over whether people’s souls would go to purgatory. It also stated that religion was a personal relationship between God and man. And that the forgiveness given by Jesus Christ was important.

The Roman church court met for six months to study the case of Luther. At the end of this period they had wrote a report that stated: Luther was declared a heretic and should be excommunicated. That was when Luther lost patience and began to burn Catholic books and pamphlets in Wittenberg. Luther was then declared an outlaw.

On April 15, 1521, Luther was called to court so he could be tried for his writings against the Catholic Church. Martin Luther would not recant for what he believed. The room broke out in loud noise. Charles V, the emperor at that time, had enough and walked out of the room. With that, the meeting broke up before anything could be decided.

During this time of unrest, Luther was kidnapped by his own friends and taken to Wartberg so he would be safe. During his time in Wartburg Luther finished translating the Bible into German. While he was in Wartburg, Luther grew a beard. This made it safe for him to travel and he did so disguised as a knight.

In 1521 riots started in Wittenberg over what practices should be allowed in churches. Luther packed his bags and headed to Wittenberg to help stop the riots. After a while Martin was able to help calm people down.

Many monks and nuns began to run away from monasteries, because they read and agreed with the books of Martin Luther. One of these nuns was Katherine von Bora who Martin later married.

Martin Luther died on February 18, 1546. Before his death he started the Lutheran Church and wrote many books on the Christian faith. Martin’s German translation of the Bible helped more than any other single source to form the modern German language. Luther is recognized as a major figure in the history of the Christian faith. He continues to be the source of some of the most powerful ideas in Christianity.

 

 

 

Works Cited

Nohl, Fredrick: Luther, Biography of a Reformer. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2003.

“Martin Luther”, World Book, 2008

The Effects of Acid Rain

Does acid rain affect your town? If you live in Northeastern United States, Southeastern Canada or Europe, acid rain may be effecting where you live.  Acid rain is created when pollution from cars and industries combines with water droplets.  The sulfur and nitrogen released from the fossil fuels which combine with water droplets are acidic and cause damage to the earth.

One of the effects of acid rain is that it lowers the PH of bodies of water.  As acid rain falls it goes directly into rivers and lakes. It also runs off the soil into the water.  If the acidity level gets to high then life in these bodies of water cannot be sustained. It is estimated that around 50,000 lakes in the United States and Canada have a PH lower than normal.

Acid rain also damages forests. When acid rain falls on forests it can it can make them lose their leaves, damage the bark and stunt their growth.  Damage to forests by acid rain is seen all over the world, but the most advanced cases are in Eastern Europe. It’s estimated that in Germany and Poland, half of the forests are damaged, while 30% in Switzerland have been affected (source: www.geography.about.com).

Acid rain is dangerous to our environment.  It causes damage to the beauty that God created. I believe it is important to reduce pollution and thus lower acid rain.

Interview With a Medieval Knight

Field editor Isaac Bowers has gone onto the battle field to interview the knight, Sir Walter of Canterbury.

Isaac: Sir Walter, what kind of training did the first stage of knighthood require?

Sir Walter:  When a young boy of noble birth turns seven he goes into service as a page. It requires taking care of horses, reading, and taking care of the people of the castle. I found this to be a long period of time and often I was bored with the work.

Isaac: What type of training did the second stage of knighthood require?

Sir Walter: The second stage is when the boy turns 14. He then become a esquire. It requires learning horsemanship, the rules of Heraldry, the code of Chivalry, and attending to the knights and horses.

Isaac: What takes place during the ceremony to turn the squire into a knight?

Sir Walter: A ritual bath on the eve of the ceremony, then an all night vigil prayer. Then the master of the castle dubs the new Knight with a sword. It is a very exciting time for a young man.

Isaac: What was the Code of Chivalry?

Sir Walter: It required the knight to defend his lord.

Isaac: What is chain mail?

Sir Walter: Protective clothing made out of metal rings.

Isaac: How much does a full suit of armor weight?

