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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Biography :: Historic Comments!


Mrs. Yollis' class just completed a unit on biographies.
A biography is the story of a person's life. Each informational text report introduce the class to an individual who made a significant contribution to our world!

Artists, inventors, founding fathers, civil rights leaders,
entrepreneurs, inventors,
aviators, astronauts, and pioneers in many fields 
were among the amazing historical figures about whom we studied!


Here are some photos of the dioramas and artifacts. 













Historical figures, by next Wednesday, please leave a comment for one of the historical figures you met.   ;-)  

1. Share TWO or more facts about the contributions you've made.  Be sure to write using your voice and not the voice of a third grader in Mrs. Yollis' class. 

2. 
Historical figures, directly address another person you'd like to converse with. Watch the comments to see if you get a reply from anyone. 

3. OPTIONAL: BOLD your facts using HTML code.

Looking forward to reading these historic comments!

51 comments:

  1. My fellow Americans and bloggers,

    I am very excited to leave a blog comment for you! When I was president, back in 1845 to 1849, we did not have blogging. In fact, there was no such thing as the Internet! To get information to friends and family, I had to write out my words on paper and then send it through the mail. Steamships carried mail from New York to the Pacific coast. However, it had to be walked across the Panama Isthmus because there was no Panama Canal. Information took forever to reach people! Hey, when did that Panama Canal get build? I think it was established during the time of a president named Roosevelt.

    Being the 11th president was not easy. I lead the nation through the Mexican-American War. I understand you live in California! Well, you can thank me for getting that land at the end of the Mexican-American War. Wisconsin, where Grandma Barb, lives became a state during my presidency. When did California become a state?

    President Obama, I was 49 when I became president. I was younger than any president before me. How old were you when you became president? I also vowed to only serve one term. How many terms have you served?

    President Reagan, I heard something about your age. How old were you when the citizens elected you?

    President Washington, our founding father, how old were you when you first took over the presidency? Did you enjoy living in the White House?

    I look forward to hearing from my fellow presidents. I wonder how many presidents the United States has had?

    Does anyone have a question for me?

    Warmly,
    President James Knox Polk
    11th President/1845 to 1849

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Mrs. Yollis and Friends,

    I am happy to be blogging with all of you. I notice that now in the world we live in, people have equal rights for the most part, but there are still some minorities who struggle. I spent my life fighting for equal rights for all people, no matter what color of skin they had. I dreamed of living in a world where everybody can be the same and not have to fight for basic things. I am looked upon as a hero because I did not give up my seat to a white man, but I was tired and felt that I should have the same rights as the white man.

    Jackie Robinson, you are an inspiration to me. What was it like being the first black athlete to compete in the major leagues? Did you experience a lot of racism? How did you deal with racism of being a black baseball player?

    I look forward to hear about your experience?

    Do you have any questions or thoughts you would like to share with me.

    Kindly,

    Rosa Parks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. President James PolkMay 27, 2015 at 3:20 PM

      Dear Rosa Parks,

      I understand that America has changed a lot since my years in office, 1845 to 1849. You sound like a very heroic woman. What happened when you refused to give up your seat? Did you get in trouble?

      I am interested to learn about Jackie Robinson because you said he was an inspiration to you. Did you know him?

      Rosa Parks, when were you alive? Who was president? I was born on November 2, 1795, and died on June 15, 1849. How old was I?



      Your new friend,
      President James Knox Polk
      11th President/1845 to 1849

      Delete
  3. Dear Mrs.Yollis and class,

    Do you know hard it is to complete school when your are deaf and blind? I fought all my life telling many people who have disabilities, that they can do the same thing that regular people can achieve. Some people think I couldn't learn to read and write, but they were wrong. "Hey look, I am typing right now!" When I was child, they didn't have medicine to cure me when I got sick, but now they have different pills to make people feel better. When I got sick, I went blind and deaf, but that still doesn't stop me from doing anything.

    I have connection with you, Louie Braille. You got hurt and I got sick, but we both turned out to have problems that we have overcome. I think I heard that when you grew older, you were teaching braille. Am I correct? If you did, what school did you teach in, what state, and city was it in?

    I am happy to answer back to you, Louie.

    If anybody has questions, I am open.

    Gladly,
    Helen Keller

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Louis Braille aka RubyMay 27, 2015 at 7:55 PM

      Bonjour Helen Keller,

      I am Louis Braille. Yes, Helen, you are correct. I not only taught students braille - I invented it! The students loved my invention, and it made reading so much easier for them. I taught at The National Institute for the Blind, and I resided in Paris, France. I agree that it is hard to do things when a part of your body doesn't work, and it is frustrating.

