A Strange Collection of Slightly Usefulless Facts
January Affirmation: My time with my students is very limited. It is my duty to make it all count!
Week 1: 1/1-1/7
Memory 1:One of the 4th grade teachers told me that I brought out the best in his students.
1/1: Feet->Inches->Lines->Points (Wikipedia)
1/2: Iran was never a part of the Ottoman Empire, and was an equally powerful successor state to the Mongols and Caliphates. (Wikipedia)
1/3: Tripoli was originally a Phoenecian city and was part of an area known as Tripolitania. Also, there exists a weather phenomena known as a, "Bomb Cyclone." Also, yesterday the average temperature in the continental US was -12.7ºC (9.1ºF). (Jeopardy & BBC)
1/4: Egyptian blue was a man-made color used over a 3,000 year period in antiquity as an alternative to lapis lazuli. Originating in Egypt, the complex process to make it was lost with the fall of antiquity, but rediscovered with the discovery of Pompeii. (Sci Show)
1/5: The native populations of the Americas have more genetic drift from their ancestral East Asian cousins than can be explained by the closing of the Bering Strait. One hypothesis (possibly on its way to becoming a theory) is the, "Bering Standstill," which states that the population was cut off from Asia and America on the strait for between 20,000 and 10,000 years before they were able to complete the migration. (Sci-Show, NCBI, Thought Co.)
1/6: The original Mario sprite was really four glued together. They were made using 8x8 pixel boxes in conjunction with a technique known as Color Cells. In this technique, every 8x8 group of pixels can produce only two colors. However, by placing many such cells on the same screen--not necessarily with the same two colors--full colored pictures can be produced. (The 8-Bit Guy)
1/7: This is a gross oversimplification, but the 10-dimensions necessary to string theory are as follows. Zero is a point, 1st is a line (or an infinite number of points), 2nd is a plane (or an infinite number of lines), and 3rd is a cube (or an infinite number of planes). Now, assume that the cube is moving along a timeline. In the 4th dimension, the cube can be at any point in time--or several points of time--of its own volition. 5th then postulates an infinite number of lines originating from the same point, with the 6th allowing the cube to move freely between them. The 7th dimension is all of the lines coming from an infinite possible beginnings. 8th takes all of those timelines, and rolls them into tubes, with the 9th being the space in the middle of the rolls. The last dimension, the 10th, imagines each of the 9th dimensions as points on a massive plane. Basically, each rising dimension adds both freedom of movement and/or a greater number of possibilities.
1/1: Feet->Inches->Lines->Points (Wikipedia)
1/2: Iran was never a part of the Ottoman Empire, and was an equally powerful successor state to the Mongols and Caliphates. (Wikipedia)
1/3: Tripoli was originally a Phoenecian city and was part of an area known as Tripolitania. Also, there exists a weather phenomena known as a, "Bomb Cyclone." Also, yesterday the average temperature in the continental US was -12.7ºC (9.1ºF). (Jeopardy & BBC)
1/4: Egyptian blue was a man-made color used over a 3,000 year period in antiquity as an alternative to lapis lazuli. Originating in Egypt, the complex process to make it was lost with the fall of antiquity, but rediscovered with the discovery of Pompeii. (Sci Show)
1/5: The native populations of the Americas have more genetic drift from their ancestral East Asian cousins than can be explained by the closing of the Bering Strait. One hypothesis (possibly on its way to becoming a theory) is the, "Bering Standstill," which states that the population was cut off from Asia and America on the strait for between 20,000 and 10,000 years before they were able to complete the migration. (Sci-Show, NCBI, Thought Co.)
1/6: The original Mario sprite was really four glued together. They were made using 8x8 pixel boxes in conjunction with a technique known as Color Cells. In this technique, every 8x8 group of pixels can produce only two colors. However, by placing many such cells on the same screen--not necessarily with the same two colors--full colored pictures can be produced. (The 8-Bit Guy)
1/7: This is a gross oversimplification, but the 10-dimensions necessary to string theory are as follows. Zero is a point, 1st is a line (or an infinite number of points), 2nd is a plane (or an infinite number of lines), and 3rd is a cube (or an infinite number of planes). Now, assume that the cube is moving along a timeline. In the 4th dimension, the cube can be at any point in time--or several points of time--of its own volition. 5th then postulates an infinite number of lines originating from the same point, with the 6th allowing the cube to move freely between them. The 7th dimension is all of the lines coming from an infinite possible beginnings. 8th takes all of those timelines, and rolls them into tubes, with the 9th being the space in the middle of the rolls. The last dimension, the 10th, imagines each of the 9th dimensions as points on a massive plane. Basically, each rising dimension adds both freedom of movement and/or a greater number of possibilities.