Sir Walter: I full suit of armor can with between 40 to 60 pounds. I find it very difficult to move in at times. Especially when I begin to get weary after a long day at battle.

Isaac: How are you paid for your work?

Sir Walter: Yes, I am paid in either gold or land. I prefer land.

Isaac: Why are hot horseshoes put on the horses hooves?

Sir Walter: When the shoe is put on hot it is easier to the hoof.

Isaac: Why do Knights have tournaments?

Sir Walter: To show how skilled they are. And also, not many would admit this, we do it because we like to show off our abilities! We are a proud group!

Isaac What is heraldry?

Sir Walter: A special system of identification in order to help distinguish fully armored knights on the battle field.

Isaac: Thank you Sir Walter of Canterbury. 

Athens and Sparta

Athens and Sparta, in ancient Greece, had many differences and a few similarities. The education of children in these two city-states was very different from one another. However, the food that the ancient Greeks ate was pretty uniform throughout the country.  The government styles between Athens and Sparta varied greatly from each other.  Even though, these two city-states were in the same country, they were very different.

Education in Athens was primarily for the boys. At the age of six the boys started school. They studied math, writing, reading, music and spent a good portion of the day in the gymnasium learning sports.  The boys studied epic poems by Homer and learned to dance.  The arts were very important to the Athenians. The continued in this schooling until the age of sixteen. From the age of sixteen to twenty they attended a government sponsored gymnasium.

In Sparta, the boys were taken from their homes at the age of seven. They lived cruel lives in barracks. The boys were not allowed to go home. The boys were fed little and encouraged to steal food, cheat and lie.  Their education was to be trained as a soldier. The Spartans wanted to have war-like citizens, who were tough and cunning.

The people of Athens and Sparta ate similar foods.  Common foods for this time were, bread, olives, figs, cheese, fruit, vegetables, wheat, barley, cakes and porridge and dried fish. Beef was rarely eaten because it was expensive.

Athens became the most successful democracy in ancient Greece. Every male Athenian had the right to vote. The voters also elected Athenian generals.

Sparta was the most powerful oligarchy of ancient Greece. Most people were serfs who farmed. Citizens only made up ten percent of the population. Two kings headed the army of the Spartans.

Although, Athens and Sparta were both city-states in Greece they were very different from each other.  Their differences were so great that they did not get along. Those who lived in Athens thought their way of life was superior to the Spartans and the Spartans felt the same about Athens.  Their varied ways of life caused strife between the two cities.

My Stream

The ground slopes to the waters edge. There the water is contained in a small pond, which flows over the dam made of swamp grass, sticks, rocks and mud. The water continues to flow between banks covered with wildflowers, on it’s never ending journey across the road. There it collects in a swamp full of life.

I Am

 

I am a boy who loves God.

I wonder how long before Jesus comes.

I will hear trumpets sound, here He comes.

I see a bright cloud, here He comes.

I want to see Jesus.

I am a boy who loves God.

I pretend to play the Civil War.

I feel like I’m really there.

I touch the cold metal of my gun.

I worry about all the men that died.

I’m sad that all weren’t Christians.

I’m a boy who loves God.

I understand God is always there.

I say God is the only One.

I dream about Heaven.

I try to understand God.

I hope Jesus will come soon.

I am a boy who loves God.

The Homeschool Advantage

Homeschooling has advantages as well as public schools, but in homeschooling there are many more. In homeschooling you can ask questions whenever you need help.  If I have a question or am struggling with a problem, I only have to ask my mom for help and we go over it right away.  I don't have to wait till after the class is over or meet the teacher the next morning or e-mail my teacher if I have a question. In homeschooling you can ask whenever you need help and get it quickly. Another advantage to homeschooling is that you can have  lessons on the Bible, but in public schools there aren't any Bible lessons. The Bible is a good way to find help when you are having a hard day of school. It teaches you about God and His words for our lives. In public schools you are around bad influences all the time, such as smoking, drugs, and bad language. In homeschooling  your around your brothers, sisters and parents and are not so likely to be tempted to do things of the world.  That's why I feel homeschooling is an advantage.