      How did you learn things without hearing or seeing?

      Warmly,
      Louis Braille

      Delete
    2. Helen Keller a.k.a AshaMay 28, 2015 at 3:21 PM

      Dear Louis,

      As I said, I was very happy to comment back.

      I learned to read and write in braille, that you invented. I could feel things like benches, food, and I even felt mouths of people, so I knew what they were saying. I felt the texture on the product. I still had some human senses, but the most important ones had vanished (hearing and sight) when I was young. I agree that it was very frustrating living in a dark, dark world.

      How did you learn things without seeing? I can imagine how hard it was for you. What was the hardest and ablest moments of your life?

      Your new friend,
      Helen Keller

      Delete
    3. President Abraham Lincoln (Aryana)May 28, 2015 at 4:45 PM

      Helen Keller,

      I am Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States. I left you a few questions in my comment that is below yours a few letters down. I hope you can answer them. Do you have any questions for me, and was there internet for you while you were alive?

      From,
      President Abraham Lincoln
      16th president/1861 to 1865

      Delete
    4. Louis Braille A.K.A RubyJune 1, 2015 at 8:05 PM

      Dear Helen,

      I also love commenting back to you! I bet that you know how hard it is. It is very hard to do things when you can't see and especially when you can't hear! The hardest moments were probably trying to read and write without braille.

      Did people mind when you touched their mouth?

      Good bye,
      Louis Braille

      Delete
    5. Helen Keller a.k.a AshaJune 2, 2015 at 4:07 PM

      Dear Lincoln and Louis,

      Is it O.K. if I call you Abe, Lincoln?

      Lincoln, yes, during the later part of my life, there was an invention called the telephone made by Alexander Graham Bell.

      Louis, no, not that many people minded that I felt their mouths because they knew who I was.

      Did you ever have to touch people's mouths, Louis?

      I have commented back to your questions, Lincoln.

      Lincoln, what was the hardest part on your side of the Civil War? I never got to hear my dad's side, but I can imagine what he would have said.

      Did you know people thought of me as a civil rights activist for handicapped people? So were you Lincoln and Louis!

      Best Regards,
      Helen Keller

      P.S. It is o.k. if you call me Helen.



      Delete
    6. Louis Braille aka RubyJune 2, 2015 at 7:55 PM

      Dear Friends,

      Wow! You are very good at commenting back to good old me! Helen, did the people who didn't know you think it was weird when you came up to them and touched their mouth? No, I never needed to touch peoples' mouths because I could still hear things.

      Abraham Lincoln, I have heard that you are a smart man who loved books. You were very tall I think and you wore a long top hat. Am I correct?

      Juliette Gordon Low, or should I say Daisy, you sound like a fun person to meet. Did you invent the Boy Scouts of America? If not, then who did?

      I am happy to comment back to anyone.

      Salut!
      Louis Braille
      (Goodbye in French)

      Delete
  4. Lisa (Troy's Mom)May 27, 2015 at 6:16 PM

    Greetings, my name is Juliette Gordon Low, and I founded the Girl Scouts of America in 1912. My nickname was Daisy, and that’s where the name of the youngest level of Girl Scouts comes from (“Daisies”). I was committed to starting an organization where girls of all backgrounds could develop life skills to learn to take care of themselves, others, their homes, their communities, and nature. I also wanted to help prepare them for professional careers.

    I believe that I have a lot in common with many of you:

    Jackie Robinson and the other athletes: Like you, I was very athletic. When I was young, I enjoyed swimming, boating, and playing tennis. Being active is something that was always an integral (that means important and essential – something that cannot be left out) part of the Girl Scouts organization and still is today. Girls who are in Girl Scouts are very active and learn to keep their bodies healthy.

    Helen Keller, like you, I was hearing impaired. I suffered hearing loss in one and then my other ear in my lifetime. It was because of this that it was so important to me that even girls with disabilities be able to participate in the Girl Scouts.

    John James Audubon, like you, I loved nature and loved to paint. I also really loved birds. A big part of the Girl Scouts has always been encouraging girls to explore the outdoors. Today’s Girl Scouts are supposed to promise to try to take care of the world around them, and that includes nature and animals.

    I wonder if any of the women who are part of the biography project were Girl Scouts when they were young? Some famous women who were once Girl Scouts are Hillary Clinton, Sally Ride (the first American woman in space) and Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female Supreme Court Justice. Many, many successful women were once Girl Scouts!