Week 2: 1/8-1/14
Memory 2: A second grade student looked at me when I asked him to do his work and said the following: "Do you ever have those Fridays where you know that it's Friday and you should be doing your work, but you don't really want to because you know that it's Friday and you just want it to be over so that you can get on the fun stuff?"
1/8: The Akobo desert (in Sudan and South Sudan, East of the Nile) and the Danakil desert (North East Ethiopia) are different deserts. The later contains the Danakil alps (islands of long past). Also, there's a geographic feature known as a 'hurst' which is normal ground between two faults.
1/9: Astronauts grow an average of 2-5cm in space. This growth is due to the spine elongating from the lack of gravity, and disappears upon return to Earth.
1/10: The rusty spotted cat, averaging between 2 and 3.5 pounds, is the world's smallest feline species. Currently extant in Southern India and Sri Lanka, it is designated as Near Threatened (and, bizarrely, is neither domesticated nor in the process of becoming domesticated. It a Furby can become popular, this thing should be able to do it too.) (BBC1)
1/11: There is a difference between a 'lock down' and a 'lock out.' In the former, everything is shut down and all activity stops. For the latter, outside doors are locked and everyone has to get inside, but life inside can continue as normal.
1/12: The right child, in deciding to act according to the rules and with the appearance of wanting to be helpful, can be as disconcerting as another deciding that they need to act contrary to the normal flow.
1/13: The modern city of Tunis is built on top of a Roman city which was itself built on the ruins of Carthage. The Romans said that they would never build there, but the real estate (and trade routes) proved too tempting to pass up. (TopTenz)
1/14: A food chain can also be called a 'Trophic Structure.' (Sci-Show) Also, Epimetheus--the husband of Pandora--was/is the brother of Prometheus. Together, they can be seen as the Greek equivalent of the Roman god Janus, in that one was always thinking of the future (Prometheus) while the other thought of the past (Epimetheus).
1/8: The Akobo desert (in Sudan and South Sudan, East of the Nile) and the Danakil desert (North East Ethiopia) are different deserts. The later contains the Danakil alps (islands of long past). Also, there's a geographic feature known as a 'hurst' which is normal ground between two faults.
1/9: Astronauts grow an average of 2-5cm in space. This growth is due to the spine elongating from the lack of gravity, and disappears upon return to Earth.
1/10: The rusty spotted cat, averaging between 2 and 3.5 pounds, is the world's smallest feline species. Currently extant in Southern India and Sri Lanka, it is designated as Near Threatened (and, bizarrely, is neither domesticated nor in the process of becoming domesticated. It a Furby can become popular, this thing should be able to do it too.) (BBC1)
1/11: There is a difference between a 'lock down' and a 'lock out.' In the former, everything is shut down and all activity stops. For the latter, outside doors are locked and everyone has to get inside, but life inside can continue as normal.
1/12: The right child, in deciding to act according to the rules and with the appearance of wanting to be helpful, can be as disconcerting as another deciding that they need to act contrary to the normal flow.
1/13: The modern city of Tunis is built on top of a Roman city which was itself built on the ruins of Carthage. The Romans said that they would never build there, but the real estate (and trade routes) proved too tempting to pass up. (TopTenz)
1/14: A food chain can also be called a 'Trophic Structure.' (Sci-Show) Also, Epimetheus--the husband of Pandora--was/is the brother of Prometheus. Together, they can be seen as the Greek equivalent of the Roman god Janus, in that one was always thinking of the future (Prometheus) while the other thought of the past (Epimetheus).
Week 3: 1/15-1/21
Memory 3: I got to entertain a group of fifth graders for a solid eight minutes by doing a routine with my many voices and accents.
1/15: Etiology is the study of causation. It comes from the Greek words aitia [a cause] and logia. (Etymonline) Also, the city of Corinth was the last Greek hold out (minus revolts) to Roman rule. In retaliation, once the Romans succeeded in their conquest they razed it to the ground. The modern city of the same name is actually about 5.8 miles to the NE of its ancient counterpart. (Brittanica) (Wikipedia)
1/16: Enceladus, Saturn's 6th largest moon, is releasing spews of water that add to the volume of it's E-ring. It was named after the Greek giant of the same name. He, in many myths, was buried under the island of Sicily after Athena threw it at him in the war between the gods and the giants. Also, an epitome is a summary of a larger work. (NASA, greekmythology.com)
1/17: Staying strong is as much about maintaining good habits as it is about offering positive alternatives to bad ones.
