A Poem Study

by Danielle

Sensory Poem

My doll Alana
Smooth, like silk,

She smells like flowers just blooming,

Beautiful, like my (human) friend Alana.

Word Poem

Cohort

Sounds like a knife with a silver blade and a gold handle,

A team of horses,

A tornado in the rain,

Purple and red with maroon,

It means a supporter or a companion.

Silly Word Poem

Yippie-Skippy

Sounds like something’s funny,

Maybe something happy,

Like a cheery little monkey,

Or a day that’s bright and sunny,

Or maybe the color of honey,

It’s an expression of joy.

Book Review: Theras and His Town

by Christina

Review of

THERAS AND HIS TOWN
by  Caroline Dale Snedeker

Theras was a young boy who lived in Athens, Greece. He was active and didn't obey rules much. When he turned seven, he went to school , but was teased because his skin was white. One day his father, Philodendron, went to war. When the fleet returned, the men said that Philodendron had fallen, and would never return.

A few nights later, their closest relative took Theras to Sparta, a cruel place. He joined a small group of boys, but they teased him of his long hair, saying, “Look at the girlie.” One day he found a shepherd boy named Argos. Then a group of Spartans appeared Theras thought they were looking for him, and he hid. But they came to take Argos's big brother away, because a few nights earlier, he saved a Spartan when no other Spartans would dare to do what he did. The Spartans feared that he would be too powerful, so the took him and killed him. Theras became friends with Argos, and realizing that the Spartans will someday go for Argos too, he took his friend and traveled toward Athens.

What will happen next? What dangers will they face? Will they complete the journey? Read for yourself to find out!

WHAT I THINK OF THERAS AND HIS TOWN

I think the story is adventurous and heart touching. I love how the story ends when they all get together and live happily ever after. I was sorry when Theras's found out his father died. And every part of my mind wanted to read more. If you have not read Theras and his town, I would encourage you to do so.

Athens and Sparta

by Christina

Greece's cities dotted the valleys, with power that flowed through them all. Two cities, however, by the names of Athens and Sparta, treasured extreme power. Athens popularity kept power in itself, while Sparta's power came through it's fierceness. Though both kept very powerful boundaries, nothing brought them even close to becoming common. They fought nearly all the time.

Sometimes, fighting subsided and the Athenian men took a break. During this time, they made clay pots . The women made clothes and fancy rugs, which they spent their time making all day.

Athenians got their name from the goddess Athena, one of the Greek gods. They built precious marble temples for her, and admired her, believing her as the goddess of wisdom and meaningful war.

The Athenians also farmed excellently. They tended to huge field of grapes and grew giant olive trees they also raised chickens, donkeys, horses and goats. The Athenians traded many things like gold, pots, clothes, rugs, spices, and food and many other goods. People from all over the world came to Athens for their beautiful pottery.

Sparta tried to destroy this civilization, yet the strong Athenians blocked every blow. They seemed to the Athenians as unintelligent, and Athens looked down at them. For instance, Sparta hated making pots and pans. They fought as much they could, and when they did not, they practiced fighting.

Sparta cared for the gods much less than Athens. They made small, crude temples compared to the temples in Athens. Sparta also thought of the gods as cruel and bloodthirsty, much like themselves.

Spartans looked down at farming, too. Instead, they would steal from other countries and take their livestock or kill wild animals to eat. Also, Spartans hated the thought of trading. Instead, they raided weaker cities and stole their valuables.

Sparta's cruelness and Athens power struck many times. Yet in the end, they destroyed each other and found themselves even less powerful than they thought.

References:

Millard, A. & Vanags, P. (2008) The Usborne Book of World History. London, England. Usborne Publishing Ltd.

Bingham, J., Chandler, F., & Taplin, S. (2009) The Usborne Book of World History. London, England Usborne Publishing Ltd.

www. Usborne.com /quicklinks