Mrs. Donovan's Class

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Current Events for May 10, 2013Friday, May 10, 2013 at 10:13 am

Abandoned Lion, Tiger And Hyena Cubs Form Unusual Bond

In the wild, lions, tigers and striped hyenas are fierce competitors, all seeking out the same prey and often even stealing each other's kills! But don't tell that to these five youngsters who believe that they were born to be best of friends.

Plants 'Thrive' Next To Friendly Neighbors And Trees 'Gasp' For Water? Interesting!

The fact that plants do not live a passive life has been known for sometime now. In 2012, a team of researchers led by Professor Nick Smirnoff from The University of Exeter, was able to visually prove that they communicate with each other and now two totally separate research studies reveal that these silent communicators may actually be 'talking' to each other and us!

A School Cafeteria With No Chicken Fingers Or Meatballs? Hmm . .

Unless you are a vegetarian, the concept of a cafeteria with no meat, probably evokes images of broccoli (eww) and spinach (yuck). However, ask the kids at Active Learning Elementary School in Flushing, New York and they will tell you that it's much more than that. They would know because their school cafeteria offers only vegetarian food!

Juliaalmost 11 years
There so cute I really want to have them
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jim457almost 11 years
I think this is sad.
1 Reply

Current Events for April 5, 2013Friday, April 5, 2013 at 6:37 am

Mrs. DonovanHi News Anchors of Room 13!Make sure to pick a news story that you think the students of TJS would be interested in hearing. We will be picking from these stories to create our newscasts for next week.Thanks,Mrs. Donovan

Researchers Solve The Age-Old Mystery Of Why Roosters Crow!

If you happen to live near a farm or are one of those city dwellers that have a chicken coop complete with a rooster, you are probably used to being awakened by their customary crows at the crack of dawn. However, given that these birds also crow noisily at the slightest disturbance, made two animal physiology researchers wonder if the roosters truly knew that it was morning or, if they were just faking it. Curious to know what they discovered? Read on . . .

Why These 'Cool Images' May Send You Scurrying For Disinfectant!

At first glance, these pictures seem a little intriguing and even appear cool to some of you. However, that opinion may change once you realize that the images are not some kind of modern art but instead, those of actual bacteria that are thriving upon the touchscreens of all smart phones.

A Smart Trash Can? Now Why Didn't Someone Think Of That Earlier?

We have smart phones, smart cars and even smart glasses, so it would only be logical that the next big idea would be . . . . A smart trash can? At least that's what Minoru Kurata, an engineer at a Japanese auto company is hoping to bring to a store near you, soon.

Swimming Pigs Live The Ultimate Life Of Luxury In The Bahamas

Any mention of the Bahamas tends to evoke images of pristine white sands, crystal clear water and . . . pigs? Apparently they are the main attraction for the thousands of tourists that sail past the tiny island of Big Mayor Cay, better known as, Pig Island.

Fresh Vegetables And Fruit From Greenland? Hmmm . . .

The image of a fresh vegetable garden in subarctic weather may be a little difficult to conjure up. However, believe it or not, thanks to global warming this is not as rare a sight and as years go by, one that may become increasingly common especially, in areas like Greenland.

Video Of The Week - First Dog Goes On An Easter Egg Hunt

One of the most fun Easter traditions is the egg hunt. And while most of you have probably just completed yours, the youngest member of the White House, first dog Bo got to go on his, in mid-March. Not only that, he was all alone, which meant that he did not have to jostle with anyone, for the eggs.

British Student Discovers 300 Million Year Old Fossilized Footprints

A ten-year old British student has taken the world of Paleontology by storm with his discovery of a fossilized imprint that experts believe is more than 300 million-years old, from the Carboniferous period around the time when Pangaea was being formed.

Is Ecotourism Harming Wild Stingrays?

Humans are naturally curious - They like to seek out the wildest adventures even if it means intruding on the habitats and lives of other species. Nowhere is this fact more obvious than Stingray City in the Cayman Islands. The popular tourist destination attracts over a million visitors each year, all eager to swim and pet the stingrays that flock to the shallow sandbars in droves.

World Bids Farewell To Margaret Thatcher AKA Iron Lady

On April 8th, 2013, the world mourned the death of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who passed away after suffering from a stroke at the age of 87. Besides being the country's longest serving leader (1979 to 1990) in the 20th century, she was the first woman to lead a Western democracy. During her 11-year reign, the strong-willed woman, who was nicknamed 'Iron Lady' by leaders of the former Soviet Union, made some hard-charging decisions for which she was loved and loathed in equal measures.

Video Of The Week - Feathers Fly High On International Pillow Fight Day

On Saturday April 6th, thousands of adults and children all over the world got together in predesignated locations in their respective cities with one purpose in mind - To have a good old-fashioned pillow fight with total strangers!

The Cell Phone Turns 40!

In this day and age, when we depend on our cell phones for everything - From communicating to snapping photos to even playing games - it is hard to imagine life without one. Yet, it was only 40 years ago on April 3rd, 1973, that Motorola Vice President Martin Cooper, stepped onto a New York City sidewalk and placed the first known cell phone call in history.

80-Year Old Yuichiro Miura Prepares To Scale The Everest - For The Third Time!

