Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Sizzling Summer Solstice!

In the Northern Hemisphere, summer begins on June 21, 2011.


This first day of summer is called Summer Solstice.

Sol + stice derives from a combination of Latin words meaning "sun" + "to stand still." As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher until it seems to stand still in the sky.
As a major celestial event, the Summer Solstice results in 
the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The Northern Hemisphere celebrates in June, but the people on the Southern half of the earth have their 
longest summer day in December.



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It is hard to believe that our year together is over!

Our last day of school was June 16th.






We ended with a Country Concert on the Green...











and a great class party!







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Many of us have reflected about the year by visiting our very first post


Welcome to Third Grade in Room 9!








Let's keep the conversation going this summer!


What did you enjoy most about third grade?


What travels and activities are you enjoying
and participating in this summer?

29 comments:

  1. Dear Mrs. Ranney,

    I can't believe the school year is done and now it's summer. My favorite activity doing with you and the class is The Ugandan Global Project when we walked two or three miles. I enjoyed learning multiplication.

    Over summer, I will be flying on a plane to Ohio. Then from Ohio, we will be driving to West Virginia. After we visit West Virginia, we will drive to Wiliamsburg,Virginia.

    @ Mrs. Ranney, what are you doing this summer?

    Sincerely,
    Grace:)

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  2. Dear Mrs. Ranney,

    I am so excited to go in the pool and do other activities in the summer. Since the northern hemisphere is facing toward the sun, It is so hot in the summer. It is really hot in the afternoon at my house.

    I can't wait until it is time to go to Ohio to see my grandmother and grandfather. I hope it will be a fun summer. I hope you are having a wonderful summer so far!

    Sincerely,
    Grace(:

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  3. Dear Mrs. Ranney,

    I can't wait until summer camp starts. Next week, I am going to an art camp. It is going to be so much fun there. At art camp, they have different classes you take. It is my first time doing art camp. I'm doing art camp in the first half of the summer and during art camp, we will be traveling.


    In the second half of the summer, I will be going to Camp Kinneret. Camp Kinneret is a camp that is from around 8:00 to the afternoon. I think that is about the time it starts. There we get to do different kinds of activities. We get to go in the pool there. We ride on a bus to Camp Kinneret and there are stops. I drive to Chaparral and the bus picks some kids up there. On the way back, on the bus my mom picks me up at Chaparral most of the times too. On the bus, we don't have to be quiet. We get to talk and we even get to sing songs. We have counselors there, and they are our counselors for the rest of the camp.

    Sincerely,
    Grace

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  4. Dear Mrs. Ranney,

    I can’t believe that it is already summer! I am going to the beach every week, because it's going to be really hot! I am also going to Palm Springs, but I don't want to, because Palm Springs is at least 110 degrees. @ Mrs. Ranney, where are you going this summer?

    Warmly,
    Shawn

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  5. Dear Grace,
    I can't believe it's summer already! I think the Ugandan Global Project was a highlight of our year, as well.

    I'm so glad to hear about what a nice summer you're having so far and all the activities you are looking forward to! I hope you'll continue to post comments about your camps and your travels. Several years ago when my daughters were about your age, our family visited Williamsburg. We really enjoyed all of the interesting sites, as well as a great dinner at a place called the King's Arms Tavern. It felt like we had traveled back in time!

    I'm really enjoying my summer so far. One of my favorite things to do each morning is spending some time in my vegetable garden watering and picking fresh vegetables! Green beans, tomatoes, peppers, Swiss Chard, lettuce, beets, zucchini, radishes, carrots, eggplant, and several types of herbs are all growing and doing very well!

    I've also enjoyed a few hikes in Malibu Canyon, and I'm sure I'll do many more.

    One of the things I'm most looking forward to is a trip to Maui in about three weeks. Mr. Ranney and I have never been there, and we can't wait to snorkel, hike, and maybe even take a helicopter trip while we're there!

    Keep on having a great summer, and stay in touch here on the blog!

    All the best,
    Mrs. Ranney

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  6. Hi Shawn,
    It's great to hear from you here on the blog!

    I've enjoyed going to the beach a few times myself. It's a great way to escape from the heat! When you're in Palm Springs, you'll just have to spend a lot of time in the pool!

    I just wrote a long comment back to Grace, and included in it is a little more about what I'm doing this summer. Be sure to read it!

    I'm looking forward to continuing to hear from you throughout the summer here on the blog!
    Regards,
    Mrs. Ranney

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  7. Dear Mrs. Ranney,

    Aloha! This is Leah. I am commenting from Oahu, Hawaii! I have been visiting Hawaii for 9 days, and sadly, tomorrow we will fly home to California.