1/18: 'Taxi cab numbers' are numbers that are the sum of two different sets of cubes. For example, 1729=13 + 123 = 93 + 103. Also, there exists an animal known as the salmon shark that is related to the great white shark.
1/19: There exists a series of hills known as the Rainbow Mountains of Peru (three guesses where they are located, hint: it is Peru). They are part of Mt. Vinicuna, which is itself a part of the Ausangate mountain range. While they are visually stunning, Photoshop enhancements have given many visitors the impression that they look closer to the Emerald City than the--admittedly still stunning--slightly dull hues of the truth. (Atlas Obscura)
1/20: The name 'Italy' possibly comes from a tribe (the Vitali) who settled in the toe of the boot and refers to the cattle. Even the Romans called their homeland Italy (or some close spelling) at times. (Name Explain)
1/21: Oda Nobunaga was succeeded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In addition to martyring/killing 26 Christians and attempting to invade China through Korea, Hideyoshi also built Osaka castle.
1/15: Etiology is the study of causation. It comes from the Greek words aitia [a cause] and logia. (Etymonline) Also, the city of Corinth was the last Greek hold out (minus revolts) to Roman rule. In retaliation, once the Romans succeeded in their conquest they razed it to the ground. The modern city of the same name is actually about 5.8 miles to the NE of its ancient counterpart. (Brittanica) (Wikipedia)
1/16: Enceladus, Saturn's 6th largest moon, is releasing spews of water that add to the volume of it's E-ring. It was named after the Greek giant of the same name. He, in many myths, was buried under the island of Sicily after Athena threw it at him in the war between the gods and the giants. Also, an epitome is a summary of a larger work. (NASA, greekmythology.com)
1/17: Staying strong is as much about maintaining good habits as it is about offering positive alternatives to bad ones.
1/18: 'Taxi cab numbers' are numbers that are the sum of two different sets of cubes. For example, 1729=13 + 123 = 93 + 103. Also, there exists an animal known as the salmon shark that is related to the great white shark.
1/19: There exists a series of hills known as the Rainbow Mountains of Peru (three guesses where they are located, hint: it is Peru). They are part of Mt. Vinicuna, which is itself a part of the Ausangate mountain range. While they are visually stunning, Photoshop enhancements have given many visitors the impression that they look closer to the Emerald City than the--admittedly still stunning--slightly dull hues of the truth. (Atlas Obscura)
1/20: The name 'Italy' possibly comes from a tribe (the Vitali) who settled in the toe of the boot and refers to the cattle. Even the Romans called their homeland Italy (or some close spelling) at times. (Name Explain)
1/21: Oda Nobunaga was succeeded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In addition to martyring/killing 26 Christians and attempting to invade China through Korea, Hideyoshi also built Osaka castle.
Week 4: 1/22-1/28
Memory 4: I met an amazing five year old at the HeadStart my 5th graders visited. She gave two of my kids a tour of her classroom and was amazingly articulate. To quote her teacher, "she's ready for Kindergarten, and has been ready all year."
1/22: There exists a website known as, <all-about-sweet-potatoes.com>. It includes sections on the plant's history, variants, why they are not yams, global impact, and disaster relief. Apparently, some people believe them to be a super food. (all-about-sweet-potatoes.com)
1/23: A Phrontistery is a place for thinking and studying. Flahoolick (which, while in some websites is not in any dictionaries, but looks fun anyway) means to be very free with money. Also, don't start a story with an animal POV [Point Of View] unless all POV's are given to animals. (m-w.com, buzzfeed.com, critique group)
1/24: Sometimes, all that it takes to change the day for a student is a little more structure to the classroom. Thankfully, that same structure didn't make any of the other kids implode. Also, the division symbol is called the obelus and the infinity symbol is known as the lemniscate. (life [the actual, not the cereal], rapidtables.com)
1/25: Sometimes what a child needs most is a kind smile while being watched at play.
1/26: Doing something because someone told you not to is called Reactance. (Sci Show)
1/27: In the build up to the Opium Wars, china was plagued by pirates. Many had organized fleets, of which one of the most successful was commanded by the pirate queen Ching Shih, who flew under a red banner. Unlike the British in earlier times (particularly Queen Elizabeth I), the Ming emperor did not offer to turn her into a privateer. In fact, wishing to retire, she forced him to pardon her and her crew.