    I am proud of my many accomplishments, just like I am sure you are all proud of yours. It feels good to have helped make the world a better place for others, doesn’t it?

    Warmest regards,
    Juliette Gordon Low

    ReplyDelete
  5. John Audubon (Troy)May 27, 2015 at 7:20 PM

    Dear Readers,

    As you all know, I was a great painter and naturalist. I invented bird banding, but it is not easy to do!

    Squanto, I think I have something in common with you. I think we both love nature. You must have lived much of your life in the outdoors. Have you discovered a bird I may not know of? Have you heard of the Audubon Society? It was founded long after you died.

    I have something else in common with many of you, and it is that many of you have been on a U.S. postage stamp. I was on a U.S. postage stamp, and Juliette Gordon Low, you were as well.

    Teddy Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, and Benjamin Franklin, did you know that you were also on a postage stamp after you died?

    If you do not know if a historical figure was on a postage stamp, I have heard there are these things called websites! You can check out this website: U.S. Stamp Gallery

    Abe Lincoln and George Washington, how does it feel to be on a U.S. coin?

    Warmly,
    John James Audubon ⛥

    ReplyDelete
  6. My fellow Americans,

    I am President Barack Obama. I was born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii. I am so happy that I'm part of today's world, where advances in technology allow room for opportunity and many advances in our world today. I am the first African-American president of the United States of America and just think 50 years ago that wouldn't be possible for an African-American.

    Mrs. Rosa Parks is my hero, NO, Rosa Parks is America's hero. She stood up in for what she believed in, making it a better world for all of us to live in today. Rosa Parks, how old were you when you got arrested?

    Jackie Robinson, you were an amazing hitter, catcher, and pitcher! How old were you when you started playing baseball?

    George Washington, in what year did you become the first president?


    Your leader,
    President Barack Obama
    44th President/2009 to 2015

    ReplyDelete
  7. Neil Armstrong( Tabitha )May 28, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    Dear Mae Jamison and John F. Kennedy,

    Mae Jamison, I am Neil Armstrong, and boy am I glad to meet you! We have a lot in common. We were both the first to do something in space. For instance, I was the first person to step on the moon, and you were the first African-American to go into space. What was your ship called? When did you go into space for the first time?

    John F. Kennedy, I am Neil Armstrong, and I was alive when you were alive. You set a goal for America to put a man on the moon. I am that man! I wish you could have seen it. However, the Kennedy Space Center is built in your honor. I was so sad to hear that you got assassinated. How old were you when you died? When did you serve your term?

    Sincerely,
    Neil Armstrong, first person to step on the moon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mae Jemison (Sean)May 28, 2015 at 7:29 PM

      Dear Mr. Armstrong,

      The name of the spaceship that I took into space was called the Endeavor. Did you know that my spaceship has been retired and is now on exhibit at the California Science Center? This way people can go visit it. It looks a lot bigger inside the museum than if its in space. When was your first time in space, and how old were you when you went on the moon? I remember watching you on a black and white television landing on the moon and I wanted to be just like you. As you know, I went into space also but I was only there for 7 days and, I didn't get to walk on the moon like you did.

      Sincerely,
      Mae Jemison, first African American woman astronaut
      (Sean)

      Delete
    2. Dear Mae Jemison,

      Yes, I did know that your spaceship is retired and is now on exhibit at the California Science Center My first time in space was July 20, 1969, and I was 39 years old. I hear that you wanted to be just like me, but I was so worried that something was going to happen in space. I still remember my words on the moon," Thats one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."

      Were you involved in space in any other way besides orbiting the earth?

      Sincerely,
      Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on the moon

      Delete
  8. President Abraham Lincoln (Aryana)May 28, 2015 at 3:58 PM

    Hello my fellow Americans,

    I am Abraham Lincoln and I was the sixteenth president of the United States. I lead the country through the Civil War. That means I am a civil rights leader and I am also famous because I was a president. Some of these famous people have some questions from me I hope to get answered. I would love to answer some of yours too.

    Helen Keller, you are a very brave person. I have a connection with you. You set a goal to finish and graduate college.I set a goal to stop slavery, and we both accomplished our goals. I have another connection. We both have things named after us.I have a memorial, my face is on Mt.Rushmore, I am on money, a postage stamp, and you, Helen Keller, have a hospital, and you are on a postage stamp. Do you have any questions for me?