    We have done many fun things this week such as climbing Diamond Head (a volcano crater), visiting Waimea Falls and Botanical Gardens, and going to Pearl Harbor.

    I hope everyone is having a great summer so far!

    I have a question for everyone:

    What are you most looking forward to this summer?

    Your Past Student,
    Leah :)

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  8. Dear Leah, Grace and Shawn,

    I hope you all are having a great summer. This summer I am going to my dad's, my grandma's, and to our school for summer camp at Boys& Girls Club. I also will go to the pool at my house with my friend Emily and her brothers named Vincent and Anthony. I will have an awesome summer, and I can't what to see you all next year and Mrs. Ranney too. Hope you all have a great summer.

    Your Class Mate,
    Raelynn♥☼♣☺#22

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  9. Dear Mrs. Ranney,
    I just lost my 11th tooth! I think it is a molar because it was wider than my other teeth and because it was close to the back. I haven't put it under my pillow yet because it was late at night, and I didn't have time to write a note. I lost my tooth when I was in the car and wiggling it.


    By the way, I found a new series called Clarice Bean by Lauren Child. So far I have read one Clarice Bean book that was 190 pages long and it was called Utterly Me, Clarice Bean. The one I am reading now is called Clarice Bean Spells Trouble, and it is 189 pages. Type to you soon!

    Yours Truly,
    Mikayla

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  10. Dear Mrs. Ranney,

    I think it's awesome that you went to Wiliamsburg too. My grandpa said the same thing about how Wiliamsburg takes you back in time. Maybe we will eat dinner at the King's Arms Tavern.

    I am glad you're having a great summer so far. I think it is awesome that you're planting in your garden in the mornings. I've always wanted to have a garden in my backyard and plant tomatoes and squash.

    It is magnificent that your going to go to Maui to snorkel, hike, and you might take a helicopter. I've always wanted to go snorkel. When we were in Hawaii one summer, I wished that we could snorkel in the ocean on the beach.

    I have never really hiked. Sometimes at Camp Kinneret we hike up a mountain. It is not a tall steep mountain and it does not take an hour to hike up.

    I think it would be awesome to fly up in a helicopter. Some helicopters I've seen don't have doors. I wouldn't fly in a helicopter that doesn't have doors though. When you're up in the air you can look down and see tall skyscrapers and large mountains. I wouldn't be afraid to ride in a helicopter that is way up in the air.

    Have a great summer and I hope I will see you next year.

    Yours Truly,
    Grace(:

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  11. Dear Mrs. Ranney,

    Today is Friday the fifteenth and on Tuesday I will be going to Ohio. We have to start packing are bags for vacation. We will be spending three days in Ohio, West Virginia, and in Williamsburg, Virginia. Then we will go back to Ohio for a week. We will be gone for sixteen days.

    I hope you are having a great summer so far.

    Yours Truly,
    Grace

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  12. Dear Mrs. Ranney,
    It's me, Mikayla. In just three weeks, I am going to Alaska! I can't wait to find out who my teacher is going to be for next year. See you soon!


    Yours Truly,
    Mikayla

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  13. Dear Mrs Ranney,

    I have been wondering how hot does it get in your summer?

    What was your favourite thing you did in your term?

    From Lachlan in 3DD :) ;) :mrgreen:

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dear Mrs. Ranney,

    Hope your having a great summer! We can't wait to see you next year in fifth grade! You are a great teacher and we will never forget you!

    Best Wishes,
    Natalie and Leanne.

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  15. Aloha everyone,

    I just got back from my trip to Maui, which was absolutely wonderful! I snorkeled for the very first time and learned that I really love it. The numerous, colorful tropical fish thoroughly amazed me. We even swam with sea turtles!

    A very special treat was getting together for dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Yollis, who happened to be on Maui at the same time as Mr. Ranney and me!

    Another activity that I really enjoyed was a helicopter tour over west Maui and the island of Molokai.

    Finally, a real highlight of the trip was traveling up to Haleakala Crater to see the sunrise. What a stunning sight!

    Because we loved it so much, Mr. Ranney and I are already planning our next trip to Maui!

    I hope you're all enjoying your summer! I'd love to hear more about what all of you have been doing.

    All the best,
    Mrs. Ranney

    ReplyDelete
  16. Dear Mrs. Ranney,

    This was been the best year ever.I just got home from Ohio and Kentucky. I had so much fun. I can't wait till fourth grade.


    Your friend,
    Sydney

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  17. Dear Mrs. Ranney,

    Hi! I can't wait in till I get to see all my friends. Last week I saw Leah. We were both shopping for school supplies at Target. Today I saw grace. We were both at Gelson's. I had so much fun commenting with you. I got to go, so I'll see you in fourth grade.