For most of us, flying over let alone climbing Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain is achievement enough. However, don't tell that to 80-year-old Yuichiro Miura. He is already at the base in Kathmandu, Nepal preparing to scale the 29,035 feet (8,848 meter) peak for the third time!

Canines Demonstrate The True Meaning Of 'Best Friends Forever'

To declare to be Best Friends Forever (BFF) is easy - All one has to do, is say it loudly and exchange a bracelet or two. However, a true BFF is one that helps out when the other is in trouble, not just once or twice, but for an entire lifetime, if needed - That is the kind of friend that six-year old Milo has become for his best buddy, Eddie, who recently lost his eyesight.

Video Of The Week - Why Astronauts Never Shed Tears

Though it is common knowledge that lack of gravity makes life in space a tad different from that on earth, very few of us ever think about how different. There is of course the fact that Astronauts are always suspended and floating around, but what about beyond that? Something as basic as shedding a tear or two of joy or sorrow?

Teen Polyglot Has Mastered 23 Languages

New York teen Timothy Doner, has an unusual hobby - He likes to learn languages! And not the way most of us do to get through basic school requirements, but thoroughly enough so that he can conduct a decent conversation. Over the last five years, the 17-year old has been able to master 23! While this has earned him the title of the world's youngest polyglot, he is still not satisfied.

The 'March To The Sea' That Instigated India's Quest For Independence

With a population of over 1.2 billion, the South Asian country of India is not only the world's largest democracy, but also, the third largest economic power. It is therefore hard to believe that from 1850-1947, this powerhouse had been a British colony. Though there had been some isolated regional struggles for independence, it was a seemingly insignificant 'March To The Sea' protest organized 83 years ago by civil rights leader Mohandas Gandhi, that instigated a countrywide nationalist movement. This eventually, led to the birth of India as an independent nation.

World's Best Female Rock Climber is Just . . . 20 Years Old!

Rock climbing, where participants ascend or descend natural rock formations is not an easy sport. It requires not only physical strength, but also, complete mental concentration. But don't tell 20-year old Sasha diGuilian that. This fearless girl who has been dominating the sport ever since she entered the fray, is just getting warmed up.

Applications Pour In For First Private Mission To Mars

In February 2013, US multimillionaire Dennis Tito announced that his non-profit organization, Inspiration Mars Foundation, was planning to sponsor two 'qualified' people for a flyby to Mars in 2018. While one would think that an announcement this ambitious from a man whose closest encounter with Space has been as the first paying guest of the International Space Station would arouse some skepticism, such is not the case.

Can Red Wood Ants Predict Earthquakes?

While ants may appear to be just pesky insects whose sole purpose in life it to annoy humans, they are in reality, quite amazing - They can survive the biggest floods by morphing into living rafts, find their way anywhere, thanks to a built-in GPS and now it turns out, may even have the ability to predict earthquakes - Something the world's best brains have been unable to do, so far!

Transparent Fish With No Scales And Clear Blood Baffles Scientists

Last week, Japan's Tokyo Sea Life Park unveiled its latest exhibit - A transparent fish that has no scales and clear blood. The specimen of the Ocellated Ice Fish, believed to be the only one of its kind in captivity, was brought to the center by Japanese krill fisherman in 2011.

Have Nebraskan Swallows Evolved Shorter Wingspans To Avoid Becoming Roadkill?

A 2005 study by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service revealed that over 80 million birds are killed each year due to collisions with motor vehicles. However, one smart bird species that resides in some areas of the Western United States like Nebraska, seems to be bucking the trend and if two researchers are to be believed, it is all to do with evolution.

Running Tap Results In A Spectacular Frozen Waterfall In China

Earlier this week, the world got a whiff about the formation of a spectacular new frozen waterfall in China's Jilin City. However, this hunk of ice that sits on the side of a building, is not a natural wonder, but a manmade version created unwittingly, by an apartment resident.

jim457almost 11 years
Oh, yes, I guess it is.
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Carolinealmost 11 years
That's weird but cool!
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bob1b2babout 11 years
that is fare cool
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bob1b2babout 11 years
they should wake up
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Graceabout 11 years
That's cool!
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Carolineabout 11 years
Very cool!
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Austinabout 11 years
I guess so.
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marykateabout 11 years
funny video
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Austinabout 11 years
Yea, I guess so.
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Caroline Stoneabout 11 years
This is a funny video!
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Jimabout 11 years
I'm going to the store for a cup of R2D2.
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zachabout 11 years
tht is a rip off
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Mary Kateabout 11 years
that is cool that they now when to go to bed
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Graceabout 11 years
Is the bacteria way's on your phone or on you self???
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bradfordabout 11 years
I think that is a really cool articale because the trash can moves with the paper
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Mary kateabout 11 years
that is such a cool article
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andrewabout 11 years
woah
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Mary Kate about 11 years
that is totale disgusting!!!!!
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ryan about 11 years
this is really really really really really really cool
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ryan about 11 years
that is cool
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Julia about 11 years
I loved how the pichers did not look like bacteria, but it is.
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Carterabout 11 years
funny articail
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Carterabout 11 years
love articail
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