    President James Polk, I ran against you before I was president. I ran against you to pass a law to stop slavery. You didn't pass the law. I was not very happy about that. Five presidents later, I became president. We have a connection which is we were both presidents. Another connection we have is that we both are on postage stamps. How many terms did you serve? Did you lead any wars? Did you have any children?

    Rosa Parks, you are a great person. You made a law that colored people don't have to give their seats to white people. I would say you are a civil rights leader like me. Another connection we have is you and I are on postage stamps, and I love how you fought for what you believed in. I agree with President Obama, you are one of America's heroes. Is there anything you want to ask me?

    President Barack Obama, I do agree with you that Rosa Parks is an American hero, and do you like that she fought for what she believed in, too? I didn't think you were born in Honolulu, Hawaii! How does it feel to be president on your perspective? Do you have any children? Was there something you loved to do in Honolulu, and do you still do it now?

    I am glad to talk to some of these incredible people today. Is there any questions you would like to ask me?

    Your former president,
    President Abraham Lincoln
    16th president/1861 to 1865


    P.S. I used this invention called HTML code to bold my compound sentences. I also like this other new invention called the internet, and I happen to have a quite few things about me on here.



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. President James PolkMay 28, 2015 at 4:44 PM

      Dear President Lincoln,

      Thanks so much for you fabulous comment. For someone who died in the 19th century, you are very competent as a blogger! I was floored by your ability to use HTML code. No wonder you were president, you're quite bright!

      I know we disagreed about the Mexican-American war, but I do not think that you ran against me. What did you mean when you said, "I ran against you before I was president"?

      You asked how many terms I served. I told Americans that I would only run for one term, and I honored that and did not run for a second term. I expanded the United States just like I promised.

      You also wondered if I had any children. No, Mrs. Polk and I did not have children.

      President Lincoln, who is your favorite president?

      Warmly,
      President Polk
      11th President/1845 to 1849

      Delete
    2. President Abraham Lincoln (Aryana)May 28, 2015 at 5:00 PM

      Dear President Polk,

      Thank you for a reply, and I appreciate that you said I was smart. The HTML is quite easy for me because I looked part of the blog that told you how to make HTML code.

      What I meant by that was I wanted to pass a law to stop slavery. You would not pass the law.

      This was such a long time ago, it might have been the legislators who did not pass it. I will research it on this new internet and tell you.

      You asked who my favorite president was. Besides me, my favorite president is Theodore Roosevelt. Who is your favorite president? Did you mean any president including me?

      Thank you,
      President Abraham Lincoln
      16th President/1861 to 1865

      P.S. Don't you think the internet is a good idea?

      Delete
    3. Helen Keller a.k.a AshaJune 1, 2015 at 3:26 PM

      Dear President Lincoln,

      Is it true that you led the Civil War for the north side of the United States? Well, my dad actually was the captain for the south. One of your soldiers killed my dad, when I was at Cambridge School. I asked my mom if I could to his funeral, but my mom said no. My dad would get mad when one of his slaves would play with me because I was lonely. We often cut each others hair and played fun games, even though I threw some temper tantrums.

      I didn't know I was on a stamp, but that is pretty cool. Have you ever heard about a play that was on about my life? Have you visited The Helen Keller Hospital? Do you know which state is it in?

      Did you ever get hurt, and did it cause a lifetime problem, Lincoln?

      Did you know people thought of me as a civil rights leader for handicapped people?

      Gladly,
      Helen Keller

      P.S. I like the Internet, it is awesome! Agreed?

      Delete
    4. President Abraham Lincoln (Aryana)June 1, 2015 at 4:07 PM

      Helen Keller,

      Thank you for replying, and it is true that I lead the Civil War. Why couldn't you go to your dad's funeral? I am very sorry to hear that my soldiers killed him, but it was a war and that is what you are supposed to do.

      How did your dad get into the position of captain? On your stamp, you and Anne Sullivan are on it. I have never heard about a play that was based on your life. I have heard of your hospital, and I am not sure where it is.


      I have never gotten hurt while the war was active, but I did get a fatal shot to my head. Do you know when and where it happened? Do you know what fatal means? I did know you were known as a civil rights leader. I am a president and a civil rights leader.


      I do like this new Internet, too. Agreed.

      Thank you,
      President Abraham Lincoln
      16th president/1861 to 1865

      Delete
    5. Helen Keller a.k.a AshaJune 3, 2015 at 4:03 PM

      Dear Abe,

      I couldn't go to my dad's funeral because there were some awful diseases at the place where my dad's funeral was going to take place, so my mom didn't want me to go and get sick. Did you ever have to attend funerals for family members?