    All The Best Wishes,
    Sydney

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  18. Dear Sydney,

    How is your summer? My summer has been great today I went to the movies and seen The Smarfs. I think it is cool that you went to Ohio and Kentucky, and did you know that I went to Kentucky in first grade?
    Best wishes,
    Raelynn

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  19. Dear Mrs. Ranney,

    This whole year was the best year of my life. My most favorite activity was the biographes about important people. Thank for teaching me all about math and science.

    Best,
    Tristan

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  20. Dear Mrs. Ranney,

    How has your summer been going this year so far? My summer has been going great. Tomorrow I am going to my friend's house to play with her, but she is from my old school here in Santa Maria. Oh! I just wanted to tell you that I am at my grandma’s house and I am blogging.

    Best Wishes,
    Raelynn

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  21. Dear Mrs. Ranney and Class,
    Hi! How’s your summer been because mine has been wonderful!

    I went to a sleep away camp in Malibu called JCA Shalom. It was so fun and I stayed for two weeks.

    Also I am participating in the Westlake Tennis and Swim Center tennis camp. Tennis is spectacular, but at the same time very tiring!

    I also do club soccer, and I had three tournaments this summer! When I play soccer in the summer it is scorching hot!

    I have had so much fun this summer I can’t believe it is already over! I can’t wait for next summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Regards,
    Carly:-)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Dear Mrs. Ranney,
    Hi it's me, Mikayla, writing to you from Alaska. Since daylight here lasts about sixteen hours, I go to bed when the sun is still out. Isn't that weird? During my trip, I went river rafting, ocean kayaking, saw Orcas breaching, went deep sea fishing, took a private plan to see over 20 grizzly bears, and hiked in Denali National Park. I leave Alaska tomorrow and take with me some amazing memories (and something special for you). See you in September!

    Sincerely,
    Mikayla

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Everybody!
    I have enjoyed reading your comments about your summers! If you'd like to know about the highlight of my summer, read the comment I wrote on July 25th.

    @Sydney, your trip to Ohio and Kentucky sounds great. I'd love to hear more about what you did there!

    @Tristan, it is wonderful to hear about what you enjoyed most about our year together. What have you been doing this summer?

    @Raelynn, I'm glad you had a nice visit in Santa Maria! What else have you been doing this summer?

    @Carly, what an active summer you've had! Which of your activities did you enjoy most?

    @Mikayla,your trip to Alaska sounds amazing! It is a place I've always wanted to visit. After reading about all the things you did there, I want to go even more! I'm glad you were able to comment on the blog from Alaska!

    I am looking forward to seeing all of you when we start school next week. I know you will have a terrific 4th grade year. Be sure to continue to comment on the blog. I will need some good role models for my new class!

    Sincerely,
    Mrs. Ranney

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  24. Dear Mrs. Ranney and Class,

    I just turned 9 on August 17, 2011! For my birthday I went to Magic Mountain. It was so much fun, except, some of rides weren’t so fun. I went I some scary rides like Goliath and X2. I still had a phenomenal time.

    Also, I am so excited for my 4th grade school year! I think that I will have an amazing teacher, and I hope that I will be in Jamie’s class for the 5th year in a row!

    I can’t wait for school!

    Warm Regards,
    Carly:-o

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  25. @Carly, Happy Birthday!
    I know your fourth grade year will be a great one no matter which class you are in! I look forward to seeing you and all our classmates next week!

    Regards,
    Mrs. Ranney

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  26. Dear Mrs. Ranney,
    Thank you! I hope that I have a magnificent year, and I can’t wait to see you!

    What have you done this summer? Also, have you enjoyed your summer vacation?

    I am wondering what teachers I will get for 4th grade, but it doesn’t matter because they are all very good teachers. I can’t wait to meet my new class!

    Warmest Regards,
    Carly:-o)

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  27. Hi Carly,

    Thanks for asking about my summer! In addition to enjoying my garden and some great hiking, the highlight of my summer was my trip to Maui. To read more about it in detail you can scroll to the comment I left on July 25th!

    It sounds like you're all set to have a fabulous fourth grade experience! You've already got your most important school supply - a positive attitude!

    See you soon!
    Mrs. Ranney

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  28. Dear Mrs. Ranney,

    I have always wanted to go to Maui! Wow, you got to see all around Maui in a helicopter! What was snorkeling like? Was it really enjoyable?

    Have you ever gone swimming with dolphins? I have wanted to do that all my life!

    See you in three days! I am so excited for school!

    Warmly,
    Carly:-o)

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  29. Dear Mrs Ranney,
    I had a great summer. I missed you and all my friends.


    Regards,
    Ariel

    ReplyDelete

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