1/28: The drain stopper at my mother's house is an intriguing combination of a ball and socket and a lever. The bit in the drain is controlled by the lever, which is attached to the ball and socket which is raised and lowered by the bit behind the faucet.
1/22: There exists a website known as, <all-about-sweet-potatoes.com>. It includes sections on the plant's history, variants, why they are not yams, global impact, and disaster relief. Apparently, some people believe them to be a super food. (all-about-sweet-potatoes.com)
1/23: A Phrontistery is a place for thinking and studying. Flahoolick (which, while in some websites is not in any dictionaries, but looks fun anyway) means to be very free with money. Also, don't start a story with an animal POV [Point Of View] unless all POV's are given to animals. (m-w.com, buzzfeed.com, critique group)
1/24: Sometimes, all that it takes to change the day for a student is a little more structure to the classroom. Thankfully, that same structure didn't make any of the other kids implode. Also, the division symbol is called the obelus and the infinity symbol is known as the lemniscate. (life [the actual, not the cereal], rapidtables.com)
1/25: Sometimes what a child needs most is a kind smile while being watched at play.
1/26: Doing something because someone told you not to is called Reactance. (Sci Show)
1/27: In the build up to the Opium Wars, china was plagued by pirates. Many had organized fleets, of which one of the most successful was commanded by the pirate queen Ching Shih, who flew under a red banner. Unlike the British in earlier times (particularly Queen Elizabeth I), the Ming emperor did not offer to turn her into a privateer. In fact, wishing to retire, she forced him to pardon her and her crew.
1/28: The drain stopper at my mother's house is an intriguing combination of a ball and socket and a lever. The bit in the drain is controlled by the lever, which is attached to the ball and socket which is raised and lowered by the bit behind the faucet.
Week 5:
February Affirmation: I am not, "busy," I am having more opportunities to have fun.
Memory 5: I stopped at a stoplight on my way into school. A woman was turning left, but stopped in front of me. She said that she liked the lights on my bike, and thanked me for having them because it meant that she knew she wouldn't hit me.
1/29: shift+control+direction will highlight a row or column of text, proving that everyone can still learn something basic about technology. Also, Fanno Creek starts at the intersection of Beaverton-Hillsdale highway and 30th.
1/30: The Knights of the Golden Circle were an American group/secret society from the 19th century. Many of its members came from the mid-west. Their name was a reference to their desire to create a, "golden circle" of territory where slavery was legal, including areas in the modern United States, Mexico, and parts of the Carribean. It was founded by a man named George Bickley in order to protect the, "peculiar institution" from dying out.
1/31: Many people--when looking at a hippo skull--will assume that it's some kind of smilodon [saber-toothed cat].
2/1: The Doomsday code is an algorithm that--given a weekday based on a year table and knowing which days in certain months share the same day--allows for the computation of a requested date's day of the week.
2/2: Only 3% of animals are monogamous.
2/3: The USS Midway had about 39 captains in its 46 year lifespan. This is due to the fact that a captain would need a decent amount of seniority in order to command the Midway. By the time they had that amount, they would be due for a promotion anyway.
2/4: Scientists discovered why wombat poop is cube shaped by building a wombat tract and sending food of the correct makeup through it.
Week 6: 2/5-2/11
Memory 6:
2/5: Today is an etymology day. Virus comes from the Latin word virus [poison], which possibly comes from the proto-indo-european word weis- [to flow]. The country name of Bosnia comes from the river Bosna. That name, however, is of uncertain origin, but possibly comes from the indo-european word bhog- [current, the flowing liquid kind]. Meanwhile, Herzegovina comes from the serbian word herceg [duke]. This means that the country name of Bosnia and Herzegovina is about as complicated linguistically as the rest of the Balkans.
2/6: With an average pace of 7 wing beats a second, the European Swallow has an average airspeed velocity of 24 miles/hour. (style.org) Also, there was an Irish goddess named The Morrigan, who was associated with many things--including war. She was also--at times--known to be three separate people counted as one: Badb, Macha, and Nemain/Anand. She was the possible wife of Dagd and a queen whose symbol was the crow. (mythology.net)
2/7: 'Wicked' comes from the word 'wicca' which is an old English word for 'wizard.'
2/8: The term, "to give the third degree" comes from a Free Mason induction ceremony. In this case, the applicant would be asked a series of difficult questions in order to reach the rank of third degree, which is one rank below full membership. (BBC)
2/9:
2/10:
2/11:
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