December 13, 2010
The Holidays are Here!
Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are celebrated in December
JUPITER IMAGES/AP
A boy plays the dreidel game, a Hanukkah tradition.
Each December, many people around the world celebrate holidays and traditions that are special to their culture and religion. Christmas is celebrated on December 25. This year, the first night of Hanukkah is on December 1. Kwanzaa begins on December 26.
Celebrating Christmas
On Christmas, Christians honor the birth of Jesus Christ. They celebrate the day with prayers, gifts and stories. In one Christmas tradition, a jolly, bearded man named Santa Claus brings gifts to good children on Christmas Eve. Each country has its own traditions for Christmas celebrations. In the sixteenth century, Germans started the Christmas-tree tradition as we now know it. They brought trees into their homes and decorated them with fruits, nuts, lighted candles and paper roses.
The Story of Hanukkah
This year, Jews began celebrating Hanukkah at sunset on December 11. The holiday lasts eight days and nights. In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" means "dedication." Hanukkah honors a struggle that dates back to 165 B.C., when Jews defeated an invading army and regained the Temple at Jerusalem. According to legend, Jews found a lamp inside the temple with just enough oil to light their holy lamps for one night. By some miracle, the legend goes, it burned for eight nights. Today, Jews celebrate Hanukkah by lighting a candle in a menorah for each of the eight nights.
YELLOW DOG PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES
Families celebrate the principles of African-American culture during Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa Traditions
Many African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa to honor their cultural roots in Africa. Kwanzaa is modeled after a series of cultural principles called Kawaida. According to Kawaida, African Americans can improve their lives by getting back in touch with their cultural roots. The holiday lasts seven days and nights, each marked by the lighting of a candle that represents a principle of family and community.
Peace on Earth
People of many backgrounds and belief systems spend time in December reflecting on the year that is coming to an end, then setting goals and making plans for the new year to come. The beginning of the dark, chilly winter seems a good time to gather loved ones around a fire or a candlelit table and celebrate the new beginning that we all share at the end of every December.
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1691266,00.html
991231 The Holidays are Here!-Michael
Each December, many people around the world celebrate Christmas. Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. Christmas is a traditional day for the Christians because Jesus Christ born on that day. In Christmas, children celebrate the holiday with prayers, gifts and stories. An old man with a white beard called “Santa Claus” will come out this day with his reindeers. Santa Claus will give Christmas presents to all the children. People will also decorate their house with Christmas tree, stockings and Christmas lights. Families will also have a Christmas feast together. It is a great day for children because they can have a lot of presents and happiness. We also can have a snow ball fight during the Christmas. People will also sing Christmas songs such as “Santa Claus is coming to town” and “We wish you a Merry Christmas”
2010年12月31日 星期五
2010年12月17日 星期五
991217 A Winter Storm in Autumn-Michael
December 13, 2010
A Winter Storm in Autumn
A powerful snowstorm swept through the Midwest over the weekend
BY KELLI PLASKET
Winter came early this weekend for Americans in the upper Midwest who were hit with a powerful mix of snow and high winds. The storm has so far caused at least 11 weather-related deaths and canceled more than 1,600 flights in Chicago, Illinois. Parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin were buried under nearly two feet of snow, and the roof of the Metrodome, the Minnesota Vikings' stadium, collapsed from the snow's weight.
The weather is what the region would normally experience in January, not December, according to Jim Taggard, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. In Minnesota on Saturday, the Twin Cities had their snowiest December day on record.
Under Pressure
As the storm made its way through eight states over the weekend, several major highways closed due to accidents and road conditions. The weather forced the cancelation of at least 1,375 weekend flights at Chicago-O'Hare International Airport and more than 300 at Chicago's Midway International Airport.
The inflatable Metrodome roof collapsed Sunday after the storm dumped 17 inches of snow on Minneapolis. This caused a major rip, dumping mounds of snow onto the field. A Vikings' football game scheduled for Sunday at the Metrodome had already been pushed to Monday when the visiting team, the New York Giants, were stranded in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday night due to canceled flights. Monday's game has been moved to Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Officials aren't sure when the Metrodome will reopen.