      I am sorry about about the shot, and that it killed you. I know my dad was fighting for the opposite side of you, but I actually didn't like slaves because I thought they were friends when I was young. My dad died in the war when I was five years old.

      I think you got shot in a theater. I think some person was a character in the show, and was sneaking around the theater where you were sitting and shot you. Everybody thought it was part of the play, but then your wife screamed, everybody realized that he shot you in the head.

      What was your wife's name?

      No, I do not know what fatal means, but then I looked it up, and it means capable of causing death. Am I correct?

      Do you any other questions?

      Gladly,
      Helen

      Delete
  9. Dear Readers,

    My name is Rosa Parks and I am a civil rights activist who was arrested for not giving up my seat on a bus to a white man. I feel so lucky to be sharing my personal story with all of you today, as it has not always been easy for me. I was born on February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, AL. I died on October 24, 2005. I dedicated my life to fighting for equality because I saw so much racism around me.

    Dear President Obama, I did not get to live while you were elected as President. You are the first ever black President of the United States, and it makes me so proud that you are so. I like to think that I had something to do with it, as I have been fighting my whole life for people to have the same rights no matter the color of their skin.

    What does it feel like to be the President?

    Do you have any questions for me?

    Sincerely,

    Rosa Parks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. President Barack Obama (Kayla)June 3, 2015 at 4:22 PM

      Dear Rosa Parks,

      I'm very proud to be serving my wonderful country. This is a dream come true and it's the most rewarding job I've ever had.

      How old were you when you got arrested?

      Yours truly,
      President Barack Obama 2009 to 2015

      Delete
  10. President Abraham Lincoln (Aryana)May 28, 2015 at 4:39 PM

    Hello my fellow Americans,

    I would like to point out that being a president feels like an old saying I heard and all of the presidents might have felt like this to.

    The saying came from Voltaire.

    " With great power comes great responsibility"
    _
    Voltaire


    It is a huge responsibility to be a president. I hope every president feels this way.

    From,
    President Abraham Lincoln
    16th president/1861 to 1865



    ReplyDelete
  11. Teddy Roosevelt (Nicholas)May 28, 2015 at 7:00 PM

    My fellow Americans,

    I am Teddy Roosevelt and I was the 26th President of the United States of America. I thought of creating a canal called The Panama Canal, I was connecting two major oceans so ships don't have to go around they could just go straight through, saving a lot of time.


    When I was a little kid I had asthma, my dad told me to go out in the wild, in nature and go swimming and exercise to fight my asthma, I did and I became strong.

    Abraham Lincoln how long was the Civil War? Thank you for leading it.


    George Washington how long was The Revolutionary War? Thank you for your amazing plan.


    From,
    Teddy Roosevelt
    26th president/1901-1909

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. President Abraham Lincoln (Aryana)May 29, 2015 at 4:24 PM

      Former president Theodore Roosevelt,

      I am Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States. Thank you for thanking me. Leading the war is a hard thing to do when it is only your first term of presidency.The Civil War lasted for four years, and boy, was I glad when it was over. The war started on April April 12, 1861, and it ended June 02, 1865 . Did you lead any wars, or did you have to experience any wars when you were a kid?

      It is very strong of you to overcome your asthma. Your father had great advice and I am happy to hear that you took it. Your love for outdoors is inseparable, and you must have been a great president. Who is your favorite president, and is the Yosemite National Park made by you?

      I am very glad to answer your question. Do you have any other ones for me?

      Best Regards,
      President Abraham Lincoln
      16th president/1861 to 1865

      Delete
    2. Teddy Roosevelt (Nicholas)June 1, 2015 at 4:56 PM

      Dear President Abraham Lincoln,

      Before I was the president, I was a "Rough Rider."
      I led the Spanish American War it lasted ten weeks, from May - July 1898. When I fought the battle of the San Juan Hill on July 1st, it was one the greatest days of my life. I was the Lieutenant Colonel, and I received the medal of honor for my heroism during this war.

      My favorite President was you Abraham Lincoln, because you ended slavery.

      I created the U.S Forest Service, and I established five new national parks. In 1906 I signed the American Antiquities Act, which will preserve our beautiful country.

      Did you ever have any pets in the White House, I had lots of pets such as three dogs, one parrot, and one horse.