Russia and Iraq

Did you know Russia has gold and silver among its natural resources, and Iraq has oil, natural gas and salt? Russia and Iraq may sit upon the same continent but, when comparing the inventions, natural resources, and the economy of these two countries, many differences and a few similarities can be found.

In the area of natural resources Russia and Iraq are very different. The only similarity these two countries have in the area of natural resources in natural gas.

Iraq has many natural resources. One is oil. Oil has played a vital role in Iraq since the 1950's. Oil is the most used natural resource in Iraq. Most of Iraq’s oil is found in the south near Kuwait. And in the north by Kirkuk. Other natural resources are petroleum, natural gas, salt, and gypsum.

Russia’s natural resources are gold, silver, nickel, copper, natural gas and diamonds. Amber comes from the sap of  conifer trees. Amber is used for trading, jewelry, and people polish it and keep it. Diamonds are found in a town called Mirny. The town has 40,000 people who all are in the mining business.  Russia has a lot of fossil fuels.  They are coal, oil, peat and natural gas.  Fur trapping is still done. Fishing for Sturgeon is common.  Russia’s long rivers generate over 10% of the world’s hydroelectric power. 

The inventions of Russia and Iraq show even more difference between these two countries.  Russia’s inventions were scientific while Iraq’s inventions were used for everyday living and education.

The Russians invented the radio, the hot air balloon, and the rocket, Sputnik I.  Sputnik I was built by Sergi Korolev and Valentin Glushko in 1957. Sputnik I  was the first artificial satellite. It made one full orbit around the earth. The radio and antennae was built by Alexander Popov in 1895. He made a radio that could send a message. This invention greatly improved ship to shore communications. The hot air balloon was invented by Dmitry Mendeleyev in 1887. He used the hot air balloon to get closer to a solar eclipse so he could get pictures of the it.

The Sumerians ( ancient people of Iraq ) invented the wheel, writing, counting, the calender, the plow and the planter. These were invented some time between 3500 to 3000 B.C.. Oxen were used to pull the planter and the plow. They used a funnel for the seeds to go down into the soil. The first wheels were solid and were made out of clay. Writing on clay tablets was how they use to write, they used reeds to write the tablets. Writing on clay tablets was hard, because they couldn’t make curved lines. They solved the problem by using a system of straight lines called cuneiform writing. 

When comparing Russia’s and Iraq’s economy a similarity surfaces.  Both of these countries struggle with financial difficulties.

Before 1991, during the reign of the Soviet Union, the government owned all the farms, factories, and private business were illegal. In 1991 the Soviet union fell apart, and so did the Russian government . One of the worst things that happened was the shortage of so many goods. To stop this problem the Russian government removed all Soviet Union controls from the country. These changes brought goods back to the shops. But the prices went up. The government tried to get inflation and the budget under control. In 1998 the country had a major money crisis. The government started more a cautious economic policy.

The export of oil in Iraq has played a vital role since 1950's. However, Iraq has tried to overcome being dependent on the exportation of oil by adding to the industrial sector. During the 1970's, Iraq’s economy prospered.. But the war with Iran in the 1980's, the Persian Gulf war of 1991 and the Iraq war of 2003, greatly damaged the government. In addition the UN Trade Embargo imposed in August 1990 halted all oil exports from Iraq. As of July 2009, Iraq’s oil exports have reached 2.1 million barrels per day, the Finance Minister said this would put Iraq on track for the largest month since the 2003 U.S. led invasion.

Russia and Iraq have many differences when comparing natural resources and inventions. They do share the common natural resource of natural gas, but all other resources between the two countries are different. The inventions created by the Russians where scientific, while the inventions of Iraq were used in education and everyday uses. Therefore there are no similarities between these two countries when comparing their inventions. They have some similarities in their economies. The economies of these two countries are similar in that they are both struggling with financial issues. Both governments are working to become more stable financially, but those who live in these countries have had to deal with poverty and lack of substantial goods.  So, as shown in this report, although Russia and Iraq are on the same continent, these two countries are very different.