Cold Continues
The storm continues northeast on Monday toward Canada. Michigan and northern Indiana through parts of Pennsylvania and New York may experience some snow. A jet stream following the storm is expected to stretch as low as Florida, blanketing the East with cold temperatures and potentially bringing record colds Monday night to parts of the Sunshine State.
Meanwhile, the storm left behind dangerously cold temperatures in the Midwest, with wind chills well below zero. These conditions could slow down snow-clearing efforts on the roads. More flight delays and cancellations are also expected Monday at major airports in the East.
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,2036747,00.html
991217 A Winter Storm in Autumn-Michael
It is getting colder and colder these days because winter is coming. We need to wear more clothes to keep warm or we will get sick. There is a big winter storm which has attacked America is very strong. The snowstorm has caused the Midwest snowing and the temperature is still getting lower. The bad weather forced 1,375 weekend flights at Chicago-O'Hare International Airport canceled. The snowstorm affected all America it brought cold temperatures and chill winds that made some cities had a temperature below zero. There was also cold current that struck Taiwan it made the temperature decreased a lot. Kaohsiung had a temperature like 15 degrees. So, we had to wear a lot of clothes to keep us warm. I expect the temperature will rise tomorrow or the day after tomorrow because I don’t really like cold weathers.
A Winter Storm in Autumn
A powerful snowstorm swept through the Midwest over the weekend
BY KELLI PLASKET
Winter came early this weekend for Americans in the upper Midwest who were hit with a powerful mix of snow and high winds. The storm has so far caused at least 11 weather-related deaths and canceled more than 1,600 flights in Chicago, Illinois. Parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin were buried under nearly two feet of snow, and the roof of the Metrodome, the Minnesota Vikings' stadium, collapsed from the snow's weight.
The weather is what the region would normally experience in January, not December, according to Jim Taggard, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. In Minnesota on Saturday, the Twin Cities had their snowiest December day on record.
Under Pressure
As the storm made its way through eight states over the weekend, several major highways closed due to accidents and road conditions. The weather forced the cancelation of at least 1,375 weekend flights at Chicago-O'Hare International Airport and more than 300 at Chicago's Midway International Airport.
The inflatable Metrodome roof collapsed Sunday after the storm dumped 17 inches of snow on Minneapolis. This caused a major rip, dumping mounds of snow onto the field. A Vikings' football game scheduled for Sunday at the Metrodome had already been pushed to Monday when the visiting team, the New York Giants, were stranded in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday night due to canceled flights. Monday's game has been moved to Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Officials aren't sure when the Metrodome will reopen.
Cold Continues
The storm continues northeast on Monday toward Canada. Michigan and northern Indiana through parts of Pennsylvania and New York may experience some snow. A jet stream following the storm is expected to stretch as low as Florida, blanketing the East with cold temperatures and potentially bringing record colds Monday night to parts of the Sunshine State.
Meanwhile, the storm left behind dangerously cold temperatures in the Midwest, with wind chills well below zero. These conditions could slow down snow-clearing efforts on the roads. More flight delays and cancellations are also expected Monday at major airports in the East.
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,2036747,00.html
991217 A Winter Storm in Autumn-Michael
It is getting colder and colder these days because winter is coming. We need to wear more clothes to keep warm or we will get sick. There is a big winter storm which has attacked America is very strong. The snowstorm has caused the Midwest snowing and the temperature is still getting lower. The bad weather forced 1,375 weekend flights at Chicago-O'Hare International Airport canceled. The snowstorm affected all America it brought cold temperatures and chill winds that made some cities had a temperature below zero. There was also cold current that struck Taiwan it made the temperature decreased a lot. Kaohsiung had a temperature like 15 degrees. So, we had to wear a lot of clothes to keep us warm. I expect the temperature will rise tomorrow or the day after tomorrow because I don’t really like cold weathers.