      Sincerely,
      Nicholas

      Delete
    3. Teddy Roosevelt (Nicholas)June 1, 2015 at 5:06 PM

      Sincerely,
      Teddy Roosevelt
      26th President/1901-1909

      Delete
  12. Alexander Graham Bell (Winston)May 29, 2015 at 5:38 PM

    Dear Henry Ford,
    I was an inventor and business man, just like you were. I invented the telephone, but what did you invent? I hear there's this new thing called websites, but who invented that? Today the world is so advanced, I can hardly believe my eyes.

    Sincerely,
    Alexander Graham Bell

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dear Neil Armstrong,

    Guten Morgen Neil Armstrong. Where I was born,in Germany, that is how we say good morning. I lived in America for many years and I enjoyed my life very much there. What state were you born in and what year were you born?

    When did you join NASA? I studied space, planets, energy, mass and the speed of light so I think we could be be good friends. We both studied space and I bet you are into physics as well. Have you heard of my formula e=mc2?

    I was thrilled when I learned somebody has finally mastered space travel. I know how much energy it takes to shoot a rocket into space and you must have known too before you lifted off for the moon. How many days passed until you got to the moon? I would think about 5 or 6 days. Is that right?

    I am amazed man has walked on the moon and I wish I was with you on that day you said your famous speech about a giant leap for mankind. Your footprint could be on the moon for millions of years. What was the date when you got back to Earth.

    You friend,
    Albert Einstein

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greetings from the moon, Albert Einstein,

      I was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, on August 5, 1930. I joined NASA in 1955. I agree that we would be good friends because we were both so interested in space, I had a dream about going into space every single day. I have heard of e=mc2, but I never knew what it meant. What does it mean? It took me 4 days to reach the moon, but you were very close. I still remember my famous speech," That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." There is no weather on the moon so my footprints have been there ever since it happened. I got back to earth on July 24, 1969.

      Sincerely,
      Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on the moon

      Delete
  14. Dear John James Audubon,

    I agree we have something in common. We both love nature and we both spend a lot of time outside. You are correct that I lived my life outside as did all of my tribe.

    I am famous for helping the Pilgrims survive their first winter and I helped the Pilgrims and Indians make peace. I had learned to speak English and could translate for the Pilgrims and the Indian tribes.

    No, I do not know anything about the Audubon Society. What is it? You enjoyed birds. I do not think I know of any bird you would not know of. There were wild birds and turkeys in the area where I grew up. You might not like this and, here, we may find we have uncommon ground. We hunted these wild birds and turkey for food for our village. How do you feel about hunting birds?

    Did you celebrate Thanksgiving when you were alive? If so, did you eat turkeys? When my tribe and the Pilgrims sat down for our first great feast together after the Pilgrims first successful harvest, we ate turkey and now, I understand, it remains the tradition to this day for Thanksgiving.

    It should be understood that I only hunted the birds and other animals for food which was necessary for the survival of my people. I have great respect for animals, trees and everything living.

    Sincerely,
    Squanto

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John Audubon (Troy)June 2, 2015 at 7:47 PM

      Dear Squanto,

      The Audubon Society is something called an online resource. It's also a group you can belong to. Yes, it is sad that people hunt turkeys, but it's part of our survival and health. It is true I celebrated Thanksgiving. But I didn't live my whole life in the U.S.; and they don't really celebrate Thanksgiving in the other countries where I lived.

      What animals did you live among?

      J☼hn James Audub☼n

      Delete
  15. Dear Jackie Robinson,

    You played baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and I understand that in 1947 you played at Ebbets Field.

    I have heard that you broke many records as a baseball player, but it was a challenge for you to accomplish this. Many people had a hard time accepting a black man on a baseball team at that time, and you had to really prove you had the skills.

    I had a hard time convincing people that light curves, but eventually people realized my theory. It is very frustrating to be told you can't think or do something you believe in.

    What was the most difficult game you ever played, and in what city did you play this game?

    Sincerely,
    Albert Einstein




    ReplyDelete
  16. Benjamin Franklin (Sam)May 31, 2015 at 10:48 AM

    Dear Mrs. Yollis and class,

    I am an excellent leader. I helped write the Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson.

    Thomas Jefferson, how did you feel about writing the Declaration of Independence? Was it hard being president? I heard that you have to be born in the United States of America to be president. Where were you born?

    George Washington, were you scared going into battle? How many people died in the Revolutionary War? Were you scared being the first president of the United States?

    I hope you all will be a leader like me someday.