 

Works Cited

Gall Le, Michel, Iraq, The World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia,Version 8.0.1 Development World Book, Inc., 2008

Murrel, Kathleen, Russia, Singapore:

Foster, Leila, Iraq,  New York: Children Press, 1998.

 

 

 

Personification Poem

Amusement

Is tall with skinny legs
His brown curly hair looks like wheat noodles
His blues eyes shine like the stars
Always happy he walks through the trees laughing, giggling and smiling
I was entertained

Hammer the Hammerhead Shark

It was a wonderful day in the Great Barrier Reef in the year of 1609. The sun was warm and filtered beautifully through the water.  Hammer the hammerhead shark was very hungry, so he went to look for his favorite food, fish!  But he couldn't find any fish which is unusual because the Great Barrier Reef contains many fish. Hammer got hopping mad. Then he saw his best's friends McHam and Brian. They, too, where hopping mad since they couldn't find any fish.  They decide to split up and look for fish. They headed in different directions.  Hammer swam towards deeper water.  Suddenly, he saw a rope in the water.  There were fish on it.  He was excited.  He would finally be able to eat. So very carefully he chewed the fish off  the rope.  All of a sudden, out of the corner of his eye,  he saw a human swimming at him.  He couldn't believe his luck!  There was more food and it was coming straight at him.  He swam for the human.  As Hammer got closer he saw a flash of light.  The human had a weapon.  Hammer circled around and charged the swimming human.  He tried to bite with his enormous mouth but missed.  He felt intense pain in his belly.   He couldn't swim.  He couldn't move.  He sank to the bottom of the ocean and gasped one last breath.

Written by Isaac and his mom

Tone Paragraph- Scared

We pulled into the parking lot of Wal-Mart and what I saw made my heart stop. It was a swirling cloud coming down from the sky. Things were blowing all around.  It was a tornado! I was about ready to faint and I yelled at the top of my voice,''It's a tornado''!  We jumped out of the car and ran for to the store for safety. My brothers and I were terrified. We thought we were going to die! While we sat and waited for the tornado to pass, my mom prayed. When it was all over we quickly left the and went back to my Aunt's house.

Clipper ships

A clipper ship is a ship that could ''clip off '' the miles it was so fast. It was narrow in the front, deeper in the back and had many sails. Clipper ships were built in the United states in the mid - 1800's. The first ship was designed by John W. Griffiths. The ships name was Rainbow. These Clipper ships were faster than the earlier ''Baltimore clippers" which were developed in the Chesapeake Bay and used at sea.

 

 

*information found in World Book Encyclopedia

Traditions- An Alphabet Poem

Amazing, Bountiful, Complete, Deciding, Everlasting, Family, Grandparents, Hunting, Irresistible, Joy, Keep, Love, Memories, Near, Optimal, Pastime, Rejoice, Sacrifice, Treats, Useful, Valuable, Worthily, Yielding, Zest.

Isaac's Funnest Activity This Week

The funnest  thing I did this week was celebrating my birthday. I got some wool socks and sock liners for hunting, 25 dollars for hunting licences and some lights for my mini-Christmas house collection on Wednesday.  I am now twelve years old. I am going to be hunting, today with my dad and Uncle. I am excited about going hunting.  I hope I get a deer. 

On Sunday, I will have a birthday party with my family.  My grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins will be coming.  My mom will be making one of my favorite meals.  We will be having Spaghetti, Finnish Flat Bread, and salad.

I'm thankful for.....

