I typed "civics hawaii" in my Google toolbar and came across a great site.  Here is the quote that caught my attention: In an age when we are often preoccupied with me and what is mine, kuleana is one of the most important words in the world.   The site describes itself as a social movement that practices island-style activism.  I enjoyed learning about their efforts and the meaning behind their logo.  Not many sites are dedicated to the "public good".

This room at Union Station in L.A. isn't being used.  It's great for photos, but what a waste of a lovely hall.  Last time I was there, I saw a T.V. show being filmed in this very spot.  Unfortunately, I didn't ask what the show was, or at least I don't remember what it was.

Union Station open in 1939 and is small compared to other big city train stations.  One of my favorite features is the tile and marble floor.

I drove to L.A. last Thursday to pick up a friend from Union Station, so I took a few photos of the building with my new Kodak digital camera.  I just bought the camera, so I'm just getting used to using it.  I plan to eventually create a few photo tours of downtown L.A. 

I can tell it's summer because traffic on the website has slowed.  Page views are down about 25% from last month.  To pump traffic up I'm creating some fun summer lessons.   I created one on amusement parks, and it includes a few reading worksheets.   I plan to make a ppt presentation to go with it.

If you're teaching summer school and need new material, check out my Summer Vacation unit.  It includes a PowerPoint presentation and several downloadable worksheets.  Slide shows work well if you have an interactive whiteboard in your room, but if you don't, you can print the handouts by right clicking on the first slide after the presentation downloads.  As usual, the whole site and all downloadables are free. 

China is hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics from August 8 thru August 24.  Almost all of the events will be in Beijing, the capital city.  I've created an Olympics Photo Lesson for ESL students and teachers.  It includes a reading worksheet and a tracing worksheet.  I'll be adding a ppt, video, and more worksheets later. 

I added a new landing page that lists most of the worksheets on this site.  There are several categories:  Short Stories, Read Alouds, Crossword Puzzles, Vocabulary Matches, and Lifeskills.  I'm going to be adding another one on Handwriting and Tracing, which will include both printing and cursive practice worksheets.  You can find these printable resources at the bottom of the various website pages, but I thought that it would make things easier if teachers and students could reach them from a single landing page.  If you'd like to request a worksheet, contact me and I'll be happy to create a worksheet of your choice.

Reminder:  The American flag should be flown half-staff on Memorial Day from dawn until noon.  This year Memorial Day is on Monday, May 26, 2008.  Half-mast and half-staff mean the same thing.  The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be hoisted to the top for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position.   The flag should be raised quickly and lowered slowly.  Teachers might want to review this information with their students.

Fading light dims the sight

And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright

From afar drawing nigh,

Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun

From the hills, from the lake, from the sky

All is well, safely rest;

God is nigh.

Then goodnight, peaceful night;

Till the light of the dawn shineth bright.

God is near, do not fear,

Friend, goodnight.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)

Canadian Army

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.