    Sincerely,
    Benjamin Franklin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Benjamin Franklin,

      I worked a lot for our country, but I had a lot to do, and that's how I never gave up. It was hard to be president, but I am very glad that I helped everyone. I felt good about the Declaration of Independence, and I knew it was going to be great! I was born in Albemarle County. Where were you born? How did it feel to you when you wrote the Declaration of Independence?

      From the third president of the United States,
      Thomas Jefferson

      Delete
  17. Jakie Robinson aka EllaMay 31, 2015 at 11:27 AM

    Dear readers,

    I am Jackie Robinson, and I am so happy to be blogging with all of you. Just look at the world we are now living in, African Americans can do things I was never able to do as a kid. For example, look at how many African Americans are baseball players!

    I was the first Black baseball player. Now isn't that amazing, and I would like to give credit to Branch Rickey. He always believed in me no matter what.

    Barack Obama, thank you for the complement! I started playing major league baseball when I was 28. How old were you when you became president?

    Rosa Parks, it was really hard being the first black athlete to play in the major leagues.I did experience a lot of racism, and it was really hard to fight it. Once somebody even threw a black cat on the field and said it was my brother! Did you deal with a lot of racism? What did you fel like when you got arrested?

    Sincerely,
    Ella

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. President Barack Obama (Kayla)June 3, 2015 at 4:15 PM

      Dear Jackie Robinson,

      Thank you for your comment! I was 47 when I won the election to become 44th president of the United States of America

      Yours truly,
      President Barack Obama 2009 to 2015

      Delete
  18. Henry Ford (Lila-Jane)June 1, 2015 at 3:21 PM

    Dear Mrs.Yollis and class,

    I am Henry Ford, and I am famous because I made first horseless car. When I was a kid, I didn't have such a thing as the Internet. Do you want to know something? The Internet makes everything easier. You're lucky you live in a world like this because when I was young you needed to ride a horse to get somewhere. That's why I invented cars.


    Neil Armstrong, how old were you when you went into space. When did you land in space?

    Alexander Graham Bell, I invented the cars. That's why everybody drives a car right now. Who did you first call when you invented the phone?

    Sincerely,
    Henry Ford

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greetings from the moon, Henry Ford,

      My first time in space was July 20, 1969, and I was 39 years old. I want to ask you something. What inspired you to build the first horseless car? How many cars did you sell? I really liked you quote," You can have any color you want if it's black." How old were you when you made the first car?

      Sincerely,
      Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on the moon

      Delete
    2. Albert Einstein (Ethan)June 2, 2015 at 7:36 PM

      Dear Henry Ford,

      You are a pioneer in manufacturing the first car, and I think your cars helped people get places faster.

      You made the Ford Model T car, and the Ford Model A car. Which model did you like best?

      Do you think one day all cars will fly? I think it is a possibility, but time will prove this theory.

      It took years to prove many of my theories, but then people finally understood what I discovered.

      Sincerely,
      Albert Einstein

      Delete
  19. Mae Jemison (Sean)June 1, 2015 at 7:30 PM

    Dear Bloggers,

    I hope you have learned about me from your parents, since when I orbited the earth as the first African American woman astronaut, you weren’t even born yet! If you have not heard about me yet, you can google me. You will see that I orbited the Earth 127 times and it was only a 7 day trip (1 week). That's a lot of going in circles! I am also a physician, a dancer and a college professor! There is so much I wanted to learn about that I didn’t stick to just one area of study.

    Ronald Reagan, who's idea was it to build the Ronald Reagan Library, and what did you like so much about jelly beans that made it your favorite food? How many kids did you have? .
    I hope you enjoyed your life just like I'm doing right now. It seems like you got do many exciting things like being the President of the United States.

    I am free to answer any questions you may have about my accomplishments, and hope you have learned about what I have done so far in my life.

    Your fellow American,
    Mae Jemison the first African-American female astronaut

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Mae (Sean),

      You've accomplished so much and should be very proud of yourself.

      To answer your question, I had 5 children. I am not sure who's idea it was to build the Reagan Library, but other presidents had libraries. I knew when I saw my friend's property in Simi Valley, California, that it was the perfect place to build it and it was where I wanted to be buried. I originally starting eating jelly beans to kick a bad habit that I had of smoking. I really liked to eat the black licorice ones. I had 6 dogs while I was in the White House from 1981-1989. Their names were Lucky, Rex, Victory, Peggy, Taca, and Fuzzy. I also had horses, but they had to stay on the ranch in Santa Barbara.

      Are you still a part of NASA at all? Would you go into space again? What college do you teach at? Do your students know if you went into space?

