US Virgin Islands

We just learned about the US territory of Puerto Rico.

Another US territory is the US Virgin Islands, which is in the Atlantic Ocean to the south east of Florida.

There are three main islands, and about 50 other very small islands.


(from: wikipedia - united states virgin islands)

The flag of the US Virgin Islands is white with an eagle between the letters V and I.
In one talon the eagle holds an olive branch, and in the other it holds three arrows for the three major islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix.

(from: wikipedia - flag of the united states virgin islands)

There is an old fort on one of the islands named Fort Willoughby that is over 200 years old.

(from: wikipedia - hassel island, u.s. virgin islands)

Trunk Bay on the island of St. John has a white sand beach and snorkeling.

(from: wikipedia - virgin islands national park)

In all of the rest of the US and its territories, people drive cars on the right side of the road. In the US Virgin Islands, they drive on the left side of the road. place

(from: wikipedia - right- and left-hand traffic)

Across the US are 10 very large satellite dishes, over 10 feet tall each.
They make up something called the Very Long Baseline Array, that can be used to look into outer space.
One of them is on the island of St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands.

(from: wikipedia - very long baseline array)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Arkansas

Paul's Second Letter to Timothy

We just learned about Paul's First Letter to Timothy.

He wrote a second letter to his friend Timothy, telling him to stay strong and to keep working hard.

Some famous words from this letter are If we have died with him, we will also live with him;.

(from: wikipedia - saint timothy)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Parable of the Prodigal Son

Le Bal élégant, La Danse à la campagne - Laurencin

We just learned about the famous painting Personnage écrivant by Polish artist Louis Marcoussis.

Another famous work of art is the painting Le Bal élégant, La Danse à la campagne by French artist Marie Laurencin, in 1913.

The French name for the painting means Elegant Ball, Dance in the Country.

Marie Laurencin was part of the Cubism movement with artists like Picasso, but focused mostly on paintings of women, and used curves more than sharp edges.


(from: wikipedia - marie laurencin)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: The Starry Night - Van Gogh

Italian - Good Morning

We just learned a few ways to say hello and goodbye in Italian, like ciao and arrivederci.

Many times in Italian instead of hello people say good morning, good day, good evening or good night.


Good Morning - buongiorno - sounds like boo-oh-n-jee-oh-rd-no /?/

Good Afternoon - buon pomeriggio - sounds like boo-oh-n poh-may-dee-jee-oh /?/

Good Evening - buonasera - sounds like boo-oh-nah-say-dah /?/

Good Night - buona notte - sounds like boo-oh-nah no-tay /?/


(from: wikipedia - accademia della crusca)

Do you remember how to say it in German?
Guten Morgen, Guten Tag, Guten Abend, Gute Nacht

In Spanish:
Buenos días, buenos tardes, buenas noches

In French:
bonjour, bonsoir, bonne nuit

Waterspout Tornado

We just learned about the Multiple Vortex Tornado.


Another type of tornado is called a Waterspout.

A waterspout tornado is a tornado that happens out over the ocean or very large lake.

These tornadoes can sometimes suck up fish, frogs or turtles that are near the surface of the water, and whip them up into the air inside the tornado.

Sometimes when the waterspout tornado gets closer to land, it can throw the fish that it had sucked up into the tornado out over the land, and it will rain fish on the land.

It has rained fish as far as 100 miles away from the coast of the water, so the fish can be carried very far!

(from: wikipedia - waterspout)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Evaporation

Labrador Retriever

We just learned about the type of dog the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
We learned a while back about the Golden Retriever.

Another type of dog is called the Labrador Retriever.

This dog is sometimes just called a Lab, and comes in three colors: Black, Yellow and Chocolate.
It is a very smart dog that is good at hunting and loves the water.
Labs are also great helping dogs and are used a lot as seeing eye dogs for blind people.


(from: wikipedia - labrador retriever)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Spider Eyes

Median Cubital Vein

We just learned about the Axillary, Cephalic and Brachial veins in the upper arm.

There is a very important vein in the elbow area called the median cubital vein.

This vein brings blood through the elbow area and back up the arm toward the heart.

When doctors have to put medicine into your blood, or if they have to take a sample of your blood to test for something, they usually poke a needle into your median cubital vein.

This is because it is a very large vein, and very close to the top of your skin so it is easy to see and find.

(from: wikipedia - median cubital vein)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Rectum