Turkey

Hats

Apple-bees

Nurses

Kids

Snow

God

Instructors

Victory

Ice cream

Numbers

Goodness

Written by my brother Jacob and myself.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Duck Hunt- Part 2

When I woke up it was still dark and I was at the front of the tent. I laid there for a while waiting. Then finally my dad woke up then my dad's friend woke up and we started to get our hunting clothes on. As we were finishing, we heard a boat come up. It was my dad's friend's dad in his boat.  For breakfast, we made hot chocolate and oatmeal.Then we got our guns, shells,and buckets to set on. As we sat down the ducks started flying in all directions.  We shot at them, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM! We did not get one single duck! After a while no ducks were around. So we packed up all of our supplies into the boat, said good-bye to our friends, and set out back to our truck.  I had a great time duck hunting my dad!

Duck Hunt

About two weekends ago, I went duck hunting with my dad, my dad's friend and his father. When we got to the lake where we were going to camp, we put our supplies in the boat.  We took the boat down the hill to the lake.  Then we pushed it into the water.  My dad rowed the two of us across the lake.  My dad's friend was coming later and his father was coming in the morning.  We must of saw 100 ducks near where we were going to be hunting.

When we got to the pine tree covered peninsula, we got out of the boat and started to look for a spot for the tent. After we moved the brush for the tent my dad took the boat so he could get it closer to the tent. He rowed around the to the other side.  While I was watching, my dad rowed boat into a pile of dirt that had floated to the top of the water.  He didn't get stuck, but it was close.  When he got close to the peninsula, he could go no farther.  So,  he threw a rope to me to pull in the boat. We got the boat in the forest where we were at.  Then we started to get the tent put up and  we got the supplies out of the boat.

   

After we got all the supplies put where they needed to be,  I dug a hole with a small army shovel, to create a pit for the fire.  When I was done we started the fire. Then we gathered a lot of fire wood.  For dinner we had kielbasa's, vegetables and Pringles.  We sat around the fire until it got dark.  We got into the tent and rested until the fire died down.  To keep the fire going we put really big, dead logs on it.  At that time, my dad's friend rowed his boat up to the peninsula.  We made Jiffy popcorn over the cook stove that my dad had brought.  Finally, we laid down to sleep for the night.

To Be Continued........

William McHenry, Secret Agent- A Tall Tale

Secret agent William McHenry works for the U.S. Government.  This guy can out smart the baddest of bad guys. He's even ten feet tall. William is also very very very strong. He invented a Super Race Car that goes 500 miles an hour. It shoots rockets, it has laser cannons, and can transform into a four-wheeler.

His most recent assignment is to find a guy dressed as a Russian sailor.  William is on his way to Port Core to look for his enemy.  While on his way, in his Super Race Car, he gets a flat tire. So he picks his car up and carries it to the nearest gas station. While William is getting his car fixed, his enemy is getting an army together.

Soon, William is on his way again. He sees a rocket in the middle of the road. So he gets his rockets out and puts them in there holders.  Then he shoots one of his rockets.  It hits the rocket and it explodes into a million pieces. William keeps on driving. When he finally sees the ocean he knows he is getting close to his destination. As he gets close he sees a Russian army. He gets ready to swerve. Then they start to shoot at him. He swerves.  William is a world champion at swerving.   

He quickly transforms his car into a 4 wheeler.  He charges toward the Russian army.  He sticks out his enormous, muscled arm and sweeps dozens of Russian soldiers into the ocean. Bullets are whizzing past him.  Some are striking him but he is wearing his protective, bullet proof suit that he made himself. Then he turns around and does it again and again and again till there is no more.

William transforms his 4-wheeler back into a car.  Up ahead he sees a lonely Russian sailor.   He speeds up,  jumps out of his car and fights the bad guy. He knocks him out. He puts the bad guy in the car and drives to Washington D.C.  There he puts him in prison. The President of the United States of America gives William a gold medal and a million dollars. 

My Pizza

September 5th is “National Cheese Pizza Day.”  What is your favorite type of pizza?  Explain to someone how they would make your favorite type of pizza.

My favorite type of is a meat pizza.  To make my pizza you have to make a thick crust.  I also like thick sauce, lots of cheese and bunch of meat, like bacon, sausage, and ham.  M-M-M that is how I like my pizza.