      Sincerely,
      Ronald Reagan (Derrick)

      Delete
    2. Dear President Polk,

      I was 70 years old when I was elected as president and 74 when I was re-elected. That may seem very old to you, but people have started to live longer lives than in your time. Besides, age is just a number and I was still pretty spry.

      Although there was more technology around my time than you had, I still preferred to write everything myself. I kept detailed notes and journals. You can see many of my handwritten things at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.

      I agree with you that being the President of the United States is not an easy thing to be. There are many difficult decisions to make, so not everyone is going to be happy with you. I want to thank you for giving us California because that became my home.

      Best regards,
      President Ronald Reagan
      40th President/ 1981-1989

      Delete
  20. William Mulholland aka SydneyJune 1, 2015 at 7:32 PM

    Dear Readers,

    I am William Mulholland, and when I was young we did not have internet, so we could not blog. I think to blog is a great thing because you can communicate with other people on the internet.


    Some of you might have heard of Mulholland Drive or Mulholland Highway. People named those streets after me becauseI brought water to Los Angeles. How I got the water to Los Angeles was because I built an aqueduct from the Owens River. Does anybody know what an aqueduct is?


    Milton Hershey, I have heard of your chocolate business, and I have never tried Hershey chocolates. Did you sell a lot of Hershey chocolates.

    Sincerely,
    William Mulholland

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear William,

      My company (Hershey's chocolate) was and still is very successful. You did a very nice thing for Los Angeles. How did you feel when you brought water to Los Angeles?

      President Obama, how did you feel when you found out that you won a second time?

      Warmly,
      Milton Hershey

      Delete
    2. President Barack Obama (Kayla)June 3, 2015 at 4:10 PM

      Dear Milton Hershey,

      I still love Hershey's chocolate and still go to the store and pick up a few bars of Hershey's chocolate sometimes.

      When I found out I won the election a second time, I thought I was dreaming, but when I asked my wife if I really have won a second time, she had said I won again and she was so happy and she thanked me for all the hard work I've done to become first Black African-American president of the United States and I was so happy to be America's president a second time.

      Your President,
      Barack Obama 2009-2015

      Delete
  21. Andrew Carnegie (Nic)June 1, 2015 at 7:52 PM

    Dear Mrs. Yollis and class,
    Imagine a world where you couldn't borrow a book from the library. I I Andrew Carnegie fixed that with the public library. I am not only known for just that. In 1890, I made Pittsburgh the biggest iron and steel manufacturing city in the country. Here's the link for world book with some more information on me. Andrew Carnegie

    Bill Gates, we have a lot in common, we actually were very very rich (you actually are still rich). What
    year did you invent Microsoft?


    bye readers,
    Andrew Carnegie

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thomas Jefferson (Liron)
    Dear Mrs Yollis and class,
    Think about all the things that they didn't have like cars. I was the third president of the United States. I made the Louisiana Purchase which made the United States twice as big. I was so happy to be a president. I loved to do many things with other people.

    Benjamin Franklin, we have a lot in common, we wrote the Declaration of Independence together, and we wrote the Constitution with. We did a lot of hard work together. When did you become really famous?

    The third president,
    Thomas Jefferson

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ronald Reagan (Derrick)

    Dear Mrs. Yollis and class,

    Can you imagine what it would be like if the Berlin Wall was still standing and we were still dealing with the "Cold War"? It is great that people in East Germany and Russia have freedoms and are now able to visit with their families again. In case you didn't know, I helped to end the "Cold War" and persuaded the leader of the communist regime, Mikhail Gorbachev, to tear down the Berlin Wall. I believed in freedom for all people, just like you President Lincoln.

    Although I was the oldest president ever elected at the age of 70, I had a gift for communicating across the ages with my humor and wit. People even nicknamed me "The Great Communicator". I also served two terms as president.

    Did you know that long before I was the 40th President of the United States of America, I was a sports broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs? I would have loved to do the sportscasting for you, Jackie Robinson, but you played for the Brooklyn Dodgers about ten years after my announcing career. By the time you were playing, I was in Hollywood working as an actor. I'm sure that it would have been exciting to watch you play.

    I also cannot believe the changes in technology! Computers were just becoming a household item thanks to Bill Gates, but nothing like it is today. There was no internet yet and computers were much larger.

    One of my favorite candies to eat are Jelly Bellies? I loved to eat the black licorice ones! Have you ever tried a Jelly Belly? If so, what's your favorite flavor?

    Your trusted leader of the free world,
    Ronald Reagan

    ReplyDelete

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