2010年12月10日 星期五
991210 Turn Down the Volume!-Michael
December 6, 2010
Turn Down the Volume!
Congress passes a bill that quiets commercials
BY KELLI PLASKET
Commercials are too loud! It's one of Americans' top complaints when watching television. Now, the government is turning down the volume. On Thursday, Congress passed the CALM Act, which calls for regulations that will lower the volume on television commercials that sound louder than the shows they interrupt.
GETTY IMAGES
The CALM Act will lower the volume on loud commercials.
The CALM Act is short for the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act. Representative Anna G. Eshoo from California sponsored the bill. "Consumers have been asking for a solution to this problem for decades, and today they finally have it," Representative Eshoo said.
Viewers Complain
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an independent government agency that regulates radio and television broadcasting, has received complaints from viewers about commercial volume since the 1960s. In 21 of the FCC's last 25 quarterly reports, loud commercials were listed as a top consumer complaint.
Advertisers raise the volume on commercials to try to grab consumer attention. Instead, viewers reach for the mute button.
The act calls for the FCC to come up with regulations for commercials so that they cannot be louder than the average sound level of the accompanying television shows. Advertisers will have one year to meet the new regulations.
The Senate passed the CALM Act on September 29, 2010. On Thursday, the House gave final approval to the bill. After a bill passes through Congress, the President must sign the bill to make it a law. President Obama is expected to sign the CALM Act
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,2035492,00.html
991210 Turn Down the Volume!-Michael
TV commercials are usually very loud. In America people don’t like the commercials and the loud sounds while they are watching the TV. They complain about the loud sounds of the TV commercials. So, the Congress is going to make a law for the “loud” TV commercials which is called the CALM Act (Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act). The CALM Act will lower the volume on television commercials that sound louder than the shows they interrupt it will make the people who watches the TV feel better and comfortable. Sometimes, loud sounds will make our moods get worse so it is really important of the sounds of the TV. The new law that Congress made will make the advertisers follow the law. Commercials can’t be louder than the average sound level of the other TV programs or the government will give you a fine for breaking the law.
Turn Down the Volume!
Congress passes a bill that quiets commercials
BY KELLI PLASKET
Commercials are too loud! It's one of Americans' top complaints when watching television. Now, the government is turning down the volume. On Thursday, Congress passed the CALM Act, which calls for regulations that will lower the volume on television commercials that sound louder than the shows they interrupt.
GETTY IMAGES
The CALM Act will lower the volume on loud commercials.
The CALM Act is short for the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act. Representative Anna G. Eshoo from California sponsored the bill. "Consumers have been asking for a solution to this problem for decades, and today they finally have it," Representative Eshoo said.
Viewers Complain
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an independent government agency that regulates radio and television broadcasting, has received complaints from viewers about commercial volume since the 1960s. In 21 of the FCC's last 25 quarterly reports, loud commercials were listed as a top consumer complaint.
Advertisers raise the volume on commercials to try to grab consumer attention. Instead, viewers reach for the mute button.
The act calls for the FCC to come up with regulations for commercials so that they cannot be louder than the average sound level of the accompanying television shows. Advertisers will have one year to meet the new regulations.
The Senate passed the CALM Act on September 29, 2010. On Thursday, the House gave final approval to the bill. After a bill passes through Congress, the President must sign the bill to make it a law. President Obama is expected to sign the CALM Act
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,2035492,00.html
991210 Turn Down the Volume!-Michael
TV commercials are usually very loud. In America people don’t like the commercials and the loud sounds while they are watching the TV. They complain about the loud sounds of the TV commercials. So, the Congress is going to make a law for the “loud” TV commercials which is called the CALM Act (Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act). The CALM Act will lower the volume on television commercials that sound louder than the shows they interrupt it will make the people who watches the TV feel better and comfortable. Sometimes, loud sounds will make our moods get worse so it is really important of the sounds of the TV. The new law that Congress made will make the advertisers follow the law. Commercials can’t be louder than the average sound level of the other TV programs or the government will give you a fine for breaking the law.
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